Actually, I haven't "officially" been diagnosed with oral cancer, but come Oct. 10th, I probably will. And, I am scared to death

It all started with a tonsil that started to change, and it started a good ten months or so. Dammit! I should've known to have it checked out, but didn't. Never had any pain or other problems orally, so I just kept on keeping on......

But on Monday (the 25th), I noticed that a lymph node in the left side of my neck (same side of tonsil), had become big. !@#$%^&**&^%$#@! "Houston.....we have a problem..."

Well, I was due to have back surgery on Wed., so I cancelled that, and made an appt. with an oral surgen. So, to make a long story short, come the 3rd he's gonna take out the tonsil and have it biopsied. LOL....is there such a word?

After spending all night crusing the 'net, I finally found this site, and it was the best. And, after reading about oral cancer, I just know that that's what he's gonna tell me that I have.

Jeez....Where does one go from here? I guess just wait 'til I hear the results, and hope I'm wrong. My husband's been very quiet since I told him what the dr. had said, and what the dr. was gonna do, so I guess he thinks the same as I do.

Anyway, it's almost 1am here, and I've gotta get some sleep. Sure haven't had much since Tuesday....

Freddie, after you take a deep breath, the next thing to do is not beat yourself up for not recognizing a potential problem. It is very good that you are having a biopsy. We all say that it isn't cancer until the pathologist says it is, so there is a chance you just have a nasty infection. Sure hope so, but if it is oral cancer you could not have come to a better place for information and emotional support. We will be waiting right along with you for the results, and if you need it, you will get a boatload of advice. Be strong!

Freddie, first of all, don't panic. As Joanna said, it is not cancer until the pathology report confirms it. I did similar things as you five years ago tolerating an enlarged left tonsil for almost a year without having a thorough check. When I noticed a lymph node on the left side of my neck, I still wondered what's wrong with my body. I had never heard of tonsil cancer before and even the doctors said that the symptoms didn't look like cancer and I wasn't a favorable candidate for oral cancer. Then the lymph node grew bigger and bigger until it looked like a goose egg. So the rest is history and I am still here to share with you my experience. Don't look back and regret for not doing something. Just look forward and do what you should do now and if, unfortunately, it is cancer, get the best possible treatment to kill it. There are some very knowledgeable members here very ready to offer support and help. Hopefully, it is just a false alarm and you need not go through the sufferings I once had.
Cheer up.

Karen

Freddie, you are probably ahead of the rest of us in that I didn't find this or any other support group until after I was told I had cancer. We all hope it's not but if it is all of us can share with you and hey we're all still here to share with you. So that's a GOOD thing. Keep us posted

FReddie, if you need OCF- we'll be here