That's interesting, Cheryl. That's what one of my false alarms was all about. A canula or something which was used when the reconstructive surgeon joined the blood vessels from my graft to my neck. One surgeon (who didn't do the surgery) was very suspicious of it and send me to have FNA under ultrasound but they couldn't even find the node. Then I happened to see the original surgeon who explained what it was all about. It was a definite lump once the doctor put my finger on it but even I couldn't find it again easily.

My gut feeling was that it was nothing and I was proved right. Didn't stop me worrying though not just because of my own life but because of all the responsibilities I had at that time. Not knowing if you are going to have to drop everything and have treatment is disturbing enough without being faced with your mortality yet again.

Best wishes


1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.