Metropolis teen pleased with thyroid surgery

Katelin Stratmeyer had baffling symptoms for two years before doctors found a mass growing on her thyroid.

“I was really tired all the time, and I would fall asleep in class every hour,” said Stratmeyer, 18, a senior at Massac County High School in Metropolis, Ill. “My hair was falling out, and my weight was always up and down.”

Stratmeyer’s doctor James Eickholz, M.D., discovered the mass, which had grown to the size of a small egg, and referred her to otolaryngologist John R. Resser, M.D., at Baptist Health Paducah.

Fortunately, a biopsy revealed it was not cancer. Dr. Resser removed the mass with incisions much smaller than they used to be.

“The thyroidectomy procedure has changed a lot in the past 10 years,” he said. “Improvements with surgical technology have allowed for much smaller incisions. I operate on a lot of thyroids. We like to say we have smaller incisions, but bigger smiles.” 

Stratmeyer, who plans on majoring in agriculture business in college, said her incision scar is an afterthought now that she’s feeling better. 

“You can hardly see it,” she said. “He did a great job.”

Head and Neck Cancer Screening set for April 27

Baptist Health Paducah will offer a free head or neck cancer screening on Friday, April 27. The screening is open to anyone with risk factors – smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking or prior head or neck cancer – and not under the care of an ear, nose and throat specialist. Appointments are required; phone (270) 575-2895 for reservations.