Hi all. I don't post much on here anymore but I do come back and read from time to time. Had my 3.5 year checkup last Monday and my doctor said she felt some lymph nodes in my right neck (cancer side). When she pressed on my neck it was also quite tender. Got me scheduled for an ultrasound and possible biopsy next Wednesday. Now I'm trying not to drive myself crazy with worry. I have had cold/cough over the last few weeks off and on. So I'm telling myself that's what it is. Or a clamp or stitch. I know I have many. My original surgeon retired so he was not the one checking me this time. I can't even feel anything obvious that is amiss in my neck. I have also been having regular check ups and nothing has been found in all this time. Also had rads and neck dissection. But I do know anything is possible with this horrible cancer.
There is also no evidence of a new cancer in my mouth.
Sorry you have to go through this worry. I've been there several times. Last time I had to wait 6 weeks for ultrasound-guided FNA. It was nothing: fatty tissue ... nothing bad. When I DID have a recurrence before that, it showed up in the usual way as a small abnormal bit of tissue in my mouth.
To help me wait for the palpable node to be tested, I actually googled "How to wait for cancer results" and found some words of wisdom to help. I also invested a bit of money to treat myself: clothes, books, food. I had always wanted an iPad so bought one. My situation was different with a long wait but well, the iPad was medicinal:)
On a previous occasion, I saw a new doctor who was convinced I had a suspicious node. Nothing appeared on ultrasound and when I went back to the original surgeon I found that it was only a clip. I also find that registrars (in NZ that's what we call doctors training to be consultants) tend to biopsy a lot whereas the actual consultants are more confident and decisive in their examinations.
Thinking of you.
Maureen
Im so sorry you are going thru this scare! Since you have recently had a cold, hopefully thats all it is. Good thing you are on top of everything. I know waiting can be awful. Its just torture waiting for tests and then results. Hang in there and keep us posted.
Thanks guys! Tom Petty said it best.... The waiting is the hardest part. I have actually been treating myself by purchasing some movies I've been wanting to see on Amazon and my favorite pizza. I also got an iPhone 6 for my job so that has also helped to distract me.
Just got the good news I was praying for. There were no lymph nodes found on ultrasound to do a biopsy on. Today's ultrasound was unchanged from one I had over a year ago. Thank you all for the advice and encouragement!
Great news, what a relief.