Hi all,

Just to be brief, I am 33, haven't smoked for 4 yrs, and don't drink much (anymore) I saw my GP about a lump on the back of my tongue (How many MILLIONS of these posts do you get here - sorry) it's right on the right hand edge of my tongue, and is ABOUT 2cm x 0.5cm. (I can't see it, as it's too far back, so that's a guess by touch, it also feels firm, and SEEMS to be getting bigger - although that could just be my imagination) Now, I don't need to be told to see a dr, cos I have, and I am WAITING for the referal letter to come with a date for the biopsy the GP wants me to have (been waiting about 10 days - which is KIND of reassuring, cos maybe that means he doesn't think it's too serious)

Unfortunately I can't see it, but based on how big it is, and where it is, it doesn't seem like any of those "most common harmless things" that are suggested for this. It doesn't hurt AT ALL, although it does make swallowing some things a little harder.

I first noticed it about 6 weeks ago now. The GP simply said he didn't know what it was and refered me for a biopsy.

Like millions of other people I have spent time googling etc, and not found anything good. I was HOPING to find out that it was likely to be x or y harmless thing, but basically, it's not a trauma or infection, it is just a mystery. Which is scaring me!

I have a 2yr old, and I am in the middle of a research project which is looking at oral communication, so, you can imagine, this is a very stresful time.

I guess I am just wondering how you all kept sane during the wait for the test etc? (short of actually switching the computer off!)

hi sunset

i think the only advice i would give is not to try and "second guess" what it might be. (stay off the net for a bit!!!)It's very hard i know, but really there is nothing you can do so why add worrying into the mix too? It's very natural to be thinking about it but you don't know what it is yet so try to put your mind at rest. You have done the right thing and seen your GP nice and early so you have done everything possible.

I know how you feel though, when i was waiting for my first biopsy i ended up going private because the wait was too much, so i'm not the best one to be giving advice i suppose! lol. You really just have to try and get it to the back of your mind and get on from day to day.

The internet is a great thing but to be honest you could convince yourself you had anything if you look hard enough. Wait for the biopsy, good luck, and try to go with the flow! It's natural to worry but it doesn't help! (sorry i haven't come up with any better advice.)

gordon

Hello, sunset30,

I hate to have to welcome you, but here we are. Sorry!

Who said we kept sane?

I really don't think I kept myself sane waiting for the biopsy and results. I was lucky in that I had the biopsy done two days after the ENT ordered it and waited only one day for the results. Very fast; however, I had about 10 -12 weeks waiting for my Primary Doc to get it together and discover that yes, there was something wrong in there (actually, the Nurse Practitioner discovered it, but that's another story). That was my worry time because I was convinced there was something else going on other than a 'viral infection that would have to run its course.' The next worry period was the time between the diagnosis and when I began rads (on February 14, 2008, by the way. Happy Anniversary to me as well as Happy Valentine's Day).

Some meditate, pray, do yoga, travel, or use relaxation techniques where they can transcend the situation, or can simply say to themselves, "No use worrying. Nothing I can do about it." I'm kinda' that way, but fluctuate between that and Extreme Worrying, as if it were an Olympics event and I'm top seeded.

I'd had cancer before, finished treatment just eighteen months or so before this one. One of the things I realized during that bout was, Holy Crap! If I die there's an awful lot of stuff I don't want anyone going through! I'm a divorced woman with a terrific daughter and a wonderfully delicious checkered (chequered?) past that I managed to keep to myself without drama or with the necessity to inflict anyone else with details. I hadn't had the time with the previous cancer to rid myself of those...uh....mementos, shall we call them? After that treatment ran its course and I was pronounced OK, I forgot about it all.

This time around I spent the worrying time cleaning and purging and donating and relishing old love letters and souvenirs. In case I didn't die, I boxed up some stuff and gave it to a trusted friend to hold for me. She could return it after I was pronounced cancer-free or dispose of it, preferably in the fireplace or in an anonymous trash bin, far from home, if the prognosis was bad. Well, I've got it all back, but considerably pared down.

I spent my waiting time on the internet, watching old movies and vintage sitcoms, putting photo albums together, cleaning x 3, getting rid of stuff that I really wasn't using or didn't think that my daughter would want if I died. Sounds morbid, but I had a mission and it released me from a lot of worry. I had lunch with friends, hugged my kid a lot and mourned the passing of my kitty. The other thing I had, and still have, is the cleanest, neatest condo in the state of California.

Every one of us knows what you're going through, whether you're the patient or the care giver. Time will go by slowly and you will worry, but you'll also appreciate your two-year-old and your loved ones and your life even more. I can't say it, but I've heard others say and write that they were 'blessed' with cancer because it made them appreciate life more. Know what? I always appreciated life but I must admit that I treasure it more now; it sure as hell hasn't been a blessing.

I hope you can find some peace and that time goes by quickly for you. Everyone is here to support you and help you through this. Please take advantage of us.

Mimi

Hi! Sunset30,
"Stay Strong" and hang in there as really there is nothing anyone can say other than that at least not until you know the results (hopefully good) we at the Forum understand and appreciate what you are going through as we havw all been there, some more so.
Relax and enjoy your family and keep in touch.
Love TREV

hi sunset
well firstly it's good that your g.p has decided you need a biopsy so at least you will know what it is.don't look on the net i know it's hard not to but us humans are very curious creatures.i hope when it is biopsied that nothing nasty is lurking,but if it is then we are all here to support you.please let us know the outcome.good luck.shirl xxx

Hi Sunset

I kept sane by NOT doing any research on the web--the vast majority of what I found was extremely bleak.

I'd messed about with the Thing Under My Tongue for 4 months before I did anything about it, convincing myself that it was just a cold sore or something (somehow, though, I JUST KNEW it was cancer), and that the pain in my ear that developed a couple of months later was a cold that had settled in my ear. I was also between jobs at the time, so my time was taken up with searching, interviewing, et c.

I have to agree with Mimi on this one: who said we kept sane? For me, the time went really quickly between the first visit to a doctor (2 days before Christmas and she told me "I don't think it's cancer"; it was like telling me not to worry about the 400 # gorilla in the next room) and having half of my tongue removed and rebuilt. It was 42 days and it passed in a slow blink. I spent that time working as much as I could because I knew I'd be on an indefinite vacation post-op.

My paternal grandfather succumbed to throat cancer in 1963--just ten days after my sister was born. For me, the hardest part of this whole episode was hearing my dad try not to cry. He was probably every bit as scared as I was.

I'm hoping for the best for you--we're here to help.

Julia

Thanks to everyone. We (as a family) have decided on the following course of action...
1) Wait til wednesday, so that it will be 2 weeks.
2) ring up the dr, and find out such useful info as how long the wait is likely to be, and which hospital I will be sent to etc
3) Complain that this kind of info DURING the appt (which literally went,me- hi, yeah, I've got this lump on my tongue, dr - hmm, your tonsils are a bit enlarged (actually they ALWAYS have been, even when I am 100%) me- no, it's on the back of my tongue, I've had it about 5 weeks. I don't have a sore throat, in fact, it doesn't hurt at all. dr - Oh...Hmmm...Well, I don't know what that is, You should see the oral surgeon and get it biopsied (dr then dictates referal letter into dictaphone) wait for the letter, bye)would have prevented a LOT of worry - like why worry looking every day for a letter when the waiting list is so long that it'll be months or something.

I am a one for having an action plan, always makes me feel better.

Thank you all so much for the advice, I will be sure to check back, and let you all know.

Thanks again
Lx

Hi sunset30,
I'm new to this site as well, but have found reading it very helpful. Having not been to my doctor for close on 16yrs, I was forced to go by my partner and 2 work mates. I had started to get pains in my neck oct. 2007 but did nothing thinking it was just winter bugs. By May I was in agony and went to the dr in July. Everything happened very quickly after my biopsy and had the op August 08. The whole time felt totally surreal as though I was watching it all happen to someone. I didn't have anything visible on my tongue until about 2 weeks before sdmittance to hospital. I am very laid back anyway (worse now) but I didn't have time to worry. My daughter flew out to China the day I was diagnosed, so I didn't tell her so as not to spoil her jaunt, 6 weeks I had to avoid speaking to her. My son was told I had to have tonsils removed because he was waiting to go to Afghan and I didn't want him worrying. My sanity couldn't be saved because that went a long time ago! The fact I was told I would no longer be in pain was the only comfort I needed, and it was true. My only difficulty now is eating, but I've been assured that will come with time, practise and patience. Easy for me to say but I will keep occupied so you don't think too much.Read the joke page I do. As you have already been told everyone is different but we all have something in common and all have the same goal. Getting better. All the best Elaine j

Hi sunset
In the uk we have government legislation to expediate the diagnosis of possible life threatening disease.It is called the two week rule and means that you have to be seen by a specialist within two weeks of the doctors letter being sent.Usually your GP will tell you that you will be seen under the two week rule.

So.....if your GP is worried you should be seen within the next couple of days(the hospital usually ring you and make the appointment).If he is just being cautious you will be seen within normal time scales.I know this may not be of much help,but if it is anything to worry about,it will be dealt with quickly so you should't have to spend too much time in limbo.

I have just had a mighty scare myself went to the doctors monday,got a call from the hospital thursday,had a scan tuesday,a biopsy and internal camera examination thursday,adn given the all clear thursday afternoon.I must be honest and say the ten days in between were mind blowingly scary,my family were frantic,but it was all over in a heartbeat.

Hang in there and don't be afraid to badger the hospital if you dont hear something soon.

love liz

Hi Sunset, Well its a very hard time for you I had many biopsies after my op and I was convinced that I was not going to be lucky after the 4 th biopsy after my operation.
I have not been sane since being diagnosed like many people say not only the Cancer but coping with family, work and everything else is hard when all you can think is it Cancer or not.
I just try to think wel if it is I will have to deal with it but until then I am not going to worry.
Also lost so much weight and thought well nothing to lose so ate as much ice cream as I could get my hands on hehe
and never had a sweet tooth before
Hope everthing goes well for you
Paul

Hello sunset30

quote:

Since 2001, the Department of Health and has required that patients referred urgently for possible cancer be seen by a specialist within two weeks.
ref: page 40, NICE Guidance on Head and Neck services

There is a fast track service to ensure suspected cancer cases are seen within two weeks. Please check with your doctor why you haven't received an appointment by now.

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Thanks again to everyone!
Rang and asked all the questions this morning (thinking to take a list of questions to the biopsy, won't be able to ask anything afterwards!)
Turns out that YES I will be seen within two weeks, but it is two weeks from the date he sent the letter, which was on 11th!
He doesn't think it's malignant, but is really not sure, so wants it checked out.
They don't know which hospital, cos it's all done through CASS, so they write to me and I choose which works best for me.
So, at least I know I won't be waiting forever!
Lx

Well done