Well, I saw the base oral surgeon today and was not exactly happy about the appt. He seemed to do a pretty thorough examination, but he said he could not see the area I was talking about (which in my defense, my dentist and one other doctor have seen it too). He said he could see that an area in my throat was red and irritated, but he said that was due to my past smoking. Told me to come back to him in two weeks for him to check it again then to see if it hasn't gotten better? Said none of my lymph nodes were swollen and that that was almost always a sure way to know if something was going on. I felt like screaming and crying both....I am NOT imagining this ulcerated area, it's just in such a darned difficult spot to see. So.....I'm still going to go to see the other oral surgeon that my dentist recommended. My dentist said he is who taught him, so since he (the dentist) did see the ulcer last visit, he can at least tell this oral surgeon exactly where it is. I was hoping to at least feel some relief, but I still feel very unsettled. I know this other oral surgeon will do a biopsy though as my dentist called him and told him about it and they've already informed me not to eat or drink after midnight the night before and to bring someone with me to drive me home. So, I guess it's six more days of waiting. Gary, you are right about the AA too, I need to get my butt back there. I had a seizure (that they never did find out what from) which is what landed me in detox in the first place (about a year and a half ago). I then went to four or six weeks of an intensive outpatient program. The real kicker here is that my husband is a computer networker for anheuser-busch! He brings home two (free) cases of beer a month, which was my drink of choice, I never drank hard liquor, but had to have my beer. I think the drinking was masking all my stomach and Lord knows what other problems I had as it wasn't until I did quit this last time that I started feeling like crap in general with heartburn and reflux. I don't mean to sound like I'm putting down military doctors either, but every one of them that i've seen for this ulcer, have told me to definately not use tobacco products again, but, that it would be okay to have a glass or two of wine a night....hellooooo......recovering alcoholic here!! I really don't think any of them look into my med records or listen to half of what I tell them. On the up side, my husband made it thru his MRI without freaking out with claustrophobia (will get results in a week), and my mom made it thru her surgery.....so for tonight I will be counting my many blessings and asking the Lord to bless and watch over all of you on this website. Take care all. Shelley