@alicia17frank I’m truly sorry you’re in this situation and further sorry that you can’t get into an ENT.
I went miss diagnosed twice by former primary care physician and ENT for nearly a year.
During my 6 month dental cleaning and check up my dentist found me to have tongue and throat cancer just 2 days after my 2nd miss diagnosis!!
My dentist contacted the ENT and told him to move quickly on my diagnosis and I got into the ENT a couple days later and yes Stage IV cancer!
I hade severe ear pain, difficulty swallowing food, cravings for sweets ad taking 4 exederine for migraine every 4 hours to ease the ear pain.
If you have a dentist may they can help expedite your ENT visit. Time is of the essence.
You have to have a full mouth exam and if any teeth in the radiation zone are questionable they need to be extracted and heal for 21 days prior to treatment.
As for work, I met my oncology team quickly and was ordered to file for disability at the age of 54 because they said I would never return to work.
I wish you the best and keep us updated. If you need a shoulder you can pm me any time
Jody