I posted for the first time yesterday. I'm still trying to find out how to manuever through this site and use it correctly.

I mentioned yesterday that I have had canker like sore on my soft palate for almost 7 weeks. I had it biopsied 4 days ago. I know I've asked many questions to Brian on the phone, so if you are listening Brian, I may be repeating myself. But i am wondering about a few things.

1. It seems like the border around my lesion has hardened since the biopsy. The surgeon took about half of the 1 centimeter lesion. Does this mean anything?

2. The area around he lesion,has been red from the beginning. This includes the uvula (misspelled). Is this just inflamation or could it be a part of cancer, if it is cancer?

3. It seems after reading many posts, that many people have had to wait and wait to determine things like staging, determining treatment options, etc. How dangerous is it to NOT keep the process moving as fast as possible? In my case, I have had this lesion 7 weeks. By the time my result comes back,it will be over 8 weeks. Then add the time to have my primary look at the pathology report. Then figure out a treatment plan. Then find a timely way to get all this decided and begin treatment.

By the time I have surgery, or radiation and or chemo, a lotta lotta time passes. If I am a stage 1, for example, or any stage for that matter, doesn't this time thing put one's recovery at risk? Each day I look in my mouth and see this nasty sore. I'm thinking that if this is cancer, I want it out of my mouth asap. Yet everything I just mentioned above will probably delay the whole process. Is this dangerous?

I realize I am putting the cart before the horse, but I think these are legitimate questions. Or not?

p.s. Has anyone had a lesion for over 2 months and NOT have it be cancer?

Michael