FOUND A LUMP ON MY NECK

April 10, 2017

Had a dental appointment today.  I have a tooth that is very sensitive to cold and  heat.  They took x-rays and did a cold test on two of my bottom teeth and said one was a dead tooth and the other would eventually be the same.  Suggested two root canals.  Gave me a prescription for antibiotics to take if it starts to become painful prior to the next appointment for the root canal.  I have been on antibiotics on and off for 8 months now.  Just finished the last round a few days ago.

When I got to the desk to pay for the visit I was told it would be over $2200.  I made the decision to have only the one tooth worked on and paid $1200 and left.  Once home I transferred some funds from my savings to my checking in order to pay for all of this medical care that's really hitting me hard.  My appointment is for May 15th at 1:00pm.

While at the drive up window at the bank today my phone rang and it was Dr. Beyer.  I was very surprised that he personally called me.  He explained that he was unable to refer me to Dr. Mary Eschete the Infectious Disease doctor, as I had requested, because he does not have a diagnosis to give her.  

He spoke with Dr. Saal the Oral Surgeon and he advised to have a different kind of biopsy done on my lymph node.  It is called a Core Needle Biopsy which provides significantly more information than the two Fine Needle Aspirations I had done, as it obtains much more tissue for the pathologist to evaluate.  It is to be done at Thibodaux General Hospital in Thibodaux.  I asked for the doctor's name and he said he didn't know yet and that Andrea - the surgery scheduler - would call the hospital to make the appointment and then let me know all information. 

He spoke again of other options like removal of the lymph node and another biopsy of the tongue but said that he would rather go with a less radical procedure for now.  So after a while, I agreed with him and said I would like to go along with his direction in my care.  I spoke a bit about the discomfort I'm having with the ulcer as food is getting stuck in my throat and I have to drink lots of fluids when I eat.

I told him how upsetting it was for me lately to try to decide which doctor to see first, the Oral Surgeon, the Rheumatologist, or the Infectious Disease doctor - as well as trying to find someone who would accept my Humana Insurance.  I was so relieved that he was making a decision for me and fought back the tears.  I kind of felt that he had abandoned me when he referred me to so many other doctors at our last visit.

After this conversation and I had time to think about everything that was said, I think maybe he is starting to think it is what I think it is and is doing what he can to get that biopsy sample to come back positive so I can get to an Oncologist and begin treatment.  Maybe this new procedure will give us more information and we can move on from there.    

Went to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center this morning at 6:00am for an 8:00am Core Needle Biopsy - Ultra Sound guided.  My neighbors Evelyn and her husband Robert drove me there.  This is my 3rd node biopsy.

Was taken in right away and put on a bed in one of the outpatient rooms.  Blood work taken.  Vitals taken and my blood pressure was 225/85.  They took my pressure many times throughout my stay.  At exactly 8:00 I was taken in for the biopsy.  The actual biopsy took about 10 minutes but I was in the room for about an hour.

Dr. Arthurs was very good at explaining the procedure and answered all my questions.  I watched the monitor and could see what he was doing with the needle.  He showed me how the center of the node was necrotic and filled with fluid.  Said he would be taking the sample from around the edges of the node.  Each time he snipped a sample he looked at it and said it was good.  He took 3 samples and the last one was for cultures.  I told him how concerned I was about the node pressing on the carotid artery and he showed me the carotid and the jugular and he assured me he would stay away from them.

I asked what the significance of the fluid was and he said that this is something he usually sees with cancer.  I was almost relieved.  That means I can get a diagnosis and finally begin treatment.   I asked what would happen if it came back negative and he said he would suggest removal of the lymph node so it could be chopped up and they would eventually find out what it is.  

I told him about the referral to the Rheumatologist next week and he said that they would do a whole lot of tests that may not be necessary and to hold off on the appointment till I find out the results of this biopsy.  I was glad to hear that, as I have no symptoms of an autoimmune disease except for a positive ANA test.  That's when he told me that he is also positive for ANA and he has nothing.

They kept me in a recovery room on a stretcher for about 45 minutes to continue to monitor my high blood pressure and to check for any bleeding.  Then my neighbor Evelyn drove me home.

Received a call from my family doctor and was told that my Thyroid blood test came back normal.  That's good news.  One less thing to rule out.  Now I just have to wait for the results of the biopsy.  Waiting is so hard.

Noellesmom said:

Glad you finally have a diagnosis

But am so sorry it is cancer and that it took so long.

I knew what it was the moment I saw the lump on my neck 4 months ago.  It is a shame that it took so long to finally diagnose it.

lightpulse said:

Hi Linda, I'm Tak

Hi Linda,

I'm Tak and I have or had SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA, HYPOPHARYNX. What a journey you went through just to get the diagnosis. I guess my diagnosis was easy because the cancer or the growth was visible with the scope on my hypopharynx. And the subsequent biopsy confirmed my diagnosis. My SCCH was diagnosed in Sept. 2016 and I went through about 12 radiation treatments and 2 kemos from Oct. to Dec. of 2016. In April 2016, my oncologist called me to tell me that I'm cancer free now. Hurray right? Well I'm not so sure. Just a few days ago, I woke up with a soft, large lump in my neck just under front of my jaw. Front of my upper neck looks like the one from a 300 lb. man. Although I haven't been able to see any drs. yet, I feel it is inflammation of my lymph node. I'm so scared that remission of my cancer is a hoax. They missed it. I feel like I got a honorable discharge from the army for being a good soldier against SCCH but SCCH signed me up for another tour. Well I finally got an appt. with my primary dr. tomorrow and hopefully get some good info and plan of attack.

Good luck to you Linda on your treatments and beat this thing.

Tak...

I sure hope it is just a reaction from the treatments and not another cancer.  Please post what the doctor says.  Good luck to you and continued good health.