Welcome to OCF, Collette! I understand how scary this process can be. You have found a wonderful resource in OCF. We will help you understand all the medical jargon and offer support too.

I have had biopsies done 3 ways. The first time I was asleep, 2nd time it was a local, and the last one was a teeny-tiny little snip while I was awake. It hurt but really was no big deal at all. Your doc will be taking a very small piece from your 'canker sore'. For future knowledge, any sore inside your mouth that does not heal within 2 weeks should be checked by a professional. That could be your dentist, an oral surgeon, or an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist). It will probably take a week before the results come back. Most times the doc will not give you the results over the phone, you will have to go in for another appointment.

Please do yourself a huge favor and relax! Try to keep yourself busy to keep your mind off this issue. Worrying will never change the test results. It will just make you paralyzed with fear where you cant think logically. Ive learned over the years to avoid letting my mind go to the 'what ifs'. Stay busy by doing thing you may have put off like cleaning out closets, working in your yard or garden, organizing your clothes and getting rid of what you dont need, keeping in touch with old friends, or even starting a new hobby like scrapbooking, painting, doing puzzles. Everyone who is a survivor has been exactly where you are at one time so we all know exactly how you feel. If you do have cancer then you are in the right place!

The pain meds are for your pain. If you begin taking them for other reasons then you know you have a problem. If you are concerned about addiction, talk with your doc on Friday. Ask for something else that would be less of a chance of you becoming dependent. Ive always heard that people who have pain and take meds for it will not become hooked. Its not a sign of weakness to use pain meds.

Please come back and let us know how yo made out. Hoping you do not need to use our forum, but we are here if you do. Good luck!!!!