Rhart � I�m so glad you found this site. Already you have some wonderful advice above. And it�s good that you are getting things checked out even though it could very well turn out to just be nothing. Only a biopsy can tell for sure if it is cancer. Since your ENT appointment is scheduled for February 6, you don�t have that far to go until you can find out something but when you are waiting for this kind of news, it can seem like an eternity! When my son was waiting for his ENT appointment which was two weeks away, I was a basket case of worry and anxiety! I could barely speak on the phone and tears were always at the surface about to spill over. What I did (because I knew I wouldn�t be able to get anyone to understand me on the phone) was get someone else to call for me. It was a Friday, and the ENT�s office moved the appointment up to the following Monday! I found out later they routinely moved appointments around to accommodate patients and relieve some of their anxiety. Sometimes there are cancellations and they can get you in earlier especially if you can convey to them how much anxiety it is causing you to have to wait. Until you do get in to see the ENT, try to keep busy with something else, outside activities, exercise even if it�s just toe touches so that you can get oxygen to your brain, getting together with friends, volunteering someplace and when the �what ifs� attack, give yourself a time limit like 3 minutes and then force your thoughts to something more positive. If it�s late at night, take 10 slow deep breaths and think only of the breath going in and coming out. If you notice your mind wandering back to negative stuff before you get done with the 10 breaths, start over and add a mantra that means something to you like: Inhale while thinking �Relaxing�, Exhale: �Makes me Sleepy�; Inhale: Two Relaxing, Exhale: Makes me Sleepy etc. Or you could try: Inhale: Money in Large Amounts, Exhale: Flows Freely into My Life, etc.
Whatever happens with the ENT appointment, just know that you can always come back here for the best help and information you could ever find anywhere. You�ve done great so far with getting things checked out early. My son�s cancer was caught fairly early and five years later he is doing just great and better than ever! So let us know what happens with you.