Daughter undergoing tests

Barbaraek
Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
edited February 2016 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Most of you know me and my story as caregiver to my husband who is 6 months post treatment for Stage IV nasopharyngeal tumor. My 25 year old daughter, who lives in Anchorage is now undergoing tests for a large mass on one side of her neck under the ear. So far they have done an ultrasound to try and determine if it is solid or a fluid filled cyst. It is in the area of the parotid gland. The ultrasound was not conclusive, so the next step is a needle aspiration/biopsy. It is large enough that it is starting to impinge on facial nerves. No one has said the word "cancer" yet, and truth be told my gut says it isn't. The problem is...if it needs to be surgically removed, they will have to be super-careful of facial nerves and my daughter is a musician - a flutist, in fact. So any loss of muscle tone or sensation could be detrimental to her livelihood. Needless to say, as a parent, I'm worried and feel pretty helpless that I'm about as far away as I can get here in Buffalo.

Asking for you to include us in your prayers. Sheesh - enough of health problems already!

Barbara

Comments

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    Prayers lifted

    When is the biopsy?

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626

    Prayers lifted

    When is the biopsy?

    They are doing the Fine Needle Aspiration

    in about an hour, Noellesmom. I am hoping that is is just fluid from a nasty infection and that draining it will provide some instant relief from the numbness and pain she is experiencing. She said her unltrasound was "inconclusive"...whatever that is supposed to mean.

    Barbara

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Hi Barbara

    I am so sorry to hear that but you know the drill, it’s not cancer until they say it is cancer. When one of us hurt here on CSN we all seem to hurt together, so you can be sure your daughter will be in my prayers.

     

    God Bless

    Tim

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    Barbaraek said:

    They are doing the Fine Needle Aspiration

    in about an hour, Noellesmom. I am hoping that is is just fluid from a nasty infection and that draining it will provide some instant relief from the numbness and pain she is experiencing. She said her unltrasound was "inconclusive"...whatever that is supposed to mean.

    Barbara

    I keep thinking about

    Her career as a flautist and the incredible pressures that puts on her anatomy in that area.

    Hoping it is a cyst or bursa that needs draining.

    Still praying.

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    Wow Barbara.

    We will keep her in our thoughts and prayers

     

     

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    Sending prayers...

    and positive thoughts.  Hopefully, it's something that be drained rather than removed.  My gut also says it's not cancer...

    Hugs.

    p

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    Sending thoughts and prayers

    Sending thoughts and prayers to your daughter.

  • corleone
    corleone Member Posts: 312 Member
    Hi Barbara, 

    I hope this is just a benign condition (chist, etc.). Just make sure they rule out salivary gland (parotid) stones.

  • tomb247
    tomb247 Member Posts: 54
    Prayers Your Way

    Praying for you all. Please update us.

  • lifeisDHA
    lifeisDHA Member Posts: 64
    keep your family in my prayers.

    hope the result is nothing but a benign cyst.