Biopsy & thyroid appointments

The biopsy went well Friday. Double doses of the meds, and I was still fully alert - to be expected for me. I did feel a little pain, but only when he pushed to get into the node to clip another sample. I got a pain that shot down my back into my left hip and groin. But it stopped quickly. That was done 4 times, so no big deal. I laid on my stomach and they went in through my back, just to the left of my spine, right above my waist. Just like others told me, the anxiety about the procedure was worse than the procedure itself. No big deal, really. It was very similar to when I had my spinal nerve blocks for RSD. I didn't have any meds then, other than a local. If I need more biopsies like this again, I think I'll do the same - no meds. All they seem to do is cause bad nausea for me, and wipe me out for the remainder of the day.

My team was fantastic. I had my favorite radiology nurse (they are getting to know me now), and I always like this tech too. The doctor was very good. The nurse told me he has done thousands of these and is the best she's seen - good and fast. He also brought in the pathologist to look at the samples, to make sure he had everything he wanted. That way if they needed more, we'd do it all at once while I was still prepped. I like it when they plan ahead.

One of the things I like about my radiology nurse is she has always been informative, and she also doesn't hide things. She did let me know after I made a comment about possible infection again, that they didn't do any cultures. She held my hand and told me to take it one day at a time. She said she isn't a doctor, but she knows I am smart. This is pretty much the same as my GI telling me that my huge almost fully obstructing tumor was malignant. That he could sugar coat it, but he'd seen enough to know what it was. He gave me less than 1% chance that it wasn't cancer. Well, that is where I sit again now. No need to culture for infection, so I know what the pathologist thinks he saw already.

Not really a surprise. I expected that.

I thought I might be up to running a few errands afterwards, but I was not. I was nauseated and tired. I thought maybe I could work a little Friday, but not. I went home and took a 2 hour nap before going to my next doctor appointment.

I am officially OLD! We had a family doctor that I loved when the kids were young. He is the one that removed the items my son put in his ears, and took care of other things families with young children go through. Our insurance changed and we couldn't go to that clinic anymore. He isn't much older than me. And today I saw his son! My new primary is the son of my doctor from 16 years ago. And he is a lot like his dad. I like him. I think I've finally found a new medical home.

He agreed that I have thyroid disease of some sort, but said we can't be sure what it is till more testing. So I had labs to check T3 and T4, and he says I'll need more testing, but should do it with a specialist. He sees at least 3 patients every day with hypothyroidism - it is very common. But hyperthyroidism presents different issues, and especially if I go back on chemo an endocrinologist is better to handle this. I got the referral and need to make the appointment.

I was still very nauseated late afternoon. I ate some dinner thinking that would help, but I got worse. I was really tired too. And while I didn't hurt much right after the biopsy, it hurt later. It hurt when the doctor made me take deep breaths so he could listn to my lungs. It hurt to ride in the car. I turned down pain meds, and I have a bucket full at home here anyway. But I'd just be even more nauseated. So I went to bed early and slept it off. I got up fine in the morning other than feeling like someone kicked the heck out of my back on the left side. After spending a day at the State Fair yesterday, I'm not too bad. My back is bruised and I can't put any pressure on that area, but really it isn't too bad. Compared to getting sliced open for a biopsy, this is so easy. It is hard to believe they can put a needle inside another needle and get what they need, instead of cutting us open.

One bit of good news - the neuropathy in my hands is still resolving. I've noticed a lot of improvement this week! My feet however, aren't cooperating as well. So for anyone else that has finished chemo, but isn't seeing improvement in the neuropathy, don't give up. It can take a while and still come. I finished chemo over 4 months ago, and am still seeing improvement.

Not much to do over the long weekend - I'll have to wait till next Tuesday to find out the new plan of attack.