Like Suzanne, I feel that I have add my 2 cents here.

I think that both of your doctors have done you a diservice by not strongly recommending a biopsy. As a result of this, I would also recommend that you go to a CCC and have the biopsy done. The possibility of having OC is not something you want to avoid checking out because you are concerned about gagging.

What appears to be a tissue tag, probably is a tissue tag. The area you are describing is a common place for tissue tags. However getting it looked at again, will certainly be worth it.

Me too - I would go for the biopsy- better to be safe than sorry. I had a negative biopsy 2 years ago with no follow up even though the problem wasnt solved, my second biopsy 2 years later was cancerous. An my lesion wasn't ulcerated just sore off an on - and firm. Have it checked out it won't hurt you if it comes back negative, but could hurt you if it's positive and you don't catch it asap... Good luck!

Thank you again to the posters after my last thank you. I agree and feel that my doctors have been somewhat dismissive. I, unfortunately, am all to familiar with the doctors being dismissive.

What I am about to say maybe a little off topic and I apoligize if you find that to be the case.

My mother passed in 1981 when I was 13 (she was 35) of official dx lung cancer. She had been seeing doctors for six months because she was ill. I do not know her specific complaints, but I know at one point she was told she had severe gasteritis (sp). Anyhow she was dx'd after seeing my grandmothers dr. Grandma was bing treated for milgnant melonoma. This doc found 3 lumps in her (moms) neck and had them biopsied. At that point it was found that she had cancer in all organs and was untreatable. She passed 3 months later. BTW Grandma survied and lived to 94.

I mentioned in my first post that two years ago I was hospitaized with an infection in my mouth. The infection started after I had deep root cleaning of the teeth on the left side of my mouth. When the infection started I went strait away to my dentist and started antibiotics. after three days of antibiotics the node in my chin was the size of a ping pong ball and my mouth was extremly swollon. In the hospital They only told me that it was a cellulitis infection and kept asking me how I got it. I have had intermittent pain in my lower jaw on the left side ever since. The pain had started before the deep root cleaning and was one of the reasons it was done. The pain is becoming more frequent and more intense. After being released from the hospital I was asked to follow up with my gp. When I did, I had told him I was still in much pain and there was still a little swelling. He put me back on oral antibiotics. I saw him agian two weeks later swelling down but still in pain and that is when he said nothing more he could do for me medically and suggested I see the oral surgeon. Oral sugeon saw nothing in xrays concerning and sent me to endodontist to have teeth tested. Stated that there may be a tooth that needs a root canel that is not showing up on the xray. I saw the endodontist who tested my teeth every month for 3 months not finding anything. I still also have a little numbness in my chin on the left side. Endontist said it is from nerve damage from the infection.

With all this as well as well as some other past situations with drs I still walk into there offices with a feeling of what they say is gospel. I so many times loose all thoughts of what I was going to say before I got there. I forget symptoms and expeiances I wanted to tell them about.

I have the boipsy scheduled for Feb 24. The ENT e-mailed me and said he would walk me through every step of the way. I am comforted by that.

Thanks again. Oh and I will ensure that I let you know the results even if it is nothing. It seems that I read several posts where individuals didnt come back when results were negative for cancer.

Marci

Thanks Marci for the update.

If need be, write down your questions on a note card to take with you and even better, take someone to help hear what the docs are saying because two sets of ears make a difference when you are under stress.

And...advocate for yourself with regard to sedation. If you are afraid of choking then see if they can give you something more than a local (twilight sedation) to help get you thru it.

Interesting about your mother. It does sounds as though she might have had OC with mets. I am sure, at 13, that that was a terrible time for you.

Hugs, Deb

You've had quite the time Marci - definitely not an easy road and our hearts go out to you on the loss of your mom as such a young age.

With regard to thinking that what doctors are saying is gospel and not wanting to be labeled the "difficult patient" (anyone remember the Seinfeld episode where Elaine was identified on her chart as DIFFICULT?). I too suffer, I think from not being AS DIRECT as I would like to be with my doctors. I have gotten much better but initially I felt I might be insulting them if I questioned their plans. LET THOSE THOUGHTS GO. That isn't true and in fact doctors do like when patients ask the questions and express their fears clearly. That way, they can treat appropriately. TELL THEM how you feel. You will be shocked and very pleased at how receptive they are.

Make a list of all your questions. There are no DUMB questions. Take someone with you so that you can both discuss the answers afterwards.

This isn't a time for shyness. You are your advocate!

Hugs

Donna

Hi Marci,

i would get the ENT to biopsy both site, you might as well do it in one go. I had two suspicious lumps on my tongue and i got them both biopsied-they both came back positive. In a way finding out was a relief because the not knowing and wondering was what made me anxious.

Minh

Hi Marci,

Glad you have an appt with an ENT who seems to care about you and not putting things off. I have to say I know what it's like to get the run around. I went through the dentist, periodontist, endodontist, back to the dentist for deep cleaning. They were sending me back to the periodontist for a deeper cleaning before I finally called and got an appt with the dental oral surgeon. The surgeon did a biopsy and it came back positive. I hope that all goes well with this next doctors appt and you feel more comfortable with him. I will be praying that it is negative.

And do not be afraid to ask all the questions you need. I called into the office and it turns out my doctor said I was one of his favorites. It's also very ok to be picky about your doctors. If you don't feel comfortable or are getting the info you need go see someone else and it's ok to push to get an early appt.

Hi Marci,

I'm so happy to hear you are going for the biopsy...that makes me feel better, I've been thinking about you.

Here is a quick story about not questioning your doctor. My husband and I have gotten good at figuring how if a spot on my tongue is something to worry about over the years. There was a spot that we were concerned about, mainly because of how it felt to me. I insisted to my doc that I wanted it biopsied. She didn't feel it was warranted and wasn't going to do it. I told her it had to be done and would not take no for an answer. It was a good thing I did b/c it came back as severe dysplasia and she ended up doing my 4th partial glossectomy. When she saw the pathology she said she was happy we did it. (ok..so this wasn't a short story but worth it none the less)

Nobody wants to "that patient" (Donna I love Seinfeld and know that episode) but you have to be. Nobody cares about your health as much as you do and you MUST follow your instincts.

Thank you for letting us know your results either way. I hope everything is fine and you won't have to be posting here too long:)

You won't gag from getting a biopsy. I thought I would too but this must be mind over matter. I have had many and have yet to gag from a biopsy. Other things still make me gag as they did before. Usually this is something lite and more feathery than a Biopsy.

If I had not had my biopsy I would have more of my tongue, but then, I may not be sitting cancer free at this moment. To know for sure is much better than sitting there wondering...

The gagging issue: find out. You will not know until you try it and if the first way does not work for you there is still another option.