You should contact the dentist and oral surgeon and tell them that they were asleep at the wheel when they were dismissive of you. NO ONE can tell if it is cancer from looking at it. As to the Dr. that put you on antibiotics without even knowing what it was, he should be added to the list as well. This is totally inexcusable.

I have already contacted the oral surgeon. The dentist is the one who referred me to the oral surgeon to get a biopsy. The one that put me on antibiotics, is the one that did the surgeries. I do not fault him at all. He actually was doing something unlike the oral surgeon.

Angelia,

Where are you in Oklahoma? I am sure the OCF members can help you locate the nearest Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) to your home. Please find the nearest and best one.

Hang in there.

I have located a Cancer Care Center, not sure if it comprehensive, but did locate an oncologist who has done research in the area of head and neck cancer. I will discussing this with my ENT next Wed, at my appt. I will probably go ahead and get in with a consultation and see what he thinks. At this point I still do not know what to think. Hubby said that they got it all, but I will not be convinced until I see proof. I just do not trust what people say anymore. Afterall every Dr, I went to told me it was just an ulcer and it would get better and it never did. Kept getting worse.

Hi Angelia,
MAke sure you write down all of the questions you have and bring them in with you and go in with someone else who can also listen and maybe take notes, and mostly offer support.
You get so baffled by the doctor jargon, that it's hard to take everything in. 2 minds are better than one. Also they might also think of questions you wouldn't have thought of.
And don't be scared about asking the doctors what I used to call "stupid question". As far as I am concerned now, no question is stupid when it comes to cancer.
Good luck.
C

Hi Angelina,

I'm happy that you were persistant and finally got the treatment you need. I'm sure you already know you have to be your own advocate. I am 29 and have never smoked so nobody thought my "sore" would be cancer either. I hope you are healing and feeling better from your surgeries. Hopefully they will give you some good information at your next appointment on the 20th.

Keep looking for doctors until you find one you click with. It can be hard, I know. I agree with Cecilia, make a list of your questions and bring someone with you. I either take, my husband, mom or sister. They are all awesome. Also, have your husband look at your tongue and look for any changes. My husband checks my tongue all the time and he knows when it looks good or not. It give me much peace of mind.

Sorry be long winded!! Let us know how your appointment goes!!

As for a PET scan- right now would not be optimal for one regarding your tongue- because you just had surgery on it and the cells are all disrupted and a PET would light up in that area. But to have a PET to look at your lymphatic system and make sure the tongue was the primary tumor would actually be pretty standard. I agree with the others, going to a cancer center ASAP is really important. Even if your ENT doesnt think its quite necissary- you should have it evaluated by an oncologist- they deal with big and little cancers every day- just rule out this isnt a "big" one!
We are rootin for you
Jennie

Angelina,

Just started reading your posting today and I agree with the others about going to a CCC. Even if you get a all clear, the agressiveness of this cancer needs to be factored in, too. My sister had 4 surgeries, each time resulting in clear margins, but it did spread. So stay on top of it be sure to go to a CCC for a second opinion by a team of doctors. My sister did not see an radioligist or oncologist until the very end, even though it had been recommended after the second surgery. She thought this cancer could be controlled by surgery alone, and in some cases that is true. Wasn't in hers. You are young with a family, be sure to demand the best care possible.

Hope the appointment goes well on the 20th...just be sure to stay on top of things.

My best to you,

Nancy

I willbe staying on top of things. I have one more week of school and then I can focus on this stuff. I am trying to get to the summer so that I have all summer to deal with it. I am really trying to be optimistic, but every lump and bump I find now scares me. If oncologist says radiation then that is what I will do. I want to see my boys to grow up to be men of character. I am going to do everything in my power to make that happen.

Dear Angelia-God bless you and all you have been through...I hope this new year brings only blessings for you. I read your post and it sounds so familiar. I have had problems for over a year now...seen all kinds of Drs. and hear the same thing...don't worry about it, it's nothing...I finally had a biopsy by ENT in Sept. for bumps on my tongue(it came back HPV),I've had a sore throat since last April...I've been back to the ENT who says "don't worry about it", even though my throat looks worse. I've had so many antibiotics, etc. nothing helps. I see you're in OK, I'm in MO. I'm a nurse so I'm really getting frustrated with the care(lack of),as everyday I feel worse. I hope all is well for you and that you're healing continues! thanks for listening! Melinda