@Mark: Direct Laryngoscopy is used by doctors to get a look at the back of your throat, your voice box (larynx), and vocal cord. The procedure usually involves flexible fiber-optic laryngoscope put into your mouth while you sit straight up sticking out your tongue. The doctor will spray local anesthetic into your throat to help with the gaggy feeling.

While viewing, they can perform biopsies of suspicious masses. I do not have any details about the biopsy part so waiting for other members to fill in.

Mark,
I agree with everyone here so I can not say much to that. I do know that two weeks to wait for a biopsy is to long. Often times I have had my biopsy results back within 24 to 36 hours depending on who looks at it. OI know a few of the pathologists were I am at and one of them always looks at mine as soon as he gets it. Please do not wait two weeks to find out. At the very least just 2 days. Call and bug the nurses to find out if the results are in.

Mark, please dont worry! I know its hard not to but cancer can be a thief. It steals your life from you by making it all you think about. I suggest making yourself extra busy right now. Take on some type of hobby or project to stay focused on. By dwelling on the 'what if's' it makes a person paralyzed by fear of the unknown. Please get out and go about your business. Push yourself to go do fun things with the ones you love. IF you have cancer and it is a huge IF, then when you are diagnosed will be the time to make your battle plan with your doctors. Its not possible to plan until you know.

During my last biopsy wait, I went on a 25 mile bike ride with my 19 year old son. It would be the 3rd time I would be diagnosed with cancer and I was so afraid I would not live to see my children settled in life. I am their only parent and they were in my opinion too young to be out in life alone without any guidance. During that long week, I did positive things with my children to make some important memories. In my mind I was going to make it so if nothing else they would always remember my sense of adventure, the special things were shared and how we could always laugh no matter what. Luckily I am still here thru a third round of OC and we all have awesome memories.


Most doctors and nurses will not give a patient their results over the phone. In Angelia's case she knows these people and is a well established patient which may be why they will tell her earlier and by phone. Ive always seen a week to get biopsy results as labs do not just the quick preliminary test for a fast result but they do some more in depth testing as well.

Please always remember that every single person's experiences will vary from someone else. What works for one wont always work for another. After being here for so long, I have seen so many people come here that were certain they were sick but found out it was something else. I hope you are one of those luck people who do not have cancer. IF you do, then you are in the right place for lots of advice and support. Now, go out and do something fun this weekend

Not sure if this has anything to do with this post....On Sept. 22nd I'm having a CT Scan without contrast for my neck and the same day a CT Scan with contrast for my Thorax. Reading my script it does say Iodine. After reading the post here is the CT Scan with contrast good or bad? I'm confused reading the post here.

Thank you,
Connie

Hi Connie, apologies if my post has caused confusion. Contrast agents enhance a number of CT procedures by providing detailed views of blood vessels and tumors. Doctors and Radiologist are best placed to decide when to use contrast.

It is just that some diagnostic procedures like Radioactive Iodine Uptake requires body to have normal levels of iodine to work correctly. Iodine based contrast agent increase the levels.

re prolonged waiting, i have my Dad's CCC senior leadership telephone numbers saved in my favorites on my phone and email. i have called 2x: once when the system was delaying the start date of my dad's treatment due to "process" and for another issue that needed immediate attn. i'm not advocated calling up the command chain when just anything bothers you, but can say if done respectfully and with determination, you should get results...we did!

Your laryngoscopy, they may sedate or put you to sleep as well. When they did one for me, they put me to sleep and took 5 biopsies. I hope you get the info asap and don't have to wait too much longer. If they got biopsies, they should have results before the 2 weeks are up.
As for the thyroid, sometimes if they are cancerous/infected/hypo or hyper, they act funny with the dyes, so that's understandable why they want to wait to see.
I hope whatever this is, they get you answers asap!