hey
i had what i thought was an ulcer on my tongue way back in March (i think). my GP was concerned and sent me to an ENT who (after a course of antibiotics failed to cure it) took a biopsy. painful stuff that. he missed anything that may or may not have been there at the time (late June) and we ignored it until October when he had another look and said he wanted to do another biopsy.

I went elsewhere for a second opinion (wasnt keen on the biopsy!) and while waiting for that appointment had a regular dentist checkup. he took one look and organised a specialist oral surgeon to have a look that afternoon. A biopsy was scheduled for the following week (can't escape some things huh?!)

although he took a bigger sample, it wasnt quite as painful, but the pathology wasn't quite as good.

the result was a stage 2 SCC on my left oral tongue.

MRI's, CT's and a camera up my nose and down my throat show no spread elsewhere.

My surgeon is confident he can remove the entire tumor when we go in for surgery next Monday. He's taking a fair amount of tongue so it would be great if he can get the whole tumor too!

Aside from a rough first day or two after finding out it was cancerous (lost my dad to cancer when i was 10 so my family carry a bit of emotional history there), i have managed to stay positive about what's around the corner.

not without awesome family/friends support of course...

peace to you all
jp