What if caregiver gets cancer? update 8/25

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jim and i
jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
edited August 2011 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Went to doctor for CT result yesterday, just couldn't wait over a week. CT clear but since I found the lump on my tongue refered to ENT ASAP. See ENT this afternoon. Please pray it is something else other than cancer.

Debbie

OK, I have not posted this question sooner because I know you all will tell me that it aint cancer till it is confirmed. I just can't bear it alone anymore. Can't talk to famiy, they would freak out, and can't talk to close friends, the would also freak. DEFINATELY WILL NOT TELL JIM

As you know, Jim was misdiagnosed for more than three years with neuralgia. I have also been complaining to the same doctors about pills sticking in my throat and recently feeling like I have a kernel stuck in my throat. My new PC ordered a CT scan, which I had last Wednesday, and said she would go over results during my physical September 1st.

What has me afraid is this, two days before the CT I felt a pill stuck in the same spot in my throat so I thought maybe I could push it down with my finger since it was high in my throat. Well it worked, but I also felt a lump about the size of a pea on my tongue. Since then I check every day to see if maybe it is gone, but it is still there and maybe a little larger the last few days.

The radiation tech told me the results would be at the doctors no later than Tursday. I haven't heard so I called yesterday and they said they do not discuss on the phone. BUT, they did call me Friday with the results of my bone scan which I had the same day. I also remember reading a sign in the exam room that said, "Negative test results will not be discussed on the Phone."

My deliema? Do I call and schedule an appointment earlier for the results or wait until my appointment? The stress is imobilizing me. I want to know, but then what? How can I take care of Jim and go through this horror treatment too? Who would take care of us both?

Debbie

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
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    Aggravation and Anxiety - Not Worth It
    If it's bothering you to the point of aggravation and anxiety, make the appointment for a consult.

    Though I would presume that if it was serious, your MD would call you to come in anyways and start the ball rolling...whatever the diagnosis if less than favorable.

    Usually you can request a desk copy of your results, and pretty much figure out the results on your own, if you wanted to go that route. But a warning on that...just because you get the results, what you read may not necessarily be what the MD interrupts the reports to say.

    Best,
    John
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #3
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    Skiffin16 said:

    Aggravation and Anxiety - Not Worth It
    If it's bothering you to the point of aggravation and anxiety, make the appointment for a consult.

    Though I would presume that if it was serious, your MD would call you to come in anyways and start the ball rolling...whatever the diagnosis if less than favorable.

    Usually you can request a desk copy of your results, and pretty much figure out the results on your own, if you wanted to go that route. But a warning on that...just because you get the results, what you read may not necessarily be what the MD interrupts the reports to say.

    Best,
    John

    John,

    I thought about getting a desk copy, but like you said, doc probably would read it different. I did make a consult appointment to go over the results. I go tomorrow morning.

    Debbie
  • CLRRN
    CLRRN Member Posts: 127
    #4
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    It can happen to us.....
    Hi Debbie,

    I completely understand how you feel. In April/May I had this sensation of food getting stuck in my throat, coughing and clearing throat. It was intermittent however I found a lump on my neck. Went to the doc in June and the fun started. I had a nodule on my thyroid, had a biopsy which was inconclusive. Had a partial thyroidectomy a week ago today. Although all statistics pointed to a benign adenoma/goiter, the path report stated otherwise. I'm still a caregiver for Mike but now visit the Thyroid Cancer CSN page.
    Diagnosis: Minimally invasive follicular carcinoma w/oxyphilc (hurthle cell) metaplasia. I'm having the rest of my thyroid removed later today.

    Take away message, we need to take care of ourselves too!! Call the office and explain your situation/journey with your hubby and hopefully the doctor will call you back w/results and not make you wait. Be strong!!!

    Thoughts and prayers that all will be ok.

    Chris
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #5
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    CLRRN said:

    It can happen to us.....
    Hi Debbie,

    I completely understand how you feel. In April/May I had this sensation of food getting stuck in my throat, coughing and clearing throat. It was intermittent however I found a lump on my neck. Went to the doc in June and the fun started. I had a nodule on my thyroid, had a biopsy which was inconclusive. Had a partial thyroidectomy a week ago today. Although all statistics pointed to a benign adenoma/goiter, the path report stated otherwise. I'm still a caregiver for Mike but now visit the Thyroid Cancer CSN page.
    Diagnosis: Minimally invasive follicular carcinoma w/oxyphilc (hurthle cell) metaplasia. I'm having the rest of my thyroid removed later today.

    Take away message, we need to take care of ourselves too!! Call the office and explain your situation/journey with your hubby and hopefully the doctor will call you back w/results and not make you wait. Be strong!!!

    Thoughts and prayers that all will be ok.

    Chris

    prayers
    Thanks Chris. I have an appointment in the morning. My prayers are with you during your surgery. How far out from treatment is Mike?

    Debbie
  • CLRRN
    CLRRN Member Posts: 127
    #6
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    jim and i said:

    prayers
    Thanks Chris. I have an appointment in the morning. My prayers are with you during your surgery. How far out from treatment is Mike?

    Debbie

    Thanks...
    Debbie,

    Mike is 14 months post treatment and we are very thankful/fortunate/blessed that he's had 3 clean PET scans to date.

    I'm glad you have an appointment for the morning. I'm keeping everything crossed that it's nothing serious.

    Chris :)

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