Hi. I hesitated to join as I don't even know if what I have will end up with a diagnosis. I apologize if I am stepping on toes...

In June, I noticed what looked like a little canker sore on the left side of my tongue. Obviously, I thought nothing of it, until it didn't go away and then got bigger. I had no insurance, so it wasn't until September that I went to an Urgent Care to have it looked at. I was diagnosed with thrush and sent on my way with a script. It didn't work and I went to the dentist at the urging of my parents. The dentist sent me immediately to an oral surgeon. He made the decision to treat the bump (which is extremely painful) with antivirals to see if that worked. It didn't.

Last Tuesday it was biopsied by an ENT in his office. Yesterday, I got the results. "Suspicious for cancer." What does that even mean?!?! I'll have a surgical biopsy on Friday to get more information.

It feels stupid to feel so scared already, because I don't even know for sure if that is what's going on. I just feel so overwhelmed. I've been on pain meds for over three weeks and I know that I am still looking at some pretty serious pain after this biopsy. I am worried that I'll end up with a dependency on vicodin, and I have no idea what to ask the nurse today at my pre-op appt. If anyone else has been through this process and could offer up some advice, I'd really appreciate it.

The doc let me know he wasn't going to remove all of it, as doing so would mean swelling that would "make it difficult to swallow and talk." Have I mentioned yet that I'm a co-host on a morning show at a local radio station? Again, any insight into recovery time even for just the biopsy would be great. I know I can ask these questions today at the pre-op, but I have been leaving every doctor's office feeling completely frustrated by my lack of information.

First welcome to our site and secondly calm down. Let's wait for the path report and hope for the best till then. You are prudent in getting this looked at so let's see where this takes us next.

Re the healing from this procedure. I only had a bio of my base of tongue and it was quite small so I'm not sure I can be of much help other than to tell you I was only sore for a weekend and had no swelling. I'm sure many others will share their experiences with you.

Believe me you have found the best possible site for your tongue issue.

Hi, Collette
I sorry I can't help with a projected biopsy recovery prediction, but I would like to suggest that you bring a notebook with all of your questions to your appointment. It is hard to remember all the questions you have in the appointment! Also, be sure to write down the answers in your notebook. Good luck with your appointment, and let us know how it goes!

Welcome to OCF, Collette! I understand how scary this process can be. You have found a wonderful resource in OCF. We will help you understand all the medical jargon and offer support too.

I have had biopsies done 3 ways. The first time I was asleep, 2nd time it was a local, and the last one was a teeny-tiny little snip while I was awake. It hurt but really was no big deal at all. Your doc will be taking a very small piece from your 'canker sore'. For future knowledge, any sore inside your mouth that does not heal within 2 weeks should be checked by a professional. That could be your dentist, an oral surgeon, or an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist). It will probably take a week before the results come back. Most times the doc will not give you the results over the phone, you will have to go in for another appointment.

Please do yourself a huge favor and relax! Try to keep yourself busy to keep your mind off this issue. Worrying will never change the test results. It will just make you paralyzed with fear where you cant think logically. Ive learned over the years to avoid letting my mind go to the 'what ifs'. Stay busy by doing thing you may have put off like cleaning out closets, working in your yard or garden, organizing your clothes and getting rid of what you dont need, keeping in touch with old friends, or even starting a new hobby like scrapbooking, painting, doing puzzles. Everyone who is a survivor has been exactly where you are at one time so we all know exactly how you feel. If you do have cancer then you are in the right place!

The pain meds are for your pain. If you begin taking them for other reasons then you know you have a problem. If you are concerned about addiction, talk with your doc on Friday. Ask for something else that would be less of a chance of you becoming dependent. Ive always heard that people who have pain and take meds for it will not become hooked. Its not a sign of weakness to use pain meds.

Please come back and let us know how yo made out. Hoping you do not need to use our forum, but we are here if you do. Good luck!!!!

Quick update:

Thanks for the advice about writing down questions--I felt much better after getting them answered at the pre-op appointment. The biopsy went "well," except for a serious pain management issue. He removed 1.5cm piece from the left side of my tongue (which I realize is small, but I know you all can understand how much pain might be associated with that!). He said he removed that much because as he was performing the biopsy, it started falling off...hmmm...has anyone heard of THAT before?! Anyway, left the day surgery with tylenol/codeine elixir and was back in the ER several hours later as we couldn't get the pain situation worked out on the phone. I left the ER several hours later relatively comfortable and with a script for oxycodone. Hopefully the intensity of the pain is very temporary.

I should have biopsy results by the end of next week. Possibly later because of the weekend. Hoping for the best, but to be honest, expecting the worst. And my bday is next Friday, so I really don't want bad news on the 14th! Only good!

Thanks again for your responses and making me feel welcome here!

Colette,

Where are you being treated? I live in Michigan on the west side of the state. I am currently being treated at U of M as they are tops here in Michigan.

Hi, Colette, and welcome. If this does turn out to be cancer (which it is NOT until the biopsy says it is) I hope you have someone to go with you to dr's appointments as you will have touble processing much of what they say to you and a 2nd pair of ears will really help. Anyway, that's a big IF and I sincerely hope it isn't. Best to you,

[quote=Kelly211]Colette,

Where are you being treated? I live in Michigan on the west side of the state. I am currently being treated at U of M as they are tops here in Michigan. [/quote]

Hi Kelly! I am currently being treated in Central Michigan. If, however, this does turn out to be cancer, I will not continue here. I will go...somewhere else. I looked at U of M, but it appears they don't take my insurance, although I may be able to get my insurance switched in order to be treated there (we're on Medicaid, but the plan I am on isn't listed on their website of accepted insurance plans). Hopefully, it's a non issue. That would be nice.

As for having someone to go with me, I plan on taking someone. It is possible that my husband will be at work, but I think my sister in law/best friend will be able to go with me. Cancer or not, Eugene has got to go. And I think I may not be too excited about ANY treatment plan, regardless of the diagnosis. Getting rid of it, YES, super excited for that, but the actual process--not so much.

Hi there, welcome! I though I had welcomed you earlier - but I don't see my message! Just wishing you luck with the biopsy, and please do try to get into a good ccc if your biopsy does come back positive. (hoping very much it doesn't!) Try to relax until then. Hopefully your pain issue is sorted out! take care!

Now what?!

Got the results back today---it is "well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma."

Can I just say how pissed I am?!?!

I waited to get pissed until I knew for sure, but crap!! I am sooo dreading this whole deal.

What can I expect? I don't mean in the long term, even, I mean, typically, what happens next? I know the ENT office is going to make an appointment for me at some cancer center right here in town (should I maybe somewhere else?) but what will they do? Will they try to stage it? How does that work anyway???

This. Sucks.