ENT today and very terrified

If it comes to it ...
First, read JK's reply several times over. There's a lot of good advice there.
However, if it turns out you do have cancer -- and here's hoping that you don't -- I can heartily recommend Johns Hopkins. I had my tonsil cancer treatment there (six weeks of radiation and chemo, followed by a modified radical neck dissection) and they are top of the line. It's an amazing institution, and all your care is coordinated. For instance, if the chemo is affecting your hearing, which it can, they get you in to see one of their audiologists immediately.
If you do have cancer, I also would strongly recommend that you contact Dr. Wayne Koch at Hopkins. He is very, very good.
As for the fear part, damn right I was scared. But Dr. Koch determined that the tumor I'd had removed at my local hospital was HPV-positive -- something they wouldn't have tested for here in podunk -- and that meant my chances of recovery were much better than if it'd been caused by smoking or drinking. Knowing that as I went into my treatment was a strong antidote for fear: I figured I could get through anything, and it looks like I did. I'm convinced that positive attitude got me through it in better shape than if I'd already lost hope. A strong faith in God was a big help, too.
So hang in there, and take things as they come. As it says in the Bible, "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?"

--Jim in Delaware

Talk to us Jennifer
Update us when you have time................we are anxiously awaiting news. JK

AppraiserGirl said:

Worrier!
I'm one of the great worrier's too. Let's hope you have nothing to worry about!

With my brother, the ENT ordered a CT scan and after those results where received, scheduled a biopsy to see if his suspicions were correct. They were and then it was on to the radiation oncologist and a PET/CT. It seemed like forever until a plan of action was underway, but all was finally implemented and treatments begun and now I feel more at ease cause something is being done. It's the fear of the unknown that really gets you.

It sounds like you are proceeding in the best way and once you know what your are facing, I know you will take charge of the situation and get 'er done!

If you do receive unfortunate news, keep your chin up and be encouraged because you are still alive and strong and you can fight. And one day down the road, after all your treatments are over and you are cancer free, you will be helping someone new on this site to keep from worrying.

Sorry to be so wordy. I'm thinking of you!

Very well put AppraiserGirl
Right on and Roger That.

grayson said:

ent appt
well my doctor just did a visual exam with a tongue depressor and stated that i having swelling in my throat area which he attributes to gastric reflux. I was so stressed to have him look in my mouth that I didn't press on alot of issues I wanted to. He upped my nexium which I've been taking for 7 years. I came home and realized that I felt I should have had a more extensive exam and continue to have a sore throat and feeling of something caught in my left side of throat. My husband wants to believe this is the problem but he agrees that I should pursue it more if it continues with no improvement. The ent has me scheduled to return in a month. What do you think I should do at this point? I know I'm not a doctor but this doesn't feel right to me. I want a scope or something put down in my throat because the sensation feels lower than what I think he could see from this brief exam. Am I overreacting? What were your experiences in finding an answer to symptoms you were having? I also know doctors start with the most simple of explanations and work their way up in many instances to more serious issues. What should I do next as I am not feeling any better yet? Sorry for my ranting I just don't know if I am pursuing it enough or should stop pressing on about a tumor. thanks jennifer

An amazing thing about the human body
It is amazing what your body can tell you. More amazing is the number of times that we either don't listen to it or we let someone (your ENT for example) tell us that we are mis-reading the signals.

Of all the reasons to go to a Dr., my favorite is to get good news. But, sometimes you will only get that news after you have pesterd them into in-depth analysis.

I have an unfair advantage, which is hindsight, but I can tell you that had I listened to my first ENT, who said the swelling in my throat was just a benign watery Branchial Cleft Cyst and just wanted to just monitor it with monthly exams for awhile, had I listened to him I would likely have been dead about 18 months ago. I got a second opinion that eventually led to the diagnosis of HPV 16 Positive Squamous Cell Carcinoma. That second opinion without a doubt saved my life.

So, were I in your shoes I would step up and demand a Laryngoscopy, perhaps even an Endoscopy since you have a history of GERDS. Then, if they saw anything suspicious, I would ask for a PET scan or biopsies or whatever they recommend based on the scopings. If this ENT stands firm against it I would seek a second opinion. Ask around or research on the NET to find an ENT in your area that has extensive experience with Head & Neck Cancers (HNC). In my case, my ENT had little to no experience with HNC. Not his fault of course, but the second opinion ended up getting me to the "experts".

Just my opinion, but you can't fool around with this stuff. Hopefully, and likely to be, that your first ENT is right. But if he is overly cautious and you don't force the issue and if this takes a wrong turn you will forever wonder what it would have been like had you pressed for that second opinion.

On the other hand, if a second opinion from a knowledgeable, experienced ENT either confirms or counter-mands the first one, you will be relieved to know so much more than you would have.

We are here for you. JK

grayson said:

ent appt
well my doctor just did a visual exam with a tongue depressor and stated that i having swelling in my throat area which he attributes to gastric reflux. I was so stressed to have him look in my mouth that I didn't press on alot of issues I wanted to. He upped my nexium which I've been taking for 7 years. I came home and realized that I felt I should have had a more extensive exam and continue to have a sore throat and feeling of something caught in my left side of throat. My husband wants to believe this is the problem but he agrees that I should pursue it more if it continues with no improvement. The ent has me scheduled to return in a month. What do you think I should do at this point? I know I'm not a doctor but this doesn't feel right to me. I want a scope or something put down in my throat because the sensation feels lower than what I think he could see from this brief exam. Am I overreacting? What were your experiences in finding an answer to symptoms you were having? I also know doctors start with the most simple of explanations and work their way up in many instances to more serious issues. What should I do next as I am not feeling any better yet? Sorry for my ranting I just don't know if I am pursuing it enough or should stop pressing on about a tumor. thanks jennifer

Go with your gut!
If you have a gut feeling that something isn't quite right, check it out further until you are satisfied. I agree with JK too.

I'm hoping your ENT is right and it's just GERD!! Please keep us posted, we are thinking of you.

Not to be the proverbial rented mule........
No matter how much support and exchange you get from your spouse, immediate family, extended family, or close friends, YOU ALONE WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO BE YOUR BEST HEALTH ADVOCATE.

That will never change.

Keep us posted. JK