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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

    So pleased to read of your continued recovery and hope your  mates from this thread are doing okay too.

    Keep up the good work.  Jules. x

  • Offline in reply to jules54

    Hi Vatch.  It's great to hear that you are doing so well.  I only check on here occasionally to see how people are doing. I'm now 2 1/2 years post treatment and I'm doing well. Taste is back to normal although I agree about dry food. The only problems I have are (1) I sometimes get jaw problems especially if I have a cold but I've been shown how to massage my saliva glands which really helps and (2) paranoia! I had a virus recently and was constantly checking my neck!! I'm fully recovered from my brain op too.        Jules - great to hear from you too. Do you hear from anyone else? Sorry about the lack of paragraphs - I can't make it go down to the next line.  Have a great Xmas - I shall think of Access as always.  Debbie x

     

     

     

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Deb67

    Hi Debbie

    You are doing brilliantly, very pleased for  you.

      I am still a regular and getting continued support since hubby passed away (January this year)and trying to offer support back.  Not sure who else still checks in with the forum from The 'Access' thread but always respond if I get 'notification'.  Have a great Christmas and all the very best for 2016. There are a few names  who we will always remember.  Jules x

  • Offline in reply to jules54

    Dear all

    i had my tri monthly check up yesterday ..... yep, a less than satisfying massage of the neck, then the camera straight down the nostril

    but I had gone armed with a question that had been bugging me for some time

    my cancer appeared as a small lump  under my chin in a right lymph node

    it was a secondary, no primary was found, there was nothing in my bloods and nothing showed up on an exploratory, ct scan or pet ct scan

    so my question to the consultant was " on the basis that there was no sign of cancer in my throat how will I ever know if it's come back if the only examination I'm having is a camera down my throat and a little massage?"

    he replied

    "the tongue base cancer I had, is one that mainly manifests itself as lumps in the neck, it does not go to the lungs nor the bones and we just look down your throat to make sure it's all working fine and healing"

    the fact that the cancer I had did not migrate to the bones or lungs was good news but also new news too me

    i was also told that after my next tri monthly visit that appointments can go to half yearly

    2.5 years post treatment doing well in ticking off all these date markers to recovery

    today was a good day

    i hope yours was too

    vatch

     

  • Offline in reply to Vatch

    Hi Vatch

    Was great to log on to my e mails this morning and read your good news.  Always a bonus to get positive answers to any questions you may have and wish you continued good health so that those half yearly checks become reality.  Take care. Jules x

     

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