Friday, April 22, 2011

So the thing with my neck…

OK.  I’m a procrastinator.  I know this.  That lady on TV with the hundred pound tumor, I used to wonder how in the world someone would let something like that get so out of hand.  I think I’m beginning to understand.

I have a million excuses, like I don’t have the time with kids’ activities and school, I forgot, its no big deal, it doesn’t bother me….etc.  The thing is, I’m going to end up being that lady. 

I have a tumor on my neck. 

While that seems scary, its not as bad as it sounds.  Its called a lipoma and there is very little chance that its anything but fat tissue, just growing in the wrong place.  I’ve known its there for a while, but I was assured it wasn’t anything to be concerned about and I could have it removed when I had time.  HA! Time.  I work better with deadlines.  Given any time to have it removed, I let it go. 

Lately I quit wearing my hair up because I was afraid it would look ridiculous.  Most recently, I’ve started having headaches.  I feel like there is more pressure around my neck.  I can’t wear turtle necks or my camera strap anymore because it bothers me, like my blood pressure is high or I’m cutting off circulation.  I’ve started to think the reason I passed out after I gave blood last week was due to the tumor pressing on my neck. 

Maybe its time I start taking this a little more seriously.

This is me last spring…..

neck1

This is me now (literally, like 5 minutes ago – pardon the dryer behind me!!)… my hair is down on purpose.

neck2

This is me with my hair up.  Yeah.  A little freakish.

neck3

So, I’ve finally made the next step.  I have a preliminary appointment with surgery on Monday.  Because of my procrastination this will probably be a Day Surgery event rather than a couple of stitches at the clinic.  Say a quick prayer for me, I’m a little freaked out by the prospect of actually going through with it.  Hopefully it will be an easy removal, not involving muscle or nerves or that C word I’m avoiding.  I’ll let you know what I know Monday.

8 comments:

Cyndy Bush said...

You are so freaking cute!
I hope it's a very simple fix and you'll be back to sporting ponytails in no time.

Anonymous said...

Sigh, we moms are so bad. I have the same thing, only mine is on the front. It's neither cyst nor thyroid, more like an unidentified lump. Yet, I'm still putting off surgery...

Hope yours don't turn out too bad. Post an update as soon as you know something.

Kristina P. said...

Oh, wow! I hope everything is OK.

Paige said...

Wow! Hope all turns out well. I know all about procrastination lol. It's my middle name heehee :P

brainella said...

I am a BIG advocate of getting medical treatment. If my husband had not seen the doctor for a routine physical we would never have known about his heart issue. I thank the Lord for small favors daily. That is one of them. I know I lecture people about it, but it saved my husband's life. :-)

Sgt Zapple said...

I am right there with you on not having time but you are getting it done now. That is all that matters. Not that it is exactly the same, but I have a beloved pet of 16 years who has the same issue and it can most certainly create problems even if it isn't cancer. I pray all goes well for you and recover is fast.

Kimberly said...

I am going to be COMPLETELY honest with you. It IS something that you need to worry about. Your brain and spinal cord are being effected by this tumor. The more it grows the worse your head will feel and the better chances of being paralyzed are. I don't know what idiot told you to wait and not worry but they are stupid (or didn't figure you would just pass it off as nothing). Either way you need to get it removed. You don't know if it's only growing outward or not, it it is entwining itself with your spinal cord, or parts of your brain it could do some serious damage, be a little more tricky to remove.. IF they can remove it at all because it is becoming a support for your head!

As far as it's not a serious tumor goes, no one knows when it will become a serious cancer threat to you. I blame the idiot that told you not to worry about it!

Suggestion, get it checked out immediately before anything major does happen! Keep up posted!

Kim Tracy Prince said...

Zoiks! Good luck. I'm dealing with neck shit, too, and it makes life just a little bit harder all around.