So I got a call this morning stating that the biopsies that were taken were chronic inflammation. In my research I do know that chronic inflammation can develop into cancer. I am still in a considerable amount of pain. He wants to see me back in two weeks to check it again and make sure it has healed. What do I do if it hasn't healed? I still have a difficult time talking. Is this something i am going to have to live with? Am I at more risk because it is chronic inflammation? Just wondering. Should I ask for another PET scan?

Angelia, a PET would light up the inflammation. Congrats on the great results!!!! Im sorry but I have not heard of it being a proven fact that inflammation will turn into cancer. If you are having healing issues, then HBO would be the route to take. You have done those before successfully.

Im sorry that you are having problems. I have many of my own ongoing issues that I must overcome every day as do most of the other oral cancer survivors. There are very very few survivors who do not have any after effects or pain. I know it seems like it never ends and that you are very upset about this. Think about it this way....you are still here which is the most important thing there is!!!! While your quality of life isnt what you would like it to be, you still have a quality of life to discuss. We all would love to be symptom and pain free but sadly our bodies dont like to co-operate with our minds!

Best wishes with everything and congrats again Be well!!!!

Thank you Christine. Yes, I a, exstatic it wasn't cancer. No, O hate the pain, but it beats cancer and I can get pain relief. My ENT is going to see me again 2 weeks to make sure it is not progressing or getting down to bone exposure.

I'm so glad it was just a scare and as painful as it may be that's a good thing - I mean that it's not cancer. Did you ENT tell you what might be causing the inflammation?

I got back to the ENT on Wednesday. Looks like HBO is in the very near future. I am waiting for school to be out to even think about starting it.

Angelia, Maybe one day at a time is what you need. I wish there were a way to ease your mind about worrying so much. Worries can do strange things with a human mind and create problems that we sure don't need. Maybe you should just tough it up and enjoy each and everyday. Do as I do. When something bothers me to the extent of worry, I take it to a shelf, place it there for another day and head for the outside, the basment or the garage and put that lost energy to work.

No one will be able to PROMISE you that chronic inflamation will not become cancer - the same way that they can't PROMISE you that getting in your car today will not result in a bad accident. Take the good news - no cancer - and try very hard not to buy another day's problems with "what if's"..........

You have had so many things happen to you that mentally you are almost programmed to expect the next shoe to drop, and I have very similar tendencies. But this type of "stinking thinking" will just wear you out completely and I can PROMISE you that anticipating bad things not in evidence will buy you a very unhappy existence. You deserve much better than that, and you know it woman!!

Hugs, and pass it on!

Donna

Amen Donna. Well said.

Wise words from Donna.