Hello,

I don't usually freak out at symptoms and always try and find the most logical explanation for them. 

But recently when staying in a hotel which had very bright mirror lights, I noticed that my left tonsil is significantly larger than the right one. It doesn't hurt and I wouldn't have noticed had I not stayed in this hotel! About two years ago I started feeling the sensation of a lump in the throat which is usually called globus sensation. I put this down to frequent heartburn that I was experiencing and GERD as I have frequent symptoms of this. 

I decided to read up on the matter, whereby everything tends to point to tonsillar cancer... needless to say I've been freaking out since. I panicked and called 111 who later referred me to AandE, where I was seen by ENT. They said I have a small patch of white on the tonsil too and that while one tonsil is larger, they aren't concerned. One doctor even said, 'I think it's literally nothing, and don't think it's cancer, some people have different sized tonsils naturally, especially if you've had tonsillitis recurrently' (although I don't know if I've ever had tonsillitis) she even felt it and said it felt soft and not hard which is another promising indicator. I'm 28 and aware that this type of cancer is usually diagnosed at a much later age, but I do smoke 1 every evening and have done for the past 10 years or so. They checked my lymph nodes on my neck and none were swollen. I have no other symptoms apart from ones imagined now due anxiety.

I wouldn't worry normally but given I have this lump sensation (and have for two years) and asymmetrical tonsils, I'm fearing the worst. The doctor that discharged me has requested that I get an MRI scan given the asymmetry with my GP to sort out. So I will wait til then to see what happens and keep you posted in case there are others who have had similar issues. Also I would love for anyone to reach out if they have any similar symptoms and are further on in their investigation than myself. 

'I think it's literally nothing' is the phrase that I hold on to every day. But I'm almost convinced I have something more serious than that. After all, nothing online points any other way and usually there is at least something to hold on to.

peace and love,

ash