Hi all,my name is Laura Toms. Im 39,mother of 4 beautiful children, 3 boys and 1 girl. I had to take a break from the list for awhile to keep cancer off of my mind. Don't get me wrong, it's always lurking, I just couldn't have it weigh on me like it was. My 8 year old daughter has cystic fibrosis,so my plate was full before the cancer diagnosis. I joined the list in 2006 after my diagnosis of Mucoepidermal carcinoma of small salivary gland. After my surgery and other tests it was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma of small salivary gland, stage 2, clear margins and no lymph involvement. The tumor was upgraded to stage 2 because there was some nerve involvement within the tumor. Because of that I went with 6 weeks radiation tx, my doctors were split 50/50 as to whether or not to do radiation. I went with it and finished radiation tx Feb 2007. I had a lot of problems after radiation, including exposure of my jaw bone. It ended up healing on it's own which was wonderful. Doctors thought I was going to have surgery and daily hyperbaric chamber treatments for atleast 3 months.

Anyhow,I think I posted last around Oct 2007 when I had a bump/lesion appear seemingly overnight on the roof of my mouth/soft palate. This happened after I had seen my ent and he had scoped my nose/throat. I had a huge taste of the numbing medicine (lidocaine?). Nothing was noticed at this appointment and prior to seeing the ent, I had seen a dentist two days before. I also inspect my mouth daily.

Anyhow, when this lesion appeared, it was sore like a canker sore. It stung when I ate or drank certain foods, and was pretty swollen. I freaked out and messed with it which may have made things worse for awhile. Also wondering if it just scared this way from me picking at it? I went immediately back into my ent and he scheduled surgery for a biopsy. A few days before the biopsy was to be done, the swelling went down and was no longer sore. So, I went back into him again and he agreed that it was not as prominent so he felt we could just watch it.

I seen him last in Feb when he thought maybe it would be a good idea just to biopsy it anyhow since I have a history of cancer. It hasn't changed at all. Hasn't grown, hasn't shrunk anymore. No longer hurts and for the most part I no longer worry about. He said he could try to biopsy in the office with a local and cauterize if necessary. I have limited jaw mobility from surgery and rad Tx so may be difficult. I asked him if he could needle biopsy it and he said it's too small for that....it's around 10mm /size of the end of a pencil eraser maybe?

I was supposed to have biopsy done in March and they called and cancelled that appointment with me and rescheduled for this month. Again, they called and cancelled the appointment. I was a little more than irritated told them they have cancelled 3'xs on me so they rescheduled for the 28th.

I have some fears about doing this biopsy. One,afraid that it won't heal because of the radiation tx and Ill end up having bone exposure AGAIN. Two,worried about pain...I went through so much pain, I don't want it back. And I don't want to hear I have cancer again.....Im sure you can all relate. Another issue I have is this is not my original surgeon and head and neck specialist. My husband is in the coast guard and we transferred last summer. So, the doctor I trusted with my life is no longer seeing me. I don't have a lot of trust in this new doctor, and just don't feel that comfortable seeing him. I know I can see someone else, but would have to drop out of miltary care, get a new primary doctor, to get a referral to see a civilian care provider. In a lot of aspects,I feel it might be best to go this route. But, think it would be best to wait till I biopsy the lesion to make a decision. I still wonder what my other doctor would say about this lesion and if he would do a needle biopsy over cutting radiated tissue....

Im sure some of you here have had biopsies after treatment. How was this done? Am I just being a chicken? Please give me some feedback if you have.

thanks,
Laura Toms