Hello everyone,
My name is Dave and lets see where do I start. Last year around april I started getting a stiff neck on my left side and problems swallowing and ear pain. Went to my primary and she did a ct scan. Scan came back good, problems persisted and I was seen by an ent. He said it was acid reflux, and some tmj. Well I took meds for acid reflux and swallowing issures went away with the ear pain. Fast forward to Jan and I feel a small lump below my tooth almost on the floor of mouth. I thought well maybe its always been there, I keep an eye on it and the last couple weeks its gotten bigger and my face is numb and fullness in ear on same side. I have an appt with the same ent tomorrow. Im just trying to get some of this off my chest, What if this ent does not want to do a biopsy, do I go somewhere else or ask that he does it. Its been a tough few years. I lost my wife last march to pacnreatic cancer. Aperson so beautiful and didnt smoke or drink on rare occasion. I have been a dipper for thirty years. Drink ocassionally. I did quit the dip last year. Im just nervous that I might be going through this on my own. I seen what my wife went through and not sure if I can do this on my own. The lump cannot be seen but can be felt with my tounge. I went to the dentist yesteday and he thought it was bone but I asked him I dont think bones double in size in two weeks, he didnt have much to say after that and said if I want he will set up an appt with an oral surgeion. But I have the appt with the ent, tomorrow.
Thanks for listening
Dave

Hi Dave,

so sorry you have to deal with this after losing your wife. I hope that its just some sort of infection. However, i do recomend a biopsy. If ENT refuse then insist on one , even if its just for your own peace of mind. Crossing my fingers for a negative to cancer.

Minh

Dave, sorry you're going through this and indeed very sorry to hear about your wife. It just doesn't seem fair sometimes.

You're doing the right thing getting the lump checked out by an ENT. I second Minnie's advice to get it biopsied. Hard to imagine that the ENT wouldn't agree, although of course I'm not a doctor. But it seems to me that the biopsy is the only way to be sure, and it will at least give you peace of mind.

As far as going through it on your own. If you DO have to go through anything, you'll make it. I did a year of cancer treatments on my own. You find the resources. It's a plus if you have a good team, both medically and emotionally. You also have all of us here.

Keep us posted, and courage!
David2

Hey Dave.... Sorry you are faced with the possibility of this after losing your wife. It's not an easy road to travel, but if it is cancer everyone here is awesome as they have been through it all... Some several times. So you Won't be alone. With regards to the ENT... It would be rediculous not to biopsy it. If he refuses - which I highly doubtt, go somewhere else... Get it done... For your own peace of mind if nothing else. And it's a good thing you are on top of it. Don't let anyone tell you no. Advocate for yourself and educate yourself. Many prayers for you that you don't have this disease... Take care and good luck.

Thanks for the kind words and information. I am trying not to worry about it, but I am kind of a worry wart kind of person. It doenst help that I am on disability from the result of an accident back in 97 which I was paralized, I am walking now and do pretty good, just not working, so I have all this free time to sit and worry. The nice thing was I was at home and able to take care of my wife through her battle. I wonder lately if I do have it, do I even want to fight it. I so miss my wife and would love to be with her. Spiritually though I feel I would be letting God down by not fighting. I have always been a fighter, but now I just dont know. But who knows maybe I am freaking out for no reason, but I just have that feeling, somethings not right.

Thanks again

Dave

Welcome Dave. You are a fighter and you will be with your wife someday. Just not soon. You CAN and WILL get through this and the folks here (and myself) will help you. I am at the halfway mark of 7 weeks of radiation and started chemo today. I might have quit by now if not for the people here at OCF. Stick around and give yourself the best possible chance. It sounds like if this is cancer that you have gotten lucky and discovered it early before it bumps out in your lymph nodes. Stay connected here Dave. It's VERY importand and we CAN help you. God bless. Will Zinn

Hi Dave! I agree with the others and demand that a biopsy be done. If he won't then go get another opinion, seek answers to your questions until you are at peace with it.

So sorry to hear of your wife but wouldn't your wife want you to fight if it is cancer? You can do it and we are here for you!

God Bless!

4Real: You have already proven how strong you are by being your wife's caregiver. Pancreatic Cancer is a horrible disease, but you know that already. I am sure that your wife would want you to attack this with everything you've got and although she might not be with you physically, she will be the angel on your shoulder to see you thru this..... and your are being proactive so that's good. I am praying for you that this is not the big C...... could be many other things, you just need to find out to be sure. Either way you have found your way to best forum you could be in. These people are wonderful and have helped me a lot... I've only just begun the fight. I wish you the best... never give up.

Wow, this lump is crazy. Its gotten over double in just a week. Is that normal or typical of cancer tumors and the numbness is getting crazy also tounge is starting to hurt too. Oh yeah, this I didnt need.
I am thinking the worse right now. It must be agressive or late stages? But I guess Ive had some symtoms for over a year and never caught it. Now its rearing its ugly head.

Sorry, just feel alone and scared ##$@%

Dave

No one, as in NO ONE, can assist you until a bio is taken and read.

Get that done ASAP.