Another Friday swooped in and still, there was hardly change. I was beginning to develop a severe depression and the longing for coffee was cut down drastically (a point that I really begin to think irrelevant).
My blood was taken for lab test and I was also exposed to the radiation via X-ray. And again:
' We'll look at the result on Monday. If we found out that something is irregular with your blood, I will refer you to the hospital.' I know I shouldn't but seriously, it worried me more. And of course I pretended I was oke.
Monday came and by lunch hour, I was carrying the huge X-ray film to lunch. The doctor said that there was nothing wrong with my chest (phew!) but my erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was slightly higher than normal. My stomach felt like it shrank to the size of a plum. It was scary to hear those words. I was then referred to the hospital. Took the next day off and head to the hospital.
I went to the Emergency Room first and upon examination, they asked another question that if I have a cat. I spent about an hour behind the curtain before I was referred to the specialist clinic. It was not something that I want to do but heck, early detection is better (as in detection for anything). So to the specialist clinic I march since I also would like to make sure that I am oke.
I had to come the next day as the doctor has already gone for an operation. He is actually the general surgeon specialist (based on the plaque outside his room). I was sick to the stomach. I was thinking about TB and importantly, cancer. Everytime I touch the swelling, I wish it would subside just a little bit until it was gone.
I was lucky that the doctor was in the next day. Again, I carried the X-ray to his room and guess what? He said it was not clear. Another blood test and X-ray because he said he can almost see nothing.
I had to admit, when I when down to the lab and let them take more blood, I was feeling a bit feverish. It must be my nerves because I was not having fever or anything. Imagine having a lump somewhere on your neck, with the doctor saying that the location is near to the lymph node, there's only one thing. I began to sweat just to think about those words.
The X-ray room was quite pack but the queue is moving pretty fast so phew! again. But I did not come just for the X-ray, I also had to do ultrasound. Many of my friends have went through this except that they were doing it as they were carrying a baby. So that was how it was. Gel on the neck with the device, which surface is very cold to the skin. I became a guinea pig because there was also a student in the room when the doctor was doing the check up.
I did the check up during weekdays and had to come pick up the report on Saturday. It was during this time that the doctor told me that I need to undergo a small operation to check what was wrong near my neck. By that time, it was very close to being determined as infection but again, it is better to be sure.
I almost backed out because I know the operation will cost a bomb. And then I remembered that I have insurance. Darn it. I blame in on panic.
The check up also discovered a very small tumour (about 9mm) near my thyroid. This tumour is now being monitored with my first treatment scheduled in September 2011.
Nevertheless, the operation took place on Thursday afternoon. The report came out and it severe infection and my submandibular is removed. A month later, the pain is nearly gone but there were times when it became unbearable. But alhamdulillah, no complications or stuff.
So, that is my journey. Swelling that goes on for more than a week should not be neglected. I;m no doctor but please, if any of you are looking for the answer for 'a lump on the neck', I suggest to find them from a certified doctor.
Selamat hari raya.
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