So I finally quit smoking on Feb 1 (yes, THREE days ago) and it just so happens that my annual physical was booked for today. He finds an "unusual hard mass" inside my cheek and is sending me to a ENT guy. The end.

I just don't feel good about this. Yeah, yeah, could be a number of things or nothings but for some reason this is bugging me big time. So I get in there with the light and sure enough there's this blackish/purplish/reddish thing there. I've spent tonight looking at every gross picture online and haven't seen anything too similar to this, which may very well be a good sign. I don't know.

Anyway, I have no idea when my appointment will be. Maybe it's the not smoking that's making me all freaky. Ugh. Thanks for reading this.

Nobody is going to know anything for sure until the ENT has seen it and probably biopsied it, so the best way to relieve your anxiety is likely to push hard for the ENT appointment by telling all concerned how anxious you are.

As a long-ago former smoker, I know it's tough to quit, but hang in there -- My daughter was able to do it successfully with the Nicoderm Patch system.

Pete

Here, "it ain't cancer till you look at it on a cellular level". Try not to panic.

Hello Sweet Melinda,

Gave yourself a pat on the back for quitting the smokes. It is a powerful addication and you may be a bit testy for awhile. Once you are off you won't smell like an ashtray, no burns in your clothes, no money spent on them, So many positives, hang in there, You can do it.

How far out is your ENT appointment? If it's way out try and move it up. No one wants to wait a month to find out what you have. There will be alot of members here who will be pulling for you. It could be many other things besides cancer. Right now you don't have cancer, When the pathlogy report says you do than it's time to put your treatment plan in order. Many members of this forum have survived SSC and if it is I see no reason you can't be one of them.

Please post after your appointment and let us know.

Best of luck with the ENT!!!!

Danny Boy

The first thing you will learn from everyone here is that in all things medical you HAVE to be our own advocate. If you can't be seen in short order, ie. early next week, find another ENT. You can self refer yourself to anyone in the phone book, you can call another doctor for his opinon on who is the best guy. You shouldn't have to wait to fit into someone's schedule...there are lots of doctors out there. Secondarily if you can't get in immediately to see an ENT, consider an oral surgeon as a second option, and if you are near a dental school or major cancer center they all have a dental medicine specialist on staff. This is way more than a regular dentist, and this type of diagnosis is part of their specialty. None are in private practive but you wil find them at the kinds of places I mentioned. This is your health, your life that is at stake here, not the doctor's schedule. Being your own advocate to get what you need when you need it is up to you.....

What Brian has said is something we all wish we knew when dx. Thanks to this forum more people are becoming aware. Take charge and learn as much as you can about your diaease.
When you see the doctors write down your questons ahead of time. We never remember them all at the appointments. Also if possible bring along your spouse or a friend. Theres alot to absorb during these short appointments.

Ask any question and someone with similier treatment will respond. We are not doctors but we are here to inform you as to your best options based on similier treatment. Remember everyone is different, some get sick from the treatment, some don't. What works for one may not work for another.
The one thing in common is having SSC. Theres a very strong bond between the members of this forum. Both Gary and Brian are two of the most knowledgeable people on oral cancer you can receive advice from. Remember cancer is NOT a death sentence.

Best Wishes, Danny Boy

Thanks so much for your helpful, reassuring replies. I was all set to harass the doctor for my referral but he called first thing Monday morning and has me booked with the ENT guy next Wed (the 15th). Of course I wouldn't be happy to wait 3 months but getting an appt in a week has me stressed a bit too. However, from everything I've read I sort of feel I'm not totally doomed. I'm 34, and it seems this is an older's person's disease. I'll keep you posted.

I've found the thing the doctor was talking about. I think it's at my tonsil on my right side (like you Daniel). It doesn't look like any of the million and 6 pictures I've looked at online so that might be a good thing. My flashlight is running out of batteries. Ugh.

And before you young folks chime in and tell me how young you were at diagnosis, just let me live in my happy bubble of denial a little longer. Thanks

Day 7 of not smoking comes to a successful end.

Oh, one question... I quit before for a couple of years and was hooked on Nicorette which was always 'parked' on the right side. There's no connection, is there?

Sweet Melinda,
I was 32 when first diagnosed, but I believe you're right about the general age median being older. I'm told I'm an unusual case due to my youth, no risk factors, and also because mine is not the typical cancer.

Again, don't assume you have cancer and live in dread and fear. For one thing, even if it turned out to be cancer, the panic would not do any good. For another, if it's not cancer, you've wasted a lot of emotional energy. Admittedly the waiting can be the hardest part! But you've proven yourself wise and proactive just by having found this website and researching possibilities before you even know what the dx is. That attitude and effort bodes well for your healing, whatever the dx may be.

Bravo! on the no-smoking triumph. Celebrate each day you win the battle and remember that we are cheering you on and supporting your great success.

Ruth

Put the money you are saving daily by not smoking in a jar and go someplace special. What is the price of a pack in Canada these days? I can remember meeting a woman from Canada on a cruise 12 years ago who had quit because the price was $5.00. Must be a lot more than that by now.

The first 7 days were the worse and then it got easier.

Take care,
Eileen

sweet melinda, nice job reaching seven days, I am about four months of not smoking, it was easy even after 35 years of 2 packs a day, alls they had to do was say my name with the word cancer next to it and then there was no looking back and let me tell you I did enjoy smoking. The ironic part was I started wearing the patch and making my first ever honest attempt at quicking and was only two weeks into my effort before I was diagnosed with cancer in my right tonsil that had spread to a lymph node, so now I have had 33 radiation treatments, 3 chemo and a radical neck dissection and on the mend, getting my peg tube out tommorrow, still some problems with taste, saliva and swallowing but pushing ahead daily and rarely thing about having a smoke. By the way I was 48 at diagnosis, not that old and plan on being here much longer. Keep your fingers crossed and in any event you have gotten over the hump with the smokes evryday is one day further away from them. keep pushing my dear.
always lenny