Hj Gary 

3 things to ask

Tumor size 

lymph nodes number and metastasis if any 

plus are they testing for HPV16 + if nit ask them to .It does make a difference to Way treatment reacts 

forewarned is fore armed .

plus ask if they took the tonsil away 

good luck i ate normally after my biopsy

hazel 

Hi Gary 

Welcome to our small select group who you’ll find have lots of tips to get you through the treatment and offer support. 

My hubby was diagnosed with stage 3 tonsil primary cancer with lymph node metastasis in December 2015. He had nasopharyngeal biopsies and a tonsillectomy plus FNA lymph nodes to diagnose SCC. He had 5 cycles of Cistplatin chemotherapy and 30 fractions of VMAT radiotherapy concurrently over 6 weeks and then a neck dissection as tbe lymph node tumour hadnt cleared. Luckily hes been in remission and cancer free for 2 1/2 years now so a success story.

I see Hazel has been along to say hi and her blog us really useful . 

Good luck with the biopsy and pop along to let us know how you get on and if you have any questions then ask away if we can help we will.

by the way we’re Brummies but we now live on the Isle of Wight - we’ve turned into soft Southerners. Are you a blue nose or a Villa supporter ? My hubbys a baggies man and we were up tbere watchig WBA v Villa 2 weeks ago - hand of god strikes again

best wishes

Emma ( aka newlymarried) 

Hi Emma, just got home.  Had to have a fine needle aspiration on my lymph nodes for another biopsy. Hopefully  they are enlarged due to the butcher who attempted  to remove the tonsil without having had a CT scan.

I am now private and they have been brilliant,  not looking forward to  my treatment at the hospital but they are the best in the country so fingers crossed. 

Just for the record I am a Villa fan, and yes we were robbed...lol.

If you don't mind me asking, what symptoms did your husband have?. The only reason I went to the drs was my wife said I was snoring  funny even on my side. Other than that the only other thing was an ache in my throat  when i yawned.

Take care

Gary

Hi Garry

Someones got to support them I suppose Hope you’re not too sore after the FNA but expect to be a bit seollen and bruised. Paul had his treatment at a hospital in Havant - he runs his own business and had paid into private healthcare for years and although I was a senior nurse in the NHS for 32 years so the thought of it was really against my principles we were so glad we used it. Paul worked all through his treatment- his business is internet based so we set him up an office at home. Being able to choose the time of his treatment everday helped us plan his work day. As we would have had to travel to the mainland everyday using the NHS services anyway ( we would have had to go to a hospital in Portsmouth)we thought lets take advantage of the private service.

As for symptoms - he had lump appear onnthe right side of his neck which over a 5 week petiod went from what could be just a swollen lymph node due to a cold to hold on a minute thats ot going down. No sore throat or anything.

Hope the FNA comes back negative and ask away if you have any questions.

best wishes

Emma

Hi Ian

Sorry it took a while to answer, Yesterday, blood tests and 2nd Chemo (3 Hours) and 15th RT, that took care of the day pretty much. I obviously gave the wrong impression. I am not relying on the EHIC (EU Card) I am in the Spasnish medical system,  Everything is free under the Spanish system, all "special food" and associated equipment for feeding with and without PEG, all medication, creams etc. I am being cared for at my local hospital but the operation was in a private Cancer Care Centre in Valencia and the RT is being provided by a private hospital in Elche, both amazing facilities and both free under the Spanish System. The only issue was the Amino Acid supplement which was not approved initially, they changed their mind two days ago, it is now free and I received my money back for the first box. I do not require a nebulizer as I not getting Mucas problems as I take the Amino Acid.

Not a good night, No Chemo effects but sore throat and very dry, sitting here typing and sipping water.

Best Regards Eric

Hi Gary

How are you this morning. As you asked Emma about driving. I have to drive 30 Km each way for my RT and I have been for 15 treatments and been fine to drive. Had Chemo and RT yesterday, just a bit tired today and a very sore throat but apart from that, pretty good.

Best regards Eric

Hi Eric, I am not too bad thanks. 

I was asking about driving as I will have to go the other side of Birmingham every day and it will not always be possible  to get a lift.

I guess it really will depend  on how my body reacts to the treatment. 

Wishing you all the best with your treatment,  have as merry a Christmas as you can. 

God bless,

Gary

Hi Gary,

re driving I hope you manage to continue to be able to drive.

I had 30 radiotheapy sessions and managed to drive to every one of them with no issues at all. It was bit funny really as it was just right after the radiotherapy treatment stopped that the side effects really kicked in and especially fatigue etc and I just coundnt face driving as not up to it.
Finished treatment on a Friday and wasnt in car for 2 weeks after. Still not driving much and only little small local journeys.

So I hope same goes for you and your able to at least continue driving for your treatments.

kind regards

ian

Thank you Ian, just a bit concerned  how I am going to make the trip every day as my wife works. 

That's good to know, wishing you a speedy recovery  and a very merry Christmas  to you and your family.

Gary