Uh Oh

fishmanpa said:

So it's wait and see....

Despite the fact that the swollen node on my neck had gone down considerably and the very unusual way this all started, my ENT is very concerned. He had a CT with contrast done stat while we were there but was unable to arrange a FNAB of the node. He has no idea why it swelled as rapidly as it did or the reason behind the intense itching (which is finally easing). 

The CT showed "thickening" and "tissue inflammation" but he thinks it could be due to whatever it was that hit me. The node itself didn't present as very concerning. This was based on what he saw but it has to be reviewed by the CT specialists. I have to go back to Baltimore for the biopsy. Contrary to the standard mantra he said "In a situation like yours we assume it's cancer until we can prove otherwise". I appreciate their concern and thoroughness but I'm a bit in freak out mode right now  

So I'll know in a day or so when I'm heading back down to Baltimore and until then, it's a waiting game. 

Positive thoughts and prayers.

"T"

 

T,

Your back-up H&N choir is with you all the way.

Stay positive,

Matt

Wow, scarry news. But could still be something else. Jim had bad stomach ache about5 months after treatment so they did CT admitted right away. Surgeon said probably cancer because of history. It was pretty large. Did surgery and it was not cancer. The mass was a rotten appendix from constipation during chemo so they had to remove the appendix and part of the upper and lower bowels. So, it might be the doctors mantra but it aint cancer until the biopsy says cancer. Since it is going down, I say it isn't. Praying I am right.

Debbie

fishmanpa said:

So it's wait and see....

Despite the fact that the swollen node on my neck had gone down considerably and the very unusual way this all started, my ENT is very concerned. He had a CT with contrast done stat while we were there but was unable to arrange a FNAB of the node. He has no idea why it swelled as rapidly as it did or the reason behind the intense itching (which is finally easing). 

The CT showed "thickening" and "tissue inflammation" but he thinks it could be due to whatever it was that hit me. The node itself didn't present as very concerning. This was based on what he saw but it has to be reviewed by the CT specialists. I have to go back to Baltimore for the biopsy. Contrary to the standard mantra he said "In a situation like yours we assume it's cancer until we can prove otherwise". I appreciate their concern and thoroughness but I'm a bit in freak out mode right now  

So I'll know in a day or so when I'm heading back down to Baltimore and until then, it's a waiting game. 

Positive thoughts and prayers.

"T"

 

t, sending prayers and good mojo ur way!  try not to let the waiting get the best of you.

God bless you.

dj

fishmanpa said:

Update

UPDATE: 

I spoke to my ENT's office today to schedule the biopsy and they said I should see my GP and call back. 

So I did. My GP has no idea what caused the node to swell and the itching etc. No one seems to know but this whole thing seems to be systemic as it's now progressed to my chest. I'm a little hoarse and my ears itch. Their best guess is "something viral". I was given an antibiotic to take anyway.

I discussed the "scanxiety" with my GP and she's not surprised at all that I have a bit. The med she gave me is one I can take whenever I feel I need it so I can start a week or so prior to check ups and go off afterwards. There are no side effects associated with it as it's not an SSRI and mild by med standards. 

The good news is that the CT scan was "unremarkable" and my ENT said not to get the biopsy and to see him again in May. If the node persists or grows larger contact him but for all intents and purposes, I'm Ok for now.

Can you say ~WHEW~?

Positive thoughts

Continued good news T !  Such a relief !  Hugs sent !  Katie

fishmanpa said:

Update

UPDATE: 

I spoke to my ENT's office today to schedule the biopsy and they said I should see my GP and call back. 

So I did. My GP has no idea what caused the node to swell and the itching etc. No one seems to know but this whole thing seems to be systemic as it's now progressed to my chest. I'm a little hoarse and my ears itch. Their best guess is "something viral". I was given an antibiotic to take anyway.

I discussed the "scanxiety" with my GP and she's not surprised at all that I have a bit. The med she gave me is one I can take whenever I feel I need it so I can start a week or so prior to check ups and go off afterwards. There are no side effects associated with it as it's not an SSRI and mild by med standards. 

The good news is that the CT scan was "unremarkable" and my ENT said not to get the biopsy and to see him again in May. If the node persists or grows larger contact him but for all intents and purposes, I'm Ok for now.

Can you say ~WHEW~?

Positive thoughts

I've been here a dozen times in the last two days looking for an update.....and have to say I LOVE the update!!!  Did your knees buckle when he told you it has to be something else? Mine would have! 

Gawd.....I'm just tickled.....smiling like you wouldn't believe.

p

fishmanpa said:

Scanxiety

"Scanxiety"

It's something I read about here since I joined but never really experienced until February of this year. I believe it was because I was so wrapped up in just healing that I didn't have time to digest the reality of my situation. Now, as I'm approaching a year out and healing, my life is approaching the "new normal" and it's drastically different. Still, it is the normal I'm getting used to and anything outside of that I experience physically raises my defenses. 

It's interesting, on the forums, there are many who at times post about their fears. We read them, understand them but perhaps have not experienced them ... "yet". There have been some that feared they had cancer due to a sore in their mouth or a swollen node and we shared our knowledge and experience trying to reassure them. Most times, those individuals would see a doctor and be diagnosed healthy. Seeing that, sparked my interest in health anxiety and anxiety disorders in general and I've researched extensively, even participating on an anxiety forum. Due to that interest and the knowledge I've gained, I was able to immediately recognize the physical and mental symptoms when they arose recently, just as my prior expeience with depression helped me recognize and address the issue. 

From about two weeks prior to my last scope, poke and prod, the "scanxiety" really started for me. I was irritable, on edge, restless etc. The weekend prior, as I was sitting at home relaxing, I started to have chest pain. It was really uncomfortable. Not "heart attack" uncomfortable but enough to raise the red flags. Long story short, I ended up going to the hospital. I stated flat out that I really feel this is anxiety related but based on my history, they did a full workup which came back normal.

Then the swollen node a week and a half ago. Holy *@&^%#! Talk about stress! The bottom line? I have "scanxiety". Big time! I spoke with my doctor and have a mild med to take when needed. Much like depression is a residual mental side effect of a heart attack, it's a residual issue with cancer as is anxiety. Some suffer more than others. 

Yes Phrannie, it was a HUGE relief when my doctor told me my scan was "unremarkable". It's a good thing to be "unremarkable" when it comes to cancer. Interestingly enough, the sense of relief has been followed by an extreme fatigue. Yesterday, I was totally physically and mentally exhausted. The strain of the last 10 days has really taken a toll. 

When I was dealing with some minor depression prior to the new year, I downloaded a CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) course off the web. While much of the material didn't apply, there was much that did and it's helped me in challenging my mindset. It also was very informative as to the physiology of anxiety and how our bodies react to danger and stress. This knowledge has been very helpful as well as the techniques for dealing with it. It certainly came in handy during the last ten days. It's one thing to deal with the initial diagnosis of cancer, it's another to deal with a recurrence or the threat of a recurrence. 

It's a difficult thing to be a survivor. The uncertainty, the fear of recurrence, the side effects, all take their toll on us physically and mentally. I'm finding I have to heal physically as well as mentally from the battle and just as physical symptoms can arise years later, so can mental symptoms.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

 

and I'd be interested in the link where you got the CBT....I'd love to learn more techniques to try to deal with the physical effects of anxiety.....I get the chest pains, not everyday....but certainly every week.....also I feel like I can't breath, tho whenever I have a check up, my oxygen level is always in the 99% to 100%....Anxiety drives me out of bed every morning....if my eyes open, my head starts whirling...and getting up is the cure.

It'd be nice to find more ways of handling anxiety.....the daily kind, anyway....I hate being neurotic.

p

T,

Glad to hear your just as "unremarkable" as Skiffin!

~C