I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon.
I've been having some numbness problems...fingers, toes, whole limbs. I can't make a strong grip with my left hand anymore. Now I have a solid-mass lump in my neck, way back in my head, like, down my throat and in the tissues behind a tonsil. It could be a swollen gland. I hope it's a swollen gland. The thing is large and burns with pain down in there. It hurts when I swallow. It hurts when I move my head or my neck. It hurts when I turn my head to the side. It is getting bigger and bigger and bothers me a little more, every day. I don't, however, have a sore throat, or a runny nose, or a fever, or any of the other symptoms of a head-cold or tonsillitis.
I'm freaking out just a little bit, and I'm scared to death. I have the same gut-instinct here as I did when my appendix needed to be removed, the same little body-voice whispering to me, "something is wrong". I just hope that whatever is wrong isn't as serious as the worst-case conclusions that my irrational mind wants to jump to.
If I may make so bold as to ask, please say a little prayer for me today. Pray that I've got a swollen gland and that I can't grip because my muscles are still tired from working out last week. Pray that I'm freaking out over nothing and being a big silly goofball hypochondriac.
Posted by kelley at March 22, 2004 10:39 AM | TrackBackMy thoughts are with you. Please keep us posted.
Posted by: RANT at March 22, 2004 10:42 AMConsider it done.
Posted by: Laughing Wolf at March 22, 2004 10:46 AMI had those same exact symptoms in 1996. At first they thought I had Lyme Disease and started treating me for that, until my kid's pediatrician informed me that I had Fifths Disease, which is basically a kids illness that manifests itself differently in adults.
All I'm saying is, it could be a myriad of things and not necessarily anything that bad. If the boy has been sick lately, tell your doctor. It's very common to pick up a kid's disease without realizing it.
Good luck today.
Posted by: michele at March 22, 2004 10:47 AMStay calm, you're not helping yourself feel any better by panicking. Stress is bad medicine!
You have prayers coming from Central Texas, hon! :-)
--TwoDragons
Posted by: Denita TwoDragons at March 22, 2004 10:59 AMI say good for you for going right to the doctor and not screwing around. My thoughts will be with you this afternoon. They always are anyway, but I'll think extra hard today. G'luck.
Posted by: Erica at March 22, 2004 11:50 AMThoughts and prayers are with you today.
Posted by: Iowa Girl at March 22, 2004 11:54 AMMy thoughts and prayers are with you Kelley. Im sure all will be ok.
Consider yourself in our prayers.
Posted by: Jeff at March 22, 2004 12:35 PMprayer firmly in place, ms. k.! Please keep us informed...
Posted by: bill at March 22, 2004 12:42 PMRequest granted, my fellow Atlantan. I know it's tough, but try not to panic...that certainly won't help things!
Granted. Take care of yourself and let us know if we can help in any way.
Posted by: physics geek at March 22, 2004 01:10 PMGood thoughts coming your way!
Posted by: Ted at March 22, 2004 01:10 PMHang in there, dear. You're on the right track by not waiting. Whenever that irrational (but hard as hell to ignore) voice starts chattering, breathe. Just clear your mind and breathe.
The numbness could just be a muscle issue, remember. If you're going to the gym nowadays, you don't need any more exercise jumping to conclusions. ;-)
*hugs*
Posted by: Lachlan at March 22, 2004 01:20 PMI'm sending you good vibes here from Denmark.
Keep us posted.
Posted by: Cobby at March 22, 2004 01:42 PM"Hope it's nothing" vibes coming in from the Holy Land as well....
I had recurring swollen glands this winter, but nothing as severe as you described -- they seemed to go along with the hives outbreaks.
Posted by: Allison at March 22, 2004 01:55 PMWell, it's the afternoon now, and hopefully as I type this the doctor is telling you that it's something minor that will clear up just as soon as you take a couple pills from this prescription here.
Best wishes, Kelley. I'm pulling for ya.
Posted by: Dave at March 22, 2004 02:55 PMGood luck, you have the thoughts of many with you.
Posted by: ChefQuix at March 22, 2004 03:06 PMAdd my prayers. Please keep us posted.
Posted by: The Commissar at March 22, 2004 03:20 PMSending you good vibes, honey -- and after this clears up, may you and Spidey have not so much as a sniffle for the rest of the year!
Posted by: Jessica at March 22, 2004 03:39 PMmore prayers from central Tx. these are really good ones!
Posted by: Dave in Texas at March 22, 2004 04:09 PMsending good vibes and warm wishes
Posted by: Uptown Girl at March 22, 2004 04:33 PMIt's probably just repressed liberal emotions like tolerance and empathy looking for a way out.
Posted by: doc at March 22, 2004 05:28 PMas someone who is very glad for the chance to know you through your blogsite - i hope that you're okay.
bless u m8.