Hello
When they did the surgery on me in Dec., he did remove a pretty good size chunk (one inch by one half inch deep) larger actually than I had thought, for analysis. I guess the plan was that it (hopefully) would have just healed normally. Of course it hasn't turned out that way. One thing I want to ask the doctor next week is whether or not the lump / growth (whatever it is) is on part of the area where he cut in Dec. or if it is just next to that. That may sound kind of stupid on my part, but this is really far back on the right side of my tongue so it is hard to tell.

After I scheduled the last surgery, My Mother (who lives pretty far away from me) had asked me why he couldn't just do a biopsy in his office?!! -Makes sense, actually. Well he gave me an explanation- of a course I couldn't remember his exact words when telling it to her. The general idea was that he wanted to be thorough, which makes sense too, especially when you consider how many years I was in pain with the Leukoplakia, and didn't get a biopsy. The ENT said that he could biopsy one spot and it could be benign / normal, but then there could be another spot a half an inch away that could be cancerous. I think that's why hetook the size sample out that he did...... Although I am now wondering if it was big enough?

When I saw the ENT on 1-7, one of the things he told me about the lump / growth in question was that it had an "irregular shape". I asked him outright what he thought the chances were that it was cancerous, and he said thirty percent. I just can't imagine what else it could be, mainly because of the fact that three weeks ago it wasn't even there.

It does only hurt when I touch it and / press on it -mostly it just feels weird. Maybe it is superficial, as you had mentioned. Correct me if I am wrong (my brain isn't working this morning) -but by superficial, you meant that it would be mainly on the surface (in other words, it doesn't go very deep?) Hopefully that's the case.

I probably should change my diet. I have quit drinking wine, which I will miss. Maybe I will have to stop drinking coffee as well. There are some acidic foods, like oranges, for ex., that I have not been able to eat for years. I love fresh tomatoes when I can get good ones - don't know if I could give those up.

I appreciate all the information, the support and the hugs! Hugs to you too!