Other than a quick post on Facebook, I haven't really talked a lot about what has been going on with me medically. So, here's the story!
About a year ago, I felt an odd "lump" in my neck (right where an adam's apple would be if I were a guy) It wasn't really that big, it wasn't painful, it didn't interfere with breathing or swallowing... I didn't have health insurance, and we couldn't afford a doctor visit, a specialist or a hospital stay... so it went unchecked.
About a month ago, I woke up one morning and my neck was really swollen...my chin was also swollen..it was really strange. I also had what appeared to be two bites side by side that were open... they hadn't been there the night before... that morning I called our doctor (we have good insurance here!!) During the exam, he found the lump that I had found a year ago. The swelling, it turns out, was from a probable spider or insect bite in the night (not uncommon living in the Caribbean!)
The doctor ordered me to have an ultrasound of my neck, the nurse suggested that it may be related to my thyroid. The next week I went for the ultrasound...totally strange and silent experience, the tech did not say one word to me the entire 25 minutes we were together!
The follow-up with my Doctor led to a referral to a ENT (ear, nose, throat) guy at the hospital. That appointment was today!
In my experience, my two favorite doctors have been my surgeon from when I had my hip surgeries and an Indian doctor I had in Thailand!!! This doctor has moved into the #1 spot. He was great...very down to earth and did not try to sugar coat anything. He listened to what I had to say. He examined me, looked at the results of the ultrasound, and almost sounded as if we had wasted our time coming... BUT...then recommended two tests and gave me three prescriptions!
Today, I had a fine needle aspiration (not as bad as it sounds) they used a very small needle to get fluid from the "cystic mass" in my neck...this will be tested for cancer. It didn't hurt at all...but NOT swallowing while someone has a needle in your neck is a lot harder than the doctor made it sound! :)
The second test, was blood work to check my thyroid. The doctor suspects that it is over-active, or was at one time, this mass formed and my thyroid is having a hard time regulating itself! (thus the meds!)
All thsese tests will be two weeks in the making. So, we wait!
I am not too worried at this point, b/c I don't know anything! The doctor seemed encouraged that the fluid he drew was clear, a good indication that it is NOT cancer! At the same time, this type of cancer is very treatable with very little aggressive treatment.
In the meantime, he is going to try to "suppress" my thyroid for a few weeks to give it a rest, he thinks that my body is overproducing a hormone b/c of the mass and so to suppress it would give my body a chance to regulate...all this while we wait on the official tests about what is really going on!
Thank you for your prayers. Please keep praying. At the moment it looks good,and it looks like I won't need surgery or major treatment!
Praying for you Lynsey!!! May God be with you as you go through this ordeal!
Posted by: Kim Kauitzsch | March 04, 2011 at 06:27 PM