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. :) :( :) :(
The other photo of Saffy :-
Nige
It was the first time I’d heard of them and not read on any threads etc and was wondering if others may have or are experiencing the like.
I can’t recall anybody mentioning them but I’ll have a search.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Dani , you are a real gem ! 
Nige
Sadly there isn’t anything in the whole site to help. Somebody mentions sucking on lemons to get the saliva going to expel a stone but to be honest I’d hang on to see what happens with everything else
Cool sofa pic 
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Thanks Dani , I have an appt with my gp tomorrow, I’ll see if he has any ideas, but will most likely wait for my hospital appt / review in a couple of weeks.
That photo actually sums Saffy up, she’s a very affectionate dog, loves to be close.
Nige
Absolutely right there - another bump in the road or track - I think my next review appt will be quite a telling - it’s back up at East Grinstead; Ellise was looking into the hospital and it’s got a very good reputation, a fellow who was there waiting as his wife was in for treatment, they are travelled a long way so as to be treated at the Queen Victoria.
I’m hoping to get some answers and a next phase of a way forward in my treatment.
