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Seems like my dream of an uncomplicated Christmas is flying out the window faster than that nasty grinch stole Christmas. It's now less than 24 hours before my husband and I will head out on our 1000 mile road trip to Florida for the birth of our second grandchild. But before I can even start packing up the car, I'm to be subjected to the inglorious horror of having a very long and very sharp needle stuck in my throat.
After a visit to an endocrinologist-thyroid specialist two days ago, I was told I have a large cyst on my throat and a tumor on my thyroid. So today I'm going for a biopsy to determine if it could possibly be thyroid cancer. Drats! That insufferable grinch is having a field day snarling my plans for a simple, less stressful holiday.
I spent all last night on the computer googling "thyroid biopsies". Do I know how to have fun or what? I discovered that the surgical instrument used for this procedure is a very long, very fine and extremely sharp stainless steel needle. My brain envisions a giant, finely-honed knitting tool.
During my googling search, I came across an actual video of a throat biopsy. All I can say is GROSS! Always trying to look on the bright side, I'm thinking maybe it won't be so awful what with a honking blast of pain-killer anesthetic injected first. NOT! I read that most doctors and even patients generally forgo the anesthetic because they say it's excruciatingly painful. One online comment from some poor soul who endured the anesthesia compared it to: a dozen angry hornet stings. Another person said the pain from the injection was so bad, they kicked and screamed for nearly half an hour. Somebody else actually fainted...and that was the doctor! So now I'm supposed to undergo this entire procedure WITH NO PAIN KILLER!!
Five more hours to go til my throat is pierced with a cold, steel, precision sharp, elongated, surgical needle...not once, not twice but SIX separate times. They want to make certain they suck out plenty of tissue for the pathologist to examine. Afterwards, I'm guessing my throat will be black and blue and maybe even swollen for a while. And it will take about a week before I learn the results of the biopsy. More anxiety... just waiting and waiting. But we're still planning on driving off to Florida at the crack of dawn tomorrow.
If I ever get my hands on that miserable grinch, I'd like to stick a knitting needle up his bah-humbug butt.
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
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9 comments:
I know that the biopsy is not fun but the injection before dental procedure is no fun either.
Two things for you to make sure: #1 no matter how large the nodule is the biopsy must be ultrasound guided; this will help prevent getting cells from unrelated areas and blood from vesels -which in turn will lead to "scientific" impression on the doctor's face and words about surgery recommendation based on "inadequate sample".
#2If cyst has solid component in it, this MUST be the place where sample should be obtained!!!!!
Draining the large cyst usually causes it to come back, therefore the PEI injection after aspiration can be used.
sorry for medical lecture;
best of luck
I appreciate your advice, Integrator. I try to be pro-active about my health but sometimes it's an uphill battle trying to stay on top of everything.
http://www.boomerpie.com/
it will be okay! just don't look or think about it. i've had needles in my eyelids. that hurts alot too. i just scream loudly, it relieves the pressure.
It's going to be okay. I bet it's over by now...I hope so. Then you will have every reason to go DO CHRISTMAS!!! Keep us posted.
Ahhhhh, I'm so sorry the Grinch is messing with you. Hoping all will turn out well--would've been nice if they'd given you a hefty nerve pill to take before your appointment.
((hugs))
unbelievable. they don't use any anesthesia for this procedure...ouch! sending positive thoughts your way. it will be okay, it will be okay...
Oh, you poor thing! I once had a procedure done where I couldn't receive anesthetic (pregnant)...it was...ummm...interesting. However, it was kinda far from the throat area...and very different.
We'll leave it at that.
Hang in there! You could have an uncomplicated Christmas yet!!!
Sound exactly like a prostate biopsy. Someday in the future doctors will look back and laugh at the crude way we currently do biopsies. For the prostate they basically fire jagged needles from your colon through the intestinal wall into the prostate and as the needle is withdrawn the jagged part collects tissue. What the #@#! Good luck, Boomer.
You are in my prayers. I am so sorry you have this happening.
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