I went back to the doctor today. My lump in my neck has got bigger over the last 2-3 weeks and is now easily noticeable. I'm starting to think I should name it or something. Perhaps Hector? Yes, Horrible Hector. Humongous Hector! Hector the unwelcome.
My doctor decided he isn't happy with Hector, (join the club says I), so I am being referred to a thyroid specialist. Urgently and this time they mean urgent as in 'next week'. That's pretty darn quick for our Health System. 'Urgency' can be roughly translated to 'seriousness' so alarm bells start ringing in the back of my head. Before they can drive me nuts I ask the doctor questions:
'What happens next?'
- I will get an appointment and be seen very soon by a specialist. It is likely I will need a biopsy and a scan but the specialist will decide when he sees me.
'What is it likely to be?
- Can't tell until the test are done, but it's most likely a cyst. However, it could be something serious.
Gulp. Serious?
Apparently the odds are very much in favour of the cyst option and given the choice so am I. It's not nice and is likely to need either fine needle aspiration or surgery but it's the best outcome and most likely. So it looks like I have an appointment with a man or woman with a penchant for plunging needles in people's necks. Not an attractive option but better than the something serious. Do I really have to be there though?
I'm currently trying not to think about it. Any of it. I hate anything medical and hospitals fill me with dread. On the other hand I hate Hector. I can feel him there now, like an unwelcome guest. I also hate not knowing so hopefully by the end of next week I'll have some more positive news and Hector's days will be numbered.
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19 comments:
Well, my dear I VOTE for Cyst, too! I hope this all gets taken care of quickly by 'The Specialist'....! I know how hard it is to wait and wonder.....!
Fingers crossed and prayers coming your way....! Eat a bit of Chocolate, my dear...It is soothing to the soul!
Thanks for the Thanksgiving wish, dear Bob-Kat....! It will be quiet here today, and that is fine....!
I DO have my "Turkey Dinner For One" in the fridge, ready to be Heated Up in The Micro....! AND, Lots of Choco;ate! (lol)
Hope you find a doctor who can do an Achilles on your Hector :-)
Just remember that most medical conditions aren't terribly serious or life-threatening. Remember too, that every procedure is your choice. Get as much information as you can, but don't feel railroaded into a decision.
Some kind of surgery will likely be the best option, but ask questions until you feel like it's the best choice for YOU, not for the doctor.
Good luck, and I hope this turns out to be a whole lot of nothing-but-inconvenience.
I am hoping it is nothing more than a cyst and a needle aspiration (instead of surgery) will be required!
Praying for my friend Bobkat....bet it's the cyst and we're looking at the simpler procedure.
I bet this is Harmless Hector, the innocuous one!
Wishing you well.
Here's hoping Hector is nothing more than an annoyance.
I'll be holding your hand in my thoughts. Close your eyes so you don't see the needle, okay? It's easier that way.
Just so you know, you're on our family's prayer list and come Sunday, a Baptist Church in Missouri will pray for you, too.
Cheers.
i will pray that the Hector cyst is no more trouble to you, and that you get your news quickly. I hate lumps, in my oatmeal, in my bed, and most of all under my skin.
God Bless you
You are in my prayers also...praying that it's a cyst that can be easily removed and that Hector dies a quick painless death!
Hello, Michele sent me to say that I'm sending you best wishes. Sounds like you are being treated with respect and taken seriously which are both good things.
And good luck on the treadmill search. We bought one a few years back and it gets sporadic use. It works well, and I feel virtuous when I use it, but it isn't my favorite form of entertainment.
Achilles used the earth, the heavens, the sea, the full moon and the sun to banish Hector. We are all beaming these powers across for you as we read this.
And the chocolate idea sounds good too.
Wishing you well.
My mom had a lump in her neck and went in for the biopsy. They took out 3/4 of her thyroid. When the results came back, they went back in and took out the rest of it, it was not merely a cyst. So what, she has a scar across her throat? She's still here, and that was 15 years ago. Hector will be gone soon and you'll be fine. Michele sent me.
Wow. At least you are getting this taken care of right away. Meanwhile, I hope you can relax and not worry too much. Horrible Hector is OUTTA HERE! Sending you good vibes and hugs.
Good luck and I hope you get rid of Horrible Hector SOON!
I'm not sure when your appt. is but since the week is about to begin I wanted to tell you I was thinking about you
I am sending good thoughts your way. Hoping its a Cyst or fybroid, if thats a word in english lol, I had one on my upper back just right of my neck...just started to appear..was a nasty cyst that had to be surgically removed...it had gotten quite big, and causes the muscles in my shoulder/neck area to be sore...nasty but harmless..so was glad to have it taken care of. Keep us posted please...I may not comment often but do keep up with your blog.
Colloid cyst is the most common lump in the thyroid. The next benign thing is the follicular adenoma... and then a whole slew of things.
Being a pathologist for so long I have made a list of "malignant tumors I would choose to have if I HAD to have one"... you are right, very morbid.... and though they are pretty rare... thyroid primaries are right up there.... most are highly treatable and curable.
But... I vote for the cyst....
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