I have kept a little secret my friends: I grabbed my husband one day and said ‘There is more to this throat issue than burnt vocal cords from LPR. There is something else wrong and I am going to figure it out. Let’s go back to the second ENT’.
We spoke to the doctor and simply asked what we could do that was reasonable to factor out other issues that may be causing the throat problems and my exhaustion. He said we will do some in-depth blood work, a Cat Scan and start vocal therapy.
Last Friday, the doctor told me that the Cat Scan did show that the right side of my Thyroid was quite enlarged. However, most of the blood work had come back and looked great. I was scared as there are not many things besides some sort of nodule or tumor that cause such an problem.
By Friday afternoon, the office called to say I could have an ultrasound in a week but that was too long for me. I was of the mindset that if there is a problem, I wanted to help find a solution and tackle the problem immediately.
I requested an ultrasound sooner and was able to drive to a hospital in Connecticut and have one on Saturday. The results would come in Monday night and I would see the doctor Tuesday afternoon. I did my best to stay positive as no matter what, we could conquer this.
I am relieved to tell you that there is NO TUMOR, in fact, the doctor does not see much besides an abnormally large right side of a Thyroid. The only blood work of concern are my Anti-Nuclear Antibodies but I know the root of that problem.
My plan is to follow up with my Rheumatologist as well as find an Endocrinologist to create a plan with me to examine the Thyroid again in a month or so to make sure I am simply abnormal.
Guess my mom was right, I am unique.
*Image courtesy of Cultivating Your Feminine Spirit
Chef Dennis says
Jennifer, so glad to hear that the worst can be ruled out for you. It can be scary trying to find the cause for problems and until we do, we seem to think more and more about our own mortality.
lets hope they find out whats been causing these problems soon!
Dennis
Stephanie, The Recipe Renovator says
Jennifer, so glad that it’s not a tumor but sorry to hear that you have been having health problems. My health crisis was defined by some weird abnormal endocrine labs too. Feel free to email me if I can be of any assistance.
Jennifer says
Hi Shaina – thank you for that. I hope you had a great time in Seattle and once I can chit-chat normally, I hope to get to a conference.
Jennifer says
Phew! We still need to figure out for sure if thyroid is simply congenital but we are happy the situation did not turn out the way we thought it might.
Jennifer says
Thank You my friend! I greatly appreciate your concern.
Jennifer says
Thank You Winnie. Heaidng this way this summer?
Jennifer says
Thank You Kim – we weren’t sure what was ahead and I am glad the situation turned out the way it did.
Shaina says
Glad to hear all is well, Jen!
Vanessa @FrenchFoodieMom says
What a relief! How scary. Glad you’re fine!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
So glad you got some good news! Still keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Winnie says
Relieved to hear it’s not something very serious…I hope you feel all better soon!
kim/reluctant renovator says
I’m glad you’re okay! While aging has its advantages, the physical piece is not one of them. Good for you for staying on it, but glad the results are good.