New Update

Got a note from Dr K (the ENT):

 I got a message from our interventional radiologist who reviewed your films, and went over them with a neuro specialist, and they feel it is too small and much more likely to be a small amount of fatty tissue to effectively biopsy. They recommended a follow up scan in 6 months as an alternative. Does this seem reasonable to you? Please let me know your thoughts.

Regards SK

Looks like a wait and see approach is happening. Considering how troublesome of a patient I am, this is actually a good idea.

I also got a note from the PCP as well later in the day. Nice to see that my physician doesn't just deal with her emails during business hours (she answered back at around 1am...). Anyhow she's agreeing with the ENT and that maybe the conservative approach to this is the best idea.

Update

On Wednesday, I went and had my MRI done. I managed to handle it well with no medicines to calm me, which is kind of amazing considering that it was one of those closed MRIs and a bit snug for comfort. Kept my eyes closed the entire time and just focused on the clicks/knocks (they were just loud enough to drown out the tinnitus ringing and as such, I almost relaxed enough to fall asleep at one point).

Thursday I got the results. Names removed for privacy. Here is the email I received from the ENT's office:

From:SK MDReceived:5/30/2013  5:49 PM EDTHi I reviewed the MRI report and they are seeing a small nodule that looks like a lymph node and on comparison to an older CT scan (2011), looks about the same size. I think it is reasonable to just observe it; but if you would prefer to get a tissue biopsy to confirm that it is a node and that is bengin, I can arrange for you to have an ultrasound guided biopsy with our interventional radiologists.Please let me know your thoughts when you have a chanceThanksSK

I wrote her back to confirm the year on the CT scan that was used as comparison. I was hoping that year was a typo, because if not...that thing's been in me for at least 2 years now and for sure the antibiotics haven't reduced its size (and I've been on them ALOT this year). It's not gotten any larger but what really concerns me is the fact that no one has noticed it before now. Hubby and I  discussed the next step to take. The ENT doesn't seem too concerned. Well, she's concerned enough to get me an answer right away (she knows I'm a worrywart), but not concerned enough to say it needs to be dealt with right now. Hubby's suggested the biopsy anyway, just for peace of mind. Seems to be the prudent step at this point.

Later in the afternoon, I received this:

RE:imaging results

To:

From:DC RN
Received:5/31/2013 9:59 AM EDT
Dear Ms,
Dr. K is out of the office until Tuesday. The report of the MRI states "CT scan of the sinuses dated 2011 was reviewed and the previously described parotid nodule most likely was present at that time, but imaged only on the periphery of the film suggesting a benign stable etiology."Hopefully the information is helpful. If not, I will be happy to forward your message to Dr. K for a response.Completed by: DC RN, May 31, 2013, 9:59 AM

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So it looks like it HAS been in there at a minimum of 2 years. My biggest question right now is WHY ... if you see something odd on the periphery of a CT scan's film (it would have been an incidental find there as well) ...you don't say "the sinuses look ok but we saw something a bit odd and would like to send you in so we can get a better look at this" ... just so you can be SURE that it IS benign and stable? Granted, I know that the insurance companies make the doctors jump through all sorts of hoops and stuff. However, it was an incidental find at the Urgent Care too. Why wait 2 years and not say a damned thing? What if it WASN'T benign? So I wrote the ENT office back:

Yes it is, thank you. Really kind of upset at this point that if it was showing (even if it was on a periphery part of the film) that someone didn't say "Hey, we really should get a better look, just in case". Especially since there's cancer on both sides of my family. That said, I think we're going to opt for the biopsy. However, the Dr needs to know that local shots don't numb me as they should and she needs to be reminded that I'm a nervous patient.
Best Regards

Best Regards

I've looked up the type of biopsy they want to do and not liking the procedure at all. Locals don't work on me so I'm looking at pain and terror for the procedure. I'm guessing that even if it's benign, they're going to recommend that it gets removed anyhow. Better safe than sorry.

That's where we stand right now. I still need to drop a note to my PCP and my allergy dr and get them caught up on this. Not really a happy camper right now........