the bad, the ugly, and the good

The situation

The lymph node ultrasound 2 weeks ago revealed abnormal nodules, and Dr. Wexler (the new endocrinologist) wanted me to have them biopsied before splitting open my whole neck. Today was my lymph node biopsy (procedure was a fine needle aspiration, just like the thyroid biopsy a month ago).

Bad news

Abnormal nodules in my lymph nodes were confirmed malignant, and now my neck is sore from the procedure. Last biopsy left me sore for like 10 days...I'm hoping this one won't be as long.

Gory details about my unpleasant afternoon

I didn't get into the procedure room at Washington Hospital Center until 1 hour 15 minutes after my appointment time, including like 20 minutes half-dressed in a 2x2 foot changing room, and then was left in the procedure room for another 10 or 15 minutes by myself after initial preparation (waiting for pathologist apparently). While waiting I encountered not one, but two bloody pieces of gauze on the floor, in different parts of the building (I think both dropped by the same guy). And this place was in the basement, so no cell reception, leaving me unable to coordinate help picking up kids from school/bus now that I was going to be late. Procedure itself went fine. The radiologist (the one sticking me with the needle) kept saying, 'beautiful! isn't this beautiful?' and made the tech take more ultrasound pictures (and maybe even a movie??) of my neck with needle inserted. She seemed quite pleased with her needle-inserting prowess. It didn't feel particularly beautiful to me.

Having my appointment go so late (3pm) meant not only that I was later than I expected getting out, but also that I was now in rush hour traffic trying to get out of DC, and I didn't really know where I was going. Lucy's preschool has after-care, and they've been really understanding and flexible about keeping her even though it's not something we normally do, so I wasn't worried about her. But it took a while to get in touch with Andrea to make sure she could get Rowan from the bus, so that added to the stress. AND like 30 minutes (and 1.5 miles) after I left the hospital the ultrasound tech called to say I was going to need to come back next week because they needed another sample from me(!!!). I couldn't believe it. At some point, close to 4pm, I realized I was beyond late and traffic wasn't moving and I happened to be close to Nate's work. So I called him and picked him up. This was fabulous because it meant: #1 I didn't have to drive anymore (it hurt to turn my head right, not so safe), and #2 now we could take I-66 (HOV).

Anyway, after we finally got home I talked to Dr. Wexler and he confirmed that both tumors they biopsied tested positive for thyroid cancer. The call I got from the tech was because they forgot to do the needle rinse (extra test for cancer in case looking at slides was inconclusive), but turns out the slides were conclusive, so at least I don't have to go back again Monday. I do need CT scan at some point to see if it's spread to lungs too, but it's not urgent, and I can do that at Virginia Hospital Center (MUCH more convenient). NOTE: even if it has spread to lungs, it's still thyroid cancer, not lung cancer. Prognosis would be worse if it's spread to lungs, but I'm told it's still very treatable. My neck scar is going to be wicked though--I think it'll go nearly from my left ear all the way across the front of my throat. Rowan is going to flip out.

First impression of radiology facility at WHC: Not so good.

Good news

I have an appointment to see highly-recommended surgeon Lisa Boyle next Thursday, so at least I don't have to wait so long for the next step. She recently moved into an administrative position at Georgetown Univ. Hospital (she used to be a Washington Hospital Center), so I don't know if that means it'll be hard to make it into her now-reduced surgery schedule, but I should find out next week.