Hello,

I have to say that this site is remarkable. I do not have a diagnosis of any cancer but do have some symptoms that concern me. I have scheduled an appt. with an ENT but unfortunately they don't have an opening until Jan 15. Ugh. I have searched through the site and it certainly has provided some anxiety relief. For now at least.

Symptoms:
Hoarse voice for greater than 6 weeks.
Swollen left lymph node side of neck. No pain unless I push on it.
Constant feeling of something in throat.
Winded easily and quite fatiqued.

Unfortunately, I am a smoker of 20 plus years. Didn't really drink until the last 8 years.
The past year has been extremely stressful.

So with that said, I know everyone can see that I have a nursing background but it is somewhat irrelevant since I haven't practiced. The only knowledge I really have is only enough to make me dangerous. Ha Ha!

Thank you to everyone for providing all the information on this site(I have alot to learn) and for all of the positive reinforcement to everyone. I will let you know how things turn out. No crying until there's something to cry about. But in the meantime, trying to cut back on smoking until I can get a Rx for Chantix.

Donna,

Wish you the best but for your own sake press to get in before Jan 15th. Even I'm anxious for your appt. so do it for me if not for you !! LOL

They can do a FNA on your node and the results are usually back within a week. I just wouldn't wait that long. Try the "squeeky wheel" approach. Tell them to call you if they have a cancellation, etc.

Don't think the tired or winded systoms are related to your throat issues and most likely their is something going on in the throat cavity which hopefully the ENT can see with the aid of that scope we all enjoyed.

Thanks David! They don't have a waiting list, I have to call everyday to see if they have an opening but I am persistent!! You would think that after I had explained my symptoms, they would be concerned but it just doesn't happen without making the "Noise"

I know I will be looking at that ever sought after scope but will gladly particpate to receive either an "all clear" or "next steps". The unknown is very scary but I am sure that the "next steps" are too. Thanks again and I will keep you updated.

Hi Donna,

The best thing you can do now is be very aggessive in getting whatever tests you can get done NOW. The longer you wait, the worse off things can become. Act as if your life depends on the moves you make right now, because, unfortunatley, they do. Be pushy if need be, don't be shy.

One thing I found out is that the larger the lymph nodes becomes, it is more likely two detrimental things can happen--the cancer can spread to other lymph nodes, and it can penetrate the lining of the lymph node (extracapsular spread--both of these these will result in a higher staging, thereby increasing the treatment regimen.

I was polite and watched my lymph node grow from the size of a pea to walnut size--the staging increased with the lymph node size.

I wish you the best and hope all of your tests come back negative!

Oscar

Donna - It really pays to be aggressive and do whatever you have to to get your appt moved up. They can create an opening for you and not just wait for one to happen. Your health and you are very important! When my son's biopsy indicated cancer, the oral surgeon's office made an appointment for him with the maxillofacial surgeon for 2 weeks later. Later that day, on a Friday, my ex daughter in law called and I was so upset, she volunteered to call and move up my son's appointment for us. She even pretended to be still married to him (which didn't sit too well with my son, at the time) but whatever she said or did got him the appointment for the following Monday (3 days later)! After the surgery when we had other appointments, I did notice that a few times when we had scheduled appointments, the doctor's office would call and ask us if we could "re-schedule" for later since they were "backed up". I always agreed because I thought it could be someone else waiting as anxiously as we were in the beginning. If the"noise" you make isn't enough, maybe you could have someone else call for you and say that you are too hoarse to be able to talk and suffering extreme anxiety, etc. etc. whatever works. It's worth a try. Jan 15th is much too far off. Please do whatever you have to and let us know what happens.

Thanks Oscar and Anne-Marie. I did call the office back and was told that since I had not been a patient since 2002 (Tonsilectomy), they were just unable to see me until Jan. Of course this made me angry so I called back and left a message with his assistant with all of my symptoms. She called me back and I am now scheduled for Monday at 2:15. Thanks everyone for keeping me fired up to get it changed.

Good for you, Donna! I am so proud of you! Do let us know how it goes on Monday.

Whew !!! I'm feeling a lot better now. Thanks.

With that said, go to the appt with prepared questions; take notes and/or take someone with you to help you remember what to ask and what the Doc says. If he/she doesn't seemed concerned ask for a reference to get a 2nd opinion. IMHO you should get a few 2nd opinions regardless.

At a minimum you should get scoped and a thorough mouth cavity exam. I might even ask for a fine needle aspiration or at least be very comfortable with the reason why not to. Certaintly a scan might be the next logical step.

Above all....REMEMBER THIS IS YOUR LIFE AND BE AS PUSHY AND YOU NEED TO, TO GET THIS RESOLVED.

Anyway,. one step at a time. Post when you get home after the visit.

Hi Donna,

I agree with David, get moving as fast as you can. They dragged it on and on with Mary, first a round of antibiotics to see if that cleared up the enlarged node, then waiting another month to get an appt. with an ENT, etc., etc., Meanwhile the node got larger and larger.
As a nurse you know a unilateral painless enlarged lymph node requires further investigation-and more times than not it is nothing to worry about, BUT BE PUSHY!!!!! A FNA is easy and gives quick results.

I wish you all the best, let us know how you make out!

Liz

So pleased you've got an appointment for Monday Donna--waiting is the hardest bit!

We're all thinking of you,
Brenda