I finally go to see the neurologist at MSU, Dr. Safdor, who saw me in the hospital and ordered an MRI and an EEG which I have completed as an out patient.
I was feeling fine since being released from the hospital and these tests were to confirm that I truly hadn't had a stroke or an other brain damage and/or MS so I just went to this appointment by myself.
And as I suspected everything was negative regarding these concerns. But...in analyzing the MRI something else was discovered. Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils. Pretty big words. Pretty big surprise. THIS SOUNDS LIKE 'CANCER'. (The following link will open a 'pdf' of my actual MRI Report. Copy of Pat's MRI Report)
WOW! I am feeling rather weak and the staff shows concern for me. Dr. Hafner insists that I have an appointment with an ENT specialist before I leave his office. He sets his personal secretary and a couple of nurses to get me scheduled as soon as possible. Now today is a Thursday and they were frantically trying to get me in somewhere by maybe Tuesday. The doctor said this was unacceptable - I needed to see someone tomorrow. Finally they had me set up to see Dr. Richardson, ENT, who was also the same doctor I had been referred to for my Tinnitus. They also scheduled me for a full body CT scan to see what else might be found.
And the paperwork and insurance forms and medical records and current prescriptions that I have to have completed and organized for my next doctors appointment on Friday.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils. Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils. Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils. That's all I could think. It doesn't sound good. It ... well ... I guess it sucks.
It still wasn't verified that it was cancer - just that I had small tumor on my left tonsil. So, I will find out more tomorrow when I talk with Dr. Richardson.
It is time for Thursday golf and that is good. Some of the 'other Champs' patented Bloody Mary's and the camaraderie of the golf league.
Tomorrow will be another day.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
EEG - This test is a SLEEPER.
Another test as follow-up from my earlier hospital visit.
The EEG is an electronic inspection of the brain. There was some special preparation required. First of all I needed to diet after midnight and second of all - the tuffy - I needed to stay awake all night. Lots of luck here. I have trouble staying awake past 11:30 at the best. Well - I'll try.
Finally Carol suggested that I sleep for a couple of hours and then get up and I will still be tired by 10:30am when the test starts.
The reason for the sleep deprivation is they want to record the brain in both a stimulated mode and a resting mode.
OK - 28 electrodes are attached all over my head. I then relax in this La-Z-Boy and hear various things while a strobe light erratically flashes to cause the stimulation. The attendant is typing away at the keyboard of her computer and the room lights have all been turned off.
Then I am prepared for the second test. This is where I am supposed to try to go to sleep. Again - the lights are dimmed and it became clinically quiet. And the keys on the keyboard begin sending their secret words to the center of the processor. It was so quiet that it was hard to fall asleep. Each of these tests lasted about 45 minutes. About ten minutes - or so it seemed - the attendant said we were all through. I had gotten a nice little nap.
I asked her if people ever where unable to sleep and what happened. Well - they would only get one half of a valid test. She told me the day before two guys could not sleep and they both told her that they had done the sleep depravation thing.
I suggested that she provide spare TV remote controls for her patients to hold. I'm sure it would help at least the guys fall asleep.
OK - now I wait for my appointment with Dr. Safdor to get the results of this test and my previous MRI.
The EEG is an electronic inspection of the brain. There was some special preparation required. First of all I needed to diet after midnight and second of all - the tuffy - I needed to stay awake all night. Lots of luck here. I have trouble staying awake past 11:30 at the best. Well - I'll try.
Finally Carol suggested that I sleep for a couple of hours and then get up and I will still be tired by 10:30am when the test starts.
The reason for the sleep deprivation is they want to record the brain in both a stimulated mode and a resting mode.
OK - 28 electrodes are attached all over my head. I then relax in this La-Z-Boy and hear various things while a strobe light erratically flashes to cause the stimulation. The attendant is typing away at the keyboard of her computer and the room lights have all been turned off.
Then I am prepared for the second test. This is where I am supposed to try to go to sleep. Again - the lights are dimmed and it became clinically quiet. And the keys on the keyboard begin sending their secret words to the center of the processor. It was so quiet that it was hard to fall asleep. Each of these tests lasted about 45 minutes. About ten minutes - or so it seemed - the attendant said we were all through. I had gotten a nice little nap.
I asked her if people ever where unable to sleep and what happened. Well - they would only get one half of a valid test. She told me the day before two guys could not sleep and they both told her that they had done the sleep depravation thing.
I suggested that she provide spare TV remote controls for her patients to hold. I'm sure it would help at least the guys fall asleep.
OK - now I wait for my appointment with Dr. Safdor to get the results of this test and my previous MRI.
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