Hi all, l am new to this group and as l have stated very scared. The problem with my mouth started 6 months ago but l have only just been referred for diagnosis. My dentist was treating me for gingivitis and never experiencing this before thought l was being silly thinking the growth in my mouth could be cancer. The growth started when l was complaining about a sore on my gum. He first of all told me l was brushing my teeth too hard. After recording pocket depth of my teeth gave me a deep clean. The gum has never recovered since. It developed into a long growth with ulcers. For almost 6 months l have needed pain killers every day. I then paid for a second opinion at another dentist who advised me to have the tooth where the sore on the gum was, removed because of bone loss. She even brought in another dentist to take a look but he hadn't a clue what it was. I asked her if she thought it could be cancer and she gave me a panoramic scan which she said showed nothing sinister. Anyway after another small swelling appeared and l developed a lump under my jaw my dentist issued me with amoxicillin 500g for 5 days me and examinedan emergency yesterdayreferral to the dental hospital where l went yesterday.. The dentist shocked me by saying "it doesn't look very good so l'm doing an emergency referral to a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Head and Neck Oncology. I keep hearing her words "it doesn't look very good". I couldn't sleep last night worrying if it is diagnosed as cancer just how far it has spread. I have spent all day bursting into tears worrying. I go next week for the consultation. I don't know what advice l am looking for. Just reaching out for comfort and support x
All I can say to Louis and Wozza is to hang on in there. You are in the system and will be looked after .As Ron says, All of us in this group are still here even though it's been a rocky road. This time last year I was in exactly the same place...waiting for treatment.
To anybody else worried about symptoms, go with your intuition and insist on that referral. It shouldn't be that way but it is.
One thing I'll add is to take somebody else with you on your appointments, to help you ask the right questions and to hear the things that you won't. Once the word cancer is spoken a good few minds go blank.
Oh....and stay off Google unless you have decent medical knowledge. There is a lot of outdated stuff out there
Good luck both of you
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hi Mrs Wozza, my cancer started in the same way where i thought i had an ulcer on my lower gum so i kept treating it with mouth ulcer meds from the chemist but it never cleared up so i plucked up the courage to go and see a dentist for an emergency appointment, when i found one who would treat me under the N.H.S . In a case like this, you have to be prepared for either good or bad news, unfortunately it was not good news in my case and i was told on that day that it was 99% cancer which, in a way saved me a lot of worry as i knew where i stood. Im not saying that you will be in the same position with the outcome and truly hope you are not and its something else and not cancer.
Head and neck cancers are very treatable with a very good success rate with people making a good recovery as many can vouch for on here as mentioned in previous posts. I know its a worry but you will be seen by a well-qualified consultant who i know will reassure you either way when you see him next week, so try and put those words "it does not look very good " to the back of your mind and fingers crossed it all works out for you. We will be here for you should you need more help or advice. Wishing you all the best for next week, sending hugs (( )) .
Chris x
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
Hi LouisJi, all i can say is fingers crossed for your scan results and your meeting with the consultant, part of what i have written in my post to Mrs Wozzle might apply to you, best wishes and hope all goes well, take care.
Chris.
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
