I've been diagnosed with throat cancer, I keep getting fighting back tears thinking of how to tell my daughter, it will destroy her, I've been very economical with the truth up to now, but soon I wont be able to hide it
You will need all the help you can get in the coming months. You should speak to the people close to you about your diagnosis. You would tell them for example if you broke a rib why not throat cancer. I kept my initial diagnosis from my wife "to protect her" going to all the appointments scans tests by myself right up to being admitted for surgery and a 4 day hospital stay. It upset her badly and damaged trust between us which has taken a long time to rebuild. You will find your daughter a lot more resilient than you give her credit for. Youve taken the first step by posting on here the next is to tell your daughter today. Also talk to friends and colleagues when your are ready.
You sound very much like me, I'm not worried about dying, although I would prefer it later rather than sooner, my biggest worry is how my daughter and wife will cope, I've have told my daughter that I had a camera up my nose and down my throat, but made light of it, and was very economical with the truth.
I am sorry to learn of yoursituationthis must be very difficult.
It is natural to want to protect loved ones when you are going through a cancer diagnosis and it is not always easy to talk about cancer. Explaining to your daughter how hard this is for you may help her to understand, but telling your family can also help you get the support you might need from them.
Macmillan Cancer Support has information abouttalking to family and friendsabout your cancer diagnosis which you may find helpful. They provide useful tips on how to discuss it and how to respond to people if you don't want to talk about it.
I hope this helps in some way, please get back to us for any further information or support. If you would like to speak with one of our nurses on the helpline, we are available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday and the freephone number to call is 0808 800 4040
