Hi Sigurd, just read your message. Quick question - how did you know there was a recurring problem, did you have symptoms?

Hi jools I hope all is well with yourself thank you for asking how it went, I had my ultrasound scan and when I phoned the doctors for results the receptionist told me it came back normal so I'm happy but also feel like I'm going mad as my side of the neck is definitely bigger than the other side not a hard noticeable lump per say but swelling. Just makes me not want to go to the doctors anymore as just feel like their looking at me like I'm crazy now.  Just have to live with whatever is causing it or maybe it's just a fatty area on my neck who knows .  Best wishes to you

The cancer in my jaw area has not returned. I had a new SCC skin cancer on my head, it presented as a non healing ulcer which scabbed over and bled lots. My GP picked up on it during an appointment for a non related problem. It has now been removed.

The original cancer in my parotid gland and lymph nodes was a metastatic skin cancer from a previous SCC lesion on my head.

The worry for me is if this one follows the same progression.

Ah ok, yes I cam understand your concern. My whole issue started off with swelling & they thought it was an infection, but it didn't really go down, hence the ultrasound, but they do say an MRI gets a closer look at what can be underlying. My tumour was so deep that the surgeon said he couldn't even feel it when I was asleep, but it did show up on the ultrasound. I would see how you are in a month or two & maybe go back if it's still bothering you. Hope you manage to find the strength to overcome it x

Well I hope you find the strength to remain positive. I think sometimes after such a major issue, you become paranoid about every bit of pain or movement that feels different, hence my question. 

Wishing you all the best though x

Hi Jools

Your comment about the tumour being difficult to detect is interesting.

In the initial stages I could feel it, if I pressed hard with my finger about the size of a pea. But the ultrasound could not pick it up. The doctor could not feel it either and said that I had the benefit of being able to feel it from both the inside and the outside via my finger. A few months later I got an MRI scan which did pick it up as it had grown, but by the time I was operated on another 2 months after the scan I was feeling quite ill, it hurt and was the size of a golf ball.

That was 5 years ago and Ive been quite healthy since then. Like everyone else on this forum who has had cancer there is always that slight worry at the back of your mind that it will recur at some point.

Couldn't agree with you more. My consultant did say that the tumour would likely return, but in 8/9 years time, but you can't help thinking 'what if it's sooner.' Keeping sane, remaining positive & being as healthy as possible, I think is all one can do x

Hi Jools

Did you have a course of radiotherapy in addition to surgery?

Hi, no absolutely nothing else as it was benign & all removed. As I've lost volume in that area, so the consultant said to just keep feeling the area.x