Unless you have been there it can be difficult to understand. And yes I have been there. Talking is good if anyone will listen. I don't know if Macmillan will help at all? I had exactly the same thing some many years ago. And it may be just a scrape on the side of the tongue. In my case it was a pre-cancerous lesion which was lasered away. Unpleasant but sorted. If that happens, do ask for powerful pain killers for a few days as standard ones just don't do the business.

At worst and it's oral cancer, well, catching it early really matters. Really really matters. Mine, most unusually, did become cancer some years later, but the medical team were really great and 5 years on I am just fine and look to enjoy retirement for many years to come.