[If you didn’t read my last post, regarding my thyroid, you’ll want to read that first.]
My needle biopsy for my thyroid was on Friday. I wasn’t dreading it–I used to be truly wanting ahead to it, so I can get all of this over with as rapidly as attainable. And since I’m the kind of individual that wishes to know every part I can count on going into one thing, I learn as a lot as I may about it forward of time.
Primarily, the physician inserts a number of small needles (one after the other) into the mass, which acquire samples to ship to the lab. Sounds easy sufficient. Not nice, but it surely’s not like having surgical procedure.
Jerry wished to go together with me, so we went to the hospital’s radiology division. It is executed in radiology as a result of a tech makes use of an ultrasound for the physician to have the ability to see the place to information the needle throughout the process.
First, the tech did the standard ultrasound to get footage of the mass (once more). It took a short time for the physician to return in–the tech referred to as somebody a few occasions on the telephone, asking if so-and-so was obtainable for a biopsy. I ought to have seen that as a crimson flag (and my instinct was positively telling me so, but it surely being my first time for one thing like this, I simply assumed every part was regular).
Lastly, a doctor assistant (PA) got here in and began prepping my neck. I needed to lie on my again with my head tilted again, a pillow below my neck. After every part was prepped, she injected lidocaine to numb the spot that she can be inserting the needles. The lidocaine was positively essentially the most painful half. I am in no way afraid of needles, however I wasn’t anticipating the lidocaine to burn a lot. After that, although, I did not really feel a lot in any respect.
The PA took the primary needle and inserted it into the mass. Then she moved all of it over–if you have ever seen how liposuction is finished, it is like that–about 20 occasions. Pulled it out, acquired a brand new needle, and repeated that 5 occasions. After the final one, she put a gauze pad on my neck and left the room for the tech to bandage me up.
The tech was about to switch the gauze with a bandaid and when she lifted the gauze, she instantly pressed it again down and mentioned one thing like, “Oh! You could have a reasonably large hematoma.” She informed me to carry strain with the gauze, as a lot strain as I may with out choking myself. I did that for about 5 minutes, and requested her some questions within the meantime.
[Side note: A hematoma is where blood pools in a space outside of a blood vessel, but since there is no opening for it to come out, it just sort of collects in the location, forming a lump.]
She had appeared slightly alarmed by the scale of it, which made me nervous. I requested her if that occurs usually and he or she mentioned one thing like, “Not too usually, but it surely occurs and it will likely be high quality.” I simply wanted to carry strain and ice it for 20 minutes each hour. She changed the gauze with a bandaid after which gave me an ice pack for the trip house.
Over all, it wasn’t a nasty expertise. It wasn’t enjoyable, but it surely wasn’t painful (aside from the lidocaine shot). After I acquired house, I used to be STUNNED after I seemed within the mirror. The lump on my neck was enormous. This made me actually nervous, so I googled it. And naturally, that gave me much more anxiousness about it. It mentioned that having a hematoma in that location is severe as a result of it could press towards your esophagus and trachea (the tubes for consuming and respiration, respectively).
 |
| Hematoma after thyroid biopsy |
I might already had issue swallowing (that was the primary symptom of the massive mass within the first place), however I seen that it had positively gotten worse because the biopsy. I had a tough time deciphering whether or not it was additionally affecting my respiration as effectively, however the easiest way I can describe the sensation is like sporting a really tight turtleneck. I saved reaching as much as pull my shirt away from my neck, solely to appreciate my shirt wasn’t there–it simply felt prefer it.
For the reason that tech mentioned it was high quality, I simply trusted that she knew what she was doing. I despatched an image of it to my sister, mainly to point out her the scale of this hematoma. I assumed she would have the identical kind of “holy cow!” response, however not due to it being dangerous–just spectacular. She informed me she would not assume that is regular and that I ought to return to the hospital.
I figured she was overreacting, so I despatched the image to Becky as effectively (she’s an RN). Becky is at all times calm and in some way has this magical means of constructing me much less anxious about issues. I used to be anticipating her to inform me it is okay and perhaps give me some recommendation for decreasing the scale or no matter. As a substitute, she (gently) informed me that I really want to go to the emergency room. She mentioned that if it is nonetheless bleeding (the bleeding is inside–you do not actually know if it is nonetheless bleeding or not with out a CT scan) it could get larger and push towards my airway somewhat rapidly.
The roads had gotten horrible as a result of it was snowing actually onerous. The expressway was even closed at one part due to accidents. (Bear in mind the final time I drove to the ER throughout a snow storm?) I actually did not wish to go. I actually felt prefer it was an overreaction to go to the ER over it and I assumed for positive they might ship me proper again house, however I figured it will be higher to be protected and simply go get it checked out. I might had the biopsy at 1:30 pm and Jerry and I arrived on the ER at round 5:00.
[Also, this just reminded me of the time I went to the ER for a suspected hematoma after my skin removal surgery… the bump on my hip seemed foreign and when the doctor examined me, I learned that it was my hip bone. BAHAHA, I’d never felt it before!]
As a substitute of sending me house, they took me again to triage instantly, bypassing the crowded ready room, as a result of it may apparently be fairly severe. Because the numbing wore off, it was getting extra painful. However the strain on my neck was actually beginning to scare me.
From triage, they put me in a room to attend for a health care provider. A nurse arrange an IV and took some blood samples. At this level, time appeared to not exist anymore as a result of it is so mind-numbing to sit down in a small room with nothing to do. Jerry was with me, fortunately, so we talked whereas we waited.
The physician and her med pupil got here in and WOW–this was actually the nicest, most caring physician I’ve ever met. She was in no way rushed, she defined every part rather well, she informed me I did the precise factor by moving into (I do know folks are inclined to abuse the ER, and I had felt like perhaps I used to be doing that). She even despatched her med pupil out of the room for a second so she may ask me privately how I used to be feeling mentally/emotionally about all of it. She may see how nervous I used to be as a result of I are inclined to wring my fingers and fidget quite a bit.
I defined to her the occasions from earlier and he or she stopped me after I talked about the look ahead to the PA to return in and do the biopsy. She mentioned, “Wait a minute–they had a PA do the biopsy, not the ENT physician? Are you positive?” She exchanged a glance together with her med pupil, and I may inform that one thing wasn’t proper. She wished to know the small print about who did the biopsy and what directions I used to be given. She mentioned that it’s NOT frequent to get a hematoma from a thyroid biopsy, particularly one as massive as mine. And it definitely IS an enormous deal. The PA by no means ought to have left with out checking it and the tech by no means ought to have let me depart with out calling the PA again in to look. (At this level, I do not know whether or not it is routine for a PA to do the biopsy, however from the ER physician’s response, I am guessing not.)
The ER physician mentioned she wished to get a CT scan to see if it is nonetheless bleeding and that she wished to maintain me in a single day for remark, simply to be protected.
When she left and I had time to course of all of it, I felt so let down and offended about all of it. I ought to have listened to my instinct when the ultrasound tech was searching for somebody who was obtainable to do the biopsy. I ought to have seen the crimson flag after I seen that the tech appeared type of shocked and alarmed by the hematoma, whereas making an attempt to appear prefer it was fairly routine. I felt slightly uncomfortable with the truth that a PA can be doing the biopsy somewhat than a health care provider, however I do know that PA’s are very certified of their jobs, so I assumed it was regular.
At round 9:00 pm, I used to be taken for a CT scan. I might had one earlier than after I broke my jaw, however I did not keep in mind something about it. I do know they did not use distinction (the place they inject one thing in your IV throughout the scan and it helps them get an image of blood vessels). I wasn’t frightened in regards to the CT in any respect till I used to be informed in regards to the distinction.
I do not know why it freaked me out a lot, however the CT tech defined that once they injected the distinction, I might really feel a sensation of getting actually heat/scorching from head to toe, feeling type of like a scorching flash. And that it will most likely really feel like I peed myself, but it surely was simply the distinction doing its factor. It was at this level that I began to have a panic assault. Not from the biopsy, not from the hematoma, not from going to the ER, not from the CT scan, or any of that… it was merely being informed in regards to the distinction.
I actually did not assume I might have the ability to undergo with the CT. She referred to as my nurse, who was in a position to give me some ativan and hopefully get me to settle down. The scan solely took about 5 minutes and the worst half was the anticipation of what the distinction would really feel like. It felt identical to the tech had described, but it surely was over with in a short time and ended up being no huge deal in any respect. (If I ever want one other, I am not going to fret about it.)
I used to be taken again to my room within the ER to attend for the outcomes. It wasn’t very lengthy (perhaps half-hour) earlier than we acquired the results–the bleeding appeared to have stopped, however they nonetheless wished to maintain me in a single day for remark. They mentioned they simply needed to look ahead to a mattress to open up but it surely needs to be lengthy. Then we waited. We waited and we waited and we waited. At this level, I used to be drained. I hadn’t eaten since Thursday, and I hadn’t had any water and even peed since simply earlier than I might left house (I wasn’t anticipating all of this or I might have deliberate higher).
I normally go to mattress at 9:00 and it wasn’t till 1:00 am that I lastly acquired a room. I used to be type of delirious with exhaustion and I do not keep in mind if the one who transported me defined something earlier than they left. However as soon as they have been gone, I noticed I did not know the place the lavatory was or if I may get some water and even the place the sunshine change was so I may flip off the sunshine. I could not discover a name button. And I used to be too exhausted to do something however attempt to sleep. I had requested for a xanax to assist me sleep, in order that, together with the ativan from earlier, made me actually sleepy.
I did not know the best way to flip off the lights (there are lots of switches and I did not wish to begin messing round) so I simply pulled a blanket over my head and managed to go to sleep. In some unspecified time in the future, I keep in mind somebody asking me if I wished them to show off the lights and I mentioned “sure! please!” and I fell again asleep. At round 5:45 am, I awakened. Once more, could not discover the sunshine change, so I opened the curtains within the room to get sufficient mild to go searching.
I lastly noticed a small signal on one other door within the room that mentioned “sufferers solely” and I used to be so completely happy to see that it was a toilet. I picked up my purse from the bedside desk and found that there was a styrofoam cup of water there–it had been behind my purse, which is why I did not discover it earlier than. I used to be so able to get out of there. I used to be ravenous! Since I could not discover a name button, I walked to the nurse’s station to say that my husband was going to return choose me up.
They informed me that the ENT physician needed to log off on my discharge papers however he would not be there till 10:00 am and that my nurse can be in shortly to speak to me. I waited within the room for a short time and even took out my IV.
My nurse lastly got here in, and was extraordinarily type and caring. She’d had the “home physician” come together with her to elucidate why I ought to keep. They weren’t planning some other assessments or remedies, however they felt it will be finest to let the ENT physician be sure that I used to be good to go. I confirmed them how the swelling in my neck had gone down fairly a bit (I had footage for comparability) and the tightness was again to “baseline” (nonetheless hassle swallowing, but it surely was again to what it was earlier than the biopsy). The nurse apologetically informed me that I might seemingly be there many of the day as a result of the physician had over 60 sufferers to see.
I knew I might be leaving towards medical recommendation (AMA) however by that time, I might stopped being so blindly trusting. I had had a nasty biopsy, I hadn’t eaten in like 36 hours, I used to be fully sleep disadvantaged, sore, anxious, and simply emotionally drained. How can anybody make good selections in that state? If my neck had nonetheless been as huge because it was the evening earlier than, I might have stayed. Nevertheless it seemed fairly a bit higher (even the nurse and home physician mentioned so). I ended up signing the AMA papers and heading house at round 9:00.
As anticipated from the biopsy, my neck is bruised and ugly and the hematoma continues to be there (it ought to go away by itself however it could take days and even weeks). There’s NO means that I might really feel snug getting the thyroid surgical procedure at that hospital and even within the Henry Ford system. After Noah’s foot incident, Jerry’s horrid lumbar puncture, and now this biopsy complication, I’ve misplaced all belief. I haven’t got the outcomes of the biopsy but, however I do know I will not be going again.
My cousin, who I used to be very shut with after we have been youngsters, is definitely a nurse practitioner within the ENT division on the College of Michigan hospital. Looking back, I ought to have simply gone there from the start. Nevertheless it’s not the identical healthcare system (Henry Ford vs. U of M) and I figured it will be best/finest to remain inside the similar system whereas seeing totally different specialists. Particularly contemplating the biopsy was “no huge deal”.
I requested my cousin if there’s a specific ENT physician that she actually trusts and he or she mentioned those she works with are fantastic–she gave me some names and mentioned that if she or her household wanted an ENT, that is who she would go to. I actually belief her and and determined to make an appointment with considered one of them for a seek the advice of and plan transferring ahead. I actually do want the surgical procedure to alleviate the signs, whether or not it is most cancers or not.
I’ve at all times taught my youngsters how vital it’s to hearken to your “intestine feeling” (instinct), even when it makes you appear to be you are overreacting. Should you really feel like one thing is not proper, there’s a motive for that. I had that feeling tug at me all through the biopsy however I satisfied myself that I used to be simply anxious in regards to the process.
I am not saying it was anybody’s fault. It is attainable I might have gotten the hematoma irrespective of who did the biopsy. However I by no means ought to have been despatched house with a big hematoma on my throat, particularly with out a physician wanting it over first.
I understand this publish is tremendous lengthy, however only one thing more… after I was being wheeled to get my CT scan, I assumed I heard Jerry speaking to somebody outdoors of my ER room. I did not assume something of it, however after I acquired again he informed me that he’d run into Kelly, considered one of my roommates from school that I hadn’t seen since 2001! My freshman yr was a lot enjoyable and I’ve nice recollections together with her.
I used to be bummed that I missed seeing her, however she ended up coming into my room a short time later as a result of she is a nurse there. Years after I might final seen her, when folks have been beginning to get on Fb, I discovered her and realized that she had a son, who she named Noah, on July 13, 2004–which occurs to be MY Noah’s birthday as effectively. Is not that wild?
Anyway, my neck is feeling and looking higher in the present day. You’ll be able to nonetheless see the hematoma bump and bruise, however hopefully that can go away quickly. Subsequent, I ought to get my biopsy outcomes. Tomorrow, I’ll name U of M and make an appointment with one of many medical doctors my cousin really useful. And simply pray that every part goes effectively from right here on out!