The Parathyroid Forum

[Rach]

Hey peeps! Hope everyone is havng a good day! I just wondered if anyone had an appointment at a ENT clinic/department prior to their surgery? I recieved a letter yesterday with an apointment to see them in August...yes August! There's me thinking the damn thing would be cut out by then! I don't really see the point in this apointment, I see an endocrinologist and they know where the tumor is, why can't they just cut to the chase and organise for it to be chopped out!! Or am I missing something and this appointment is on the road to that?? I dunno. If anyone had one or could tell me the relevance of this ENT appointment I'd be really grateful. This is just gragging on way too long!!! Thanks! Rach

[Admin]

Hello Rach,

I think it may be to check out your vocal cords.
There is an extremely small risk of damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (the nerve which works the voice box) during surgery. Some surgeons like to have the vocal cords checked before surgery so they have a picture of their health before they operate. That way if you come along after surgery and claim they have damaged your voice box, but in actual fact your voice box was damaged to start with they have proof of the voice box function before surgery. Basically it's a surgeons 'cover your backside' procedure. I don't think I had mine done, but if I did he didn't tell me and it was whilst I was under, minutes before surgery.

Simon

[Rach]

Thanks for your reply Simon. I see my endocrinologist in July so I might mention it to her and see what she says. Getting fed up of having appointments for every thing else apart from the actual surgery!

[Dave]

Hi Rach
Yes I had an ENT appt very early on in the proceedings - as part of the presurgical assessment. Simon is correct - it is indeed to check the vocal cords. They tried to do mine by holding down the tongue with a tongue spatula, but couldnt see, so I ended up having a camera shoved up my nose and down the back of my throat instead. A bit of local anaesthetic made it an OK if not altogether pleasant experience! Took about 5 minutes for them to see what they wanted.
D.

[Rach]

Hey Dave! You've given me hope that this appointment is in the right direction, hooray!!! Although I am very much hoping that I do not have to have that camera thingy...sounds awful, even with local anaesthetic! Hope you're feeling well, Rach

[susie]

Hi Rach,
I hope all goes well with the ENT appointment. I haven't written anything on the forum lately as I haven't been up to much, but have been keeping a breast of everyones posts. I feel a real bond and concern for everyone on the site. Thanks again Simon, you really are doing a sterling job.
Hi Dave,
Good to see your name come up again, I have been wondering how you are doing? I was a bit concerned as you haven't been on the forum for a while.
XXXXX Susie

[susie]

A little freudian slip - I've not been keeping a breast of everyone's posts, but I have been keeping abreast of everyones posts. I trust no one is going to make any corny jokes about this one, but if you do I promise not to take it too seriously, even if I am having a bad Primary Hyperparathyroidism day.
XXXXX Susie

[Rach]

Lol Susie!

[Dave]

Hi Rach
Glad to be of comfort! I wouldnt worry too much about the camera - should they need to use it. From recollection, it's about 3-4mm in thickness and very flexible. I think the pschycology of having something pushed up the nose was worse than the actual event itself, which took less than 5 mins maximum. Ok, they'd squirted some local anaesthetic up my nose, but i dont recall them having any difficulty in passing the camera through and in to my throat... If they need to do it that way rather than with a tongue depressor, you'll be fine! At least its a sign of progress for you. God knows, that can seem hard to come by when you are waiting for surgery.........
Cheers
Dave

[Rach]

Ah I was thinking it would be a huge tube, but that does'nt sound too bad Dave, thanks for the reassurance. Although they might not even need to do it. It will be 9 months from diagnosis for me when I eventually get to this ENT apointment in August, which I suppose is'nt too bad, and like you said Dave, at least it means things are moving forward...albeit slowly! Im hoping this will all be sorted before I hit the year mark. Fingers crossed! Take care Dave. Rach