health scare, dental stuff
So last week I broke down and got my first dental cleaning in over five years.
And one of the hygienists found a lump. They didn't test it then and there because I wasn't sure what lump they were talking about, so I didn't know if it had been there for not. But I finally found what I think they were talking about... and yeah, it's been there for about a month.
I scheduled an oral cancer screening for this Tuesday.
health scare, dental stuff
I freaked myself out completely at first with the fact that, well, it is a little red sore, and it hasn't healed in about a month. But then I called home and talked to my mom a little for some reassurance, and...
Well, I'll level with you. It's tiny. It's literally smaller than the head of a pin. It's not even particularly raised, it's just a tiny little red divot. If I understand right, it's like Stage 0.0001 and they are profoundly likely to nail it.
health scare, dental stuff
@zebratron2084 Oh goodness! I'm so glad it was caught so early!
Best of luck, hon. Wishing you all the health.
health scare, dental stuff
@Ulfra_Wolfe Yeah, I mean, I don't really know much about the condition or the alternative possibilities, but I've looked at an awful lot of nightmarish dental photos today... and whatever I have looks to be about 1/100th the size of... that. *shudder* And I have no other symptoms, really, no swelling or anything, so I suspect there isn't some looming mass of horror under the surface.
health scare, dental stuff
@zebratron2084 Sounds good, then! High chances!
health scare, dental stuff
@zebratron2084 Hang in there! Anxiety is so hard but it sounds like you've got this. <3
health scare, dental stuff
@zebratron2084 it's kinda weird that having done medical transcription on the one hand I know that EVERYTHING IS A SYMPTOM OF CANCER, and on the other hand I know that 99% of the time it either isn't cancer or it's so benign it should hardly be called the same thing. XD
it's very likely a cyst. Spouse has one on his side that's the size of a grape, it's disgusting but it's definitely *not* cancer, and doctors say "enh--it's not inflamed or growing, ignore it." XD
health scare, dental stuff
Right now I'm feeling shaken but strong. And REALLY wishing medical websites would talk more about all the things that might NOT be wrong with you. ;p I haven't been able to find much discussion of non-cancer possibilities, but given my past experience with WebMD Panic Syndrome, I'm assuming hundreds of them exist. :p
So yeah. I am probably passing along worry over absolutely nothing but I gotta dump this last little bit of anxiety here, be brave, and get back to work