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Pea size lump in my tongue

Annieloe
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I am 65 and I found a pea size lump in my tongue 2 weeks ago. I went to my GP who was unable to tell me what it was. She referred me to the Head and Neck Maxillofacial department at our local hospital and said I would be seen within the two week wait. I had been freaking out until last night when I was feeling my tongue and squeezing it a little with my teeth and it oozed some pus.
It is not Painful and hasn't been either before this.
My appointment was today.
The consultant asked me lots of questions about my general health and wellbeing, which is good, but I have been very lethargic the last few months and have not wanted to do anything much at all.
The consultant looked all around my mouth and felt the lump, she tried to squeeze it but nothing oozed out of it. She felt all around my neck, shoulders, and face and said she thinks it maybe a cyst, but would like to completely remove the lump. She said this would be arranged very quickly as she would keep me on the urgent two week appointment list.
She told me to try not to worry. I was told they would completely remove it by cutting it out and then stitching it back up, under local anesthetic, and that I would be sore for a few days and on a liquid diet!
Although I was told not to worry, I am really scared of the procedure as well as the outcome.
I am going on a cruise on the 24th June and am wondering if I will be ok to go.
I am going with a friend who recently lost her husband and it's also only the second holiday I have had since losing my hubby 12.5 years ago.
Any advice would be very welcome!

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    Hi Annieloe,

    I know that you are terrified at the thought of an operation, but this sounds fairly straightforward. Despite this I don’t expect that you will stop worrying until it is all behind you.

    Have you mentioned your cruise to your surgeon and what did she say about going away so soon after this procedure?  You will naturally not want to let your friend down, especially given her circumstances. However, I’m sure that she would understand if you had to.

    Waiting for pathology results after surgery is a stressful time as is waiting for surgery. If you are well enough to go a holiday like this it might be the best medicine you could have. Discuss it with your surgeon before your surgery. You will then have a better idea of where you stand. In the meantime try to take your mind off all that lies ahead of you by keeping yourself busy.

    I hope that all goes well on 24th and that it doesn’t turn out to be anything sinister after all.

    I will be thinking of you and praying for a good outcome.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thank you Jolamin for your reply and your prayers.

    I did mention the cruise to the consultant, and she said that I should be alright!!!

    I think I'll wait until the appointment comes through to see how near it is to the 24th and if it's very close I think I may ask if I can defer it!

    Thanks so much again, I will post further when I know more.

    Have you had this procedure at all?

    Kind regards, 

    Anne

  • Offline in reply to Annieloe

    Hi Anne,

    No I have no experience of this procedure. I have had two bouts of primary breast cancer within a year of each other. I had a lumpectomy initially and a double mastectomy the second time around. I now have bilateral lymphoedema and a lot of joint pain plus a lot of side effects from the medication I’ve been taking. Still, I’ve had it for six years, so I’m thankful that I’m still here.

    I’m glad that you have mentioned the cruise to your consultant and that she thinks that you should be able to go. I think that you just have to wait and see how things go over the next couple of weeks first. Don’t cancel too soon. Wait and see how things go nearer the time. As you say, you might even be able to defer surgery until after your holiday.

    I hope that all goes well whenever you have your surgery and that you get a favourable result. Having this hanging over you is always a stressful time. Try to keep yourself busy with other matters. This should help time to pass a little quicker and help to take your mind off what lies ahead of you.

    Take care and I hope that you have a lovely restful holiday.

    Jolamine xx

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Jolamine,

    Thank you again for your reply.

    I am so sorry you have had 2 lots of Primary Breast Cancer.   I cannot even imagine having to go through that twice!  What a lovely person you are helping everyone when you yourself have suffered so very much.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there for me at this worrying and stressful time!

    The hospital telephoned me this afternoon to tell me my appointment is on 15th June at 8am.

    I asked the young lady if they could get me in before that date or maybe delay it as it was quite close to my holiday.  She advised me that I should stick with the 15th as my notes were marked urgent,  and delaying it I should not think of.  I have asked her if they happen to get a cancellation could I be considered for that appointment, which she has agreed to.

    So for now I'm still in on the 15th but hopefully something will come up.

    I will keep you informed and hopefully will either get it done before, or sail through the procedure with little or no after effects!

    Thanks so much again, and I wish you all the luck in the world with your prognosis!

    Anne xx

  • Offline in reply to Annieloe
    Hi anne I had the same procedure 3 months ago and i was really scared but i was worried for nothing really I didnt have much pain apart from 3 days after the op when my neck swelled up but that only lasted 2 days and ibuprofen and paracetamol did the trick. I hope you will have the op earlier so you wont have to worry about your cruise but even if you dont im sure you will be fine i was eating normally with a week Try not to worry to much Natalie :)
  • Offline in reply to Nat712

    Hi Natalie,

    Thank you so much for telling me about your experience with this test.  You have helped me no end.

    Would you mind telling me what your symptoms were and what the outcome was please?  I do hope it was favourable.

    Thanks again Natalie...

    Kindest regards,

    Anne x

     

  • Offline in reply to Annieloe
    Hi anne Glad to hear this has helped The lump in my tongue was cancer but i already knew this from a biopsy i had 2 months before They have removed everything now and i dont need anymore treatment at the moment just check ups each month so i feel very very lucky I didnt have any symptoms fron this at all i wasnt even aware i had the lump until i went to the dentist for a 6 month check up I dont smoke or drink the doctor said i was just unlucky I hope you will get good news from your op when they remove it Natalie x
  • Offline in reply to Nat712
    I have just been booked in for a unknown lump bigger than a pea to be removed from the underside of my tongue. I have opted for local anaesthetic but am concerned about how painful it will be to have the tongue injected ! Did you have local and how did you find it ? Thanks for your time .
  • Offline in reply to omaj
    Hi I had a lump removed from the top of my tongue last June. I had a local anesthetic also which was not too painful. However, you can feel them tugging at your mouth and it was uncomfortable but not painful. I think they sucked it out after cutting my tongue to get too it. I was given pain killers and told to take them for a couple of days, but I did need them for longer as I got an infection in it somehow and it was very sore and uncomfortable drinking and eating. I waited nearly six weeks to get the result, fortunately the lump was benign! I was able to go on a cruise that I had booked prior to finding the lump 2 weeks later. Eating was still a problem and of course not getting the result prior to cruising spoilt the holiday somewhat. If I can be of any help do please message me. Wishing you all the best. Anne
  • Offline

    Hi I'm 64 just been referred to hospital with a black lump on the end of my tonuge I'm really worried also, I to am flying away on holiday on the 24th so I can feel and understand what your going through, there's not much anyone can say I just hope your ok and trying to be positive as I am.

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