I know it sounds pathetic and really lame for me to be even posting this, when other people have really huge problems to deal with ... but have been waiting for my biopsy results now for five days and I have gone from 'dealing with it' to now feeling that I am not 'dealing with it'. I went into hospital expecting to have two biopsies done from two lesions inside my mouth on both sides of my face. I expected, from what the oral surgeon said, to have 2 stitches on each inside cheek at max. I woke up with a mouth full of stitches, all over the insides of both cheeks, from my inner lips to my jaw, and also my gums. It hurts far more than I was given to believe it would, by the receptionist. I still cannot eat properly or speak properly, and I was told that I would be 'normal' after about 4 to 5 days. I have lost my appetite completely and have to force myself to swallow liquid as it is such a chore. I know that when I see the surgeon on Thursday 14th I will get answers. I know that all I can do is wait. I am getting depressed thinking 'if it was no big deal why did he cut so much out of so much of the inside of my mouth?' I know that this is part of the course ... the waiting, and it is not cancer until the pathology report says that it is. It is the not knowing, and at the same time knowing that he did far more than he said he would do before I went into surgery and wondering why? I know that getting depressed is a bad road to take. I realise that I am a person who has always tackled life's problems head-on. Not being able to do anything is so frustrating. I know I just have to wait until I get to speak to the surgeon again. This just isn't what I expected.

Oh honey. Yes the waiting is hard and the uncertainty is hard also. I know taking one day at a time is not easy but you have to try. Read a good book or do a crafty project to get your mind occupied.

I will be praying for you. Please keep posting. it helps so much to be with people who know what you are going through. We are here for you.

May God give you strength,
Barbara~

Thanks Barbara, waiting is hard. It is so hard to have to hand such an important part of my life over to others, like the doctor. My daughter just came home and she has bought me some fruity flavoured spring water and some totally mushed starter baby food for 6 month olds. I can eat and drink this. I realise now that I had become dehydrated too because I wasn't drinking enough. It was day surgery and I was sent home that afternoon with no information at all other than a general information sheet for patients who had had oral surgery. The nurses seemed to think that I had had wisdom teeth removed which did not inspire confidence. I had one wisdom tooth removed so that the surgeon could get at the lesion at the back of my gum, I knew about that. Before I had surgery every nurse who saw me said "so, you have been having trouble with your wisdom teeth have you? you are here to have some teeth removed?' and I would just sigh and say, "no, my teeth are not bothering me at all". They were so busy anyway, the day surgery unit was like a conveyor belt of humanity. I should really be getting moving on my latest uni assignment but I am finding it hard to get motivated, not knowing whether I will be having to have further treatment. I am worried that I will need to take time off work, I am a high school teacher, when school goes back next week, if my mouth is not healed. Anyway, I will motivate myself and get into my next assignment. Continue on as normal. Thank you.

I'm so sorry that you are having such a trying time, Oceanangel.

Have you phoned the oral surgeon to find out why the number of stitches is so different to what you expected? At the same time I would discuss your pain etc. I'd certainly want to know all that NOW, let alone the results of the biopsy but I can understand having to wait for them.

Best wishes for your results, love and light from Helen

There is no reason you don't have the path reports now. Mine was back same day as biopsy. Raise hell and find out what is up. In the mean time my thoughts are with you, Erik

Ocean Angel
Not much to say except Bless You .. we know what you are going through. Erik is right , call and make a bit of fuss. You know the old saying about "the squeaky wheel!"
Thinking of you.
Marica

Hi
On the good side if they have biopsied everthing that looked wrong, good, that means they are a good team and very througher. In the Uk I expect to wait 10 to 14 days for results, but I would rather they are taking their time and getting it right than to take 24 hours and rush and get it wrong..
Hang in there....
Sunshine... love and hugs
Helen