question: I had a tongue biopsy last week - 19Dec - under general anaesthetic due to a recurring ulcer that I have been bothered with for more than a year.  This was on the right side of my tongue very near to the front/tip.  The surgeon took a slice of my tongue and cauterised the wound without suturing.  It has been very sore and uncomfortable to talk, eat or drink, and is very swollen around the wound.  The last 24 hours I have noticed that the lymph node under my jaw on the right side (where the section was taken) just in front of my ear is very tender and hurts to touch.  Getting a bit concerned as Xmas is in 36 hours and I really thought it would have well settled by now (4 days).  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  I am 60 years old and a smoker (I know, I know!!)