Friday, August 19, 2011

Met ENT for the first time. After exam and comment on the breath, he decided to do needle biopsy right then in his office, not waiting for procedure to be done on Monday. He explained that it is probably cancerous tumor at base of tongue; most likely it will be treated by combination of radiation and chemotherapy, not surgery. If not surgery, then ENT will not be involved in the treatment. We will see him next Wednesday to discuss the results of the biopsy. We are glad that someone has taken an action so quickly, but also concerned at the urgency of the action.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

We got home on Sunday to 110+ temps in Surprise, unloaded the RV and on Monday returned it to the storage lot. Today we met with PCP who commented on the bad breath, lump on side of neck and loss of about 11 pounds since last physical in late January. He took time to understand what was going on and ordered four things to be set up: (1) appointment with ENT on Friday, (2) a CT-guided needle biopsy at the hospital on Monday to allow for enough days off the Coumadin, (3) appointment with lab/Coumadin Clinic to test INR (essentially coumadin levels in blood) prior to needle biopsy, and (4) follow-up appointment with PCP next Thursday to review results of needle biopsy.

August 11, 2011

It all started today. After a few days with a worsening sore throat and very bad breath, we went to URG in Minden, NV, thinking that G had something like a sinus infection. No fever, but weakened voice. Everyone there was very kind and thorough. They did a CT scan, which seemed at the time like an overabundance of caution. We knew that it must be something serious when the URG doc came into the examing room and closed the door. He explained that there were two masses in G's throat: one at the base of the tongue and one on the left side of his neck. He said although he and the radiologist who had read the CT scan did not have conclusive evidence, it was probably malignant and probably cancer.

We were both shocked. The thought had never occurred to either of us that this was anything other than an infection of some sort. The URG doc suggested we go see an ENT. At that point we were both of the same opinion. If this is going to develop into a long, drawn-out process we should get back to Arizona. We called his PCP and made an appointment for next Tuesday, the 16th.