Hi Graeme, I thought pertinent to raise re tumors after speaking with specialist as it would account for a lot over recovery periods,makes sense and as you say, like we all say, is that we are all different.
I think the main thing to take out of it all is for anyone not to focus on any one person/other individual and use them as a barometre against their own recovery expectations.We will all find our own timelines.

Just curious when you say pro singer. What does that involve for you if you dont mind me asking. Are you in a band/solo and do you perform live.
I hope that your recovery phase is not too bad and gets you back to where you want to be singing wise.
regards.Ian

Hi Laura 

Down  st Portsmouth met  emmma n hubby for dinner Emma ska newly married was really great to meet up with someone who has been a tower if support. 

I had 3 rd degree radiation burn on my neck if u look st my blog  August Late I will see pictures of my dressing thryveere burns dressings take s picture n show staff st hospital u leave them on until the wound oozes green out if the then change them mine took 3:4 weeks to clear they were free on nhs but cost £70 to buy n they did the job be careful about putting any creams on an open wound my 

Hi Graeme well done congratulations take it steady baby steps remember keep well keep in touch at Portsmouth thanks for updates 

h x

Hi Graeme.

It was interesting that you mentioned the impact of TNM on treatment. Even more relevant is tumour depth in H&N cancers. Up to 4mm and up to 4 to10mm has an impact on treatment decisions. As does outstanding relevant health conditions, as this affects balance in quality of life decisions and fitness for treatment.

I dont suppose many of us are privy to that information though. I hit a brick wall trying to get info on stage. I know TNM and grade but not stage. And depth affects stage. I was very aware that when doing biopsy they went deep into tumour to collect sample and I did wonder why at the time.

Kind regards wishing you all the best.

PS Im not sure if T in TNM is length,width and incl depth.

just a quick note for any interested

i have updated my blog following quite a lenghty discussion with my specialist from support team today and have now incorporated quite a detailed section on recovery phase and some of the factors that can determine why we all have different recovery times

I found it re assuring as thought I was lagging behind a bit, but felt better after discussion and also more informed and as such updated blog.

ian

Hi, Clara, yes these factors dictate the stage, you can google it, T is tumour  size N is amount of lymph nodes involved M  is metastasis if spread further, these add up on a scale, stages 1 to 4 with some sub stages. I think anyway!

Hi Ian, my main gigs are solo guitar and vocals. These are long, so i really dont know if i will need to work up to that again. I also do odd one hr vocal only or daytime guitar, never 2 weeks the same these days, but i will take what i can IF i can, that is the big question im afraid. Thanks for asking. 

Edit....any way you can paste your blog link to posts or pin it? Make it handy to access.

Hi Graeme

No problem - listed below.

radiotherapythroat.home.blog

also just received letter in post today and will see consultant for my PET/CT scan results Tues morning 5th March ( was my grandmothers birthday)  so am hoping for good news.Will share with all.

ian

Hi Laura

sorry to hear Mick in so much pain.

All I can suggest is to urgently speak with support team and/or GP and they can perhaps look at upping the morphine dosage. I got morphine MST tablets twice a day 40mg and they are in sytstem 24 hours as well as top up with oral morphne.Wondering if that is an option but normally morphine dosage increased to control pain as appropriate

Hope you get a solution

ian

best of luck Ian. And thank you Laura.  Please take Ian's advice there, pain management is part of the team's job, let them know im sure it will be good for his recovery.