John, welcome to the site. Sorry you needed to find us but hopefully we can help. Did you get a result from your first biopsy? I'm sure that you are concerned and stressed about a new biopsy, but if the August test showed no cancer, then a new biopsy may do the same. Worrying about it after a non-cancer first biopsy may not make sense. After all, if the first test came back negative, there is a very good chance the second will be the same. And remember, its not cancer til the pathologist says it is. Will pray for the results to be no cancer and good news for you.

Hi John,

Welcome to the site. Glad you found us. In the future, you should start a new topic unless you are replying to someone else. Your topic may get lost when piggybacked on some one else's string. Don't stress. Just get the results as quickly as possible. Hears hoping for a clean slate.

Take care,
Eileen

John,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Remember, it isn't cancer until they say it is.
Mary Lee

JohnNat
Hello and welcome new cancer friend (I like that phrase!)

Many of us are glad and relieved to hear from a six year survivor! But possible recurrance sucks. And complications aren't too much fun either. And waiting for test results.... and waiting to see if it's cancer...... Argggh! We've all been there, done that.

That's why this site is GREAT and I am sure that you'll enjoy this tremendous resource that wasn't here when you were going through things in 1998.

I was dx'd 13 months ago w/ scc on the tongue. Hemiglossectomy, left side rad dissection, mandible split for surgery and IMRT radiation.

I just started 30 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatments last week. Trying to heal chronic infection of tissue around the mandible split. I didn't know much about HBO treatments until recently. Some of the mandible damage may be radiation related, also poor healing from the surgery.

I had recurrent leukoplakia (white, red, & extra growth patches on my tongue) prior to scc dx. What terms are they using with the "ulceration" that you've been experiencing?

michelle

hey jj - welcome back

i've noticed too that I go back and forth between what I call "being a patient" and trying to get back to normal (the "new" normal now).

Like you, the good news at the moment is that I am not dealing with the actual cancer, but the ongoing complications, after effects. It sure is a relief that it is not cancer but the ongoing stuff gets annoying.

My sister had Graves disease and ending up doing the iodine pill treatment and now her thyroid's balanced, she still takes the daily thyroid medication and will need to everyday (or until they find a different treatment). But she does not have ongoing problems anymore. I think she was relieved in a sense to find out about the Graves disease since it explained a lot of the symptoms - we all thought it was stress & overwork. So, I'm glad to report that she is doing well, I hope you'll have good luck too in resolving that.
michelle