So the day has finally arrived. I was told initially that I would have this operation last February. I was told this the previous August, so it’s a six-month wait.
Non-urgent operattions are often pushed back, which, although this can lead to extra discomfort, and perhaps a longer time in pain, have to give way to the life -theatening events.
The whole thing really goes back about ten years or more. I started getting a cough. Not all the time, but sometimes when sat down after walking about or other exercise, or after eating. Down theyears it got slowly but surely more persistent.
I went to my GP. As I have a history of Acid Reflux, he prescribed an extra dose of Omeprazole. That didn’t do any good, and I didn’t really want to be taking more Omeprazole, as there’s some evidence that long-term use of it isn’t always good, in any case.
In 2016, I had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. In 2023, I mentioned this cough to my gastroenterologist, as I know that Crohn’s can effect the digestive tract anywhere from the mouth to the anus. He didn’t think there was any evidence that it was Crohn’s causing the cough, and he referred me to ENT for investigation.
I was also referred to the Royal Marsden Hospital, which is the UK’s leading cancer centre, to check if the cough was due to anything malignant. I waited a little while to get the result, but it was returned negative.
Meanwhile, I had a CT scan in ENT, and then a further CT scan that found nodules on my thyroid. Many people over 50 have such nodules, but in my case the nodules were growing inwards and pushing against my osephagus and my gullet. This is what was cause the coughing and it was gradually getting worse as they grew.
I was referred to the thyroid team at St. Mary’s Hospital, and after further scans, I was offered an operation to remove the offending part of my thyroid. As i said above this was originally, scheduled for February 2025, but got pushed back. I would have had ot when it was rescheduled for August 2025, but as I unfortuately had a major DVT in May, it was felt that August was too soon afterwards. It is generally felt that at least a six month wait after such an event is prudent, and safer.
So, I was then offered the date of January 16th 2026. I had to go through a number of tests and appointments to determine I would be OK to have the procedure done. Everything was completely and clearly explained to me, and I was a reassured as I could be.
As the day approached, I felt rather apprehensive of course. How much pain would I be in afterwards? What if I had a bad reaction to the annesthetic? It turns out there was no realy reason to worry..
The pre-op care was excellent. The operation went well, and the post operative care has been very good too. Im in a room of just four beds.
It’s relatively quiet, and I have no complaints about the food either. I have to stay in until at least tomorrow for observation, after which, if all goes well, I will be allowed home