Thank you Gary. I really do appreciate your information. It makes the car ride to my doctor for my three month appointment more bearable and not so worrisome. In fact I appreciate all the words and kindness from everyone on here. Thank you so much. I hope that someday I can repay everyones kindness.

Well I went to the doctor and he said my mouth looked good but he had a CT scan done. He called this morning and asked me to come in again this Thursday because of the results. I am so freaking out right now. I was okay but I am so scared now. I am awaiting to hear from him as to what was on the scan.

Who wouldn't be scared after receiving a phone call like that!! I can tell you to 'try not to worry' but I know that isn't going to happen. I will however tell you to keep busy, the time will pass, and consider it good news that he didn't say something like "I need to see you immediately in my office".

Keep us posted. Thursday will come before you know it.

Donna

Thank you Donna. It is people like you that I really like coming to this site. It really helps me put things in more of perspective. I figure it is about the lymph nodes in my neck. The scan three months ago he said he found a couple of small and enlarged lymph nodes. I imagine that is what it is about. Thank you very much for the information.

Many doctors won't dicuss scan reports over the phone. Often they require further dialog between the reading radiologist and the ENT or H&N surgeon. The scan is only a small part of the total diagnostic package anyway. The gold standard is actually the physical exam with the ENT (aka direct visualization).

None of my early MRI's (the entire first year) were very good but eventually all of the suspicious areas dissapeared. So they're probably being overly cautious and this is typical early on.

Try not to freak out.

Thank you Gary. My doctor did eventually call and told me that my scan picked up an enlarged lymph node which he was also able to feel. Instead of playing the wait and see game he wanted to do a needle biopsy. I went in for the needle biopsy and he had a hard time finding the lymph node again and when he did find it he said it was noticeably smaller which he said was a good sign. I guess I will know for sure in a couple of days. Thank you for your advice and info.

Was/is there any pain associated with this node?

Were/are you on any antibiotics?

Yes there was some pain with it. When the doctor touched as well as myself, it was tender. It wasn't like really bad pain but i could feel it. I am not on any antibiotics right now.

Typically there is no pain associated with a cancerous node, just swelling. A painful node can however be indicative of an infection which an antibiotic could solve. Discuss this with your doctor.

Thank you David for all of your advice and information. The biopsy came back negative on the node. I am just awaiting for the final CT scan results. My oral surgeon did not see anything else but he wants to make sure. After that I get to start planning for the reconstruction surgery. Thank you and I haope you have a awesome new year.