Tongue Cancer!

Oh Sammie. I’m so sorry to see you here. Sadly your delayed diagnosis is far too common. I don’t think enough dentists are maintaining their CPD. 
Try not to get too upset with what could have been. That way madness lies. Oral cancers have a very high cure rate. There are quite a few people here who have had very successful surgery and go on to live normal lives. 
I have a friend here who had tongue surgery and reconstruction so I’ll tag her to drop in to offer some support. 
Her name is Stephanie and she is Panch

How animals can sniff out cancer is truly astounding. He tried to tell you didn’t he? Give him a big cuddle and promise him you’ll be around for him, because you will. 
Get in touch with your GP for some sleeping pills to get you through the next couple of weeks. Keep busy, go for a walk in the fresh air, The waiting is awful but you really will feel much better once your plan is in place. 
Stick around. There’s lots of help here 

Best wishes 

Thankyou so much, your reply means so much. Xx

Hi Sammie. So sorry you’ve joined our forum. Dani has said everything. Only thjng I will add is please keep off Dr Google. You will scare yourself silly. Remember csncer us just a word it won’t define you. Your customer you are better off without people like that. Stephanie is very good she’s been there and done it. I am 3.5 years post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph node s am happily living my life. 
extra hug for you. Hazel xx

Hazel, many thanks.  Yes I have deliberately avoided Google. I haven't even opened my Macmillan Cancer pack until today. In denial I guess. But already I feel happy I have reached out , on here. 

Sammie. The worst part is the waiting honestly my head went into over drive once I knew what I was dealing with and the treatment plan head went into gear and got in with it. Unfortunately yiu will come across the ungrateful ones , well yiu are better off without the like if them. As for cancer stick with us we will all help we are a small friendly bunch.  You can rant away at us we never judge as we’ve all been there done it got the t shirt. 
Hazel x

Sammie, firstly welcome and secondly I am so sorry to hear that people have been so horrible to you.  That is not fair, but you don't need customers like that.  On a practical level do you have insurance to support your business during health emergencies?

Head and Neck cancers (like many others) can be difficult to initially diagnose to a point where there needs to be a fuller investigation.  A bit like prostate cancer with so many men undergoing invasive treatments in the past for no apparent reason.  It will be a balancing act of watching and seeing what develops.  I know, believe me, as I was diagnosed with cancer, but they could not find it so we watched and waited.  Even when my team found the primary I was blissfully unaware of it.

That is a horrible period, but in most cases the wait for certainty is not detrimental to the curative process.  Undoubtably you are in the worst phase now - waiting for the full diagnostic workup and plan.  Stay with us!  Cure rates are really good in most cases.

Dogs are amazing.  We believe my dog knew of my cancer well before I was aware of it.

Let us hope the MRI defines the cancer.  Keep us updated.

Hi Peter, many thanks for your lovely reply. No I have no insurance back up. Lockdown alone nearly finished me mentally , as I had no work or income. I am a freelance jeweller and meet my clients in person. So, I got things built up again and then got hit with this news. Anyway... I have huge family support,  and my partner and my wee dog , called Sammie !!

It's the waiting , and worrying is difficult.  

Thanks Peter

You've got a loving Jack Russell so you're steps ahead. S/he'll be relieved now you know what all that attention was about.

Unless you absolutely can't afford it, why not reduce your working hours or stop entirely and take a staycation?  Just for you.  The last thing you need at the moment is work pressure.  There might a few more procedures they'll have you jumping through yet, and it's nice not to have to worry about extraneous things like working, if you possibly can.  And keep on writing here, it's good for you and it's good for us.

Matteo,  thankyou for taking time to reply. Yes I could indeed just stop for a bit. But how can I word this on my FB business page without drawing attention  to myself? N.Ireland is a small place and my phone will explode with texts and calls. I've already said I'm busy up to mid March but then I got bombarded with texts saying ...pencil them in after.....Shit! My surgery probably not even done by then! AaAArrrrghhhhh

"I need to take care of a close relative for a couple of months so will be closing my doors for now.  See you all when I re-open in May. Thanks for your understanding."  ?? Something like that.  Then just update the notice as you see fit.  I couldn't deal with the stress of students and colleagues so quit immediately when I was diagnosed.  This is MY time, I thought.  You too, hey.