Cancer Research UK main site

Virgin throat Cancer sufferer

Vatch
Offline

Hi all

I have just been diagnosed with Throat Cancer (28th April) and although at the moment Docs can only find the secondary site (right neck lymph node), they are still looking for the Primary - I've had my CT and PET CT scan done and nothing found, so I am now going in for multiple biospsies to find that prime site

Although this started off very rocky I have been told that its not only treatable but cureable, so I suppose i am luckier than some on here and aware of it

I am a very positive person and am just taking this all as it comes to me .... as I am sure you are all aware there is a lot to take in when you are first diagnosed

I think the biggest problem with me at the moment is i dont feel ill .. I just had a sore throat in Feb, which did not go, my glands were up, but one never went down so went to the docs who sent me to the hospital and within a few weeks i was diagnosed

I am sure at some point the treatment is going to hit me but i am still unaware to what extent ... and i know its different for everyone

Whilst Docs are still trying to find the prime site I am getting close to starting my Radio and Chemo Therapy for 6 weeks .. I have also been told that the Chemo should get rid of the secondary tumour in my neck lymph node so they are hoping not to operate and i wont lose my hair ... but i will deal with that one when i get there

As I said, I have difficulty defining how ill i really am (not as bad as some of you on here i know) I still play Squash, Football and take my wife Salsa dancing, but i guess whilst going through the treatment i am going to have to slow things down and look after myself

So i just wondered if any of you on here had gone through similar treatment and if there any advice you would like to offer

From what i can see constipation appears to be a big issue and some suffer with terrible sickness

But from the point of starting my treat whats my rollacoster to recovery

Oh and any information about having a peg fitted and how that works and for how long going forward would be appreciated

onwards and upwards

  • Offline in reply to Vatch

    Hi Vatch

    Glad to hear you have had your planning scan and mask fitting.  Certainly sounds weird although I like Simon's idea of bringing out at Halloween.

    You are really on you way now. 

    will keep fingers crossed that you are lucky enough to be in the Guzzle camp with regard to side effects.

    Keep us posted.

    Best wishes.

    Gill

  • Offline in reply to Guzzle

    Hi Gary

    You really are superhuman and totally amazing (apoogies have just been told I should say totes amzeballs!) for even thinking about a 50 mile cycle.  Hope it was ok and that you are not too sore.

    Am currently chasing up hospital as it has been two weeks and still no dates for PET and Ultrsound scans and they want results by the time I go back in two weeks.  They might need to borrow your bike.

    Best wishes.

    Gill

  • Offline in reply to SleepyCat

    Hi Gill, ride was fine. Beautiful day and Cheshire countryside (and cake!) followed by a couple of beers. Certainly slept well!

    Vatch joes its going?

  • Offline in reply to SimonSmith

    Hi Vatch,

    I hope you're doing ok, it's all a bit nervy at this stage but once you get into the routine of your treatment you'll probably relax a little about the unknown. You sound in good spirits anyway. All of Simons advice was spot on for making travel arrangements, keeping your calorie intake high and spinning your peg etc. Also prepare for the worst but hope for the best! I suppose that's what I did too looking back.

    I kept a blog too, on Facebook. In fact I announced to everyone that I had cancer on Facebook. I found it easier than sending millions of text messages or having the same conversation twenty times over. I was overwhelmed by the response that I got, everyone was so lovely with messages offering support and help etc and then they all wanted to hear of my progress so I kept it going, even now. Have you told everybody yet? How have people reacted?

    The mask fitting gives a good insight as to what you can expect during treatment and yes you are right, you will become very close! You will also get very used to it. I kept mine too, it's at the back of the cupboard under the stairs. I wanted to keep it but now I don't like looking at it!

    I hope you have recovered well from the biopsies and good luck with starting treatment.

    Nicola

  • Offline in reply to Nicola2209

    Hi Nic, have to stop meeting like this! Id love to read your blog sometime if that's OK, Cheers Gary

    Good luck Vatch!

  • Offline in reply to Guzzle

    Hi all

    Sorry been getting ready foe all my treatments and tryuing to tie things up at work

    Ive started a blog too .. as i am not going to be able to repeat myself 20 time over  http://gammaraygary.wordpress.com/about/

    I hope you are all ok Guzzle, Simon, Nicola, Gill And Deb

    Im fine, just want to get on with it now

    Oh well tuesday here i come PEG and start of Radio therapy ... yippeeeeeeeee

  • Offline in reply to Vatch

    Hi Vatch,

    Good luck mate and welcome to the club!

    I hope that your ride is as good as it can be.

    I'll keep an eye on your blog to see how it's going.

    Simon.

  • Offline in reply to Vatch

    Good luck, Vatch! Welcome to the radio/chemo roller coaster - prepare yourself for a bumpy ride !

    Debbie

  • Offline in reply to Vatch

    Great attitude , Go Vatch!

  • Offline in reply to Vatch

    Ht  Vatch

    Will be thinking of your on Tuesday.  i am back a the hospital for my four week check and to get the result of the PET Scan.

    Very best of luck.

    Gill

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.