Oh sorry cookie was good! Have you tried trifle. Yum!

Hi Gary, your convalescing sounds great! I remember feeling at my worst up to ten days after treatment ended, my very bad days being when I over did it. I finished on Friday 20th December, managed to struggle up to Christmas Day, but by the end of it I was feeling very ill but by New Year's Eve there was a massive improvement. Get lots of rest and sleep when you have to. I have never slept so much as I did then! Hope the last few days go ok for you this week. Euros purchased and at the ready!

Speak soon, Nicola.

Hi Nicola,

Good luck for your tongue check up this week. We both know it'll be clear and I'm sure that you're going to make your feelings known about your PEG tube. It you have it in much longer we'll have to get it a birthday present!

You reminded me of Christmas - I remember that my target was to eat a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings - didn't manage it unfortunately but I did manage to struggle through about half of it. By way of a contrast, I had two small fried beef burgers last night - I checked to see that there wasn't any black pepper in them and, surprise surprise, they went down really well. The trick for me was to ensure that they are not done too crispy and to cover them in cheese and onion sauce. It turned out to be the best meal I can remember for a long while. I'm also majoring on those magic noodles thingys at the moment - they slip down really nicely too because they're soft and retain a lot of moisture. They are also easy to do in the microwave which is important for me because I'm useless with the cooker!

Hope all goes well this week. I'm keeping an eye on the Vatch thread - he seems to be almost exactly a year behind you and I.

Good luck with the PEG.

SimonXX

Nicola, the euro rate looks good. More of a reason to indulge yourself! IM not going to be complacent. I know things can get worse for the first couple of weeks. Feeling a bit sleepy now! Just have to keep eating! Regards, G

Simon, burger sounds great!

Well here comes the worry all over again.

I had my monthly check up yesterday at the dental hospital (although I didn't receive an appointment for last month). My last check up was 8 weeks ago with my consultant and I mentioned a sore white patch on my tongue but he checked it and said it was nothing to worry about. The sore patch is still there and probably worse so I mentioned it again yesterday - a different person doing my check up, someone I hadn't seen before. They have suggested a biopsy to be on the safe side which will be on 18th June. They offered me an appointment on Monday of next week but as we go to Paris next Wednesday and having had a tongue biopsy before so I know what to expect, I didn't want to go away on holiday with a throbbing tongue and be unable to eat. So it's two weeks until the biopsy and then another wait for the results. I hate all this worry, this will be the second biopsy since treatment finished as I had one on a lump in my neck recently. I just want to get on with my life and put all this nasty stuff behind me but its impossible with this to worry about now.

The max fax dentist that did my check up yesterday did say that it could be friction from where my still very swollen tongue is rubbing on my teeth. He has also prescribed some anti fungal stuff to see if that could clear up the white patch. I did initially think that it could be friction but that's what my consultant thought was causing the original ulcer last year which turned out to be cancerous. This sore patch is on the same side of the original ulcer and runs along the tongue graft where it joins my original tongue. I know they have to investigate anything like this but it all fills me with fear again.

Simon, so glad to hear about the beef burgers, I've really fancied a burger a few times but have resisted as I know it's not worth it but hopefully soon I can manage one!

Nicola xx

Nicola, nothing much I say will stop you worrying. We are all hyper sensitive to anything but this is along the surgery divide. It is much more likely to be something innocent surely. I know its hard but try to enjoy your trip which you really deserve. I will be exactly the same. If they were overly worried wouldn't they insist on a biopsy now? Ive got everythin crossed for you. IM sure you will be fine and make Paris then Leeds!

Thinking of You, Gary

Hi Gary and Gary,

Thanks both for your supportive replies. I must be mad to turn down the biopsy for next week but my trip to Paris is something that has been planned for a while as it was something to look forward to when all of the bad stuff was happening and I didn't get to spend as much time with my little girl. So euro disney is my way of spoiling her a bit and having some fun with her as we both went through the rough times together, even though she's too young to understand. So I didn't want it spoiled it any way, even tough my mind will now be worrying about the next biopsy.

I was advised yesterday to go to my regular dentist and have two teeth 'shaved' to see if that could help the friction so I made an appointment for today but it turned out to be a waste of time. My dentist said he could not do it as it would leave my tooth exposed and sensitive. Really could have done without that wasted trip today what with feeling fatigued and stressed. Oh well.

Vatch, keep us posted with your biopsies and results. We are all here to give advice and support. I hope you saw my previous reply to you about treatment etc. but ask anything at all.

Guzzle, almost there now and you still sound so chirpy!

Speak soon,

Nicola xx

Hi Nicola

I do not think anyone will blame you for delaying the biopsy.  I know from your previous posts that the Paris trip has been planned for some time.

Go away and have fun with your daughter.  There will be enough time to worry when you get back and I doubt that a week or two will really make that much difference.

Have a great time.

Gill

Hi Nicola,

I'm really sorry to hear about your mouth. What you describe is sounds very similar to something I experienced some weeks ago. I had a white lump (sort of a creamy colour really, with some pink thrown in) on the rear underside of my tongue - it wasn't raised at all so a patch may have been a better description. I kept an eye on it for a few weeks and it didn't go away. I became quite concerned and the oncologist had a look and said that he thought it was a type of ulcer and that it was being aggravated by tooth friction. Anyway, long story short, it did disappear on its own accord after a month or so. I've since had another similar episode. Apparently these things are common post radiation. Do not worry (hard, I know) and enjoy your trip - you deserve it.

We're all looking forward to hearing about your trip!

Simon XX