One week post completion thyroidectomy

I just came from my checkup after one week of completion thyroidectomy.  It's a good news for my histopathology of the left thyroid is negative of cancer.  Praise God.  The next step will be the RAI or radioactive treatment.  Hopefully, injectables will be approved by the insurance.

Dr. Carmelo was so happy of the result.  He also said, "you have a lot of friends."  He also said that it is important to have a lot of friends for support.

He also discussed with me the preparation before RAI.

What to do before RAI?

1.  Five weeks before, all medicines will be stopped.
2.  Low Iodine diet, so no seafoods!
3.  Expect weakness and tiredness because the drugs have been stopped.

During the RAI, i will be inpatient for three days with all the amenities in the hospital including wifi so he told me to bring my gadgets.

The stitches have been removed and I feel well.  Actually, gained weight ha ha ha.

Finding my calcium

It's almost a week after my completion thyroidectomy.  One of the many complications of having a total thyroidectomy is low calcium level in the blood.  This happens when the parathyroids have been removed or injured.  The parathyroid glands control the calcium level in our body.  With total thyroidectomy, parathyroids are removed.  

After my completion thyroidectomy, the same night after the operation, I felt numb and the muscles in my thighs and eyes were twitching continuously.  I called the nurse and she informed the doctor.  A little later, the nurse checked my calcium level and it was low.  I was given two 600 mg calcium carbonate tablets.  Then, the next morning, my calcium was checked and it was back to normal.  The  numbness and twitching was also gone.

Where do I get my calcium then?

Calcium supplement

600 mg tablet once a day with vitamin D

                                                   Milk and cereals

banana has 5 mg calcium

a cup of okra has 82 mg of calcium

The visit is over

It's my fifth day postoperative.  It is also the last day for Our lady of Guadalupe's visit in our flat.  For 26 days, we said novenas and rosaries for all our intentions and the intentions of others.  It has been a great blessing teaching us to pray and to wait on the Lord.  Learning how to depend on God and asking for favors through Mama Mary.

According to Catholic online:

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Guadalupe, Mexico (1531)

Patroness of the Americas
Feast Day in the USA - December 12th

The opening of the New World brought with it both fortune-seekers and religous preachers desiring to convert the native populations to the Christian faith. One of the converts was a poor Aztec indian named Juan Diego. On one of his trips to the chapel, Juan was walking through the Tepayac hill country in central Mexico. Near Tepayac Hill he encountered a beautiful woman surrounded by a ball of light as bright as the sun. Speaking in his native tongue, the beautiful lady identified herself:

"My dear little son, I love you. I desire you to know who I am. I am the ever-virgin Mary, Mother of the true God who gives life and maintains its existence. He created all things. He is in all places. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth. I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion. All those who sincerely ask my help in their work and in their sorrows will know my Mother's Heart in this place. Here I will see their tears; I will console them and they will be at peace. So run now to Tenochtitlan and tell the Bishop all that you have seen and heard."

Our lady of Guadalupe image

My fifth day post completion thyroidectomy has been uneventful.  I was able to eat a normal diet, well actually more than normal - chicken, noodles, rice, fish, veggies and rice cakes. he he he  I praise and thank God for the continuous healing that I am experiencing.  Fighting until the end.  Fighting for victory.

Completion thyroidectomy day four

Day Four.  I have a pretty good day today.  I woke up the same time to take my Thyroxine early morning before breakfast.  Then, ate my all fruits and vegetables.  After that, i ate my breakfast, siopao.  After the breakfast, i took my calcium carbonate and one alfaclcidol.  They go together because taking calcium is nonsense if you don't take vitamin D.  they kinda complement each other.  At lunch, i took the Vitamin B complex for my laryngeal nerve palsy.  Cooked some champorado.  In the afternoon i took my Teveten Plus for the hypertension.

Siopao for breakfast

It was a good day except fro some muscle twitching again and weakness.  I did have some numbness but i just took a rest and I'm on my way to recovery...

And oh, my son sent me a recording of his piano lesson but i can't upload it he he he.  Anyway, here is the photo that he sent me on FB.  He always tries to scare me with these looks...cute huh!

I thank God that everyday i get strength from Him.  In Him alone, I will be saved. 

Turmeric tea and video message

How do I spend recuperation?  turmeric tea and a video message from my niece and my son.

How  to make turmeric tea

It's easy as one, two three.  Just peel about a thumb size of fresh turmeric.  Chop it.  Boil water.  Put the chopped turmeric in a mug.  Pour in hot water.  Instant turmeric tea!

Completion thyroidectomy: Postoperative day three

I'm on day three post completion thyroidectomy.  This is my second surgery in less than a month. The first one was right hemithyroidectomy that confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma.  So, i have to get another surgery for completion thyroidectomy.  Comparing the two surgeries, the last one was far better than the first except for the numbness due to calcium depletion.  

Comparing the two surgeries postoperatively:

Right hemithyroidectomy                                                  

1.  Too groggy after the procedure.                                   

2.  I was able to urinate soon after.                                    

3.  My throat was too sore.                                                 

4.  I had choking with fluids.                                              

5.  I had to stay on bed for a long time.                             

6.  Lightheaded for two weeks.                                        

Completion thyroidectomy:

1.  Felt like had a few drinks - tipsy.
2.  I was able to urinate soon after.
3.  Sore throat but not much of pain.
4.  Able to eat soonest without choking.
5.  I'm up on day three coloring, etc.
6.  I'm on day three and not lightheaded.                                                                                      

7. Numbness and muscle twitching (due to                                                                                            
calcium depletion) have to deal with these                                                                                               lifelong with calcium and vitamin D tablets.

All in all, I thank God for the healing.  I am currently recuperating and hopefully be back on my feet stronger and healthier in preparation for my radioactive iodine treatment.

Completion thyroidectomy

Just got home after my completion thyroidectomy on 4 October 2015.  This time the left side was removed.  I continue to praise God for the second operation was uneventful and of course successful except for the sudden calcium level drop that lead to upper and lower extremity numbness and muscle twitching. The sudden drop in calcium level was corrected with 600 mg two tablets of calcium carbonate.  All went well and I am now home recuperating.

Thank you for all your prayers.