So yesterday’s parathyroid surgery went well.
I feel good today except for a sore throat, and a whopping headache from the Anesthesia. I can talk without any pain, though I can’t raise my voice above normal.
I was covered from my chin to my collarbones with iodine/betadine so I’m stained orange, and will Iook like the president (ugh!) until it wears off. :)
The one rogue parathyroid gland was apparently the only gland that was problematic. Generally this is not a chronic problem. So hopefully this is a done deal for the rest of my life.
I don’t have a bandage or any stitches showing on my neck. Not in a lot of pain there inside or outside. Some gunk in my throat from the intubation tube and the anesthesia.
The other recent surgeries I’ve had have in all been in my midsection and came a long list of 6 week post surgery limitations, especially on lifting weight, or moving much, this is different. I can resume motion andreturn to my life in a week or so, as I feel capable.
They do a pre-surgery blood test for the parathyroid hormone in the blood. My level was 95 - which is abnormally high. They ran another blood test mid-surgery after they removed the rogue gland. The second blood test result was a normal level of 25 which indicates that the correct gland was removed, and the rest of the glands are behaving normally.
Oddly, I feel great today in odd ways - my mind seems clearer, I feel less depressed, more hopeful. And it’s a good day for that regardless. I also have less pain in my wrist, and am already less stiff when I stand up. Also less pan in my knees.
The Doctor said I would feel better, I had no idea it would happen so fast. Apparently the Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) manifests itself in:
Fragile bones that easily fracture (osteoporosis)
Tiring easily or weakness
Depression or forgetfulness
Frequent complaints of illness with no apparent cause
Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite