Hello,my name is Scott,a 36 year old non smoker,for a few years i have suffered from lychenplanus.my left cheek has always been a problem and got very sore from tome to time.In january it got worse but my doctor kept telling me it healthy tissue and gave me different mouthwashes,i was happy with the profressionals opinion but my wife wasn't and made me an appointment with the dentist,he took one look and told me to go to the hospital straight away,went to the hospital and had a biopsy the same day..i knew it was bad,a week later i was told i had cancer.

I had the growth removed and skin replaced with a free flap from my arm in april,it all went really well and surprisingly painfree,i was out of hospital in 7 days and recovering fast.
However it gone into a couple of glands so i needed chemo and radio,so followed 4 sessions of chemo and 20 of the radio,after about 10 sessions the mouth was getting sore and i was getting the usual symptons,i finished at the end of june and spent a couple of months eating just soggy weetabix,muller rice and build up shakes,i thought i had it hard but after reading some stuff on here i feel as though i've got off lightly,i'm now eating pretty well and hardly use the lidocaine mouthwash to help me eat anymore..eveything is going great.

Until last week when my throat started swelling up,i was seen by my consultant who said its either an infection or its come back,i've got to go for a scan on thursday and for the first time..i'm scared,i've been through all this and the thought of doing it all again is getting me down,i'm hoping its just bcause i've resumed work(being self employed ineed the money) i could be a little run down and picked up a bug.

I have to say what a great help this site has been,i've been lurking for a while and read loads of stuff which has prepared me for my op and going through the chemo/radio.

Scott

I am sorry to hear what you have been through and am sorry to hear you may have more. I am only a care giver not a receiver but I am self employed and can relate to the need to keep working. You will be in mythoughts on Thursday. Please come back and post and let us know how you do. I guess this is the only time I wish a cold or infection to someone.....

ps did they give you an antibiotic incase it is an infection??

Scott - you are facing the scenario we all dread and no amount of words will stop you being frightened, I am sure.

You can just hope that it is an infection and deal with that or receive the worst news - and deal with that too.

That's all we can do, play with the cards we are dealt.

Good luck - hope for the best news

The doctor seems quite sure that its an infection and gave me anti biotics ,he said the scan was just to double check but when the ultrasound people phoned with the appointment it made me sick,people say i'm worrying for nothing but its easy for them to say.

Dear Scott,
I can well imagine what is going through your mind and that is totally normal. try and take it positively and think yes its a bug that you've picked up and in case it is not so - we will tackle it then. You already have been through a lot and know how it saps one of his/her energy. The positive part I see at the moment is whatever the scenario - you are working from home and that is something that need not stop totally. Yes - the drain on finances is to be expected - but it would have been worse if you were working for someone else.

Another thing in your favor is that as you have been through this before - you actually know what to expect and nothing is going to come as a surprise to you and you are prepared for it - making it easier for you to handle it. So use all your experience of dos and donts and you will be fine. I cannot say how much of work you may be able to do - but it certainly wont have to stop. Keep you chin up and get ready to take on the world - its tough but not as tough if you decide its not.
As Helpingdad and Winne said do keep posting - it will help you take a load off your chest and you will have a lot of people to help take load off you.
Take care,
Ananth

Hi Scott, I think Ananth covered just about everything I would have written. I hope it all goes well and remember there's plenty of support here whenever you need it. Hagg.

Finally a bit of good news,the scan was ok and the doctor said there was nothing abnormal going on in there..woohoo
This has really given me a lift and with my fast improving eating prowess i'm feeling very positive,there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Take care

Scott

I am so pleased for you Scott, you have been for another unwelcome ride on this roller coaster but luckily you can now step off again. keep positive,keep strong. Keep eating

Love Mum

Great news about the scan, Scott!

Now you just have to concentrate on eating and getting really well again.

Don't work too hard!

All best wishes
Gwyn