Goodmorning All.
I have a question. If a tumor is benign,and it is on the tongue, would all blood supplied tissue in the area still have to be removed?Including lymph nodes, and half the tongue? Or can they just cut out the tumor? Thanks, PeteyB
PS. I'm cancer 101, sounds like most of you went to Harvard. I hope my questions do not seem lame...

Petey....NO question is lame. We were all Cancer 101 at one time. It's a difficult position to be in, and don't think that a single one of us has forgotten that terrible feeling. That's exactly why we are all here.....to help "beginners" and to continue to get support and information for ourselves. Don't EVER hesitate to ask anything at all.

You and I have talked......and I know that your problem area has not been biopsied.

You must find out more about why you are being told that you need extensive surgery, when they haven't even determined your lesion to be cancer.

The very first thing to do is to get a biopsy. That can be done either locally, or at a cancer center.

When you have a firm diagnosis, then you need/must get yourself to a center....usually a larger medical center, usually associated with a medical school and major research center......for the opinions of doctors who see LOTS of this problem. Usually a local physician is not experienced enough to know the range of treatment options.

DO NOT allow anyone to remove that lesion until they know what it is. And the only way they can know is through a biopsy.

You ask if all of that surgery would be necessary if the tumor is benign, and the answer is no.

It sounds like your doctor feels that it is cancer.....perhaps he has told you that IF it is, you will need all of the treatments that you mention......but they simply can NOT be allowed to go shopping to find out.....you can't have this major surgery without a diagnosis by biopsy, and without a second opinion from a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

I don't know where Lake Worth is, nor do I know what your closes CCC is, but I can promise you that that is where you need to go. It will be worth every mile and every minute. You will have the confidence that you are getting the best treatment available, and not taking second best. Confidence is VERY important now, and getting the best treatment available is VERY important now. It is your life we are talking about!!

I guess I sound a little bossy...but I am trying to make an impression, because either you have forgotten to mention having had a biopsy with a pathology report stating that you do have cancer, or your doctor is being very rash and rushing you to this major surgery without the proper foundation work being done. Please don't allow that!

End of lecture.

Keep us posted.

You do not sound bossy, but rather Knowledgeable.
My first DR. wants me to go to Gainsville 250 miles north. (Fla. St.) To do what you say, get the right opinion. Since the first biopsy 8 mos. ago was negative, I sense he does not trust the place here. It's called Palm Beach County Labs or something.
I live 60 miles N of Miami on the east coast. My DR. wanted me to go to Gainsville just to make sure I would get the treatment best suited.
But here's the stickler...I have no insurance and no money.I think thats why the DR my DR sent me to did not do the biopsy ,but told me I had cancer.
The Dr that DR#2 sent me to schedualed me for 4-6-07. They called yesterday, as they had an opening. I explained they would have to bill me the $225.00 consultaion fee, she said she had to talk to the office manager, and would call right back. SHE NEVER CALLED.
I REALLY AM CONSIDERIUNG TO JUST LET IT TAKE ITS COURSE. AS MY WORLD WAS FALLING APART B4 THIS. I just filed for bankrupcy, have been sober over 100 day by the grace of GOD and AA. AND I WILL DIE SOBER. I RAISED THREE GREAT KIDS, AND THEY ARE ON THEIR OWN. MY MAIN CONCERN RIGHT NOW IS FOR MY WIFE. I NEED TO SELL MY THREE PROPERTIES AND GET HER IN A SMALLER HOUSE. Then I can worry about this cancer. I'm not having a pitty party here. I lived a great life, and I do not fear dying. As no one should. We're all going there. Frankly I find these treatments horrifying.
You are a very strong people. And you all have the same bonding as people in ALCOHOLICS ANONAMOUS do.
I'm to proud to beg.
I've always been "comfortable" in life. But this last year everything went wrong. I did not think I could handle it. And now this cancer.
It is indeed a DOG EAT DOG world. And as they say in the dairy business NO MONEY, NO MILK!
Thanks for helping. I'm not giving up yet, but my boats sinking and the sun is setting, and there are SHARKS IN THE WATER!
Thanks for Caring, PeteyB

Petey,
I've been a friend of Bill W. for almost 12 years myself. Your tumor sounds treatable and if you have nothing you should be able to get into a public program to pay for treatment. You really don't want "nature to take it's course". Oral cancer death is complex, painful and ugly. Even if you decide that you don't want a cure then you still may want/need palliative care to mitigate the pain and other side effects. So treatment of some sort is in your future, whatever way you go.

All of our worlds fall apart from time to time. The program will give you the tools to deal with that. Read the promises on pages 83 and 84 of the big book (and get into a big book study while you're at it).

One day at a time and talk to your sponsor. Get to a CCC if at all possible.

Petey - It's better to know one way or another what's happening and to take the steps to find out. You might wish you had later. What about your children and your wife? Don't you think they would want you to at least get a biopsy? Without it, you cannot even know for sure if it is cancer. I've always believed that there is ALWAYS something you can do about whatever situation you find yourself in. You owe it to yourself and your family to DO IT! Hospitals have all kinds of financial programs that they can put you in touch with. It is great that you with AA and sober for 100 days! I'm sure they are a big help. When my husband was alive and drinking, I went to Al-Anon and I remember leaving the first meeting and feeling like a big weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Stay with AA and keep up the good work you are doing there.

Petey, my heart goes out to you for your multitude of troubles. Please begin with this one thing: Get a biopsy so you'll know whether or not you have cancer. If you do, then you can take the next step. If you don't, then you have saved yourself and your family a great deal of unnecessary anguish.

Please do it.

No situation is so bad that we can't do something to improve it. Your life is not going at all the way you had hoped, but while there is life, there is HOPE. What's the worst that can happen by trying???

Hang in there, Petey. This bunch of yard dogs is not going to let go of you!

I promise you that there is medical help available in Miami. It's a big place with lots and lots of people without insurance. Call the Medicaid office, and get some guidance from them. Call the public hospital. They are not going to keep you from having your cancer treated. If you don't have the energy to make the calls, ask one of your kids to do it for you.

Don't quit. We feel like our family has grown to include you, and we want you to stay with us. We can help if you'll let us, but you have to do some of it yourself.

Tell your doctor that you must have a biopsy, from a different place than before, and that you'll pay for it in cash. You have to know what you're dealing with.

Write back!! XOXO Our prayers are with you.

a question: Who does your current doctor propose to do your surgery? Is this doctor in a public health system? He has already seen you, so he knows your situation. Why not begin with him, and tell him that you need some guidance about public health treatment. Maybe he is trying to save you the fee for the biopsy, knowing that you will need to go to a center for evaluation anyway.

He surely can not be intending to operate on you without knowing what you have.

Maybe you could contact a social worker at Shands in Gainesville, I assume that's where they were referring you to. Don't give up and don't be too proud here. You have been comfortable through out your life so far and have paid a lot of taxes so it's not begging. Healthcare should be a right in this country not something you get when you can afford it. I'm sure your wife and children don't want you to leave this earth yet. Besides you have proven you are a fighter through your sobriety and I know that is no easy task. Keep fighting!

Petey ,


If we learn anything through this ..it is one day at a time and some days it is one moment at a time! This tends to follow through on all aspects of life !! You can do this ..Baby steps if that is what it takes...DONT let them cut it with out knowing...they "CUT or REMOVED" my 1st lesion ....because "of course it wasn't cancer" I didnt meet any risk factors...2 days later my phone is ringing and I am getting news it is cancer and it isnt all gone and now 5 days out of surgery i already had new lesions ..before I got to go to the ENT, my Primary Md was upset that they had cut into it without knowing what it was and then let me go for over a week.......SOOOOO make them Biopsy you have that right ! And there has to be some type of government assistance for insurance..never be to proud when it comes to your own well being !!! GOOD LUCK AND WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU !

Damn PeteyB,

I'm glad the doctors are going to help you out on this buddy. Funny how things work out. I'm here for you man.