In a word, I'm scared. I noticed patches of swelling on my gums beginning in about January of this year. Since my dentist had warned me about my overzealous brushing, I thought I'd done it again, but made an appointment for a check-up/cleaning. Naturally, had to wait 6 weeks for a convenient appointment -- sores were still there. My dentist told me to come back after 6 weeks to check progress -- sores still there. he referred me to an oral surgeon and recommended that I "go ASAP." Oral surgeon took a biopsy from my back upper gum and one from my tongue last Friday. So, now I'm very impatiently playing the waiting game and pretending I understand all of what could be wrong with me. The gland (I think) on my right side, right under my jaw bone, swells to almost the size of a golf ball (you can literally see it from several feet away) every time I eat now where used to be that I only noticed it with certain foods and my GP assumed it was an allergic reaction. I'm only 31 but I do smoke cigarettes, definitely drank too much in college and still enjoy an occasional couple glasses of wine. I'm not a hypochondriac (although I guess hypochondriacs wouldn't admit it, would they?)

Sorry for the long post -- I think I just needed to vent honestly. Also, I should be getting the results of the biopsies on Friday or Monday. If it is Oral Cancer, what questions do I need to ask?