Lose voice after surgery?

Hi all,

Firstly, I would like to thank all of you. I have gained a lot of hope and strength after reading your posts here.

My sister is 26 years old and was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in February, 2009. She underwent surgery in the same month. A total thyroidectomy was performed, effected lymph nodes were removed too. A month later, in March 2009, she got the RAI therapy done. The doctors assured us that all will be good. It was said to be Stage 1 Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

A few days back, we learnt that some effected lymph nodes are still present. A second surgery was suggested and this time around the doctors say that my sister's voice could be lost.

We got a second opinion and this doctor says that the surgery wasn't performed well the first time. He assured us that a second surgery followed by another RAI therapy is the best course of action and also that the risk of losing her voice is only 2%. Her voice will be hoarse at first and then it will regain its strength in 6 months' time.

My sister took the news of Thyca very bravely and has been very strong and patient with the entire treatment process. But when she learnt that she will have to undergo a second surgery with a risk of losing her voice, she broke down.

Please help me here, any information related to this or anyone who underwent two surgeries in less than 6 months?? What are the risks to the voice chord?

There's nothing tangible to hold onto and so I'm trying to find solace in your confidence and spirit to fight this horrible disease.

I have had only one surgery.  My surgery was 6/4/2009. I had a TT.  I am having some problems with my voice. Today is 35 days post surgery. My voice improves with each passing day. I am told by ENT one vocal cord is fine the other will require more time to heal.  But it will get better with time.  I wish you and your family well with this ordeal your having to go through. 

Annette

I am so sorry about your sister and it's great you are trying to search for answers on this board.  I had only 1 surgery for PapThyca (with lymph-node and para thyroid removal as well)  but my surgeon pre-surgery held a class with all his thyroidectomy patients and proceeded to tell the class that there is a very good possibility the Dr. could hit or nick the vocal cords during the removal.  However, that being said, he further said that he in his 25 years of doing these surgeries that never happened.  They have to give you the worse case scenarios and make you aware of the possibilities.  I would suggest you post the Drs. name on this site and ask if anyone has used him/her.  Make sure they have done 100's if not a 1000 of these TT's and sit with that Dr. and go over your concerns.  I really feel they were being precautionary and when we hear certain words we fixate on them and do not hear the rest.  I hope all goes well and good luck to her!

Sho0shie

Hi - I have under gone two surgeries.  The first was Sept '08 and the second was June '09.  During the first surgery I had to have a left neck dissention (sp?) anyway, they had to remove almost if not all the lymph nodes on the left side of my throat - yes there was scrapping, but I got a very good report afterwards compared to what they thought they would get.  It is not the actual cord that is damaged it is the nerve that controls the cord.  Mine was damaged during the first surgery I lost all use of my left cord.  I had another surgery in December of 08 to help with the use of my voice.  They inserted gortex and built the left cord back up so the right side could vibrate on it.  I can talk with easy now, I just can't yell, but most the people I work with and my husband likes it.  I just had the second surgery last month for additional lymph nodes.  I will be undergoing the lovely RAI next week - so excited.  After the second surgery my voice was a little hoarse but that was just from the tube, I am only going to freak if they tell me it has crossed to the right side of my throat. 

 I wish your sister the best of luck.  It can get very crazy, but it is doable.  Just keep supporting her and she will make, when she breaks down just go with it and give her a big hug!

Lots of Love, Belinda

On 7/10/2009 babaloo wrote:

Hi - I have under gone two surgeries.  The first was Sept '08 and the second was June '09.  During the first surgery I had to have a left neck dissention (sp?) anyway, they had to remove almost if not all the lymph nodes on the left side of my throat - yes there was scrapping, but I got a very good report afterwards compared to what they thought they would get.  It is not the actual cord that is damaged it is the nerve that controls the cord.  Mine was damaged during the first surgery I lost all use of my left cord.  I had another surgery in December of 08 to help with the use of my voice.  They inserted gortex and built the left cord back up so the right side could vibrate on it.  I can talk with easy now, I just can't yell, but most the people I work with and my husband likes it.  I just had the second surgery last month for additional lymph nodes.  I will be undergoing the lovely RAI next week - so excited.  After the second surgery my voice was a little hoarse but that was just from the tube, I am only going to freak if they tell me it has crossed to the right side of my throat. 

 I wish your sister the best of luck.  It can get very crazy, but it is doable.  Just keep supporting her and she will make, when she breaks down just go with it and give her a big hug!

Lots of Love, Belinda

hi belinda -

what prompted your doctors to make you undergo another surgery? how did they find the lymph nodes? was your tg rising?

They found it on the 6 month ultra sound, did not show up on the WBS.  I had a needle biopsy and it came back positive.  My tg had gone up some not drastic, but my endo wanted to go ahead and take care of it.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Belinda

Do you remember what your TG was before they found the lymph node involvement?  Mine has been 57 for about 8 months and I'm going through RAI again in two weeks.  Ultrasound is clear, ly WBS was clear, and a chest ct scan was clear.  But we know there are some cells in there somewhere.

Just wondering.....

Annette, Shoshie and Belinda....thank you so much for your replies!!  feel positive and hopeful now.

The second surgery will be done next week. I accept and appreciate your prayers, concern and wishes.

 Good luck to you all.

Hope your spirits are always high!

I have had 2 Thyroid surgeries in 6 weeks. The first being on May 26th and second being July 7th.

The right side was removed(May 26th) due to many and various sized nodules, pathology come back as Papillary Carcinoma with Follicular Variant. I had a small pea sized nodule on the left side that he needled when I was in Surgery, 8 days later Pathology report come back and it was cancer also. Pathology on the last surgery (July 7th) has not come back but, I have already been told that I will have to have the RAI treament(s) I have an appointment with an Oncologist on July 22nd. I didn't notice any difference in my voice after the first surgery but, after this second surgery I am experiencing a very raspy voice barely above a whisper. I feel comforted after reading other post that this is hopefully only temporary. I have an appointment with my surgeon this coming Friday(17th) so, I"m in hopes that he will be able to reassure me that it is only temporary. The strange part in all of this is that my voice the afternoon/night after surgery was rather strong but, it seems to have gotten worse since.

I will remember all of you in my thoughts and prayers as I feel we are dealing or have dealt with the same thing.

Hugs to you all, Chrystal

On 7/10/2009 dinparadise wrote:

Do you remember what your TG was before they found the lymph node involvement?  Mine has been 57 for about 8 months and I'm going through RAI again in two weeks.  Ultrasound is clear, ly WBS was clear, and a chest ct scan was clear.  But we know there are some cells in there somewhere.

Just wondering.....

My TG was not high at all it seems after the first surgery my endo was totally shock that is was only like 9 she was expecting like yours 50 to 60.  After the RAI last October it dropped down to .4 and I have been on 150 mcg synthroid ever since the first treatment.  Back in March when I had my first 6 month check it had gone up to 13 - not high but after seeing the ultra sound she knew that it was there.  I actually changed surgeons, not because I did not like my - actually I really like him and I think he did a great job, but I switched to another hospital in the area with their top surgeon because of the prior experience and my endo believes this will not be the last time, he is also trained in plastic surgery so you can't even tell I had it done.  I actually go in the morning for the RAI dose - so excited.  Last time I was in for 2 full days, I hope to be the same, I am a little more prepared, I am taking drink packs to mix with the water and peanut butter crackers because I got a little sick.. love the drugs slept for almost a whole day.  I wish you luck and if you every want to talk I will be glad to listen.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers - they will find it.  My doc says it will eventually show up if the blood says it is there somewhere, but that the RAI will usually take care of it.  I trust her, she has yet to steer me wrong.  They will get it.  Faith - Sometimes it is hard I know, but we all have to have it.

Best Wishes!!!

Belinda