I just found out that I have more lesions in my mouth - soft palate and some other white patch areas. My ent (who is wonderful!) will be doing biopsies etc on July 2nd and an endo while he's at it to see if anything has spread. My husband and I have a trip planned to Greece the end of July - he wanted to go this year because as he phrased it "you're well this year - let's go now". Since I've had OC twice now and had some small excisions 3 times since my last major surgery, I'm hopeful this has not converted to SCC which has been my biggest concern. Everyone here is wonderful and I must admit when I'm not experiencing a problem - I tend not to log on.

Hope they turn out negative. Good luck.

Corlissccc,

So Sorry to hear this possibility. I pray it has not spread. Keep posting. It is important for you as you wait for the results. Sometimes waiting can just drive you up the wall.

Hang in there.

Take care. Diane

Hi Corliss - Please share more details of the "lesions" and the "white patches". My husband has had "white patches" (leukoplakia and lichen planus) for over 30 years, but in '02, they turned to SCC, followed by 3 more SCCs. He has been doing well lately, but the ENT wanted to try to "clean out" some of those white patches, so he had extensive laser work inside his mouth about a month ago. He's had one check-up so far since then, and everything is healing as planned. Have you had radiation? Has your doctor suggested laser treatment? Please let us know about the biopsies and we hope they won't be SCC again! Keep us informed. Warmly, JaneP
P.S. I just noticed in your signature, you didn't have radiation, as my husband didn't.

Jane - the white patches are leukoplakia and lichen planus. I had them in 2000 and had them lasered at that time. My current ENT who works with an oncology group is not necessarily keen on the laser, but he said he would consider it. They were able to get all of mine with surgery last time - though quite extensive including the free flap from forearm etc. When we had a consult about radiation as a preventative measure, we decided against it, in the event it recurred and we needed to use it another time. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed and I will update after my biopsies next week! Hope all goes well for your husband. I found after I was lasered, the inside of my mouth was sensitive forever. Never again ate chocolate, potato chips (because of the salt), no orange juice etc. Hope your hubby does not have those issues.

Hi Corliss,
Wishing you all the very best for your biopsies. From you signature it looks like we have a lot in common.
I had the leukoplakia since the late 90's and yes if I had stopped smoking earlier like you my outcome may have been different. Fingers crossed for you
Gabriele

Hi again Corliss -
Thank you for your reply. My husband just had a Dove bar tonite (covered in chocolate) and has a glass of O.J. every morning, so I guess he doesn't have the sensitivity. I sure hope that goes away for you eventually, and you can once again eat whatever appeals to you My husband had 2 strips of tissue taken from his leg, to cover the sections of his mouth that were removed during 2 of his surgeries...not sure if that is what you called "free flaps"? They were held in place by a "bolster" until they healed. We just found out that the ENT who has treated him all these years is moving to the Carolinas - we think Charlotte - he is so excellent and we will miss him very much. I can give you his name if you like, but sounds like you have a great ENT. Please get good news for your biopsy report and keep us updated. Warmly, JaneP.

My husband almost died one week after my rad treatent finished in a motorcycle accident. I had tongue cancer and the free flap etc but i was told because the accident was so soon I now have ptsd from the shock and the fact I was sick from the rad(I had to fly alone for two weeks to another state as I was told he was going to die or have brain damage). I started smoking again and I hate myself for it (he is so so mad at me and calls me weak amongst other things) I want to die as I had stopped for three months. He cant wait to get his bike fixed and get back on the road, yet he is furious at me for smoking and doesnt understand why I am doing it.The shock of the accident is what caused me to take that first smoke alone and in tears and pain. I NEED TO STOP...frankly I am suicidle and would rather die as the arguements have now become very cruel on his side. Ironically He has PTSD as he is a Veteran to throw into the mix. I am supposed to be his carer yet I have none. Can someone...anyone....help me...i truly want to leave this world for a better one as I am in Hell already. Please help me...Im usually fairly up and happy but this is taking my soul piece by piece. He even BOUGHT me a pkt yesterday....whats going on? I have no one to talk to (I am booked in with a quit dr but he is still at me every day about how "weak" I am and how strong he is. (we smoked for the same amout of time....he gave up earlier as he is older than me. HELP!!! I cant see any way out.

While I quit smoking over two years ago - I cannot say I have not cheated once or twice. All you can do is get through today without one and then when you do, try the same thing tomorrow. Only those of us who have been through the hell of this cancer and still pick up a cigarette and smoke one can understand. The couple of times I smoked a cig - I felt horrible and was scared to death my husband would find out....ridiculous for an adult! All you can do is move forward -you'll get through this - we're all here to help you!