Hi this is my first post. I'm after a little advice and support. I came across this forum today and decided to join. In June last year I had a cervical discectomy and fusion. On two levels in my spine. For this op they made an incision in my throat to get to the discs in my neck.
A couple of months after the surgery I felt as though I had a lump in my throat. I told the spine specialist about this and he felt around my neck and said that it was probably just that as they had cut into existing scar tissue it was probably just a build up of scar tissue. (I was scalded when I was little and had skin grafts to my neck and arm) . He arranged another appointment six weeks later to see how my neck felt. To see if there was any change.
There was no obvious change but he just said that it is just something that they can't do anything about as trying to remove the scar tissue would just cause more scar tissue. He said it could make things much worse..
Fast forward to twelve months ago this feeling has become much worse. I visited my gp. Who was not very sympathetic. He said the same it's just scar tissue. Nothing can be done. At the time I also pointed out that I had a sore patch on my tongue which was quite red and inflamed. The gp said I had thrush and gave me drops for thrush medication. This did not help the soreness at all. It had no effect. I have since tried over the counter thrush gels with no help.
I gave it another month and made another month and made an urgent appointment. Stopped taking my anti inflammatory meds for my neck so that the lump in my throat would be more obvious. Again I points out my sore tongue and the gp reluctantly referred me to the ent department at the hospital. He was very impatient about it. I waited and waited and no appointment arrived. However he did order a basic b12 test and thyroid function test. Which came back as within normal range I just kept thinking I'll give it a couple of more weeks. But stil no appointment. So a couple of months ago I again made another appointment with my gp but this time with someone else in the surgery. This time the gp ordered a scan on my throat. Which I had at the end of September. This gp assured me that the previous gp had referred me but he had put on the referral no palpable lump.
Soon after the scan I received the appointment with ent.
At my first appointment he put a scope with a camera and light up my nose. To check out my throat. I again pointed out to him the sore on my tongue which has gradually become much worse. He had been told to look for tumours. But said that he can't see any tumours inside my throat. I know that was not written on the original referral. As the second gp read out the referral to me. So I'm presuming that this was as a result of the scan.
The ent dr did say that there does appear to be a mass close to my oesophagus and close to the site of the original incision. He said that it is probably a lymphatic blockage and there is evidence that there is nerve damage in the area. I have problems swallowing. He ordered a barium swallow test and a chest X-ray. Both have been done but I've not yet been told any results. He also referred me to an oral and maxillo.facial surgeon. This appointment came through last week. About a week after the barium test. The ent doctor was evasive about why he was referring me to oral surgeon. But when pushed said that it may be a vitamin deficiency. At this I just thought. Yes probs just b12 and it needs checking again. So I didn't worry about it. I had this appointment about a week ago. Still I thought probs b12. As my dad and my grandmother both have pernicious anaemia.
I got a hell of a shock when the oral surgeon looked grim and said that I need a biopsy on my tongue as I have a large lesion on my tongue. I was told that I will probably have to have a couple so stitches in my mouth. The biopsy is on Monday. I phoned the hospital yesterday and got through to the switchboard. They put me straight through to the oral surgeons secretary which is practically unheard of when I told them my name. She told me the procedure is on Monday.
I just need some advice. What is other peoples opinion. Is it possible that the feeling in my throat is unrelated. And is just scar tissue. I'm really scared now. I just wasn't expecting this. I keep looking at my seven year old son and wondering if I'll get to see him grow up. Also I am a beauty therapist. I also smoke. I am wondering if it is possible that doing acrylic nails can cause cancer. As I did those for about a year but stopped doing them because the monomer liquid used to make me feel unwell. It would make me cough and splutter.
Sorry this post is so long but it is a long story. I'm just so angry that my dr wouldn't listen to me. I felt like I was unheard. If this is cancer then it has had plenty of time to spread.