Mass found on CT scan, going for an endoscopy and scared

@klsmidwestmom -
You have gotten some very good advice already, but I just want to add one distraction method that has helped me through many anxious medical times.
I still have an IPod(!) where I have different playlists. I will plug in my headset and pick one of my favorites and rest listening to the music and even doze off. This helped me through gallbladder surgery and most of all sailed me through chemo! Somehow, getting the music right into your head with headphones makes a big difference.
Endoscopy is a breeze- a nice nap!

Such great advice here from everyone. You are doing the right thing getting this checked out, if just for your peace of mind.
There’s nothing you can do at this moment so enjoy your family, your youngest’s first day of HS and loving on your dad. Remember to breathe and even meditate. Whatever you find relaxing, do lots of it.
We’re all here to share our experiences, when you’re at the next step.
In the meantime, sending you lots of loving light…

@klsmidwestmom Your screen name indicates for me that you may be a couple hours ahead of where i am in Oregon. If so, I trust you have settled down for the evening. How to do that, how to distract yourself? Do you have a book you are reading? How about a quiet hobby? I crochet things for charity, and that will let me zone out. [my husband says usually I relax so much I fall asleep within a half-hour!] Or a coloring book to distract you? Purring ball of fur in your lap?

One thing that has helped me many times, is to write it out. Personally I do best with paper and pen, but many will journal in a word program on computer. The act of "getting it out of your system" gives anything less power, too. No one has to read it again, even you, if you choose not to. Try it!

Deep breath, in and out slowly, relax into it...
Ginger

Such great advice here from everyone. You are doing the right thing getting this checked out, if just for your peace of mind.
There’s nothing you can do at this moment so enjoy your family, your youngest’s first day of HS and loving on your dad. Remember to breathe and even meditate. Whatever you find relaxing, do lots of it.
We’re all here to share our experiences, when you’re at the next step.
In the meantime, sending you lots of loving light…

I love music, so yes, I need to turn to it during this time, thank you! Do you remember anything about the endoscopy? I’m just so terrified for it, I’ve never gone under sedation.

@klsmidwestmom - I have had several endoscopies- lucky me!- and I don’t remember any of them. It would be very hard for the doctors to perform them if they started with the patient awake. There is absolutely no gagging!
They bring you in to the endoscopy room on a cot, you may have to move to another cot. There probably is an IV inserted already by the nurse getting you changed and getting your vital signs.
There will be an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist there who will give you the sedation in the IV and they put an oxygen mask on your face. Nowadays, I’m doing my best- for fun- to see how far I can count before I doze off! I never get past 5!
It’s not a long procedure and when you are done they take you to the recovery area where a nurse checks you and forces you to wake up! I resist, because I’m having such a nice nap. Anyway, you are awake fairly soon and you may get something to drink. They will also let your family member come in then. After half an hour or so, you are getting dressed and placed in a wheelchair to leave. The doctor may see you, or not, depending on their schedule.
This is an accurate description of my experiences- will you tell me yours after it’s done?

I have an update. So the month of May, June and July, I didn’t have my period, I’m 45, so thinking I’m starting peri menopause, I had awful night sweats, chills and a low grade fever for those weeks. Now, August is here and I actually get my period, but I still have the night sweats, chills and a higher fever that won’t go away. I’m alarmed, so I take myself to the ER (one month from the last time I went with heartburn and they found something in my esophagus)

They run some different blood tests and found out I have inflammation somewhere in my body. The doctor decides she wants to do another CT scan to see if the mass in the esophagus is still there or has changed any. My white blood cell count was also raised some. Great news, the mass didn’t show up this time, so she’s guessing it was probably just food… but, my lymph nodes haven’t changed and one of them was a bit bigger.
She called an oncologist because she’s suspicious of possibly lymphoma or some auto immune disease, she asked me if I had any rashes, tick bites, etc…. The oncologist wants me to have the endoscopy and have lymph nodes biopsied. She also put me on an antibiotic for some bacteria in my urine.
I know there is something going on inside of me. It’s very odd that the night sweats and chills before were only the one week when I was suppose to be on my period. I’am very thankful that the mass didn’t show up in my esophagus this time, but I’am very frightened of what’s going on inside me. Any thoughts on this?

Just when I think things can’t get worse, my 17 year old daughter, who’s getting ready to start her senior year, has to have a major surgery that can have complications, we just found this out on Friday, I know she wouldn’t want me to share the details, but it’s so hard to focus on me, with all this going on. I’m devastated, and I don’t feel well enough to be there for my oldest daughter who is due in September 3rd, she wanted me to be in the delivery room with her, my first grand baby, so I’m praying these antibiotics take away my fever and night sweats. Could use any and all prayers, friends. Thanks for listening.