Hi, My name is Ellen. Please read my story, and bear with me as I am not a good writer. I have not been diagnosed with oral cancer, but I do have multiple sclerosis. I need some guidance. I am concerned that I may have throat cancer. My immune system is just about destroyed. I have had over 15, 000 mgs of IV steroids in 2011, and have been on oral prednisone for the past 2 years since that time- all this for an MS relapse that almost killed me. I have 3 kids- ages 12, 11, and 8- I have homeschooled them their entire lives. Lots of pressure for an already sick person. I am 40 years old. My only sister died in 2010 and I haven't been okay since then. I think that stress caused the MS relapse. Anyway, I was a former smoker. Before I had my precious children I smoked for about 7 or 8 years. I quit when I had the kids. I stayed off the cigs for 8 years- until my sister died. The stress and sorrow hurt me so deeply and I picked up the damn cigs again. But I did not smoke a whole lot. Maybe 5 per day- if that. I quit many times and then started again in these past 3 years. ---I also have hypothyroidism and a goiter (that cannot be seen my the naked eye) in the right side of my neck. They check it every 6 months. A year or more ago I began having some hoarseness and my voice could not go high if I wanted to sing. I went to an ENT and he put a tube down my nose and made me vocalize. He told me I had vocal nodules and needed speech therapy. I never did that because I do not have the time. But the hoarseness never left so I went to a different ENT. He also stuck that tube down my nose and made me say "ahhhh" and he said my throat was okay. At least I think he did. He was very very rude to me and really did not act nice. I assumed all was well cause 2 doctors looked down my throat and they were not concerned. But 3 weeks ago my throat began to get very sore. It burns like fire. It is worse on the right side. and My ear is feeling full and kind of pulled on- just slightly. The ear actually makes a squeaky noise when I turn my head. I have stopped smoking- 4 days ago- and am relieved to be done with that. I will never pick those up again. That was so dumb when I am already a sick person. So with all of the steroids I have had my immune system is way down. I catch everything. I am very concerned that I may have developed cancer in my throat from the combined effects of the steroids and the stress and the smoking. I cannot afford to be sicker. I have 3 kids who still really need me. There is no one else who can take care of them like I do. My husband is not involved with us. I have read many of your storied here and have been so touched by them. I would be honored if any of you could give some guidance or wisdom here because I am lost right now. I am a God- fearing woman, but am just so afraid that I have hurt myself. Do you guys know if cancer of the throat burns? It burns even worse when I eat spicy food. And have any of you had a squeak in your ear? I was thinking it was just fluid in my ear and fluid hurting my throat, but am not so sure. I would appreciate any advice or suggestions or opinions or experience with any of this. I know I must call the doctor and I plan to do that. But I wanted to reach out to you guys. Thank you for your time, Blessings, Ellen