SIALADENITIS

Well, I had a wonderful Friday night in the ER. Dave took me because my neck under my chin, on the left side swollen up like a balloon. Scared me to death. I had that happened when I got Thyroid Cancer in 2004. Although, it didn't swell as fast. I called my ENT, which of course was after hours and got the Doctor on call. Dr. Stevens, called back about 45 minutes later. I explained that I had thyroid cancer five years ago, and was nervous that it came back. Dr. Stevens explained that he didn't think it was cancer, but I need to go to the ER to get a Cat Scan. Wonderful. I took his advice, only because I think the worse and work backwards. Dave and I left around 5:30pm. We went to Intermountain medical center. Wow, is all I can say. It was packed. It must be, because it was a Friday night. I do have to say there are a lot of strange people in the world, not that I'm perfect, but I have to say there was on young man, that was bald. He had tattooed his head to look like it was hair. Strange. Dave and I sat in the ER waiting room for about 30 mins. I was really surprised because with all the people, I thought we would have a longer wait. The nurse came over to me and asked me if I was having trouble breathing. I said no, it just hurts like a sore throat when I swallowed. He then took some information and said to come back to a room. This is a new hospital, a trauma one. Which means it can handle anything. We got to the room and a female nurse came in and again asked if I was having trouble breathing. I said no..just swallowing and it wasn't bad, just felt like a sore throat. She then left and a male nurse came in and put me on oxygen. Why they do that, I don't know. So they took vitals and everything, and said the doctor would be right in. About 30 minutes passed, and the doctor came in. He checked me out and asked about my passed sicknesses. He then ordered blood work and a cat scan. Two nurses came back in and took about 6 tubes of blood and they put an IV in. They have such a hard time taking blood and starting an IV. They did a good job and it didn't hurt that much. A young man came and took me to get the Cat Scan. They injected a dye into the IV. It made me feel like I was having a hot flash, so it wasn't so bad. Lol. The tect said it would take about 20 to 30 minuets to get the results. I will tell you I was scared. I kept thinking the cancer was coming back. The ER doctor came in and said he had good news. He said there was no sign of a lump or cancer, and that I had Sialadenitis. Its pronounced sigh-a-lah-den-Eye-tis. It is an infection of the salivary glands. The doctor said one of my glands was plugged and it was causing an infection. WHEW...is all I said. He gave me an antibiotic called Keflex. I think I have to take it for two weeks and I should be ok. I will call my ENT doctor on Monday, and let him know what is going on. I just feel better if he knows. We got home around 9:45pm. We were both tired. I'm glad Dave was there. We take good care of each other. I'm feel ok, only like I have the flu or a cold. I have a little pain, in my neck. I will keep you posted. Hope you all have a great Saturday. WTG Tammi on your walk.