So, I got scoped poked and prodded on Feb 18th and got the all clear. I had a bit of a heart scare as "scanxiety" reared it's ugly head and sent me to the ER with chest pain. After a full cardiac workup, I've been given that all clear there as well.

Overall, I've been doing Ok at almost a year out of treatment. While I have quite a few of the usual side effects, I'm managing well overall.

Today, I noticed a hard painless swollen node under my right ear just at the jawline. It's visible just looking in the mirror. I'd estimate it to be at least a centimeter or more right now. Obviously I'm kinda freaking as this is how it all started in August of 2012. I don't poke and prod myself at all so I didn't notice it before and it's only been a month since my last check up. Could the beast have come back that fast and strong?

I sent a note off to my team and I have an appointment with my dentist and GP next week. I don't know what I'm even asking but damn.... with the stats and me being a year out?....

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

T, I so understand your panic! Cancer is real for us, not an abstraction. I know it's easy to say and hard to do, but take a deep breath and gIve all the possiblities equal play. It could be a swollen node from a cold or sinus infection or plain old scar tissue, to name just two.

Justifying optimism: You were checked out just a month ago. You've been examined regularly. Your treatment was comprehensive -- surgery, chemo, rads -- you fired all the bullets and then threw the gun at it. You were treated at a top facility. And your HPV+ variety of tonsil cancer has proven highly responsive to exactly the regimen you followed.

Of course you need to have this bump checked out, but the odds are very much in your favor. My thoughts are with you, praying for good news --

Lynn

Well that's a bugger. I would be phoning your team to be seen ASAP.
That's the only way to find out what's going on and to relieve your anxiety.
Take a deep breath. Reread what Lynn has written
Thinking of you,
Tammy

Mr T,

Sorry for new concerns cropping up. There are too many "what-ifs" to really play them all out. Keep busy and let the doctors do the analytical work. Enjoy every day as much as you can. As far as you know, it has not come back until they can prove it.

I'm going to second Tammy's response - call your team NOW.

It could be an infection or a cold or something innocuous. But do not wait, you need to have peace of mind asap, simple as that. Call, tell them you're freaking out, and need to see the dr. ASAP. I'm not a fan of FNAs but they may do one and if they do then you will have to wait for the results. If that is the case then you'll be waiting even longer to find out what's up, if you wait to see your gp etc... call now. hugs. Hoping it's nothing.

I have an appointment with my ENT/Surgeon Monday at Johns Hopkins.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers

"T"

I will absolutely. I'm hoping it's nothing but best to find out asap... hugs.

Good Luck FishManPa!

You did the right thing by consulting your team, and anything, like cancer, is possible even in a short time, but it can be many other things also. Good luck with everything.

It seems that this situation may be indicative of something systemic in nature. The gland on my neck was joined by others under my arm and groin and I've had a maddening persistent itching over my entire body since this started. There are bruises and blotchy red rashes where I've been scratching (I've been awakened every night since this started because of itching and scratching in my sleep). I awoke today an it seems the swelling is beginning to abate a bit. The itching is barely tolerable even with anti-itch cream and Benedryl but it does help a little.

I see my ENT Monday and we'll see what's going on.

Positive thoughts