Hi everyone, my name is Steve,I am 52, and I have just had a biopsy on a lump on the right side of my tongue. Needless to say I am very worried about what the results will be.
I feel like I have dodged a few bullets over the last 4 years and am worried that I may not dodge this one!
In 2010 I had a min-stroke caused by a blood clot to the back of my brain. A follow up scan on my head and neck found I had a 20mm mass in my thyroid gland. This was biopsied every 3 months for a year, on the last biopsy it had changed to cat 3 suspicious tissue and I had a right side hemi-thyroidectomy in 2011. The mass turned out to be benign.
Then in early 2012 I was diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and had green light laser prostate surgery just before Chrismas in 2012.
About 3 months ago I noticed a lump on the side of my tongue and a nasty taste in my mouth. I went to the GP, who referred me to the Maxillo-facial clinic. They refered to the ENT clinic who did a camera examination of my throat and vocal chords and diagnosed Laryngopharyngeal reflux. He explained that the acid was causing my tongue to swell and the nasty taste. So I was prescribed Omeprazole and Gaviscon Advance for 4 weeks. I then returned to the ENT clinic and saw a different consultant who said he did not agree that the reflux was causing the lump on my tongue and ordered an urgent biopsy.
I had the biopsy on the 11th October and now have a 2 week wait for the results.
I was a heavy smoker (40 a day) for 25yrs. I quit in 1999.
I was also border line alcoholic, but have not had a drink since 1996, I feel like my past is catching up with me!

Welcome SteveM, only a biopsy can tell if it's cancer or not, and unfortionally, there is usually a wait for the biopsy results. It could be anything, other than cancer, and everyone here knows how you can be anxious. The only thing I would say is to keep busy, until then, and if positive, you're not alone in this journey, and may be easily treatable. Good luck.

Hi Steve,

The wait for any test results can be brutal. We all feel your angst.

My Bill had the same history as you...smoked for a long time and quit in 1997. He has a family history of colon cancer so he was watching the other end, so to speak, with regular colonoscopies but the throat cancer was a shocker when it came in 2007.

Glad you found us and keep posting. If it is cancer, we will be here for you through the next steps.

Hi Steve, waiting sucks. The best I can say is keep busy on other stuff (do that project at work or home that you've been putting off). Trying simply not to think about something makes you think about it more.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Hi Steve:
Everyone else has already told you what several things to do right now, so I won't repeat them.

What I will do is welcome you to the forum and tell you you couldn't have found a better group of people to associate with. This group supports their members with a capital "S".

You have questions or just need someone to listen; we're right here.

Steve, wishing you all the best with your test results. Try to stay busy to keep from worrying too much about the results. Here in the US a biopsy takes a week or sometimes even less to get the results. I suggest calling to inquire about the results a little earlier than the 2 weeks. They may have the results.

Hope its good news!

Steve, seconding and thirding. The dreaded biopsy results wait is always nerve-wracking. Let us take some of your anxiety - we'll share it!

Hang in there buddy.

Lots of good advice above! Staying busy really helps, especially if it's doing something physical. When the worry and the "what-ifs" attack try to just give them a time limit, like two minutes and switch to something more positive like all the good stuff you've done so far to take care of your health. Push for results as soon as possible - tell your doctor or whoever answers at his/her office how you are feeling and that you really need the results as soon as possible. Let us know what happens.

Steve, Welcome and hang in there. The waiting is awful, I know. Hopefully....you get a good result. Praying for you

Thank you everyone for the kind words and advice.
My passion is motorcycles, so I am spending lots of time in the garage tinkering with my bikes to keep my mind occupied.
I will phone the hospital after one week to see if the results are back. Over here we have the NHS (National Health Service), and things do not usually happen very quickly. My biopsy was cancelled by one week because the hospital lost my notes!

Steve:
Go for a ride if you feel up to it. You know nothing clears the mind like wind in your face.

After I install new battery I'll be back on my Suzuki Intruder 800.

Cheers mate

Yes, Yes! Go for a ride. . . . !
I could never understand my son's fascination for his motorcycle, until I read Brian's blog (our founder) from his website and I understood a little better how exhilarating and therapeutic it can be. Check it out here:
http://geared2survive.com/?tag=loss-of-control
Whatever clears the mind and helps you get through the "waiting game", - DO it!