Wish I wasn't making this post, but here it is. My Mom, after having a portion of her tongue removed and all lymph nodes on that side one year ago, is awaiting the results of yet another biopsy of her tongue. She has suffered many bouts of aspiration pneumonia in the past year due to a swallowing problem as a result of her surgery and was just recently referred to a speech therapist who inadvertently found the spots under her tongue. We saw her oncologist last Wednesday and he did a biopsy. Today is Tuesday and I called his office and they were to call me back and never did. I would think that a week is enough time to get the results! We are on pins and needles about this. This is supposed to one of the finest hospitals in Philadelphia and I can't believe it takes this long to get results. Sorry if I sound like I'm whining, but I am irritated with this doctor anyhow. He never recommended speech therapy to my Mom after her surgery, and if he had, they would have found the swallowing problem and maybe saved her from the recurring pneumonia. She is going to be 86 in Sept. and has already decided that should the biopsy results be positive for cancer again, she is doing nothing. No further surgery, radiation, no treatment whatsoever. This past year has been so hard on her and I don't think she could withstand any further treatment. Knowing the results, whether positive or negative, will be better than sitting her chewing our nails. If negative we can give a sigh of relief and if positive then we will know what we are facing and make the best of the time left. Quality of life to both of us is much more important than quantity. I'm angry tonight and needed a sounding board. Need prayers too.
Thanks,
Margie