Thursday, May 15, 2008

Gracie Has a Lump

Two days ago, Grace was sitting at the dinner table and I suddenly noticed that she had what appeared to be a lump in the same place a male's adam's apple would be. She has never had that before so I asked her if it hurt. "Nope. What lump Mommy?"

It isn't red or inflamed, which is good. The thing is the size of an aggie marble, and is becoming more noticeable now. I took her to the pedi today for her 6 year old checkup and to show him. He wants us to see an ENT as soon as possible.

He was trying to talk to me about it, but Grace & Meghan were in the room so I could tell he was trying to choose his words carefully. Essentially, he thinks that an ENT will want to do some imaging, potential biopsy, and he suggested removal. Of course, I googled and that made me feel worse. It could be as simple as a fluid filled cyst...really it could. It could go away on its own. We might just watch it. Yada yada yada. I'm trying not to freak out about the worst case scenario here. The pedi wasn't alarmist, but he seemed to convey a genuine amount of concern, while managing to not alarm Grace or Meghan.

So I guess I'm going to have to "look up" my old friend Denial for the time being.

And, I'm going to ask for prayers and positive thoughts. Gracie is angry that she has to go to yet another doctor for a different reason, but she was on cloud 9 because she came away from a doctor's visit without any shots or tests. I suppose that is something for which to be thankful.

Thanks,
Jen

5 comments:

Lauren said...

Oh no. :( :( :( :(

Let me know if you need some translations from the ENT. Does the lump move when she swallows? Get more or less noticeable? Let me know...

And, give Gracie girl a big hug from Auntie Lo Lo.

Anonymous said...

The challenges never end. You shouldn't haven't worry anymore because you've had to do that enough through two NICU stays and Alpha-1. I will be thinking of her!

MelG said...

Hi Jen! I appreciate your comment on my blog and wanted to post to you here, in case you didn't see my reply there.

I am praying that Grace's outcome is the best it can be. I fully understand, as a mother that just recently went through this, how terrifying it is - even when you know for sure WHAT it is. Surgery of any kind is always a big deal to us mommas ;) I'm so glad that you seemed to have caught it pretty early and I am praying that it is the same kind of cyst my daughters had and that it's easily removable and she does well with surgery. Please don't hesitate to email me any time. Wishing you the best!

~Denise~ said...

Ah shit. It never ends, does it. When will the powers that be get that you have been through enough.

Sending lots of good vibes your way. I'm hoping with all I've got that things are okay.

Much love!

Anonymous said...

Jen - I'm so sorry you have yet another worry on your plate! Waiting for those kind of appointments are the hardest -- lots of prayers that it will turn out to be completely nothing and for your peace of mind.