Hello you lovely people,
I'm a single dad of young boys.
Yesterday, my dentist said he was referring me for a biopsy of the apparent ulcer on my tongue.
This came as quite a shock.
For about 5 months, I'd had sharp teeth irritating my tongue and mouth.
Eventually, I went to the dentist. Never even considered anything sinister.
A month ago, he filed down one sharp tooth and scheduled a follow up appointment.
At this new appointment yesterday, he filed down the other sharp tooth I'd identified, then talked about the referral.
He said my ulcer was "quite large" and hadn't healed in the way he'd expect.
Ever since that moment, I've found myself almost frozen with fear, as if I've actually received a diagnosis of mouth cancer.
Which I know I haven't, but I can't help imagining worst case scenarios, which really doesn't help.
Neither was a GP especially helpful when I went to see her yesterday afternoon. She couldn't give me any perspective, or any odds, or any reassurance really, apart from to say it was "promising" (I think that's the word she used) that the lump on the side of my tongue hasn't bled and is painful.
She also made vaguely positive noises when I told her I have what might be lichen planus elsewhere on my body.
Really glad to arrive here to chat with people who've been where I suddenly find myself now.
Looking through some of the posts, I can already see people in my exact position and it makes me feel less neurotic.
I can't decide whether this thing being on my tongue makes it better or worse. After all, I can SEE it. I'm looking at this thing and wondering if it's cancer.
I'm just still at the point where I'm tearing up at the thought of having to leave my boys behind. This can't happen.
Tomorrow, they're coming to stay for the weekend, so I need to pull myself together. Thought I'd come on here and also allow myself one day of worry and self-indulgent comfort food, ha!
Wine may also be involved.
If my situation once applied to you, or still does apply to you, how do/did you feel?
And did anyone decide to go private, to speed up the biopsy? If so, did it actually speed anything up, in your experience?
Right... I think that's more than long enough for a first post. Thanks for reading. :) :( :) :(
it’s not just where you get the ingredients—it’s what you do with them.
Talking of ingredients. Have you had your biopsy and scan appointments through yet?
I live in Wales where "Patients know best" our online personal health record is largely non existent. I know it's much better in most parts of England. Do you have access to your health portal? It's an app I think. All your medical notes and tests should appear there. You might spot your appointments before you actually get notified.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I haven't read it but I remember he was diagnosed with the same cancer as mine but more advanced. Inoperable but responded to CRT. I'm six years clear, he must be ten
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
We've got access to a patient's hub via H's mobile
Do you get consultant reports and test results on it too?
Not particularly here but on social media I see people posting test results to ask for a translation. I talked to my oncologist a while back and he said those Trusts in Wales which participate in a patients' hub don't post results till they are discussed with the doctor
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Just had my biopsy. Unbelievably, I'd say it was more pleasant than my CT scan.
I know many people breeze through a biopsy like this, but for me it was a big deal that I had to psyche myself up for with copious amounts of metal music and focusing on the small victory of getting rid of part of this thing on my tongue.
The staff were very nice, if occasionally just a little terse. Three women, which helped.
I was unnerved when they told me they would need to inject the actual site of the tumour. I thought they'd inject elsewhere!
So they put numbing gel on first, then did an injection nearby... and then another injection that I thankfully couldn't even feel.
From then on it was plainsailing...although the awareness that someone is sewing up your tongue isn't one I'll forget in a hurry.
The CT scan, you ask? It was horrible, because I don't like injections and had to endure 5 of them before they managed to get the cannula in. After that ordeal, which made me feel faint at one point, the scan itself was a walk in the park.
My new motto, after having given myself a stern talking to, is Walk Through Fire.
I will walk through fire.
It'll hurt. I'll be scared.
But I will walk through fire and come out the other side.
For myself. And for my kids.
