Hello all forum members! I am new to the forum boards and am grateful to find so many here posting and being of assistance to others...I am awaiting clearance from HMo to go to Comprehensive Center for diagnosis (biopsy and staging of neoplasm in oropharyngeal mass) this has been a nightmare from the day I accidentally found out, by picking up all radiology and vascular exams for a vas. surgeon to review for vascular occlusions. I had a CT done due to alymph node, or so I thought causing numbness and moderate pain in my neck . Jez, the ENT never called me to advise me of this over 2 cm. neoplasm mass, which is apparently obstructing my air intake! Anyway I began my journey to move forward and have for a week now been struggling along with my primary physician and their office with my HMO to allow me to exercise my choice in treatment centers close to my home, for biopsy and additional treatments as needed! Advocating for myself has been draining my energy. I have no one here to do this for me as all family is deceased, my children ages, 19, 15 and 12, all wonderful sons, one of which has special needs himself, multipialy impaired; these boys are all I have for family, and I have to maintain energy and positive spirit for them as well as myself. Sorry this post is so long, but whew what a week!