FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION OF NECK MASS

dkcoffey said:

Throat Cancer
Linda,

I'm just getting started with everything. First I'll tell you my story...
I got really sick around the first week of March 2012. I noticed a large lump show up out of no where on the left side of my neck. Went to the ER they said I had pharangytis, upper respitory infection, & sinus infection. Put me on a Zpack, didn't help, went to see my reg physician, she put me on Penicillin, about 1 1/2 weeks later still no change, I started feeling really bad (no energy) and went back to ER. They decided to do a MRI. They told me I had excess tissue I was born with that became inflammed because I was sick. Sent me to a head, neck, throat specialist. He confirmed what they told me in the ER. (BTW..It's now the end of March) HNT specialist scheduled me for surgery April 11. Everyone reassured me that everything would be completely fine. Had my surgery, big cut on the side of my neck (no big deal, sucks but it's ok), stayed overnight in the hospital. I went in on April 18 one week later to have stitches removed and was informed I have cancer. HPV+ I went to my appt alone because I just thought it was going to be a quick visit & I would be all better & good to go. I felt like time stopped & I was going to pass out. I had the doctor call my husband because I was not processing everything I was being told at that moment. Anyway the doctor thoroughly checked my mouth and my throat. He couldn't find anything. BTW...I don't have tonsils, they were removed when I was a child. He then gave me 2 options, either put me under again so he could go in & check more thoroughly or get a PET scan. I opted to do the PET scan first and that was also what he suggested I do first. I had my PET scan today April 24. They did mid thigh up to my skull. I'm expecting to get results this Thursday when I see the onocologist. I am very hopeful that it's not too bad and I'm also trying not to think about it.
About me: I am 33 years old, female, married 4 kids (6-11yrs), never been a smoker only tried it a few times when I was a teen, I only drink very very occasionally, no drugs, my only addiction is food, I weigh about 240. I run my own business (certified in home childcare)
Symptoms: over the last few months I havent felt quite right. Very tired... It's weird but my throat hasn't really been sore at all, I just have to clear my throat a lot or I start sounding very hoarse. Sometimes I sound hoarse no mater what I do. It comes and goes. Large lump on left side of my neck about the size of a golf ball that popped up very very quickly. Left jaw hurts some & I have pain that comes & goes in my left ear. I think that's it.

After reading on here what people go through with chemo & radiation it sounds a little scary! I have a feeling that I have a very bumpy road ahead of me. I'm very anxious to find out what stage I'm in. Any thoughts from the info I've provided? If I am in one of the later stages is it still very curable? Does this type of cancer spread quickly? Did or does anyone else feel really tired some days? Today I had a good day but some days I feel so tired. Is that normal?

Any advice or thoughts for my future is greatly appreciated! Thank you
Kristy

HPV
Kristy,

It appears your post got lost in the shuffle. May I suggest you just copy and paste the text into a new topic thread devoted just to you.

Being diagnosed with cancer is the scariest thing one can go through. You need lots of support from your family and friends. We too will support you the best we can via lots of information and positive posts to help you deal with this. Join the group!

Sounds like you've already been going through quite a lot before they even found the problem. Not a real fair deal but no one here deserved what they got.

By now you should have received the diagnosis of the PET scan. Care to share?

Hope it turned out in your favor and minimal treatment is the course of action. If not, just know that head and neck cancers have a very good record of being cured. And that's the attitude we all take. Believing we will be cured and will go on with our lives once the treatment is over is the only way to think.

Stay positive and let us know what happened.

Tommy