[quote=bubba4289]I'm spending 2-3 hours a day just looking up oc. I need help. Any suggestions on where I should go from here? I was thinking of trying to find another dentist for a 2nd opinion but I'm not sure... [/quote]

Hi Bubba,

As a survivor, I know what it's like to be worried you have cancer. In your situation, based on what I read, I wouldn't be as worried. Cancer symptoms don't come and go. For instance, my cancer started with swollen glands that never went away (until they were cut out in a neck dissection). I didn't have any pain, just those persistent swollen glands that kept growing and growing. Once cancer gets a hold of you, it doesn't stop until treatment makes it stop. If anything, symptoms would be persistent and worsen.

Your dentist didn't find anything so that's a HUGE positive. If you're still concerned, a visit to an ENT that deals with H&N cancers would be next.

However, the first thing I would do based on the end of your post is stay away from Dr. Google! Perhaps a visit with a counselor to talk about the health anxiety you're experiencing would be beneficial.

One more thing....QUIT TOBACCO!!! I was a smoker and drinker for 35 years prior to cancer AND my cancer was HPV+... talk about a double whammy!

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"


57
Cardiac bypass 11/07
Cardiac stents 10/2012
Dx'd 11/30/2012 Tx N2b MO Stage IV HPV+
Palatine Tonsillectomy/Biopsies 12-21-12
Selective Neck Dissection/Lingual Tonsillectomy/biopsies TORS 2/7/13
Emergency Surgery/Bleeding 2/18/13
3/13/2013 30rads/6chemo
Finished Tx 4/24/13
NED Since