The dentist noticed a couple of black spots on my palate and asked me to come back in a week to see if it had disappeared. I didn't bother going in for him to see them again. After a week passed, I called and asked for a referral to an oral surgeon.

I had to drive 60 miles to find an OS in network. I was pleased to get a "consultation" two days after calling. He looked at it and said that since I had driven so far and because he had no other appointments that afternoon, he would do a biopsy right away.

I was thrilled. I'm a 20+ year smoker and a 4-6 drink a night lush and my mom is a cancer survivor and her two brothers died from cancer (melanoma and pancreatic). I had a red streak on my palate and my throat had been sore for a week. There was every reason to believe this was going to be cancerous.

The doc did a bone x-ray of my mouth and said nothing looked abnormal. He took photos of the spots and emailed them to the pathologist to get any feedback. She didn't respond while I was there.

I asked for nitrous oxide, which was an excellent decision and probably the best $42 I've ever spent.

The anesthesia shots were fairly painful. It made the cut the chunk of flesh out pain seem trivial.

I asked to look at the plucked flesh and I took a pic of it. I was surprised how small it was and how I couldn't identify any black on it.

I was prescribed an antibiotic and 30 lortabs I am scheduled to return in 12 days to get the results. As I was leaving, I asked what he thought based on other spots he's seen and the results of those. He said he was leaning towards benign and I appreciated his optimism.

I am worrying far less than I thought I would. The thought that I have no control over the consequences helps as well as klonopin and martinis and lortabs.

My wife knows about this but I haven't shared it with family and friends but I needed to go over it so I've decided to post about it here.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, bc. Maybe this might serve as a wakeup to quit smoking? And maybe cut down on the alcohol? Just a suggestion and I really really do hope that the biopsy comes back negative!

Me Tooo... Hoping it's nothing

Welcome to OCF beachcomber! Sorry you are going thru the waiting game. Hope its not anything serious!!! Im glad you are on the ball and gotten the biopsy right away. It could be all kinds of things besides cancer. Its only a teeny tiny speck they take which in my opinion the shots hurt more than the cutting does.

From the tone I have perceived in your post, you know the smoking and drinking isnt a good thing. Im a former smoker and I am now disfigured due to my habit. The things I have gone thru I wouldnt wish on my worst enemy. Please do yourself a HUGE favor and try to get rid of the cigs. I would be happy to share my photos and some stories with you if it will help you to quit.

Best wishes with the results and please keep us posted.

thanks for the well wishes. I spent the entire day wishing I was at work just for the distraction. also, it's hard talking to friends and family and keeping this whole thing a secret. I appreciate this forum.

Keep us posted

after spending some time here and reading what most of you are experiencing, I am embarrassed to have made such a big deal out of a biopsy. I know this is my first "wait" but it seems like cancer survivors are constantly waiting for the results of the next big test. so, forgive me for my melodramatic intro post and not really getting the enormity of what you here have gone through and are still going through.

Hi, beachcomber
no need for an apology - and the post wasn't that melodramatic, anyway. Venting really does help make it through the waiting period.
Maria

it turned out to be melanosis, a pigmentation. no abnormal cells. no tumor. no cancer. no surgery. no future biopsy follow up. i got out of this one with the best possible news. obviously, i'm ecstatic but the whole scare was mind blowing and a life changing event for me. i got a tiny glimpse at the disturbing experiences that cancer survivors go through and that has changed my perspective on life.

My wife and I have talked about going to Sacred Heart hospital this Saturday with our 6 year old son and visiting cancer patients and sharing some time where it is likely needed. Glad y'all have this forum. godspeed.

How wonderful! Volunteering with your family will be a blessing to the patients and you and your family as well. Thank-you for sharing your news with us.

Fantastic - so incredibly happy for you!