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Mass found on CT scan, going for an endoscopy and scared
Hello there,
I took myself to the er a few weeks ago because of a heart burn that was concerning to me, ct scan showed something in my esophagus. I also had some enlarged lymph nodes. The er doc said it could be inflammation or food, but the gastroenterologist is a little more concerned. My family doctor thinks it’s very unlikely that it’s a tumor, but either way, I’am absolutely terrified. I’m terrified of the endoscopy, as I have a horrible gag reflex, I’ve never been under sedation of any kind, and I have two more weeks to go before the procedure. I can’t stop obsessing about this whole situation, and I just don’t know if I can go through with the endoscopy. I’ve considered canceling it because of my fear. I have a lot of medical anxiety, I would rather do a barium X-ray (although I know they can’t biopsy a mass)
I’m caring for my father, my first grandchild is about to be born any day now, and my youngest is starting her senior year of HS, I’ve always been the one to take care of everyone, two grandmother’s, my father now, and I work in a nursing facility. I don’t really have the support of anyone encouraging me because I’am the one everyone comes too.
I guess I just want to know what symptoms you all experienced with esophageal cancer, how it was diagnosed (meaning what symptoms brought you to get a diagnosis) how your experience is with an endoscopy and what to expect, will I know right away if it’s a tumor and the doctor feels it could be cancer? How did you deal with the diagnosis, what do you do for severe anxiety when you can’t focus an anything and feel this terrible dreadful feeling deep in the pit of your stomach every day?
I hope this doesn’t sound a bit ridiculous not really knowing yet, but I would appreciate prayers and any advice right now. Thank you so much!
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No, I guess I thought that an endocrinologist was a diabetes doctor, but I must be wrong. Thank you for the suggestion, I never would have thought that it could be hormone related in some way, I will suggest that after I find out what my biopsy says. Do you know if it’s risky or if there is any effects to having biopsied of the lump nodes (I think they are in my chest)
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1 Reaction@klsmidwestmom,
Endocrinologists are much more than diabetes doctors. They are involved in the entire hormone system of the body. They are good doctors to meet especially when you have a variety of problems. Here is some information about this specialty from Mayo Clinic's website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/endocrinology/news/endocrine-practice-changes-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/mac-20490513
No, I'm sorry, but I've never had any biopsy of the lymph nodes so I can't help you with that question.
Keep posting questions and concerns as you wait for answers.
Oh, okay, that’s good to know, I didn’t realize that. I will, thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it!
UPDATE:
The oncologist that the er doctor referred me too, thinking I could possibly have lympha (remember I went back to the er on August 20th for fever, chills and sweats) called me on Monday and told me that he doesn’t think this is cancer, he thinks I need to see an infectious disease doctor, and he referred me to one. The send blood tests to Mayo for fungus’s, and they were negative. I have inflammation in my body, blood work says so, so something is going on, but at least the spot they seen on my esophagus is no longer there.
Was suppose to have my endoscopy done tomorrow, the hospital called and says I’m still showing positive for covid (one month later) and the hospital refuses to do the endoscopy because of covid policy (wait 28 days) and now they are booking into the middle of November!
So no endoscopy until November 11th to see if everything is okay in my esophagus, I’m so disappointed, I just wanted to get this over with so badly.
So I decided to look at My Chart, an online patient information, I can view my tests and anything else from there, I decided to click on my phone conversation write up with the oncologist and it says… referred patient to infectious disease and discussed chronic granulomatous disease….what? He never discussed this with me, I had to look it up to see what it even was! Why would this be in my chart when I’ve never even heard about it. If that’s what they are thinking this is, why wasn’t it discussed with me at all? I’m not sure what to think at this point.
Good morning, I just read your post and I hope you went through with your endoscopy and all came out well.
I just found your post. I’m scared too! Today is Sept 7th I think your endoscopy was Aug 29th. I hope it went well.
I’ve been having swallowing problems with food, vitamins and even water. I thought it had to do with Parkinson's Disease. I cared for my Mother for 7 years. The last 3 years she had swallowing problems leading to aspiration pneumonia….over, and over, and over! In the hospital 2 weeks out of the last 5 months of her life. Her doctor finally said she needed to consider a feeding tube. Moms said NO! She would rather have quality over quantity for whatever time she had left. She just wanted to know if she would still be able to have a glass of wine. No, Mom! She had 2 swallow studies while I was with her. The reason I’m telling this is because I know it so well, so I was comfortable, even though it would be bad at least I have some knowledge about Parkinson’s Disease. Any alternative……not so much! My neurologist said it isn’t Parkinson’s and referred me right away for a “scan” was all he said. I thought about it for a few days and then wondered if it isn’t Parkinson's what could it be. So I started researching! I learned a lot more than I wanted to know! Once I read “the first symptom of esophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing and by the time you have swallowing problems it’s frequently too late” Nice! Good to Know! I decided I was much happier with the thought of Parkinson’s Disease! Tomorrow is my scan, which I now know is just a barium swallow study. Now I’m not scared of the test itself I’m scared to death of the results! I’m 64, my only physical problem ever was a broken wrist at 57 while caring for Mom. I thought that was hell! I have a neurologist because I have mild to moderate cognitive decline and serious ADHD my whole life. Reading what you wrote mimics my feelings exactly! The intense fear! I took care of others, my husband passed a long time ago so I’m alone except for my 5.5lb Yorkie Faith. She would not be any help in case of a surgery! But she’s sweet! I worry about how I would deal with needing any kind of surgery! Who would take care of me?
I hope you will let everyone know how your appointment went and what the results were. I enjoyed reading everyone’s responses, very kind and informative! I didn’t mean to go on and on I guess I’m stressed! Thank You for listening! Charity Dianne