I had partial thyroidectomy (right lobe and isthmus)) and 1 parathyroidectomy in July and was diagnosed with Hurthle cell carcinoma. I am dealing with a pain that sounds similar to yours however mine appears to be when I tuck my chin or turn my head downward to the right. Sometimes it is very painful and other times it is reduced, but it seems to always be here….I complained of this before surgery but was told it was due to the very large nodule. I can feel a swollen gland in my neck and for awhile I had a swollen gland behind my ear. Although sometimes the pain is worse, it seems to always be present and quite sharp. I just had a Ct scan and ultrasound. Although a lymph node was enlarged and some thickening in the area, the endocrinologist said “everything is fine.” I told her that everything is not fine due to the sharp pain I am having when I turn my head downward. I went to my regular ENT for examination and asked him to look at my reports. He explained that although the lymph node is enlarged it is not large enough so Dr might be waiting. He also said it could be part of the internal healing process and scar tissue forming that hasn’t smoothed down. He gave me antibiotic in case it is associated with infection and told me to continue to follow up on it with endocrinologist. The antibiotic helped with the swollen gland behind ear and appears to have reduced some of the pain in my neck however it’s still there…. Having the pain reduced is very good though!
Maybe your pain is related to scar tissue and not cancer and your recent sickness caused your Lymph nodes in your neck to swell which is causing pain into jaw. It is hard not to worry but I thought that my ENTs explanation for my situation might help calm some of your worry. Definitely worth asking Dr for further testing and the ultrasound and CT scan might help. Good luck!