FOUND A LUMP ON MY NECK

My friend Evelyn drove me to my clinic appointment today at 9:00am.  I was given some antibiotic meds to help with the infection and am to continue to take the cortisone for inflammation.  I asked the doctor if he had taken a large amount of fluid from the lymph node as it is now half the size as it was prior to surgery.  He explained that he only took a very small amount of tissue from the node as well as from the ulcer on my tongue.  He thinks that the cortisone is reducing the node.  The biopsy report results were "inconclusive" and I questioned him about that and he said it meant that it is not cancer.  How can he be so sure?  I don't have any symptoms of Autoimmune Disease but have all the symptoms of SCC with spreading to lymph node.  

I again asked him what he saw when he was down my throat with the light and he said that it looked like an ulcer.  I asked if it was a tumor and he said no it was not.  I asked if there would be any further reports of the biopsies and he said no.  He wants to do some more blood work that might show signs of an autoimmune disease syndrome.  He gave me a few examples like Lupus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis but explained that there were many other things it could be.    Not knowing is just awful. 

Noellesmom said:

Well, yes

Maybe you want a second opinion. Someone needs to be able to tell you conclusively what is going on. 

I tend to agree that I need a second opinion.  I'll agree to the blood work he wants to do on Wednesday and if and when I get the results that show no Autoimmune Disease present I will make arrangements for a second opinion.  Although I would prefer for it not to be cancer, I feel that he is putting too much stock on the "inconclusive" findings on such small samples. 

Yesterday was a mix of good and bad.  I slept only 2 hours the night before and just didn't know why.  I was feeling weak and once I looked into my throat realized why.  I now had white sores all over my mouth and on my tongue.  Too much steroids.  Called the doctor and asked to discontinue but he insisted I continue and sent in an order for some medication for oral thrush at my pharmacy.  It's only one pill and should take care of the problem.  I only have two more days of antibiotics left to take.  I started gargling more with baking soda and salt and this morning the sores are almost all gone.  The surgery site still is covered in white but is a lot less so I guess I'm sloughing off the scabs.

Last night I took a whole Xanax and slept all night with of course many visits to the bathroom to pee.  Feeling better today.  My strength is coming back.  I also started eating more than just mashed potatoes and broth.  I cooked some rice and gravy with smothered pork chops that I cut into tiny pieces.  That tasted soooo good.  I was so hungry.  I don't think I was getting enough protein.  My fault.

I needed more supplies from the store but didn't want to bother my neighbor Evelyn who isn't feeling well, so decided to drive myself.  I was feeling weak and shaky but I made it.  Then later in the day I had to return to pick up the meds my doctor had called in for the oral thrush.  I'm confident that I will be able to drive myself to my next doctor's appointment on the 22nd.

And to top everything off... I cut my grass in my back yard.  It was taller than my little Shih Tzus so I had to do it.  It was rough as I had to stop and start many times as I was out of breath but I did it.

My friend Pat came by to visit and gave me a nice back rub.  He only stayed for a short while but I was glad he came by.  My neighbor Carolyn and her dog Prince also stopped by for a visit and we walked out dogs outside for a while.

So that was my day.   Day 12. 

I started a blog in order to keep things documented and to help me remember.  Here is the link: http://mythroatcancerdiary.blogspot.com/

My neighbor Evelyn took me to my hospital appointment at TGMC's Radiology Department.  It was good to have someone to talk to while waiting.  I really appreciate her offering to help.  It means a lot to me.  

I paid my copayment of $224.44 which consisted of a discount due to paying on the day of procedure.  That was nice.  And within minutes I was called in for the biopsy.  

I was so anxious about this procedure but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  The 3 technicians in the Radiology Department were the greatest.  They talked to me the whole time telling me exactly what to expect.  The Radiologist  Dr. Prejean was very easy on the eyes and very comforting as he informed me of every step of the procedure as he was doing it.  The Lidocain deadened the area and I only felt the biopsy needle once.

I looked at the monitor the whole time and saw the lump in the lymph node and also the needle as it took the many specimens.  They took a break and let the workers make the slides and determine if they were good to go without doing another round of needle picks.  Luckily they were good and the procedure was complete.  It was only a matter of minutes - maybe less than 15 - that the needle was used.  The rest of the time (less than an hour) was prior to that when the Ultra Sound Tech Julie took many images of my neck and then waiting to see if the slides were sufficient.  

I was pretty calm throughout and felt great relief when it was over.  I should have the results at my next ENT doctor's appointment in two days.

Fear of the unknown is a terrible thing.  I woke this morning at 4:30am and my hands were shaking.  I didn't want to take any Xanax as I was told to wait till noon to take the pill.  So I tried to eat but had no appetite.  I checked my blood sugar and it was 97.  It is never that low on fasting and I had the shakes pretty bad so I ate some bread and had some hot chocolate.  Later I had scrambled eggs and toast.  Checked my blood sugar again and it was normal.  

At noon I took a .5mg of Xanax which did help a great deal.  Now that I have been through it I would  not be as anxious if I had to go through it again.

I have much confidence that these results will put my mind at ease as to exactly what is wrong with me.  I just wish it would have been done the first time.  Looking forward to treatment - no matter what kind - as long as I get things taken care of.  The growth on my tongue seems to be growing as I have a little bit more trouble swallowing food, like meat for instance.

Going to take a nap now.

traceyd1 said:

I am so sorry you've had to

I am so sorry you've had to go through all this!  Are you in South Louisiana?  I saw Haydel and Prejean in your posts!  We are in Baton Rouge and had excellent care at Mary Bird Perkins for my husband's cancer treatment.  Hopefully you won't need it!  Good Luck

Yes, I am in Houma, however my son lives in Baton Rouge.  I had planned on going for treatment at our local Mary Bird Perkins Hospital.  I may still wind up there.  Wishing you and your husband success with the treatment.

Dr. Beyer asked about the biopsy procedure and if I was still taking the Bactrim.  I told him I had 5 pills left to take.  He explained that the antibiotic should be healing the ulcer.  However, there is no change and it is bothering me more and more.

I was anxious to know the results of the needle biopsy so we got to that next,  I was emotionally prepared for the worst because that would at least answer my questions about what is wrong with me.  I should have been elated when the ENT doctor informed me that the biopsy showed no cancer but only infection.  However, I felt more confused and deflated. 

What are we going to do about the ulcer on my tongue?  I asked if I could be sent to an Oncologist and he said they would not accept the referral without a diagnosis.  I asked about another biopsy of my tongue and that's when he said he would refer me elsewhere.

Dr. Beyer first suggested sending me to a Head and Neck specialist in New Orleans at Ochsner Hospital.  I asked if there were someone locally that I could see first.  So now I'm am being sent to an Oral Surgen (Dr. Chris Saal) and a Rheumatologist (Dr. Luis Espinoza) here in Houma.  (I later called my ENT and requested he refer me to a local Infectious Disease doctor at Chabert Medical Center - Dr. Mary Eschete.) 

I asked a lot of questions and we talked for a good while.  He said he had consulted with his colleague Dr. Simon who had similar cases and the only thing he could suggest is to keep doing a biopsy till something shows up.  He said he would also consult with Dr. Saal.  No further appointment was made with Dr. Beyer's ENT office.  On my way out I asked that he send my family doctor Scott Haydel my records.  I paid my $50 copayment and left.  They will be calling me with appointment times for these other doctors in a few days.  I checked the internet and Dr. Saal does accept my Humana insurance as well as does Dr. Eschete.  That's a relief.

I have no words to express how I feel at this moment - except maybe confused and scared.