Surgery follows borderline thyroid tumor diagnosis

'Worn out even lying down,' she says of post-op recovery

Comedian Heo An-na. [Instagram capture]
Comedian Heo An-na. [Instagram capture]

Comedian Heo An-na, 41, has opened up about serious physical exhaustion she has been experiencing following surgery to remove a thyroid tumor.

Heo posted a video to Instagram on Wednesday saying she had undergone an operation to remove the growth.

"A large lump was discovered on my neck in early last year," she said. "When I went to the hospital for tests, they told me it could develop into thyroid cancer, so I checked in and had the surgery."

Heo had been diagnosed with a borderline thyroid tumor and underwent the procedure, during which approximately 75 percent of her thyroid was removed.

"Having three-quarters of my thyroid taken out makes it hard to even lift a finger," she said. "Tasks I used to handle easily are now beyond me because my stamina just isn't there. A short walk leaves me tired. Driving leaves me tired. Even eating leaves me tired. I'm worn out just lying in bed."

She added that the sudden drop in energy came as a shock. "People used to call me an energizer because I never got tired, but after the thyroid surgery my strength just gave out," she said. "I was told it happens because free radicals build up after the operation and drive up fatigue levels."

The video also showed her neck visibly swollen before the surgery and footage of her lying in a hospital bed looking spent, drawing an outpouring of concern from fans.

Heo made her debut as a stage actor in 2005 before passing MBC's 17th open audition for comedians in 2008 and KBS's 24th the following year, going on to win over audiences with her humor.

In 2019 she married fellow comedian Oh Gyeong-ju and has since stayed in touch with fans through YouTube.


betterj@heraldcorp.com