Hi everyone, want to introduce myself. Im Donna age 43 and have not really had the best year as I see most of you on here havent. Its comforting to know that I am not going through these things myself. Let me tell you about what I have been facing in the past year. It all started with a sore throat, I went to the doctor and ended up walking out of there with several referrals to have a pap test, mamo, songoram of thyroid, echocardiogram, bloodwork and urine. Amazingly enough I wasnt given anything for my sore throat Anyway, went and had all tests done, mamo came up showing no changes, however, due to dense breast had to have sono, found two nodules (tumors) not cysts, gonna make this short, went back Dec now seen on Mamo and the one tumor has gotten minimally smaller while the other slightly larger, going for biopsies Dec 31st. In the interim, found nodule on thyroid, had cyst on scalp removed, 8 moles removed and just last week, even though pap test came back normal, a nabothian cyst was found on my cervix. All in all I guess I cant complain about these things, however, the reason I am now here is this. My throat was dry, so looked in it to see if there was any redness or post nasal drip, instead I find this Growth at the very back of my tongue,at first I thought it was a very large taste bud, then noticed it wasnt on the left side, just on the right. It is reddish and round but there may be two, they are far back on the tongue, so hard to really see, I did get a flashlight and there is definitely a growth there, round and raised. With everything else Ive been going through, I dont want to have this biopsied too, can someone give me an idea of what it may be? I know there are no guarantees and the only real sure is a biopsy, but any info. on this would be helpful. Thank you and Happy Healthy Holidays to all.

Hello DeeMarie,

Welcome to the club no one wants to join. You have already answered your own question. Get a referral ro a ENT Doctor and have a biospy taken of the growth. If this is cancer the sooner you catch it the better off you are. Take this advice from a man who waited much to long and ended up with a stage 4 tumor on my right tonsil. Everyone on this forum will be pulling for you and hopefully it is not cancer. Please get the biospy ASAP. Dan Bogan

Thank you Dan for your reply. I have already spoken to a friend of mine who knows of an excellent ENT. I will be calling in tomorrow. Its not something I wish to face, but in this case, NOT KNOWING can definitely kill me. I wish you all the best and hope for a swift and as painless of a recovery as you can get. Try and stay strong, you can privately email me or we can talk through this forum. Again thank you for your concern and comment. I will keep the forum posted. I guess in my ignorance, I figured that I couldnt get anything like throat or tongue cancer because I have never smoked a day in my life, I drink moderately, if you call a glass of wine every few months even that. But with all the info. on the net (Sometimes too much info is NOT a good thing LOL) I have found that there are other reasons that can contribute to throat and tongue cancer such as HPV (Virus) which is associated with Cervical Cancer as well. Not gonna panic YET Since my paptest came back negative and was told I have a BENIGN Nebothian Cyst. Boy this forum really likes you just type and type doesnt it? Have to laugh or I will cry. Thanks again Dan...

DeeMarie,

I choose to laugh too. I believe it has helped me so far. Dan's advice (as usual) is very good. I'm glad you have the appointment with the ENT. The sooner you know what you are dealing with the sooner you will have a little more peace of mind. And if it happens to be cancer the sooner to begin beating it. Know that you will be in my prayers.

Peace,

Fr. Mike

Hi DeeMarie,
Echoing Dan & Fr. Mike, get the biopsy! It is relatively painless and they usually numb you with a topical spray anyway. Like Dan, I waited to go to the ENT and moved up a stage at least. They can give you some Vicodin for a few days if needed for any soreness. I also got anti anxiety meds, while they sorted things out, which helped a lot. There are many things it might be besides cancer. It is a pretty scary time but not knowing is worse.

Your dryness may be caused by mouth breathing at night. A humidifier might help a little.

Thank you Fr. Mike and Gary for your well wishes. I am doing what I must just like the rest of everybody here. Its helpful to know that I can speak to others that are just starting this journey and those who have ended it, quite successfully. As far as the needles and pain goes, Im used to that. It doesnt bother me. I will do whatever NEEDS to be done... My goal here is to Keep Living... Thank you again. Talk to you soon.