Dear list, I am new to the list. Two months ago I had to go to an oral surgion. He was about to work on me and out of the blue he said I see about 5 mouths like yours a year and they are always in the advanced stage of cancer. Here I am in terrible pain and on top of the pain he comes out and tells me that.That was my first bad day. He told me to see my family doctor. I went home and never went to the doctor. I didn't tell my wife until last night. I don't know what happened to me it is like I went into deep depression and couldn't talk to know one.I feel like I have a lump in my neck near my adams apple accompanied by numbness and some pain. Today I am going to the doctor to see what is wrong with me. I just wanted to talk to the people on this list because other then my wife I talked to know one and I have know idea what to expect. Thankyou for your time and say a prayer for me please.
dave

Hi Dave - well what can I say?

First up (just to annoy you) my personal thinking is that leaving things two months before telling your wife and arranging to see your doctor was a mistake. Great words of comfort eh?

But now you've made the decisions. My guess is that your doctor will refer you to a specialist. The specialist will, most likely, arrange for a biopsy which should indicate for sure whether or not you have cancer in your throat. What goes down from there on in is a matter for the people who have better knowledge than me.

Two years ago I was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue, and just like virtually everbody else I was initally shocked and frightened. I was told that they would have to remove my tongue, and that surgery would be followed by an """aggressive""" course of radiotherapy. Things were made easy for me by also being told that without the surgery etc. I'd be dead probably within 18 months.

In the event things didn't turn out as bad as I had been led to believe. I'd no bad side-effects from the radiotherapy, I've better speech than expected. Downside is I can't take solid food.

There are people who contribute to this message board who've had really bad times but thru' their own courage, and the support of friends and family, have fought back and learned how to live with cancer.

I'm a great beleiver in positive thought, and if you beleive in a God such faith can also be great help.

Thing is Dave, if it is cancer just remember that you're not alone.

Let us know how it goes with your doctor and afterwards. My prayers will be with you.

Thank you for the information. I will let you know how I make out. Prayer is a big part of my life. My wife could tell something was bothering me. After I told her last night she told me that she had been praying for me.She was upset with me for not following up sooner. Doctors come right to the point these days can a doctor tell just by looking in your mouth and throat that you may have a serious problem?
dave
Dave

Dave - good to hear you've got faith in God to help you. Plus, now you've told your wife I'm sure she'll give you a lot of support.

Short answer to your question - YES but bear in mind I've no medical training.

I'm just going by the fact that my dentist took one look in my mouth and next day I was seeing a surgeon. This was after I'd seen my doctor with the same problem at least 3 times.

Now, nothing at all to do with health problems. Are you prepared to tell me wherabouts in NJ you live?

Best wishes to both of you.

Hello Dave

Sorry to hear about your suspected cancer, but Pikeman's right. You now need to get the biopsy and other tests done, as necessary.

Prayer is helpful as it helps you remain positive and maintain your courage during adversity. There is much information accessible throught the website.

Your oral surgeon was a touch insensitive :banghead: ! You can't diagnose a cancer by just looking at it and even if it does turn out to be a cancer, the prognosis varies. It is not a automatic death sentence. He should have taken the trouble to explain things to you and made arrangements for you to have the necessary investigations carrried out. Our local dentists would have done a better job than your oral surgeon!

Keep us informed, we will support you as much as we can.

Best wishes

Vinod :coffee:

Hello Dave

Welcome to the club!

There's nothing I can add to what the others have said except to say your oral surgeon was out of order with such an insensitive remark. Hope your doctor is worth his salt and refers you to a specialist.

Do let us know the outcome. We DO care and want to hear from you.

Steph

Dear Dave, sorry to hear about what u are going through - just some words to comfort you and your wife through your hard times - be strong and let us know.shelley

Life can seem ungrateful
and not always kind.
Life can pull at your heartstrings
and play with your mind.
Life can be blissful
and happy and free.
Life can put beauty
in the things that you see.
Life can place challenges
right at your feet.
Life can make good
of the hardships that we meet.
Life can overwhelm you
and make your head spin.
Life can reward those
determined to win.
Life can be hurtful
and not always fair.
Life can surround you
with people who care.
Life clearly does offer
its ups and its downs.
Life's days can bring you
both smiles and frowns.
Life teaches us to take
the good with the bad.
Life is a mixture
of happy and sad.


So...


Take the life that you have
and give it your best.
Think positive, be happy
let God do the rest.
Take the challenges
that life has laid at your feet.
Take pride and be thankful
for each one you meet.
To yourself give forgiveness
if you stumble and fall.
Take each day that is dealt you
and give it your all.
Take the love that you're given
and return it with care.
Have faith that when needed
it will always be there.
Take time to find the beauty
in the things that you see.
Take life's simple pleasures
let them set your heart free.
The idea here is simply
to even the score.
As you are met and faced with
Life's Tug Of War.

Dear List, My wife Debbie and I thank you all very much for the advice, Kind words and Beautiful poem. I went to the specialist on friday morning. I didn't get to see him. My new appointment is tomorrow at 9:15. He had an emergency. Yes the oral surgion knocked me for a loop.I could see that his nurse was upset by his approach. I will let you all know how I make out. God Bless you all and thank you for your prayers
Dave&Debbie