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by toogie ( edited 16 Aug 2024 ) 15 Aug 2024

Another UPDATE-

This is the text Ashley sent to the family this morning. She had a little more tact than her momma (me!) about this doctor.
Here is text Ashley sent us this morning:

The doctor Nora saw yesterday was a local ENT who we were seeing just for his input. I wasn’t impressed. He couldn’t give us any answers. He would have referred her out to one of the Children’s Hospitals, so since we are already scheduled for Aug 28, we will just keep that appointment. He does recommend her seeing a pulmonologist and hematologist through Children’s Hospital in addition to the ENT specialist there. So, we aren’t any further along than before, but we are in agreement of further testing all around.

UPDATE- Thank you all for your prayers and continued prayers, for Nora. Yesterday was such a stressful day and we know nothing more.
This is what is going on. I can’t remember dates but a while back, Nora complained that her neck bothered her. Ashley felt where Nora said it hurt and there was a lump on the back, left hand side, of her neck. She took her to the family dr. Nora hadn’t been sick, but the dr put her on antibiotics just in case, but at the same time ordered blood work and an ultrasound of her neck.
They tested her for autoimmune diseases, mononucleosis, cat scratch fever, hormone levels, etc and all blood work came back normal.
The ultrasound showed abnormal so ordered a neck CT scan with and without contrast.
The radiologist report read a small nodule was found on the Isthmus. That is the center between the two thyroid glands.
It showed enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of neck with more than normal amounts of lymph nodes.
It also showed 5 solid masses on the back of her neck, where the lump is.
We have had enough cancer in our family to know when they say solid mass, it usually is cancer. So the family dr referred Nora to go to either Baton Rouge or New Orleans children’s hospital. She has appointments for both places. New Orleans on the 28th of this month and Baton Rouge on the 6th of September. Baton Rouge has changed appointments 3 times! First was Nov 3, then Aug 28, now September 6! Ashley said she is keeping both appointments in case one falls through.
So in the meantime Ashley wanted to move forward so saw this ENT yesterday in Alexandria. She ‘thought’ she wanted his opinion in the meantime. He was such a disappointment because he contradicted himself so much.
First he did a little exam by feeling and questioning. Ashley had brought both the ultrasound and scan disc along with the written radiology reports.
This dr disagreed with the findings. He said everyone has nodules on their thyroid 😳, her lymph nodes were within a normal amount range, and the ‘5 masses’ on the back of her neck weren’t masses, but ligaments! He thought there was nothing.
Then proceeded to say he needed to refer her to a pulmonologist and a hematologist. Why refer her to those if he thought nothing was wrong? Did not make any sense.
Ashley told us she wanted to say to him, we have all these machines and technology to see inside a body to show us what we cannot see and a dr of radiology to interpret the scans so how can you just ignore the pictures or report ?
My sister Sheila is a retired oncology nurse and she and Ashley ( Nora’s mom) have both had thyroid cancer. Before Ashley brought Nora to this dr yesterday, she spoke on the phone to my sister. My sister asked Ashley if a scan of Nora’s lungs were done? Ashley said no, then I spoke up, as we had her on speaker phone. I told her I had read about possible lung involvement and I said Nora could not blow her 11 birthday candles out. She tried 3 different times and the girls even laughed about it, bc she couldn’t blow them out. No one else had made the connection and at the birthday, I hadn’t either. It wasn’t until later I thought of it, I just didn’t want to worry Ashley even more. It’s nothing we can do but wait on her NO appointment.
It would be great if nothing is wrong. If something is tho the sooner it’s dealt with , the better. We are just in limbo.
Nora sleeps a lot. She slept 15 hours one night. Has headaches and we suspect shortness of breath because of candles. She is lethargic and that’s not normal for a child. Before the 28th she may develop more symptoms or symptoms could get worse. Just continue with prayers for her and that we get competent doctors, so we can have trust in their care.
We always say and I’m sure you’ve heard, God has a plan. We do trust Him and know his plan will be perfect. It does make one wonder though, how this all fits in.
Birthday pictures trying to blow out her candles.
Last picture is a picture of a gift from one of my sewing friends. The embroidered tote bag, a partial jelly roll, 3 charm packs and some paper piece half sq triangle sheets. She said for Nora’s next quilt.

Asking Cuties to pray today for our granddaughter Nora, age 11.
I will fill you in later but pray for her health, answers, her parents and dr today. Sorry that’s all I can say right now but very serious. Thank you for support.

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by dragonflyer 18 Aug 2024

Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers...keep us posted when you can.

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by tilde01 17 Aug 2024

Toggie,k prayers for Nora and the entire family.

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by mrskiki 17 Aug 2024

Keeping Nora and all the family in my daily prayers. Thanks for the updates. Hugs. Nan

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by jrob Moderator 17 Aug 2024

Toogie, I know your heart is heavy, but we also know our God is in control. I am prayiing that the news will be good and that Nora will have a miraculous testamony to carry with her the rest of her life. God bless you and your family in the waiting. Much love, Jerrilyn

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by dlonnahawkins 16 Aug 2024

Toogie - you have gone through so much....prayers for Nora, and the family.

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by graceandham 16 Aug 2024

Hi, Toogie. Couldn't sign in earlier because my usual computer has been in the shop this week. And I couldn't find my notebook with all my passwords to login on my I-pad. But I've been praying. That's a lot to deal with. You can worry or you can pray and put God in charge of the worrying. Love and hugs to all during this stress.

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by peafarm 16 Aug 2024

Praying for her and the family. Issues come up we have no understanding of and that is why we can all rely on Jesus and his Word/promises. He can do all things. Please do keep us up. I don't always remember to look here in this section.

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by airyfairy 16 Aug 2024

Toogie, my heart goes out to you and your family. Please keep us in touch. Thinking of you all.

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by mrskiki 16 Aug 2024

Keeping Nora and all of the family and Doctors in my prayers every day. Hugs to all. Nan

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by loriziegler 16 Aug 2024

Prayers for your granddaughter Nora!

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by pennifold 15 Aug 2024

Hi Toogie, I'll certainly bring Nora's health requests before our Lord. Also for answers to her Mum, Dad and siblings. It's always the hardest waiting on responses to those medical questions. Our Delphi and Chase will be 11 this year too! Thinking of and praying for you too. Love Chris

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pennifold by pennifold 16 Aug 2024

Hi Toogie, thanks so much for the update. It must be such a stressful time for you. Prayers continuing for Nora and the whole family. Love Chris

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by crafter2243 Moderator 15 Aug 2024

Of course Nora and the whole family will be in my prayers. Hugs to you

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by asterixsew Moderator 15 Aug 2024

toogie sending positive thoughts to all of you.

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by dragonflyer 15 Aug 2024

Sending prayers to Nora and the entire family....

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asterixsew by asterixsew 16 Aug 2024

Thanks for the updates and yes worrying times. From reading your updates I can see why you are so worried. I hope that the next hospital appointment can give you all some if not all the answers you are after.

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by gerryvb 15 Aug 2024

prayers will be said for Nora, hope you keep us updated. Hugs for now

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by dailylaundry 15 Aug 2024

Oh, Toogie, absolutely Nora is in my prayers, along with her parents and doctors. She is just a year younger than our first Grand, Vivian and I hope your Nora is truly well and tests and doctor visits are just perfect! Please keep me updated! Hugs and love, Laura

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