I went to see Dr. Sneshkoff, an ENT (Ear Nose Throat) doctor today. My appointment was at 8:25 AM. and we got to Tripler Army Hospital 15 minutes early. I was taken to a room where the doctor was speaking to a colleague. While Art and I got ourselves settled, Dr. Sneshkoff walked back in and apologized for needing to finish his consultation with the other person. He was still 10 minutes early and he was apologizing. Wow!He was a really kind, very knowledgeable (shall I add tall, dark and handsome?) specialist. He looked great in his uniform. Marine? However, I swear he looked like he was younger than my son.
It's a good thing I keep a health record with all the pertinent health information I needed because he asked me about all the surgeries I'd had, what the diagnosis had been for my thyroid surgery, etc. I wouldn't have been able to answer any of those questions without the health journal I keep.
I went to see him because I keep feeling like I've got a lump in my throat. I've got two dear friends who have esophageal cancer and it was unnerving me a bit. A few weeks ago I found that even when I raise my head to look up during my Tai Chi exercises, I cough because it feels like the lump presses against the back of my throat.
Anyway, Dr. Sneshkoff did an ultrasound first. He found that I had a bit of scar tissue in my throat which is probably what I'm feeling. He then sent a scope through my nose and down my throat to make sure my voice box was OK. It was.
He says there's tethering at the scar site which is probably what is causing the lumpy feeling, but there's no cure for that. An operation to remove it would only cause more scar tissue. He says the Tai Chi exercise is probably good for it and I should also massage the scar site on my throat to try to loosen the tethering.
I'm thrilled that I'm OK. It was causing me some worry since I really don't want another surgery. Dr. Bentley who did my thyroid surgery in Chicago did a fabulous job and I really wouldn't have wanted that nice scar to be tampered with (especially since I tend to keloid badly). Dr. Bentley had assured me that he would do the surgery so it would just look like a natural fold in my neck.
Well, we've got our Tai Chi lesson tomorrow morning. I guess I won't avoid looking up anymore. I'll position myself in the back where the wind will drown out any cough I might have.
It's a relief to know the problem isn't serious, isn't it? Now the "lump" will be only a minor annoyance. The tube down your throat via your nostril, however, didn't sound like fun at all. At least Dr. McDreamy, despite his being a pre-teen, provided you with a pleasant distraction!
ReplyDeleteI don't know any greater feeling of relief than a thumbs up from a Dr. Wonderful news and you were so smart to have it checked out.
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired me to seek out an ENT for a similar problem. Hope mine doctor is just as handsome and with equally good news.
Relax now and enjoy the freedom from worry.
If you hadn't pointed it out, I'd never have seen the scar.
Thank goodness for good news. It must have been a tremendous relief finding out everything is okay. I wouldn't mind having a tall, dark, and handsome doctor like that. It might even make a trip to the doctor worthwhile:)
ReplyDeleteThat good news must have been a big relief. Sometimes we don't even know how worried we were about something until we find out there is nothing to worry about. Getting that news from a tall, dark and handsome doctor just made it all the better :)
ReplyDeleteDr. Kay, do you think thyroid problems (over-activity) might be causing my insomnia? I was scheduled to take a thyroid test related to my insomnia but I was too busy.
ReplyDeleteIt was that feeling of having something in my neck that made me wonder if there was something wrong, and discovering that I have two nodules larger than a centimeter explained it to me. I am so glad to hear you are okay, Kay, since you have become like family to me! Now that I'm home for a few hours I hope my life can get back to normal, which means reading the goings on of my blog buddies.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have an answer. My father had 2/3 of his thyroid removed nearly 50 years ago from a non-cancerous tumor. We all, in the family, watch ours. The oldest has a goiter on hers and we are both on meds.
ReplyDeleteA sweet doctor who also believes that alternative methods can be effective! Good for him! Good for YOU!
ReplyDeleteWhat a relief Kay!! I have a scar just like you from my discectomy. I have been feeling some neck discomfort too, I bet I have scar tissue too! The human body is really a very interesting thing!
ReplyDeleteIt's a relief to know you haven't anything serious in your throat. I did laugh at the consultant's name, though - it sounds rather like a sneeze;-)
ReplyDeleteI think our worry about possible ailments causes more harm/stress than if we actually had something. Good news!
ReplyDeleteVery good news that the lump is not a serious problem. All I can say is "so goes life with an incision scar." Our bodies do not like to be cut on and often get back at us by forming scar tissue to irritate us.
ReplyDeleteI had something similar so I went to the doctor, too.
ReplyDeleteDiagnosis: ACID REFLUX DISEASE.
I now take PRILOSEC (OMEPRAZOLE) ONCE A DAY.
The sensation of a lump in my throat has disappeared with medication.
oh so glad everything's ok. The thought of surgery is scary.
ReplyDeleteSo very pleased for you. Yup, invisable scar. Yes, too, such very good news. Hurrah!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for getting this checked out, and I am so glad all is well.
ReplyDeleteIt is scary to think that something is wrong with our health. I am so relieved that all is well for you!
ReplyDeleteKay -- Glad you went to the doc, and that he was thorough. (Yep, they ALL look like they just got out of junior high school!)
ReplyDeleteEspecially with abdominal surgeries, scarring can cause internal adhesions that restrict parts years later. They even invented a kind of surgical mesh that is intentionally placed inside after some kinds of abdominal surgeries to prevent scar-like growths in the future. Remove the arrow from your neckline, and I don't see your previous scar....
Yo Gigi - FYI - Prilosec is available over-the-counter and in generic now. Sam's Club (your Costco) usually has it.
DrumMajor
How wonderful that you can cross that worry off your list!
ReplyDeleteRon: I have no idea. I did read that hyperthyroidism has symptoms like irritability, sweating, rapid heart rate, etc. I didn't see insomnia mentioned. Have you cut out caffeine? That always bothers my husband at night.
ReplyDeleteYou really need to get yourself to the doctor. The simple blood test will give you the information you need.
In my case, I had no symptoms. A nurse found my thyroid enlarge so both were removed.
Drum Major: Thanks for the information. It really does add even more reassurance. Dr. Bentley did add that mesh between my skin and muscle, but I really do keloid heavily so I suspect it wasn't enough to prevent the tethering. He told me also a couple of years ago that massaging the area might help.
This is good news. What he told you makes good sense. The scar is not noticeable at all in the photo.
ReplyDeleteI have esophageal stricture problems due to acid reflux and at times have great difficulty swallowing and find myself coughing. I see a GI specialist for the problem. Thankfully, by really watching my diet, I have the problem under control at the present time. This condition is diagnosed with an upper endoscopy. (Not fun, but I'd rather have the test than suffer.)
Take care of yourself. Keep up the Tai Chi.
I am so glad that this health scare was only just a scare and nothing serious!
ReplyDeleteGlad it's nothing serious.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that you got the 'all clear' from the doctor. I know how easy it is to build up a small problem into something big without any evidence, but you must have been worried and now feeling jolly relieved.
ReplyDeleteLove the name of your doctor. So appropriate to his specialty!
ReplyDelete