Tomorrow morning I get to go to the oral surgeon to get my biopsy results. I have many different feelings about this.

First, I was thinking that maybe everything is fine. I mean, if it were bad, wouldn't they have called me and had me come in sooner? I know they have many patients, and probably the thought that they would call and have me come in sooner if it was bad is probably stupid. (come on, how many of you are really laughing at that thought?) But I guess one can hope, yes? I never did call and ask them to let me know when the results came back, as was suggested.

If everything is good, then I will say that while this whole thing has been a nightmare, it has also made me learn a lot about oral cancer, and it has given me knowledge about something people simply don't hear much about unless they are going through something like this, or have someone close to them that is going through it. And why is that? Everyone knows about breast cancer, and there are things everywhere reminding the world about it, and pushing women to take charge of their health and go get mammograms and do self exams and all of that. You can't go anywhere without seeing pink ribbons all over the place. But then there's oral cancer. How many people know about it? How many people are told over and over again how to check their mouths, or what things to watch for? Where are all of the educational materials? I really have been wondering about this.

Before I had the dentist discover those spots in my mouth, I never really thought about oral cancer. I sure as heck didn't know hardly anything about it, either. This site has helped me learn SO much. Enough so, that I was able to help educate at least a few people, a little anyway, about it while discussing this whole thing I've been going through. I found it interesting that my sister, who is a nurse didn't even know much about it. In fact, she knew very little! (and I didn't really try very hard at this point to help her learn, either. I haven't had the patience yet!) One of the things I found to be the most common thing, was everyone I talked to seem to believe that people who smoke are the ones who get oral cancer. Yes, I am a smoker, and I'm sure that is why those people were so quick to jump on me about that one. But that is not true. Oral cancer does NOT only happen to those who smoke! It can happen to anyone.

So I just wanted to say, if it turns out my biopsy comes back negative, and I'm good, that I'm not going to stop talking to people about it. I think it should be talked about more. There should be more information available to people to learn about it. You certainly have an advocate in me. Thank you for helping me learn, and for being there for me through this time.

And if it turns out to be bad, well, I know I have this place to come to, and others who have been there to talk to, and help guide me.

You have all been very supportive, and it's amazing how you can all be so generous and caring when you're going through such a horrible thing.

Anyway, I just wanted to get all that out.

My mouth feels better. I did go through a horrible week. Last Tuesday night my face began to swell, and I don't know if it was from a problem with a tooth, or what, but after my face swelled up, my face and teeth began hurting SO bad. I couldn't eat at all, or talk, or sleep, and I cried for 3 days. It's taken some time, but the swelling has gone down a lot, finally. I started an antibiotic Wednesday evening. I do have a crown the dentist wanted to remove and replace. He had said the seal wasn't good on it or something, so perhaps that is the problem. Regardless, I'm glad the pain is finally gone and I'm getting back to normal! (well, as normal as I can be, anyway)

I'll let you all know how things go tomorrow. I hope you all have a great night, and a wonderful week!


Pickle