January 26th, 2008 | by askadmin |
As a recent cancer survivor, I need several tests every six months for a five year period. One year down four to go. The oncologist schedules either a CAT Scan or a PET Scan. They are not too bad at all. However, the test that my Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist schedules for me, is not any fun at all.
It was the EN&T doctor that originally diagnosed my cancer. Every six months he schedules a laryngoscopy. This is done through a flexible viewing-tube passed through my nose to the back of the throat, allowing him to view the entire throat area . I believe the images are recorded on video.
The laryngoscopy is a horribly uncomfortable procedure. Before inserting the tube up my nose, he sprays a local anesthesia into my nose. Ten minutes later he started the procedure. It was so awful I almost wiggled out of the chair. He had to stop. I felt like a big baby but I just couldn’t help it. He then sprayed a tissue with the anesthesia and inserted that up my nose. It felt like it was being pushed all the way into my brain.
After the anesthesia took affect, he continued with the procedure. I was able to endure it this time. At any rate the exam itself was not pleasant but the results were great. So far the cancer has not come back and I am still cancer free.