Questions about Tonsil Biopsy

Tonsils coming out was more intense than treatment itself (radiation)... So I'm presuming even if it were only biopsy, if they cut the tonsil tissue, three days or so was when the pain started, and lasted about a week or so...

JG

My husband was in some serious pain from his tongue/tonsil biopsy. The first couple of days were okay and then starting on day four till about two-three weeks later he was in pain. He really didn't eat much solid food during that time and lost a bit of weight, which was not cool since he really should be bulking up before chemoradiation. He breath was really awful after about a week as well. So get ready for that. The white spots are normal and part of the healing. I believe cancer of the oral tongue often presents as white spots, but I don't think SCC of the base of tongue/tonsil presents that way. If you see it at all, it's usually a lump. At least that's what I understand. 

Make sure he takes the pain meds on a schedule rather than waiting for the pain and then treating it. It works better to stay ahead of it.  

My husband was totally surprised by how long the pain lasted, and then I looked into it, and it's totally normal.

Take Care,

Helen

robswife87 said:

Skiffin and Fish just a biopsy

He still has his tonsils. Just snippets removed for biopsy to confirm primary. He will be checking with the nurse today about it. He goes for Rad Simulation and mask fitting today.

Before they started poking around you never would have know there was cancer in his mouth. Now, the tonsils have eruptions and white patches that he says are sloughing off and he is swallowing pieces when he drinks. I will assume this to be normal unless thenurse today says different.

They have really pissed off the cancer and now we wait 3 more weeks for treatment because of tooth extraction in a week. 

Sandy

was done on the node in my neck, I was saying the same thing as you....."the Dr. really pissed off the cancer". ....I went in with a relatively small and painless lump on my neck....after the biopsy, it took off......growing at a rapid rate, and hurting the whole time....boy was the cancer pissed, it knew we were after it. This went on for 6 weeks while they made their treatment plan.  T and John have had the biopsies of tonsils.... they'll lead you two thru this part.

p 

robswife87 said:

Skiffin and Fish just a biopsy

He still has his tonsils. Just snippets removed for biopsy to confirm primary. He will be checking with the nurse today about it. He goes for Rad Simulation and mask fitting today.

Before they started poking around you never would have know there was cancer in his mouth. Now, the tonsils have eruptions and white patches that he says are sloughing off and he is swallowing pieces when he drinks. I will assume this to be normal unless thenurse today says different.

They have really pissed off the cancer and now we wait 3 more weeks for treatment because of tooth extraction in a week. 

Sandy

Hi Sandy,

I thought they removed the tonsils. Nonetheless, the biopsies are very painful as well. I had biopsies done of my BOT and nasopharynx along with tonsil removal and a laryngoscopy (twice!). They're basically taking chunks of tissue out and it's gonna hurt! Just stay on top of the pain meds. 

Take a breath and don't worry about the waiting. I know... easier said than done. Between a second opinion, switching treatment centers and everything else, it was over 3 months before the first treatment.

Make sure they get all the dental stuff done now. Your husbands teeth are going to take a beating from the rads. 

I hope all goes well with the sim and mask. The mask is an "interesting" experience. Even now, with 13 sessions under my belt, it still is a very weird experience when they snap that puppy down tight before I go in. 

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

robswife87 said:

Did not go well

Well the sim and mask are rescheduled for Friday. Sent my 19 year old with him as I had to work and didn't think it would be a big deal.

He saw the doc and he said they "beat up his mouth  pretty good" but was healing okay

Went to do the mask and he couldn't lay flat down, the swollen tonsils blocked his mouth breathing and they were pinching on the nose so he couldn't breathe through that.

He was choking on his tonsils. Doc came in and said the swelling was just still to bad to try so we go again Friday.

Rob is feeling down be cuase as he said "he couldn't man up" to get it done.

I told him this hasn't slowed anything up at all and we will get it done on Friday when I can be there to help him through. The Rad doc called dentistry and got his teeth moved to tomorrow, he told them he wasn't waiting he wants radiation started on April 15. Hell he wanted to start yesterday. LOL

He is bummed no work again all week but the faster we get him through this the faster he heals and gets to enjoy summer.

PS Even his Uvula (sp) is bruised up and all purple looking

Sandy

 

sandy, sorry to hear the bad news but it has nothing to do with him being a man.  he can't help the swelling.  tell him to hang in there b/c it will get better.

God bless,

debbiejeanne

robswife87 said:

Did not go well

Well the sim and mask are rescheduled for Friday. Sent my 19 year old with him as I had to work and didn't think it would be a big deal.

He saw the doc and he said they "beat up his mouth  pretty good" but was healing okay

Went to do the mask and he couldn't lay flat down, the swollen tonsils blocked his mouth breathing and they were pinching on the nose so he couldn't breathe through that.

He was choking on his tonsils. Doc came in and said the swelling was just still to bad to try so we go again Friday.

Rob is feeling down be cuase as he said "he couldn't man up" to get it done.

I told him this hasn't slowed anything up at all and we will get it done on Friday when I can be there to help him through. The Rad doc called dentistry and got his teeth moved to tomorrow, he told them he wasn't waiting he wants radiation started on April 15. Hell he wanted to start yesterday. LOL

He is bummed no work again all week but the faster we get him through this the faster he heals and gets to enjoy summer.

PS Even his Uvula (sp) is bruised up and all purple looking

Sandy

 

Sandy,

You have to get Rob not to beat himself up of what is easy and what isn't... Everyone reacts to everything differently. Everyone on this board has their own unique story, and Rob will be no different. It's just what happens. He's man enough to say yes to treatment. He's got a tough road in front of him, but you are right, go into it, hit it hard and recover in the sweet warmth of the summer!

Best,

Kari

robswife87 said:

Did not go well

Well the sim and mask are rescheduled for Friday. Sent my 19 year old with him as I had to work and didn't think it would be a big deal.

He saw the doc and he said they "beat up his mouth  pretty good" but was healing okay

Went to do the mask and he couldn't lay flat down, the swollen tonsils blocked his mouth breathing and they were pinching on the nose so he couldn't breathe through that.

He was choking on his tonsils. Doc came in and said the swelling was just still to bad to try so we go again Friday.

Rob is feeling down be cuase as he said "he couldn't man up" to get it done.

I told him this hasn't slowed anything up at all and we will get it done on Friday when I can be there to help him through. The Rad doc called dentistry and got his teeth moved to tomorrow, he told them he wasn't waiting he wants radiation started on April 15. Hell he wanted to start yesterday. LOL

He is bummed no work again all week but the faster we get him through this the faster he heals and gets to enjoy summer.

PS Even his Uvula (sp) is bruised up and all purple looking

Sandy

 

experience (and I'm one of the older ones here )....I have yet to find any human who can hold their breath for 30 minutes...nobody can "man-up" for that.  I know he's biting at the bit to get going on this....we all were.  A 4 day set back is a small one. 

p