Hi, It has been 3 years since Dan's surgery for Tonsil cancer. Just saw his Dr a month ago, all is well.....He went motocross riding over the weekend and fell, he is fine, but that night he noticed his inside cheek hurt. White canker sore looking thing.....He has little feeling there due to surgery and he thinks maybe he bit his cheek during the fall.
Well today he is out of town on business for over a week and he said he looks like a chipmunk.
Think this is anything to worry about? If it were something would it cause his cheek to swell up?
I of course start to worry sick...I know it has only been 2 days since he got it, but I immediately go to "It is a recurrence"....Actually he had Tonsil Pillar Cancer,(never did ask how that was different from just plain ole tonsil cancer) never saw it....Two doctors looked in his mouth and didn't see a thing from looking at the tonsil.First went to Dr due to large lymph node under his jaw. He has radical dissection, including breaking his jaw to get tonsil out all in one piece. He has no feeling on side of tongue, lip, neck. Had Max radiation and Chemo.... I worry more than usual due to his Rad Dr saying to Dan, when he asked if he could get more Radation if this came back...The Dr said not IF but WHEN....He no longer sees that doctor. If sore is still there next week Dan will be seeing his doctor of course.
I guess I just needed to vent....Getting harder and harder not to worry, I usually feel great right after his Dr appt. He had a scan in April and it was clear.
I will stop worrying and go clean my house.

Thanks for listening.

Sherrie,

We're always here to listen.

As for your husband, there's nothing to worry about until there's something to worry about. I'm a finance girl, not a doctor, but it could be an infection if he bit his cheek in the fall. or maybe a puss packet? A piece of food that got into the cut and made it swell?

At any rate, it certainly doesn't hurt to have it checked out. One - it'll put your cancer worries to rest and two - there may be something honestly wrong (like an infection) that needs antibiotics, drainage, or similar treatment. There's nothing wrong and everything right with being proactive.

Sabrina

Sherrie,

I don't believe I have ever heard of a motocross crash being one of the risk factors for this type of cancer . Most likely Dan just has the usual swelling you would experience when you have trauma, compounded by maybe less blood flow to that area because of the radiation. Try to keep focused on the housecleaning and the three great years! I know once we experience this dreaded disease, it seems to linger in many ways. I am glad Dan has had 3 years and counting.

Ed

Sherrie Lynn, Welcome back. Remember, it ain't cancer until the pathologist says its cancer. So don't worry about it. One day at a time. Your husband is getting on with his work, so you should also and deal with things as they come up. Will pray that it is just a normal reaction to a fall and he will get over it soon.

Yup you have a case of CANCERNOIA Take a deep breath. It is ok to see the doc just to be sure. It sounds to me like a canker sore after he bit his cheek.

Take care

Sherie Lynn,

I had my 2 month check (15 mos post op) last Friday. All went well but felt compelled to ask about a sore I get at the top of my mouth, KNOW it is from food burn, prime spot for the corner of the first bite of pizza, but had to mention it. They checked the area carefully, said keep monotoring it and call if the sore ever lasts 2 weeks. I knew EXACTLY what it was but just needed to hear it from the expert and I was already there, so why not? I am sending Dan B. a picture of me with my docs and my survivor sash from the relay for life we took at my visit Friday.

Hoping I can make it to Vegas, but sending the picture just to make sure y'all see me. (I am the fluffy babe in the center.)

Sincerely,
Lisa

Thank you all for your voices of reason. In high school I got voted class worry wart, imagine that. I was diagnosed with Rhuematoid Arthritis 2 months after Dan's ordeal (I am 43) and was told I would have gotten it sometime in my life but all the stress may have brought it on alot sooner. What is so weird is I have Sjogrens in conjunction with RA, it is lack of tears in the eyes and I have much less saliva, having peridontal work done because of it, after 5 cavities in 6 months they tested me for it. Dan has little if any saliva, kinda strange how life works!!!
So promised Dan I would stop worrying. I try to read the board every day,I don't post as much as I used to, never sure I will say the right thing.
Lisa, so glad to hear you are okay!!!
Ed, Dan is a die hard motocross racer, does his best with no shoulder muscle(his other muscles have taken over, amazing)...He broke his collar bone last year, of course it is the same side as his dissection, adds to his many scars...I said with all you have been through I will not be pleased if you go and kill yourself on a bike!! He said that would be a better way to go...He lives his life to the fullest, at least as much as we can afford...haha.
I would love to get to Vegas, but with two kids in school,it is hard to get away. I will make sure I send Dan a pic of my Dan
Thanks again for writing with your reassuring voices.

Thanks again,
Sherrie

Sherrie
Hi, we should have a worry board, but it would be full inside 24 hours, sorry to hear about your health problems. I have Lupus and I'm worried that the stress of the last few months will cause a flare, so I suppose we should both try to chill out, and worry less. LOL....
Sunshine... love and Hugs
Helen

Sherrie,

Never worry about saying the wrong thing around here. Heck, I do it at least once a day, I'm sure . Friends will always give you more slack than strangers (er...I hope!).

I am glad Dan is living life to the fullest. I was told a couple of weeks ago that at some point I will need a hip replacement and it will pretty much mean reduction in sports activities other than walking. If that is the case, I am going to play softball and look for a basketball team to play on this fall, just in case.

We just replaced a worn set of autocross tires and since it is more driver skill than strength or endurance, it should be the perfect sporting activity!

Ed