Posted 4/21/2017 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi mi name is Maria I had lot of trouble with my neck in the past I used to have sore neck very often. then in 2009 my Dr sent me for an ultrasound which showed an small nodule to the right side of my thyroid. Time went past and in december 2014 a second ultrasound showed that the nodule had grown to 1.5 cm so I was sent to a specialist who sent me for an FNA. the result come as Medullary thyroid cancer. which required a complete thyroidectomy and neck dissection. I had lot of pain to my neck and I was anxious due to the nature of the cancer. so I was thrilled when my surgeon told that I would be operated in 2 weeks. The surgeon said that the operation involved some risk to nerves and gave me little written information with no details or the extend of a possible nerve damage. The surgeon was experienced and told me not to worry because he performed this operations all the time and therefore I should not be worried.
The operation was performed 2 years ago and I ended up with bilateral vocal cord paralysis, when I woke up from the operation I was not able to talk, eat or drink I had to communicate by writing and I was hungry for one day unable to swallow. It took me 3 months to be able to have my voice back but not the same like I used to have I suffer from constant sore muscles and mi voice gets very weak to the end of the day.
I feel like a disabled person because the damaged suffered is so bad that any activity that involves lifting arms get me out of breath even taking a shower making my bed. I cant swim jog, gardening, bending down etc. I sound like an asthmatic person all the time.
I have tried to sue the hospital because an electromyography showed that my nerves are normal and that the damage was sustained by entubation and no by the operation. for which I would be entitled for compensation.
On the day of the operation and after I reported to have sore to the back of my throat and spitting blood however there is not record in the post operative notes. However I was given fentanyl via dispenser to control the pain. In addition the day of the operation the anesthetist was so young i remember he was very anxious and did not talk much he said good mornong I am the anesthetist. in the operating report there is two anesthetist names who were they? why they didn't introduce themselves before the operation ? I have had three operations before and always the anesthetist were confident and asked me if I had any question.
It is unbelievable how surgeons cover each others back. they maintained that the damage was sustained during the operation and I have signed the consent therefore I should not be complaining. They also said that the cancer was taken from me therefore I should be grateful.
My advise is pleeeeeease if you need to have and operation like this please make sure you find and extra experienced surgeon and ask all the question possible because no surgeon takes the time to tell you at which extend the rest of your life would be affected.
Also when you go to the pre operative appointment always go with someone else to ask questions. And always make sure the anesthetiyst is experienced dont forget that you can always refused to be operated when you dont feel safe. good luck.
good luck