Last year, on my birthday I was in a CT scanner and this cancer gave me the gift of legally being allowed out in Covid lockdown 
This year, today, on my birthday I was in oral surgery for an emergency appointment with a "growth" in my tongue. However, it is a happy birthday as they believe it to be just a cyst 
As I have always found, the NHS steps up to the plate when needed. I found what I initially thought was an ulcer on the front of my tongue and watched it develop over a 2 week period. It did not develop in a manner I was comfortable with so I rang my CNS yesterday, explained the situation and this morning I was in oral surgery getting it checked out and being given the reassurance that it was quite unlikely to be cancer, but probably a cyst. The surgeon has promised me that he will come into my regular 2 monthly ENT screening check up in 3 weeks time and check me again as his clinic runs alongside the ENT one. I could not ask for more; well maybe I could have asked for a smaller audience this morning. As my case is somewhat of the normal pathway for H&N cancer the room was crammed with junior doctors and curious nurses to see just what was happening 
Moral of the story... Never be afraid to seek reassurance of your clinical team and if possible take photos over time of what is happening so they can see how things progress, it helps them tremendously.
Mark - happy birthday! I assume with the new retirement age you are a 1957 vintage - I'm a 1958 vintage - both classics.
You made me laugh as my wife tried to tell me after the appointment that the cyst was caused by having crisps whilst I had a drink.... I assured her that the consultant suggested no such thing and I was good to carry on as before 
With Hazel being so close to our birthday it sounds like we need a big happy joined up party next year! You're one year, Hazel is 3.5 years and I'm not quite sure if I am one year, 2 years or not definitively cured - I'll go with 2 1/3 years post diagnosis 
Yes, like Hazel I’m 1957. An excellent year 
Great idea to meet up with Hazel next Feb to celebrate!
