Grade 3 Thyroid lump - what is the vocal cord check like?

Hi everyone, I have lurked on here for a while since finding the lump on my thyroid back in I think June time. I eventually went to the doctors at the end of September, & was referred to ENT. 

Was found to have a 3cm lump on the right side of my thyroid, and was sent for a FNA towards the end of October. I never heard anything back for a long time so assumed all was well. At the beginning of December I rang the hospital to see if they had my results, & was informed I'd to go on Christmas Eve. Was told then I had a grade 3 tumour & would need partial thyroidectomy to find out for sure if cancer. Then on Christmas Day I caught Covid (all was well I've ctually had worse colds) but then missed my pre op as I was isolating. 

Never heard anything back from them so rang again to be told they had to wait so long after Covid due to risk of blood clots on lungs. So I informed them I was on holiday for 2 weeks in March so needed to be fit to drive.

They have just rang me to ask me in next Thursday for a vocal cord check, & to say my surgery is scheduled for the 8th April.

I'm feeling pretty good about it all & not overly worried about the results or the surgery. However I'm anxious about the vocal cord check, as I've heard it's a camera down the throat & I have a terrible gag reflex. Has anyone had this test & can tell me it's not as bad as I imagine?

Thank you

Parents
  • Hello Leigh74xx

    I'm sorry to hear that you're waiting on some further tests at the moment. It's understandably a difficult time. 

    From posts that I've read here on the forum these kinds of investigations usually involve your doctor passing a thin flexible tube into your nose and down the back of your throat. Sometimes the Dr will offer a local anesthetic spray to numb the back of the throat before starting. 

    I'd really encourage you to give our team of nruses a call ahead of your appointment. I'm sure they will be happy to talk things through with you and offer any advice and information that they can. They're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope this helps. Try to enjoy your holiday later this month and I wish you well for your surgery in April. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

Reply
  • Hello Leigh74xx

    I'm sorry to hear that you're waiting on some further tests at the moment. It's understandably a difficult time. 

    From posts that I've read here on the forum these kinds of investigations usually involve your doctor passing a thin flexible tube into your nose and down the back of your throat. Sometimes the Dr will offer a local anesthetic spray to numb the back of the throat before starting. 

    I'd really encourage you to give our team of nruses a call ahead of your appointment. I'm sure they will be happy to talk things through with you and offer any advice and information that they can. They're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope this helps. Try to enjoy your holiday later this month and I wish you well for your surgery in April. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

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