Today I went to the head and neck clinic, I was still concerned about the red area on the back on my tongue.
Well the Doc wants me to have a biopsy, she said she's not really concerned BUT when the clerk said the first available appointment was the 8th of Jan but Doc said it had to be before Christmas, so it's booked for next Tuesday the 18th of December.
Now GOB went with me but he should have forgotten about it, well I hope so he is in bed he says he is ill. (for those of you who don't know since the onset of his dementia the world has to center around him)
My best friend is in the Philippines, and my youngest brother has twin 16 year old boys who have already seen me go through 2 big ops. GOB OK well John; really dislikes my other brother because he cannot manipulate him and if I tell Geoff he will want to give his full support and John will throw a wobbly.
So if I only tell my OCF family, dos it really matter?
Sunshine..love and hugs
Helen

Yup Helen, it does matter!
Glad you've shared this, but you really DO need to share it with Geoff as well--the fact that John can't manipulate him is a good thing, and he might have even forgotten by now that he doesn't like him!
We cyber friends are here for you, and how horrible so near to Christmas--which is all about families and support--I think Geoff would be hurt if you didn't tell him.
I and many more would also be hurt if you hadn't told US!

And take heart from the fact that the doc said she's not really concerned--is it the same one you saw before?

You need someone with you when you go for the biopsy and to 'want to know' when you get the results--so yes, tell Geoff--and your younger brother would also feel left out I'm sure.

In the meantime, am sending you back up your tree with a strong cocktail to write and tell us about Portugal!!

Brenda x

Bren,
No it's not the Doc I saw before, he had a female student with him, and after showing off my graft told me that after 3 years no way would it come back. How can I put this politely..
He was thinking with his @@ck. Trying to impress the lady student.. OK she had WOW factor but she was supposed to be a med student under tuition.
This Lady Doc I saw today was super and very professional.
So I have been monitoring the lesion myself.
My thoughts are that if is anything to worry about then I should get Geoff to come with me for info on the treatment, but other than that I should keep quiet. I probably will not get the results till after Christmas anyway.
The best was the biopsy under GA on a Christmas eve, but my Mum was still here then so it was OK.
Am up tree with a bottle of red wine, and apart from some Christmas shopping am not coming down.
Thanks
Sunshine.. love and hugs
Helen

Hmm----the first one sounds like the one I saw at 7 and a half months pregnant--having loads of students in room.
After pressing on my whale-sized belly, I asked him to confirm/deny whether I was having twins (or an octopus????/pre-ultrasound days), he turned to students, smirked, and pronounced:
'Not only is this lady not having twins, it's not even a big baby--she will have got her dates wrong'!
6 weeks later, with 1 thriving 6lb 9 ouncer, ditto 4lb 9 ouncer, I reflected on his words

Aren't our Christmas holidays wonderful for delaying the whole test process/results for 2 weeks!

Presumably you'll be down from the tree on the 18th for the biopsy, so time to fit some shopping in then, restock the red wine, and let us know how it goes.

Love Bren x

Dear Helen

Sorry you are having to go through uncertainty again.

As a single person, I don't inform my family unless I have to go into hospital or have some definite news. They are very caring and I would not disrespect them by not telling them anything important. On the other hand I don't wish to worry them unnecessarily.

I hope the biopsy results are clear and you have a happy festive season.

With love from Helen

Helen...thanks for sharing with your 'family' here....we really DO care, and are hoping for the very best outcome....

Lois & Buzz in NC

Well
As I thought John has forgotten about yesterday. I now just need to find a reason to leave the house alone on Tuesday. At the moment he is doing joined at the hip, I cannot even go out for a paper on my own at the moment. He is frightened to be on his own, he was like this on holiday so I suppose I better get used to it. His assessment had been put off till January. Oh well who said life would be easy.
Sunshine.. love and hugs
Helen

HELEN (((( )))) XXX

LIZ

Right. That is the last straw..
Shit(sorry) he has just asked if my Mum has come up to bed..
She died 2 years ago.
If this biopsy shows anything, has anyone any answers as to how I can do treatment.
I really don't think I can do this.
I wish now I had never gone to the clinic, why the #### did I think I could even contemplate this,
Helen

Helen,
You'll do it because you did it before and you can do it again---IF you have to!!
Don't jump the gun--you know the mantra:
It isn't cancer til the histology says it is!
Obviously he'll be totally unable to support you, so as long as you have no expectations from him, and can get another support network in place, you'll DO it!
Wouldn't we just love to have our mum's around, right now?

Love Bren x

Helen, did you know our trees are the same heigth? and since I have a very strong magnifying glass now, I just read all of the above. My simple advice is for you to get a baby sitter for dear GOB and you do what you need to to take care of you!!Damn, I hate that you are facing this now. Amy