Well, I just got back from the oral surgeon and I have my biopsy results. The most important part of the report for me, which I made them give me a copy of, was the part that said "THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF MALIGNANCY".

When the doctor told me the news, he said I didn't look very excited about it. The truth is I'm unbelievably relieved, but still have no explanation for my other symptoms. I was expecting to hear the worst, though, so having not heard bad things is fantastic.

The biopsy site is healing nicely and looks much better than it did before. However, I still have redness and swelling behind my ears, random lumps around my mouth and face, and an area of thickening on my left cheek. I'm not one to dwell on things, and typically assume the best rather than the worst when it comes to my health because I have never much cared for doctor visits. However, we all know when something isn't right, and it is clear that something is up. I will celebrate for now definitely, but I will have to find a doctor who can help me find out what IS going on.

For anyone who is interested or has any input, here are the details of the report:

The biopsy was taken from the right buccal mucosa

They received a gray-tan nodule of soft tissue measuring 6x6x4mm. The specimen is trisected and entirely submitted.

Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections reveal three similar mucosal segments showing:

-a raised vaguely nodular mass of fibrocollagenous connective tissue containing a mild chronic inflammatory infiltrate (primarily lymphocytes and a few plasma cells and mast cells)

-exposed surfaces covered by stratified squamous epithelium with mild hyperparakeratosis and basilar hyperplasia

-unremarkable skeletal muscle bundles and mucous glands at the surgical base

Histopathologic Diagnosis: Fibroma (irritation fibrosis, focal fibrous hyperplasia)

I don't expect any of you to spend time trying to interpret that for me, I am just sharing what was said and if anyone has heard of any of this I wouldn't mind commentary.

Again, I really appreciate all of your support and will continue to keep you updated as I continue trying to determine what is happening. If nothing else, maybe it will be helpful to someone else who has concerns about similar issues.

Thanks again, and I really do wish you all the best in your journeys. I've read so much about all of you and I feel like I know you now, even though I couldn't possibly know what you're going through. Your experiences as well as my own are a constant reminder that every day is indeed a blessing and we should all treat it as such, no matter our condition.