Anxious about my first appointment

Posted by bode1 @bode1, Oct 6, 2021

Some basic background info:

25F. Last year I noticed a hard mass below my ear and in the following months have had several more lymph nodes pop up all over my neck. I could make this story long, but basically after a CT scan and an US, it’s pretty much confirmed that I have a small parotid nodule that ENT thinks is likely a tumor. In addition to that, I have several bilateral lymph nodes measuring around 1cm and one large one (the initial hard mass noticed) measuring 2.8 x 1.7 x 0.7 that shows some concerning features like round shape, cortical thickening, and loss of fatty hilum.

I would continue seeking care locally, but I have been having such a hard time trying to coordinate between my Primary care doc and ENT and scheduling in my city is a nightmare. So I called Mayo - Phoenix location - and surprisingly I got in right away and my appointment is in 10 days time.

Here are some questions and fears that I have:

- I only requested 1 day off because on my patient portal it just lists one appointment - an evaluation with an ENT doctor. It is very likely that I’ll be there longer than one day? My patient info sheet on the portal doesn't mention anything about staying longer than 1 day. I’m not super complex, but I definitely would like something definitive by the end of my visit. I’m so afraid that I’m going to go all the way to Mayo (dragging my mom with me too) only to be told to come back later or get everything done locally instead of at Mayo. It is unreasonable for me to expect them to do scans and a biopsy during my visit? My CT scan was done several months ago and my US wasn’t very comprehensive - she skipped over the entire lower half of my neck where I can feel more lymph nodes so I also wouldn’t mind getting that repeated.
- While my main reason listed for the appointment is my parotid tumor, I also have some other concerns like an odd rash that I got last year, some random chest pains, and other symptoms that I fear might be related. I know ENT’s don’t do much for the rest of the body, but should I still mention it? Surgery is the treatment of choice for parotid tumors but I don’t want that to be the sole focus of my visit - I’d also like my lymph nodes looked into.

Basically, I’m worried about this visit not ending in anything concrete with me just being dismissed after a brief evaluation. Can anyone advise on if it’s normal to only have one appointment scheduled? I was reading posts on this thread and a ton of people mention that their patient portal has multiple appointments and scans already scheduled and it’s making me really anxious.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Visiting Mayo Clinic Support Group.

@colleenyoung

Hi Bode1, how are you doing? What did you learn at your telehealth visit? Next steps?

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It was pretty successful! It turns out, I actually don't have a parotid tumor at all but unfortunately, the doctor there was concerned about my swollen lymph nodes and started running some tests for lymphoma. Overall, I was really impressed with how efficient they are. I got into my appointment right on time, the campus is absolutely beautiful, and they are really well run. I wasn't able to get all my stuff done in the same appointment - just an Initial evaluation and a CT scan. Then I was sent home for a few days and I just drove back yesterday to get a needle biopsy done which I did this morning. back home again and I will return in 2 weeks to get a surgical biopsy if the needle biopsy turns out to be inconclusive. I do wish I have been able to get everything done closer together but luckily I only live 4.5 hours away.

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@bode1

It was pretty successful! It turns out, I actually don't have a parotid tumor at all but unfortunately, the doctor there was concerned about my swollen lymph nodes and started running some tests for lymphoma. Overall, I was really impressed with how efficient they are. I got into my appointment right on time, the campus is absolutely beautiful, and they are really well run. I wasn't able to get all my stuff done in the same appointment - just an Initial evaluation and a CT scan. Then I was sent home for a few days and I just drove back yesterday to get a needle biopsy done which I did this morning. back home again and I will return in 2 weeks to get a surgical biopsy if the needle biopsy turns out to be inconclusive. I do wish I have been able to get everything done closer together but luckily I only live 4.5 hours away.

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@bode1 Having had your first appointment, I hope you are able to rest easily, and know you are in great hands. Yes, a bit disappointing that not everything happened closer together, but you sound more relaxed! I hope the needle biopsy is enough for you, in figuring out what is going on.
Ginger

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@bode1

It was pretty successful! It turns out, I actually don't have a parotid tumor at all but unfortunately, the doctor there was concerned about my swollen lymph nodes and started running some tests for lymphoma. Overall, I was really impressed with how efficient they are. I got into my appointment right on time, the campus is absolutely beautiful, and they are really well run. I wasn't able to get all my stuff done in the same appointment - just an Initial evaluation and a CT scan. Then I was sent home for a few days and I just drove back yesterday to get a needle biopsy done which I did this morning. back home again and I will return in 2 weeks to get a surgical biopsy if the needle biopsy turns out to be inconclusive. I do wish I have been able to get everything done closer together but luckily I only live 4.5 hours away.

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Were you in Jacksonville clinic?

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