I know there are more important things going on in the world, but I just wanted to update the 10 or so people on here who cared about my health: I had my thyroid surgery last Thursday.

I know there are more important things going on in the world, but I just wanted to update the 10 or so people on here who cared about my health: I had my thyroid surgery last Thursday. It went well, although they kept pumping me full of pain meds after surgery, and anti-nausea meds (b/c pain meds make me nauseous) so I spent a long time in recovery. Because anti-nausea meds also make one very sleepy/groggy, so it took me hours to be awake enough to go home. And I still threw up

1/6

I know there are more important things going on in the world, but I just wanted to update the 10 or so people on here who cared about my health: I had my thyroid surgery last Thursday. It went well, although they kept pumping me full of pain meds after surgery, and anti-nausea meds (b/c pain meds make me nauseous) so I spent a long time in recovery. Because anti-nausea meds also make one very sleepy/groggy, so it took me hours to be awake enough to go home. And I still threw up

1/6

I’ve been resting and slowly recovering. The anti-nausea meds seemed to stay in my system for days, although it could just be the whole experience making me feel exhausted and able to doze off the moment I sat or lied down.

I slept a lot, at least. Yesterday was the first day I made it thru without a nap.
This is unusual for me; I normally have trouble taking naps or even sleeping more than 5-6 hours at night. I don’t even remember sleeping so much after my reconstructive ear surgery in 2017.

I’ve been resting and slowly recovering. The anti-nausea meds seemed to stay in my system for days, although it could just be the whole experience making me feel exhausted and able to doze off the moment I sat or lied down.

I slept a lot, at least. Yesterday was the first day I made it thru without a nap.
This is unusual for me; I normally have trouble taking naps or even sleeping more than 5-6 hours at night. I don’t even remember sleeping so much after my reconstructive ear surgery in 2017.

The care team assured me they were very careful with the breathing tube so as to not damage my vocal cords, and I was only hoarse for about 2 days. Although I think it, or the surgery itself, made my acid reflux WAY WORSE and I got GERD on top of my usual laryngopharyngeal “silent” reflux.

I had to start taking Omeprazole and famotidine again, and sleep almost in a sitting position one night, it hurt so bad.
And that was on top of the pain inside of my throat and outside on my neck.

3/6

Once I got the last of the opioids/anti-nausea meds out of my system from the surgery and stopped feeling like a constipated (iykyk), congested slug, i felt more like myself on Monday.

I did some light singing exercises. As far as I can tell, I haven’t lost vocal control or any notes in my main singing registers. I haven’t attempted anything beyond an E5 and so I don’t know yet if I have retained my whistle register.

4/6

Once I got the last of the opioids/anti-nausea meds out of my system from the surgery and stopped feeling like a constipated (iykyk), congested slug, i felt more like myself on Monday.

I did some light singing exercises. As far as I can tell, I haven’t lost vocal control or any notes in my main singing registers. I haven’t attempted anything beyond an E5 and so I don’t know yet if I have retained my whistle register.

4/6

I have noticed my ability to flip between registers (yodeling technique) is diminished, but that may only be b/c I’m singing softer overall, even in chest voice.
Also I have swelling and bruising below the incision, and it’s a bright neon yellow. It looks like someone went to town on my lower neck with a highlighter

5/6

@KydiaMusic
Ugh, I'm sorry it's been so rough! You can definitely call your doctor about those side effects. Often they can change things. A different pain medicine might treat your pain better. (Many people respond better to an equivalent dose of one opioid vs another.) Maybe they could use Zofran for nausea, which is more powerful and less sedating than other anti emetics. But whatever you're on, there are likely alternatives. Please don't just put up with misery.️

@KydiaMusic

Sorry that you were still sick afterwards. That’s never fun. Rest is important. Sending lots of good healing vibes your way. 🫂🫂

@KydiaMusic I’m sorry I didn’t see that, hope you are feeling better and sending positive thoughts. I trust Sir Doots is providing warmth and comfort!

@KydiaMusic i'm sorry about the queasy but i'm happy you're ok

@tati

Thank you! I actually felt a lot better after I threw up , and had no more queasiness after the first day.

I haven’t got the results back yet on whether it’s cancer or not. Obviously I’m hoping for the best outcome, that the nodule is benign, because I don’t want to go through this again and have the other half of my thyroid removed.

6/6

@KydiaMusic Hoping for the best outcome for you. I didn't see you were getting surgery, I hope you'll recover well without further issues. Take good care

@Testoceratops

Thank you so much

@KydiaMusic this is unsettlingly common but still supremely unpleasant. more importantly, candles lit for no surprises

@GPJohnston

Thanks Greg! Doots has been as cuddly and supportive as always!

@MaryAustinBooks

Oh no worries! They only gave me opioids during and immediately after the surgery. I’ve been controlling the pain with just regular Tylenol since I’ve been home.

@KydiaMusic I knew he would, he’s a good kittipuss!