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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 Lucia
    Lucia I am very envious ... you have got rid of your peg It's now November and i finished my treatment on 15th August, so i am about 3 months out of treatment, so I have decided now that it's food by mouth now regardless of how much it hurts or how cold it gets until i finish it. I am three days in to not using the PEG and i have lost a pound so I will have to find a way of getting the carbs on, but sweet thing are too painful for my teeth. Creamy, cheesy pastas i think for me. Talking of other treatments, whilst waiting for one of my reviews i got talking to a guy that refused to have chemo so they sowed a bag of stones into his belly ( i think the stones gave ff slight radiation), i think he has them in for 6 months or so. I had never heard of the treatment and was not sure if the bloke was pulling my leg, but he appeared genuine enough ... it's not a treatment i was offered, but i did not refuse the chemo So Lucia ow are you doing, on the way up by the sounds of it ...good and keep in contact Lucia I think you are slightly a head of me, but if its of interest i have been writing a blog about my cancer experience it's gammaraygary.wordpress.com/about/ as for the rest of you ... Guzzle, Simon, Deb, Gill and Nicola I hope you have all managed to log back on to this site and things are going well for you
  • Offline in reply to Vatch
    Hi there all Well i hope you have all been able to log back on ... i had a few problem but managed in the end ... cant say im impressed with the "advancement though" but that just might be me i hear a few of you have also had issues logging back on, lets hope you sort it soon I hope you are all well too Im fine and have just had my first PET/CT scan post treatment, so looking forward to the results of that I have stopped using my peg as im fed up with it now and want to get rid of it. The ulcer is still causing me a proble when eating but im dosing myself up to get as much down as i can to keep the weight on Still have no craving for sweet things and even when i tried can taste them and they hurt my teeth, something to do with the breakdown of the fluoride in my teeth .. but hopefully that will pass in time Well i don't think my taste is going to come back for my Christmas dinner but i still have some time to go So I hope you are all week and hope to hear from you all soon
  • Offline in reply to Vatch
    New format awful mate. Glad you are getting there.
  • Offline in reply to Vatch
    Hi Vatch Keep going! You just have to remember how far you've come! I hope your taste improves soon. This new system is a nightmare although I'm a bit of a technophobe! Debbie X
  • Offline in reply to Deb67
    Hi there all Well after a few tips on this new fangled sight i have decided to get on with here so how are we all ... hope all my old contacts have managed to get on with this site ... Simon not heard form you for ages so i hope things are good ... Guzzle yu have most probably done 4 marathons by now As for me ... well i am getting better but i have not muscle or strength after losing 3 stone ... i cant walk for more than an hour without my back tensing up ... but thats Becuase i have done absolutely nothing for 5 months ... so i am in need of a fitness programme and am going to register myself with the local gym and try to get some light strengthening work in. Someone did tell me though that i can get this through my doctor and the oc therapist ...so i might give that a go too Well i hope you are all fine tell me whats doing Miss you all Vatch
  • Offline in reply to Vatch
    Catch, new site s***e. Ask quack for non medical prescription for gym. Start with something non load bearing like swim/bike mate. Anyone heard from Simon?
  • Offline in reply to Guzzle
    yep i have to agree there Guzzle, it's maybe why we have not heard form Simon in a while I will got see my doctor and get a non medical prescription for the gym hows you doing mate
  • Offline in reply to Vatch
    GOOD NEWS ... had the results back of my first PET CT scan and in the words of m consultant i have had a "fantastic response to treatment" Which was brilliant news for Christmas.. My voice is still about about 25% of what it was but it will get there Oh and one more piece of good news i get rid of my PEG on Friday morning ... yippeeeeeeeee SO thats me how is everyone else
  • Offline in reply to Vatch
    That's not good news - it's fantastic news! Well done! A fab early Xmas pressie for all of us! Debbie X
  • Offline in reply to Vatch

    Thats great news Vatch. Wishing you a wonderful festive season and wishing you all the best in the New Year. :D

    I too had good news last week, My oncology nurse put me on 6 monthly check ups 3 months early. So I don't have to go again until May. Yah.!!!

    Best wishes

    Annabel. xx

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