Hello everyone.

Passed the one year anniversary of my tonsillar cancer diagnosis in February of this year. All my follow ups and tests since last May when I finished radiation have been cancer-free.

EXCEPT last Friday when the doctor found a bump/callous he did not like on my tongue and chopped off a piece for a biopsy. (Could anything possibly hurt worse than a needle stuck in your tongue?) I was supposed to have the results by today, but they are not back yet. The results.

This is making me crazy. I just bought a house and cannot afford to take time off for more cancer treatments. I am overdosed on adrenalin, and there is nothing I can do.

Hello Ron

It is normal to worry but a slight delay won't alter the result (only makes you sweat more unfortunately!) Hope it turns out well.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Ron, I understand. I will never forget what it felt like when the Doctor did a Biopsy. Infact I passed out when it was done good thing
my Mom was there to help me out. The pain
was something else. Hope it goes well for you
and that its not the Big C.
Cathy

Hi Ron, I have been wondering how you were doing, thinking of you, please keep us posted.
Big Bear Hugs

Doctor finally called and said 'no cancer'. I have some thickening and inflammation on my tongue where it is irritated by a crown, and where metal fillings and crowns created a hot spot during my radiation treatments.

But WHAT a relief that it is not cancer. I really did not want a repeat of what I went through last year with radiation.

Hi Ron,

Congrats on your good biopsy report. Arrived in Carmel valley for my 3 months holiday trip. Weather is super.

Hi Ron, glad your news is good, but do be on the look out for the Thrush problem, that's what I have at the moment and is a bother.
My Tongue is and has been very painful on the 'op side and had more rad on that side, so deep fissures and abit raw at times.
Big Bear Hugs and keep in touch.

Garance,

I had some kind of fungal infection on my tongue, that cleared up with antibiotics, a few months ago. And I'm glad you mentioned the fissures because I notice that off and on, too. It was in January and I kept looking at my tongue and thinking it was going to crack in half if the fissure got any deeper.

Hi Ron,
They took away part of the base of my tongue, so I kept in mind that it is a muscle, although I loath chewing gum, it has been great in keeping my tongue mobile; my jaw seems to have a life of it's own and locks from time to time; re food, still on a mild diet, canned peaches and double cream slip down well. I am at ENT tomorrow, so I am keeping fingers and toes crossed.BIG BEAR HUGS to all of you out there

Think I'll try canned peaches and cream. Now I eat milkshakes, spam, bacon, eggs, pasta Alfredo, and that's about all.

Doc told me recently there is only 10% chance of my cancer coming back. He also said after 18 months I'll be about as recovered from the radiation as I ever will be. That's only 7 more months. Which means these eating restrictions are pretty much permanent.

If we lose taste and smell, do our brains develop more keenly our other three senses? Like what happens with blind people? Just hoping, and trying to stay positive.

Hi Ron, can I ask how old you are? My son in law had tongue cancer he was only 26 was not a heavy smoker or dipped. You do not really hear about alot of people with tongue cancer or with throat cancer like my husband has. Be positive about your test's you have to otherwise it will drive you crazy.

I finally got my husband to take me fishing today it was great, it took our minds off of everything.

I'm 48 now, and I was 47 when I was diagnosed with tonsillar cancer and treated with 7 weeks of radiation. I was never a smoker either, so go figure. Where do you go with a complaint about how unfair that is?

Ron, Do you think it was second hand smoke?
It was the same with me I didn't smoke.
Cathy

Hi Guys, I have never smoked, neither have I frequented smoky places or had people smoking in my house; however, when I was younger and at the Sorbonne, I had a constant sor throat, and was told I should have my tonsils taken out, which I did not, I had ear infections and sinus problems, always on the right side, headaches on the right temple. I have this theory that because of constant infections, and due to time, the cancer cells which I am told lurk in most peoples bodies, just wait there chance to pounce, on any weak part of the body.What do you all think ??? Big Bear Hugs

Heavy drinking is also a risk factor, and I'm a sober alcoholic. So there's my dad's smoking, L.A. smog, second hand smoke at A.A. meetings, my own drinking history. I don't really give it much thought.