Stories
Thyroidectomy
I had some nominal pain in the throat from the insertion of the tube for the anesthesia, and pain in my neck from my head being held in an uncomfortable position for approximately 3 hours during the surgery. Read More
Thyroidectomy
I had hurt myself weightlifting, and when the orthopedist took an X-ray of my shoulder, he saw some lumps on my thyroid gland. Read More
Genetic Counseling
I have a higher-than-normal family risk history for breast and ovarian cancer and wanted to understand my options for testing for the BRCA1 and 2 genes. Read More
Thyroidectomy
Going into surgery, I had two options: they would remove entire thyroid, or they would remove the right lobe and we would watch the left side with the possibility of a second surgery. Read More
Thyroidectomy
Severe laryngitis led to a scan of my neck, revealing a nodule on one side of my thyroid gland. A subsequent scan revealed two suspicious nodules and a needle biopsy – uncomfortable not painful – gave strong indication of thyroid cancer. Read More
Mammogram
The technician kind of scolded me for moving. I have to say, this being NYC, you kind of expect people to be efficient but brusque, but it would have been nice if she had recognized this was my first time. Read More
Breast Sonogram (Ultrasound)
A lump was found on my right breast during my first mammogram at age 40. The doctor wanted to do a sonogram to confirm the findings. They lead me to a small room with sonogram equipment. The doctor was very solicitous of my panicky state. Read More
Breast Biopsy
A lump was found on my left breast during my first mammogram at age 40. A sonogram confirmed the lump, and the doctor told me she wanted to do a biopsy, which I agreed to. The doctor used the sonogram to visualize the mass, and told me I would feel some pressure, then counted to 3 and I heard the loud snap. Read More
Stem Cell Donation
They gave me two rounds of shots of Neupogen over four days to boost my stem cell count. I had it in my arm three times and belly once. Read More
Mole (Dysplastic Nevus) Removal
The dermatologist saw a dark freckle he didn’t like the look of. He stuck me with a Novocain needle which did not hurt, just a fast prick, and then burned off the freckle. He put the freckle in a vial for testing. A week later I called, the nurse looked up my file, paused, and said she had to get the doctor. I almost fainted. Read More
Thyroid Biopsy
The specialist saw and felt and an unusual condition in the front of my neck and gave me an ultrasound of the thyroid, which showed a nodule on the left side of my thyroid. He then advised that we do a thyroid nodule biopsy. Read More
Thyroid Biopsy
During the exam the doctor felt a lump on my throat. He immediately did a needle biopsy, numbing the area before doing the biopsy. Read More
Prostate Exam
As I waited in that compromised position, he busied himself putting on a latex glove, squirting a finger with KY Jelly and launching into a story about his father having to get a prostate exam. Read More
Thyroid Cancer Radiation Therapy
I went to the doctor’s office, swallowed a radiation-laced pill, and drove home. The pill didn’t take effect with its radiation for an hour or two. Read More
Bone Marrow Donation
The day before the procedure, I packed for the hospital, and attempted to compose a note to the recipient. I was allowed to send a card or letter, but not supposed to give my name or where I live or anything personally identifying. The next day, I took the note to the hospital with me to the 3rd Floor for Same Day Surgery, which was easy to find. Read More
Colonoscopy
The colon prep may be uncomfortable and you may feel hungry on the clear liquid diet. If you need to drink a special solution as part of your prep, be sure to have clear fruit juices or soft drinks to drink after the prep because the solution tastes salty. The prep is more trying than the actual procedure! Read More
Colonoscopy
Just do it. The prep is not fun, but the procedure is no problem. And the prep is getting less awful as I compared it to 10 years ago. There are different forms of prep, as I heard from friends, and some seem much easier. Read More
Colonoscopy
The best advice I got was to eat lightly for the two days prior to the procedure which meant the “system purge” didn’t have to expunge all that much. Check around for advice on which of the prep liquids to get and which flavor. Doctors prescribe different brands. Read More
Thyroid Cancer Full Body Scan
I came as an outpatient to the hospital and took seven diagnostic radioactive pills. There were no side effects, and I felt fine. The next day I had a full body scan. Read More
Thyroid Cancer Radiation Therapy
The following day I ingested the radiation pill. Because the scan did not pick up any cancer cells the dosage was less than if cancer cells were found. Read More
Colonoscopy
There was no discomfort in the procedure. The only unpleasant part was the prep, which included the drinking of magnesium citrate laxative. Read More
Colonoscopy
I had a colonoscopy as part of my “preventative maintenance.” When it was over I was... hungry. Read More
Colonoscopy
My B12 levels were low, so my doctor suggested a colonoscopy. The preparation was extensive. Read More
Mole (Dysplastic Nevus) Removal
I went to the dermatologist for a full-body check. The doctor noticed a mole on my arm that appeared suspicious. Read More
Craniotomy
I had a craniotomy for a meningioma. There was the possibility that the tumor would grow and interrupt the blood flow through my brain. Read More
Mastectomy
I was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer, specifically, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). My doctor scheduled a bilateral mastectomy. Read More
Colonoscopy
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and they recommended a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. Read More
Mammogram
My father died of breast cancer, so I am considered higher risk for developing the disease. This was a screening to go along with a sonogram. Read More
Breast Sonogram (Ultrasound)
I had this procedure as part of a baseline screening with a mammogram for breast cancer. Read More
Breast Biopsy
I had this procedure because I got a breast sonogram and a black area showed up. The doctor thought that it was a fibroid because the edges were even, but wanted to do a biopsy to get more information. Read More
Mammogram
I am nearing 36 and have a family history of breast cancer. I went to a breast imaging center at a large hospital in Boston. Read More
Lymphoma Biopsy
Months prior to the biopsy, I experienced drenching night sweats, swollen lymph glands and extreme fatigue. After a number of inconclusive blood tests, my doctor decided to have an enlarged lymph node biopsied. Read More
BRCA Genetic Test
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 48. I have always been concerned about my health in general and breast cancer more specifically. Read More
Mammogram
I had a routine screening/baseline mammogram. My doctor explained that I would have this procedure now, and then annually beginning at age 40. Read More
Mastectomy
I had lobular invasive breast cancer, and was scheduled for a mastectomy of my left breast and breast reconstructive surgery. Read More
Thyroidectomy
I was diagnosed with multifocal thyroid cancer (papillary carcinoma). After identifying the cancer by a fine needle aspiration, I was told I would need my entire thyroid gland removed. Read More
Colonoscopy
For three months I had been having bouts of gastro-intestinal problems including bloating, vomiting and fever, but no diarrhea. After visiting my internist after the most recent bout, he referred me for a colonoscopy. Read More
Thrombolytic Therapy (TPA)
During my second cycle on chemo, I woke up one morning and my arm was 1.5 times as big as the other: it was swollen, bright white and painful to the touch. I was rushed into the emergency room with a blood clot. Read More
Mammogram
The mammogram was recommended by my OB because I am 37. There was very minimal physical preparation: just some minor paperwork and a change into the standard hospital gown. Mental preparation was a different story. Read More
Thyroidectomy
I had a large lump on the left side of my thyroid. On the day of surgery, I went to the hospital desk and registered, and was taken back to the preop area. Read More
