These few weeks have been tough for me. I had to juggle my time between school, work and other matters. Other matters actually includes going to different doctors in just two weeks. I have actually been feeling a lump on my right neck for a while now. And actually, I’ve had this one since August, so that makes it seven months now.
The first time I noticed it, it just felt weird for me that it seemed like my lymph nodes were swollen. My roommate, who is a nurse, told me that our lymph nodes actually tend to swell when our body is trying to fight against infection. So, that might have been the case.
Over the next few weeks, I just tried to ignore it although I could still feel that something’s really weird on it. But then I thought again that I might just be too paranoid, or that I might just be worrying over nothing. However, some time in December I noticed that it didn’t seem so right anymore. It already started to feel a little heavy and stuffy. And I also noticed that every time it feels heavy, I also have a hard time breathing. It made me worry even more so I decided to tell my parents about it and they eventually brought me to the doctor for check-up. The doctor recommended that I should take some laboratory tests including T3, T4 and TSH tests (to check on my thyroid hormones since I’ve actually been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism last July of 2009), hematology, X-ray, and ultrasonography on the thyroid.
I was able to take the tests and the results came out. My T3, T4 and TSH results were thankfully good as they were just within the normal values. I probably owe it to my medication Methimazole (Tapdin), which I’ve been taking for quite a while now. Anyway, my x-ray result was somehow shocking because it said that I have bilateral pneumonia! My doctor said that it isn’t still a very serious case so as long as I take my meds, I’d be fine. Now my ultrasound findings indicated that my right jugular vein appeared to be dilated, with a diameter of about 1.4cm on its long axis, and that there was also a small hypo-echoic focus seen in the right infra-auricular area measuring about 0.79 x 0.75 x 0.58cm. The radiologist had said that it was just probably a swollen lymph node. My doctor explained to me the findings of the ultrasound and told me that given the result, I shouldn’t be alarmed for it is not a mass but only a dilated jugular vein.
That was what I believed until few months later, I felt like the lump didn’t shrink, but rather seemed like it has even gotten bigger. I’ve already been feeling heaviness on my right neck and sometimes there’s like a throbbing pain, although bearable but still noticeable. Last week, I went to the doctor that is accredited by my Health Care Plan (so I wouldn’t have to spend money). She is actually an Internist. She felt the lump on my neck and eventually referred me to another doctor who specializes in Infectious Diseases. On her referral letter she indicated that two things might be considered — whether it’s just a dilated jugular vein or probably cervical tuberculosis lymphadenitis. Moreover, she also prescribed me an anti-inflammatory drug called Meloxicam, saying that I should take at least three to five tablets. If what I have on my neck is just an inflammation or an infection in the lymph nodes, it should shrink or go away after consuming the medicine. If not, it might really be something else and that I should seek medical advice from the doctor specializing in Infectious Diseases. She also asked me to take laboratory tests like PFT (Pulmonary Function Test), X-ray, and Hematology.
Before going to the doctor referred to me by the first doctor, I went first to an ENT doctor. I was not at all satisfied with that ENT doctor who actually just felt the lump, prescribed me to get an ultrasound, but did not even care to explain anything at all. Anyhow, I took all the lab tests although it took me two weeks to complete all of them because I also had things to do at school. Contrary to my X-ray result last December, the latest result came out normal. Thank God! I don’t have bilateral pneumonia! My pulmonary function test indicated that I have some mild restriction when it comes to my respiration but not at all serious; in fact, it can be relieved somehow using inhalers. And now my latest neck ultrasound result indicated that the lump on my neck is actually a mass! No, not just one, make that two masses!
When I went to the doctor for Infectious Diseases, he explained to me the result/interpretation of the ultrasound. He eventually ruled out dilated jugular vein because it is obviously not. I asked him if this could be a cervical tuberculosis just like the first doctor had said but he ruled out that possibility too. He reasoned that with cervical TB, masses are supposed to be scattered. And besides, I also don’t have the symptoms of someone with cervical TB, plus I’ve also had the lump which actually became bigger in seven months time so it is unlikely to be TB.
He added that it is also possible that the radiologist who did the first ultrasound only saw it as a swollen jugular vein because the mass was still small to get noticed at that time. According to the current interpretation of the result, “Hypoechoic foci with echogenic central regions are noted in the inferior parotid and internal jugular region with the largest measuring 1.25 x 0.44 x 0.89 cm and 1.72 x 0.52 x 1.03 cm, respectively. Therefore, there are non-specific nodes or masses in the inferior parotid and internal jugular region on the right.”
The doctor advised no treatment at the moment. He asked me to observe the masses for another month. He said that, in some cases, masses like this miraculously shrink or go away. If it doesn’t, or if it even gets bigger, I may need to get a CT Scan and eventually a Biopsy. He cautioned me that doing biopsy can be very tricky since the mass sticks to my internal jugular vein.
As of the moment, I’m only hoping against hope that these masses will shrink, and that these are not cancerous at all. For now, since no medication has been prescribed, I will just rely to the power of prayer, miracle, and herbal supplements. I still feel heaviness on my neck and stuffiness on my chest sometimes, and I usually am short of breath after doing even the simplest tasks. I’m not sure if that’s even related at all to these masses, or just indication that my lungs are just weak.
I know I shouldn’t complain at all. Many others probably have it so much worse. Hey, life is wonderful so I should just try to live each day of my life to the fullest. After all, there’s always two ways to look at everything, and to look at life positively is always the best option. With enough faith and prayers, life must go on.