After waiting three weeks, I finally get to see Dr. N, my otolaryngologist (head and neck surgeon), about the sore spot on my tongue. My oncologist, Dr. Barbara, discovered the tongue sore during a routine visit on June 23. The pain level has varied from day to day and sometimes during a given day. Not an excruciating pain by any means, but mostly aggravating when noticeable.

I’ve tried not to worry about it during the past three weeks and I’ve been mostly successful. However, sitting in the waiting room, my anxiety level was slowly rising. What if…

First Dr. N’s assistant takes a look at the sore spot as well as “scopes” the back of  my tongue and mouth. He does not seem too concerned, but cautions that Dr. N will have the final say. A bit later Dr. N arrives and proceeds to poke around at the sore area. Later he says that he was trying to make it bleed, and that would not be good. However, the good news is no bleeding. But my tongue now really hurts!

The verdict – Dr. N feels that it is an “artifact” of the radiation, a very delayed artifact since my radiation treatment was a year ago. He did not feel that a biopsy was necessary, but would do one if it would make me feel better. What to do? If he thinks this is not abnormal and that we just need to monitor it to make sure it doesn’t get larger, then I’m comfortable with no biopsy.

I have an appointment with Dr. N already scheduled for late September, so we decide to do nothing now, “keep an eye” on it, and see if there are any changes in September. He took a couple of photos of my tongue for the records so he won’t have to rely on his memory or written notes.

If the “lump” gets bigger and impairs my eating (can’t have that), Dr. N says they can “just cut it out.” Not a pleasant thought.. But for now, I will wait and pray that it heals on it’s own.

My regular 6-week visit with my oncologist today included a mixture of good news and potentially not so good news.

First, the good news. I’m feeling fine and Dr. Barbara, my oncologist, is happy with my progress. I’m exercising, losing about 1 pound a week, eating everything (except spicy foods), and good range of motion with neck and mouth.

Second, the not so good news. Dr. Barbara’s assistant discovered a sore spot on my tongue. Actually, it’s a small “lump” with a white area on the tongue surface. I had not felt any lump or bump on my tongue prior to the appointment. However, after Dr. Barbara had poked and prodded my tongue, it was sore when I left the clinic.

Dr. Barbara felt that it was probably nothing to worry about. However, I should get Dr. N, my otolaryngologist (head and neck surgeon), to take a look. Not urgent – in the next few weeks would be fine. She wasn’t too worried, but I was. Despite the good report from the CT Scan, what’s going on with this tongue sore? Dr. N has a busy schedule, so it was 3 weeks before I could get an appointment since Dr. Barbara said it was not urgent.

Since Dr. Barbara feels it’s nothing to worry about, I try to convince myself that I should not worry. Let’ s see what Dr. N says before I worry too much…

More good news! I had an appointment with Dr. C., my radiation oncologist, today. He scoped my mouth and base of tongue -> all is clear!

Dr. C. is very pleased with my recovery. He does not want to see me again until December!

I told him that I had walked in the Country Music half-marathon. He thought that was great. He and his 9 year old son ran in the half-marathon. This is the fourth half-marathon for his son!

I’m feeling great. I hope you are too 🙂