Terrified:p

MrsBD said:

We have all been there!

We have all been there! Waiting is so hard. There are other causes like cysts and infections, but even if it is cancer, there is much hope. I had Stage 4 and did not have surgery, just chemo and radiation. It wasn't a picnic, but it was doable with the support of faith, family, friends, and the wonderful people on this board.Today it is 6 months since my treatment ended and I feel wonderful. Keep in touch with us. You'll get support, advice, and many prayers.

 

I can't thank you enough for your reply! You all seem so nice and I appreciate any info! I am no stranger to cancer as I lost 2 Uncles and another one just had stem cell. Also one aunt had cancer that was cured. As terrified as I am to see an ENT and get a diagnosis, I am equally as anxious because I need to know and act apon this asap! Thank God there are places like this and people like you who have undoubtedly helped so many! My other fear is that I am severely Claustrophobic and can't imagine a mask:( I did get through an open MRI, with 3 valium and my Sisters help but just thinking about one makes me want to cry. Back in 2008 I was diagnosed with hemangioma tumors on my liver. They are benign and I am one of the fortunate ones but I don't think I'll be as lucky this time! I just pray to that it doesn't take too long to diagnose onve I see the ENT. It will be 3 wks from the time of the referral. I have so many questions and fears and realize many of you have been through this! I am so sorry you have had to go down this road and wish everyone good health and happiness! So good to hear you feel well:) Again, I thank you immensely!

HobbsDoggy said:

Do Jump the Shark Just Yet

As others on here say it ain’t cancer until they say its cancer.  I had the same sinus things all my life and when I got what I thought was a bad sinus infection got my usual antibiotics for it and they did not work.  Long and short of it that it was cancer and I figured it was over for me.  I had stage IV a because it spread some to a few lymph nodes.  A friend of mine gave me the best advice I got, “your job now is to be the best cancer patient you can be and that is your only job now”.  I jumped in with both feet and said give me your worst treatment I want it gone.  They did and while it was rough for sure I made it to the other side and so far, over two years out and back to work for a year, then retirement, then a trip to Europe and more stuff its all good. 

I had surgery and at first it looked like I was in a really bad knife fight, but that mostly is gone and while there are still a few side effects from the radiation and chemo they are very manageable. 

It may be just a cyst or bad infection or who knows so you may never have to cross the cancer bridge.  If you do choose your doctor/nurse team carefully tell them or they will tell you its cure time and jump in. 

Let us know how its going.  By the way terrified is about normal.  That too will lessen.   

I thank you for your reply! I am grateful for any info or insight on this! I will say the antibiotic made my throat better but it is still quite sore. The headache is moderate and unfortunately the nasal is blocked and still swelling:p I am really interested in knowing anything I can about these targeted therapies without surgery. I am also wondering how others made it financially. I do Bhavioral Health in the public schools and have Anthem for insurance. I also have a supplemental insur. for Cancer and Short term disability. I think the disability only covers 3 mos. however! Can I draw on my Social Security? I am seriously thinking of starting a Go me fund as well, although I am embarrassed as I have worked since I was a young girl and never had anything handed to me! I know this will be physically, emotionally and financially draining! I am worried as I may be out much longer than 3 mos. I also know ther are many other benign DX that this could be but because of these persistant symptoms and Doc said no sign of infection at F/U, I am at least reasonably sure I may be looking at Cancer. I hope things will progress quickly once I see the ENT? Is there anywhere to find out about help financially, if I am diagnosed and will need to be out of work more than 3 mos? That is awesome that you are doing well! So happy for anyone who can get through this and start to enjoy life again:) Will ENT referr me to a cancer center of my choice? So many questions if anyone can help! Both replies have helped already! The only other person who knows is my Supervisor as I go through her with paperwork for medical leave, ect. when I need time off for appts. ect. I feel I can't burden anyone or worry them even though I am on overload right now:p Thank you so very much for sharing and your reply! 

corleone said:

Try to think positive. There

Try to think positive. There is no need to be alarmed at this point.

The symptoms you describe are not typical for something very serious. Pain is not “usually” among the symptoms, especially at early stages. Any lymph nodes that you can feel around the neck area? You might feel them, but if smaller than ~1.5 cm there are most probably inflammatory (doing their job, during infection).  More likely sounds like an infection, +/- allergy.

For sure you need to have this checked by the ENT (he can perform a nasal endoscopy that would rule out any atypical growth), but until then try to relax. You seem like you are almost having a panic attack. Do some long walks, these might help. Try to keep yourself busy. You can also ask the PCP if he would recommend some weak anti-anxiety drugs, just until you pass through this period.

Also, you would better stop reading too much about this on Internet, you’d only maintain a vicious circle that will increase your anxiety.

You will have plenty of time to get well informed, if it will ever be case. 

 

Thank you all and you all have great points! I admit I am terrified and will try to focus on important things until I see ENT. No problem with keeping busy with a full time job doing Behavioral Health working in the Senior High School! I do love my job and my Supervisor said, " Come what may, we will support you 100%". That felt good to know! Currently an emotional mess admittedly. I am so glad I found this site! I am also so glad I have supported cancer research for so many years and hope it essentially helped someone out there! Right now feeling like a babe in the woods, lol. I am also very much a planner and it helps me to know things and get my ducks in a row. One more week until the appt. and praying for the best but will continue to arm myself with knowledge. I believe every single life is equally important:) I am usually a very stable person but not feeling it lately and the water works don't want to stop. I hope nobody minds the questions? Just talking with others is helping as I've held everything in and will continue to keep this under wraps until I get a concrete answer. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! I will defininately keep you posted! Be well!

wmc said:

Answers to your questions.....Kinda.

There are so many vairables to most all of your questions. As I'm no doctor I can only say what I went through and others I know. 1. Can you request a CT scan. You can ask your PCP to have a CT but it will have to get approved by insurance and he might not be able to put in a code to get them to say and you might have to pay for it all. EST $800.

2. This SCC cancer is often found in early sages but as we get older we have othet conditions that just get in the way. I have GURD, and COPD, so when I was losing weight and then coughing up blood where do they start. Is it from my lungs or from my GURD. Both had symptoms that fit. I also had some discomfort in my chest, not from the heart, but from Chilaiditi syndrom, [Chilaiditi's syndrome is a rare condition in which a portion of the colonis abnormally located (interposed) in between the liver and the diaphragm.] so there is my chest pains. Also have a Hiatal hernia which my GURD worse. So where does my doctor start as all of these have the systems. Now If I didn't have any of these they would think Cancer, but I do . We went with the lungs and have them scopped to see if my air sacks were bleeding. Still no need to see an ENT, which I did see and got a very good checkup for tinnitus, but found nothing else. My lung doctor found the tumor the size of a large grape 2.5cm x 3 cm when he tried to go down my throat and never got past my vocal cords.

3. Lymph glands can be swollen just because you have an infection, doesn't mean cancer at all, but if you have cancer they might be swollen just to fight it and not because of any spreading.

4. How quick does SCC grow. It is know as a slow growing. I have been told mine must have been at least one year and up to one and a half to get that size.

5. Your neck seems sore. Sure it does, you are worring about it and are more sensitive to how it feels. 

6. You did not ask this but i'll toss it in anyway. White blood count is up. Means it is fighting an infection or something.

Now When you see the ENT on friday you will most likely have nothing to be concerned about. But let say he does find something. He will have you go to a Hospital that does this all the time and set up an appointment with them, might be several weeks. Then they might agree and say yes they found something. If it is surgery you will wait three weeks to maks sure you do not take certain meds that would cause bleeding.

I went through the same and I want it done now. That is something that just doesn't happen and you will be fine. Now you need to try to stop worring about it and just take a big deep breath. When you see your ENT and IF he finds is when you can be concerned. Don't work your self up for what most likely will be nothing to be concerned about.

I hope I answered some of your questions.

Bill

Thank you so much for your reply Bill, you have been more helpful then you could know! I also have COPD, classified as mild, thankfully. They did an x-ray after complaints of chest and upper back pain. They found my lungs were hyperinflated. They didn't see any tumors at the time. That was about a 1 1/2 yrs. ago. They diagnosed me with Costochondritis! First time in my life I had it! Benign conditon but just painful. Had PT and OMT but still having trouble to this day. The pain waxes and wanes and did improve for about 3 wks. Unfortunately it's back up again, surely due to stress:p I am on Methotrexate as I have Psoriasis so they due a CBC, ect. on me every 2 mos. So far it's been stable but not sure about recent one because Nurse said she couldn't tell me anything until I saw PCP again (April 30th). Of course I broke down thinking maybe something came up but after some research realized it may be because he wants answers from ENT first! At least I hope so:( You are all so gracious and I can't thank you enough for your help! Only a few days away to ENT appt. so hoping for the best! I will keep you all posted!