I'm not sure that it's not cancer, I'm just trying not to panic. I do have a very strong family history of cancer. I did demand a referral which got me an ENT that blew me off. I had to ask him to do a physical oral exam instead of just a visual inspection! I just got my general practitioner changed & I requested from her yesterday that I have a needle biopsy & ultrasound. I'm not sure where I will need to go to get that, but I'll go for sure. I keep hitting a road block because the CAT & MRI were "normal".

There is a visiting surgeon that will be here next Tuesday & I did get it arranged to see him. My doc wants him to scope my throat - basically because she wasn't sure what else to do. I'm not sure that will show anything, but he is at least another doctor that I can try - perhaps he has dealt with these things before. Not one doctor can know everything. I think I'll see what he has to say & will let him scope me if he wants. It can't hurt.

I just talked to my husband & based on reactions here & our frustration - I will go to a major medical center & pay my own office visit to see a specialist (I can travel about 5.5 hours to get to Mayo). At least at Mayo I think I'd have all bases covered, no matter what it might be. If that doc thinks something else needs to be done - I'll fight with the insurance company to pay, even without the referral.

Thanks for helping me.