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Virgin throat Cancer sufferer

Vatch
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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
    This is GREAT news Vatch, I'm so pleased for you. I can remember I was walking on air when I received the same news earlier this year! I hope you suitably celebrated! How's the tongue ulcer doing? Good luck with the peg removal tomorrow, it was all straight forward for me, I'm sure it will be for you too. Amazingly I felt I had taken a massive step forward when my peg was removed. Well done for getting through this horrendous journey! Nicola xx
  • Offline in reply to Nicola2209

    Hi Vatch,

    Good to catch up with your news -and really pleased that things are positive for you at this time of year.

    Isn't it wonderful to get shot of the PEG - I remember well how fed up I got with that blooming thing dangling in the shower. It served a purpose and it was a life-saver, but I grew to dislike it intensely over time.

    I haven't been logged into the site for a while - I had some real issues with it (I've put my moans on Nicola's thread so I won't bore you with them here). The site is still clunky IMO and not as intuitive as the previous one.

    I hope you managed to enjoy some Christmas food - I managed a fair-sized portion of the usual fare, well-soaked in gravy. I took longer to eat than everyone else but I got there in the end. It was far easier than last year. No potatoes or mince pies though. Importantly, I could drink alcohol - beer only and not wine or spirits, so a couple of Guinness's slipped down rather nicely.

    You take care matey and let's look forward to a healthy 2015.

    Maybe one day we'll have as much energy as the human-dynamo that is Guzzle!

    Simon

     

     

  • Offline in reply to SimonSmith
    Simon, good to hear you buddy. I keep in contact with Nic on fb which is easier. We are planning to get together and hopefully you can make it. Glad you can enjoy a beer. Merry Xmas Simin
  • Offline in reply to Guzzle
    Guzzle are you the rugby g jones on facebook
  • Offline in reply to Vatch
    Catch picture of iron man sculpture in beach Gary jones. Friends with Nicola jones if that's easier!
  • Offline in reply to Guzzle

    hi all

    I just thought i would update my post here

    I am now 7 months out of treatment and things are going well

    I have just had a cold that sort of whacked me out a bit, but the worst thing was the addition gunk in my throat....horrible

    My tast is till all over the place but i find its coming back but its food specific, I can taste thing like cheese on toast but i can eat cheese by itself, a Korma is very bland to me but a passanda i can taste.

    I still cant do chips bread and pizza without copious amounts of liquid

    But as its easter I was able tpo have hot cross buns with loads of melted butter

    As for my streng, well my 13 year old son has more than i, but its coming back, Oh and i cant put on weight for love nor money

    But I am good and is if this is as good as it gets then i am happy to live like this

    I hope you all had a good Easter

     

    Vatch

  • Offline in reply to Vatch

    Hi am new hear,just read your post Great News ! Do hope I have the same strength and spirit as yourself and many others on this site. At this moment I am very worried about throat issues ie  difficulty swallowing,neck pain earpain .I visited ENT, camera up nose,in throat  etc the consultant informed me that my voicebox has severe erosion caused by acid reflux ? Put me on meds for this.Three weeks on no sign of any improvement infact it seems worse ,I am losing too much weight throat etc  symptoms have gotten worse also bad night sweats and the pain keeps me awake .I am returning to the consultant next week.At the moment I do not know what is going to happen I am thinking allsorts and I am very scared. I would appreciate any advice from all etc. 

                                                                            Marg

     

  • Offline in reply to maggie11

    Marg

    Thanks for your reply and thoughts

    I am not sure if you said you had cancer or your voice problems have come about via yur acid reflux, but I am sure you will correct me.

    I wrote a blog about my whole experience, which includes the problems i had with my voice, losing it, the problems with speach, swallowing, the whole lot its on gammaraygary.wordpress.com/about/ you might find it of some use.

    I was back at Addenbrookes yesterday so get used to the camera down the nose by now, its still uncomfortable, but worth it i am told

    Happy to answer any of your questions so ask away

    Regards

    Vatch

  • Offline in reply to Vatch

    On the 28th April it will be a year to the day that I was told I had cancer. My god what an incredible amazing a difficult journey I have been on since that day. I have seen the wonders of the NHS and it's fabulous staff, spoken to some brilliant and inspiring people on this website and appreciate and love my family and friends a whole lot more. And as for my one in a million wife, well words are just not enough. It's also a very special day today as I am meeting up with a few of those who from this site have helped me understand the treatment I went through   ,we are all meeting up in London today and a thank you a cuddle just does not explain how much these people have meant to me over the last year. Come on down if you are around  Vatch

     

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Vatch

    Hi Vatch

    We hope you all have a great time meeting up today!

    Congratulations for getting through such a difficult year.

    All the best,

    Jane

     

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