Ultrasound Results - Good News

I heard back from Dr. Fenichel this morning regarding my 6 month ultrasound and I was relieved to hear that it came back normal and everything is fine. I was a bit nervous waiting for the past couple of days. I was worried - what if something abnormal was found- that I would have to go through this process all over again. Luckily that was not the case. Since my last thyroid blood workup was back in September, she is going to send me a prescription for a blood test to see how my levels are doing. I’m glad to go ahead and do it since it reassures me that things are going well. The next step will be a scan in June. I’ll call Dr. F to schedule an appointment probably in April or May. She let me know that I would be taking a Thyrogen injection before the scan thus preventing me from being off Synthroid for an extended period of time and having to go on that dreadful diet. The radiation dose will be minimal (a tracer amount) and nowhere near the dose that I took last June.

She also told me to increase my Vitamin D intake to 800 per day instead of the 400 I was currently taking.

6 Month Thyroid Ultrasound - 12/15/08

I went in for my 6 month post RAI thyroid ultrasound this morning at NYU. I am awaiting the results from Dr. Fenichel. I am not sure how long it will take to hear back from the hospital. I put in a call to her office notifying her that I went in for the test and to call me when the results come back

Regarding my salivary glands, they have been much better since I last saw Dr. Sacks at the end of October. While my mouth still remains very dry (this can be the weather and heat in my apartment), the glands are no longer painful and only have minimal swelling that is much easier to deal with.

Results Were Good From Neck CT Scan - 10/27/08

I heard back today from Dr. Sacks' office regarding my neck CT scan and the results were good. He said that there were no problems found on the scan and they came back normal. I spoke with him on the phone and told him that I have been massaging my glands every day and hydrating extensively and my salivary glands were getting better. He said to keep doing what I have been doing. There is no need to schedule a follow up appointment now but call him if I am still having problems in the future. He wants to avoid surgery - as do I.

Follow Up Thyroid Ultrasound Scheduled and Dr. Heller Follow Up

I scheduled my 6 month follow up thyroid ultrasound at NYU for Dec 15th at 8AM. Go to the 2nd Floor using the G elevator.

I am scheduled to see Dr. Heller again on April 2, 2009 at 1PM

Neck CT Scan and Salivary Gland Update

I went for a neck CT scan on Friday 10/24 at 8:20AM. It only took about 10 minutes or so and I should hear back regarding the results on Monday or Tuesday.

Regarding my salivary glands (especially the left one), they have been feeling much better over the last couple of days. I am massaging the left gland whenever I can and I am drinking water all day long. It seems to be working. My gland is much softer and does not really get enlarged throughout the day. I do notice that it gets enlarged in the morning but I am guessing that is due to the fact that my apartment is pretty hot and dry, and I am dehydrated when I wake up. It takes about 20 minutes or so for the gland to get soft and then I massage it down. Hopefully this is a sign that I've turned the corner with this. I'm hoping that the CT scan comes back with good results and no blockage. Even if there was a stone found, it seems to be working itself out so far.

CT Was Changed

I got a message this morning from Dr. Sacks' office that they spoke with Dr. F regarding my CT scan and they decided to change it from "with contrast" to "WITHOUT CONTRAST". This is done to avoid jeopardizing my total body scan next year.

I have been keeping up with the fluids, gum and massaging. While the left side has remained "calm" so far, I do notice that even when it is not hard, large and painful, it is always feeling firm to me. Dr. Sacks noticed this yesterday as well.

Visited the ENT Doctor Today - Neck CT Scheduled

I went back to Dr. S for a follow up visit after I saw Dr. Greene at the end of September due to my inflamed sub mandibular salivary glands. I let Dr. S know that I had my good days and bad days, but my left gland still swells up and gets painful on a regular basis. He felt the glands on either side of my neck and concurred that my left one felt firm, while my right one was definitely softer. While he told me that this can still resolve itself, which is what he prefers, he wanted to get a better look at my salivary glands to see what is causing the blockage (if anything). Therefore, he scheduled for me to get a CT of my neck. I am going to get it on 10/24/08 at 8:20AM at East River Medical Imaging (519 E 72nd Street, Suite 103 between York and FDR drive).







He told me to remain hydrated, massage the glands, and suck on sour candies/chew gum as often as I can. He let me know of the surgical options if there is a blockage or stone, but he doesn't prefer those options at this point.

UPDATE:

I spoke with Dr. F after my appointment at the ENT doctor and she said that if I am having a CT scan of my neck that includes a contrast, that could interfere with my total body scan in June. She said that she would discuss this with Dr. S and then come up with the best solution.

This was a good day regarding my neck. Although my glands were somewhat firm in the morning when I went to the ENT, they were not as large as the day before. I spent the entire day hydrating (and going to the bathroom) and chewing as much gum as possible. My left gland stayed small and felt good when eating. Also, my saliva production throughout the day was good (much more than usual). I took advantage of the points of the day when my mouth was not huring and chewed gum. This seemed to help alot. Hopefully, this is a sign that things are moving in the right direction. I will make sure to vigorously keep up the hydrating and gum chewing. I want this to go away as soon as possible.