Hi Amanda,

You never have to feel embarassed, especially here. It's always better to err on the side of caution and get checked out. Since my Aunt has had BOT SCC, I've been to the ENT myself after finding some red spots on the far far back of my tongue after I had the flu. I have a great ENT who is also a head and neck surgeon, so I made an appointment and saw him as soon as I could. The first thing he asked me was "you can see that far down your tongue?" Then I explained to him about my Aunt and that we examine our mouths now. He went the whole route, examined my mouth and throat, shoved a scope up my nose and down my throat and declared those red spots large taste buds. I was very very happy when he said "you're perfectly normal. Pretty, pink and normal." I did a similiar thing when I recovered from a bout of classic chest flu and I found a pliable jelly bean in my neck. Three doctors checked me out and my Endocrinologist (who knows what my neck feels like because I have thyroid disease) told me I had an inflammatory node and it would be gone or at least smaller in six months. Yup, much smaller in six months. It's always better to be cautious, but while you're being cautious, try not to make yourself sick with worry. I've done that to myself, and it doesn't help you get through it any better or any faster.