Hi how are you.
First of all I just want to congratulate the people who make up this

forum, it is just great. I have read some of the postings, and everybody

does contribute a little for the forum. Thanks a lot.
Now, I think I have a Mucocele, I am 24, male, living in sunny miami.

This thing that I think it is a mucocele its been there for almost 2

months, it started small and it grew a lot. So today I finally got

worry.and I don't have insurance
I just want to know the opinion of those who are already familiar with

the condition, or know something about it(I am scare to death about big word Cancer :'(... I upload these pictures of me,

so as the saying goes " an image it is worth a thousand words". Any

opinion will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
pd:I have already started the " salt treatment".
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Hi scaryfeeling, cant help with the pics but welcome to the site. This american "dont have insurance" thing does my head in. I'm glad it's not like that here, insurance shouldn't come into it. All the best, Hagg.

Hi, scaryfeeling,

You've made it to the right place. I recently gave some info to another new member who is also worried and uninsured - maybe it can be of help to you.

**********
Hang on! You'll be on the phone for a long long time.

Begin by contacting the National Cancer Institute Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). They have information about how to get free tests and treatment.

I'm assuming you're in Broward County: There's a "24-hour, free, confidential telephone Helpline for crisis/suicide counseling, empathetic listening and community information and referrals for health and human services resouces in Broward County." Dial 211 or 954- 537-0211

American Cancer Society Broward Area
3407 NW Ninth Ave., Suite 100
Fort Lauderdale, 33309
954-564-0880
Fax: 954-561-8072
sueellen.boatright@cancer.org

Social Services - you may be eligible for Medicaid or other programs for low-income people
If you google Social Services Broward County you'll get a huge listing.

If you're undocumented, contact your local Catholic Charities or Catholic Health organization (you don't have to be Catholic) or other charity/agency that deals with undocumented people.

I would contact the first reference I gave, then the 211 organization, then ACS. I'd find a low-cost or charity dentist to look at my mouth immediately - bumps don't necessarily mean cancer. You can probably find a dentist in the Social Services listings; if not, go anywhere but do it quickly! Go now, pay later!

During my cancer treatment I met patients on Medicare, with insurance, partial insurance, without insurance - the whole gamut. We were side by side receiving the same medical care. Getting to the treatment point will take some effort - get a friend or two to help you make calls and get through the system.

Best of luck to you. Let us know what happens and please! Have a dentist or doctor check your mouth immediately! Oh - I always advise checking with a dentist first because the cost is far less for the initial appointment.

************

Hagg,

You said, "This American 'don't have insurance' thing does my head in."

Mine too! We're finally running a candidate who thinks like we do. Wish us all luck!

As I wrote above - and this is important to remember: "During my cancer treatment I met patients on Medicare, with insurance, partial insurance, without insurance - the whole gamut. We were side by side receiving the same medical care. Getting to the treatment point will take some effort - get a friend or two to help you make calls and get through the system."

You will be treated, no matter what; however, if you have assets and don't have insurance, wave goodbye to them. This is an instance where it's preferable to be flat broke.

Good luck, buddy!

Mimi

Hello scaryfeeling

It is not possible to make a diagnosis over the Internet. It doesn't appear to be a mucocelle as these usually appear as translucent bluish, fluctuant mucosal swelling, often with a history of periodic rupture but your lesion looks a bit like Fig. 4. It could be a kind of granulomatous lesion (Fig. 3) or a it could be an infected traumatised fibroma (Fig. 5) as these present as a firm, pink, smooth-surfaced nodule. The only way to confirm the diagnosis would be to do an excision biopsy.

Bottom-line: you need to see an oral & maxillofacial surgeon for an excision biopsy and diagnosis.

Hope that helps. Do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Mimi, I know we are really lucky here in the UK but to lose assets etc just seems like madness. I dont really follow politics USA stylee so I 'spose it's swings and roundabouts but it seems mad, as I said.
On a more serious note , I wish we got our petrol at your pump prices .

Hagg I know at least we get very good treatment here for free (apart from paying through taxes) but it's a real possibilty to lose your place to live, which is what will happen to us if we're not very lucky, neither of us are paid sick leave, so hence i'm back to work rather than supporting graham through this, but my wages won't pay a huge mortgage and bills, shame you can't plan for everything.

On another note Graham has managed so far on the bike, its keeping him sane, something to focus on and in control. So glad about that!

Hi musefan, sorry to hear of your money hassles. Nobody should have to worry about money when they are so ill, but that's me in my ideal world again.
Glad Grahams still on the bike. It's one of the best therapies there is. It worked wonders for me. Hagg.

Dear Muse Fan, Hagg and Mimi,
I try not to get into these financial matters as I really feel down and out when I hear about it. In India - medical treatment in the government hospitals is so cheap that anyone can afford it. Its upto an extent where they dish out free treatment. I used to always look down with disdain whenever I would pass any of these hospitals, little realising thatn it was one of these hospitals that will allow me to survive a little longer. Just to give you an idea- not one of my plenty of surgeries cost me more then Rs.75/- which would translate into a little more or less then a pound sterling or one dollar and eighty odd cents. This includes all the charges of the OT, the doctors fees - well just about everything except the medicines which have to be bought (only if you are not needy and not anywhere close to the poverty line). Keeping everything in view, I think I made the best choice of getting treated in India. The irony of the whole situation is that the doctors who work in the hopsital where I was treated go and settle down in the UK and the US. I will not be surprised if one if not more doctor you met or was a part of the team that took care of you'll was an Indian from AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) where I was treated.
I could have travelled to any part of the world for my treatment but am sure the consequences would have been worse then what worse can be. Yes - I have complications and was really feeling low for the last couple of days. However, when I spoke to my doctor today, he asked me if I was willing to go in for a laser treatment to open and widen both my food and air passage. The lasers began operating only this morning. If this works out - then everything is back to normal - if not I still wont feel bad. And again - its free. In the event I have stay overnight a private room (a bedroom and a visitors lounge, bath and kitchen) would cost me about 40 USD all inclusive. The general ward is free. In fact a lot of Americans and Europeans make Singapore and India their medical vacation as the amount you'll pay - with that kind of money - you could fly down to India, check into hospital and get the full treatment and will find its still cheaper.
Its just my two bit on the treatments in different countries.I initially wanted to go to Spain for my treatment but I really dont know why I stayed on and took a chance here and that I think was the best desecion I have ever made as far as the cancer is concerned.
Take care folks,
Love,
Ananth

Scaryfeeling - get to a Doctor!! Getting treatment sooner that later is what you want to do. YOu can also call 800-ACS-2345 and get a "live" person 24/7 (free advice and direction to resources)

bob