Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
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 cool 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.


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,406
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,406
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!


David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
Me Tooo... Hoping it's nothing


Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
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.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
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.

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,311
Senior Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Senior Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,311
Keep us posted


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
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.

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
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


CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
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.

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
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.


CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
Fantastic - so incredibly happy for you!

Last edited by Cheryld; 06-14-2012 05:37 AM.

Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,921
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5