My name is Susan Amito. I am a senior laboratory technologist and health tutor, with over 20 years of experience working in the laboratory. My battle with goitre began in 1998 when I was in senior four. I started feeling pain in my throat and went to the hospital in Kitgum, where I was given antibiotics. However, I didn’t complete the full dose, taking them for only three days instead of a week. The swelling in my throat continued to grow, but at the time, doctors diagnosed it as just an inflammation of the thyroid gland and prescribed more antibiotics.
As the years passed, the swelling increased from a small size to a noticeable growth. In 2011, I visited Lacor Hospital, where I was examined and advised to have my second child first before considering surgery. The swelling was deemed too small for an operation, so they put me on medication for monitoring. After giving birth, I returned for a review two years later, but by then, I was pregnant again, and the surgery had to be postponed.
For years, I continued to monitor my condition, but no specific treatment was given apart from antibiotics when there was inflammation. In 2022, doctors finally conducted thorough tests for goitre, and while most of my thyroid parameters were normal, one hormone level was elevated. This led them to start me on treatment, and they kept monitoring my condition.
I was supposed to have surgery in 2023, but I missed it due to the loss of my mother. By early 2024, I was determined to proceed with the operation, and I was among the first patients scheduled for surgery in January 2025. On January 3rd, I was admitted and prepared for surgery, which was performed on January 6th.
Facing Surgery: Fear and Reassurance
On the day of the surgery, I was filled with fear. I kept thinking that I might not survive, as the procedure involved a critical part of my body. Death felt like a real possibility. However, the Italian surgeons from the University of Florence and nurses at Lacor Hospital reassured me. They explained that the procedure would only take two hours and everything would go well. They encouraged me, telling me the surgery would be one of the best things in my life. Their kindness and confidence gave me hope.
In the operating room, the medical team continued speaking to me warmly. They asked me funny and light-hearted questions to make me feel comfortable. Just before the anesthesia took effect, they asked me about my favorite things—what I liked most, who my best friend was, and what foods I enjoyed. The last question they asked was what I admired most in the world. Before I could even finish answering, I lost consciousness and entered another world under anesthesia.
Post-Surgery and Recovery
When I woke up, about two hours after surgery, I found myself in a different department. The operation had been successful. I spent one day in intensive care, where I was monitored closely, and then I was moved back to the main ward. The medical team checked on me frequently—every two hours, even at night. They came at 10 PM, at midnight, at 1 AM, and again in the early morning at 6 AM. Their care and dedication were remarkable.
By the second day, I could eat, and though my voice was still weak, I could speak a little. On the third day, I was able to laugh and interact with others, despite some remaining pain. By the fourth day, I was discharged and returned home to my family.
Life After Surgery: A New Beginning
This surgery has changed my life in many ways. Emotionally, I used to be unstable—quick to anger, easily irritated, and withdrawn. I didn’t enjoy teamwork and preferred being alone. However, after the surgery, I feel much happier, more open, and more willing to engage with others. I now work well with my colleagues, and I enjoy playing with my children, something I rarely did before.
Physically, the changes are also noticeable. I used to snore loudly at night, to the point where my children would leave my room because of the noise. Now, I sleep peacefully. However, I have noticed that my energy levels have slightly declined. Before the surgery, I worked extremely hard, thinking I had high energy, but in reality, it was due to the overactive hormones in my body. Now that those hormone levels are balanced, I realize that my previous energy was unnatural, and I have had to adjust to a more normal pace.
Gratitude and Lessons Learned
I am extremely grateful to the Italian surgeons and the entire medical team at Lacor Hospital. Their dedication, kindness, and professionalism made all the difference in my journey. They worked as a team, supported each other, and ensured patients received the best care possible. This experience has taught me the importance of teamwork, and I hope to adopt the same approach in my work.
Thank you to the surgeons from the University of Florence- Italy, the Lacor Hospital fraternity, and all the donors who made this possible. I am deeply grateful for the care and support I received. My life has changed for the better, and I now look forward to the future with hope and happiness.
