Diagnosed today

Hi All

Im a Male 51 diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the neck node.

Being operated on on wednesday to remove lump, CT on Mon and Pre Op Tuesday

Totally shocked out.

Be grateful for any feedback from anyone who can advise or help at all.

Im single and live alone with no family left. I live a solitary (some might say reclusive) existance as I do not like crowds.Im feeling extremely isolated and with noone to talk to.  Im usually a strong robust type but I am really struggling with this.

Thanks 

Mark

  • Hello Mark,

    I just wanted to pop by to say we will be thinking of you this week as you have your CT tomorrow, pre-op on Tuesday and the operation on Wednesday. It is normal that you are feeling shocked at the moment and you are probably also rather anxious about the operation. I hope you will hear from others here who have had a similar diagnosis and operation and that they will share their post-operative experiences with you.

    You mentioned that you are living alone and have no family around you to support you through this. It must be difficult to have no one to talk to at the moment but I hope it brings you a little comfort to know that we are all here for you on the forum if you ever need to chat to others who have been in a similar position before.

    Feel free also to give our nurses a call on this free number if you live in the UK 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. It might help you feel a little better and a bit more prepared for the operation to talk things through with them.

    I hope it all goes well on Wednesday - do drop us a line if you get a chance to let us know how the surgery went.

    Best wishes,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

     

  • Hello Mark and thank you for posting a question.. I am very sorry to learn about your situation. This must be very difficult for you.

    I am not sure that there is much more that I can add to what Lucie our moderator has already said to you. But given the circumstances it is relatively normal to feel anxious. Many people tell us that they find this waiting time very difficult. Once your medical team  have carried out all the tests and the results are available they will have a multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) where your case will be discussed. Then your specialist will be in a position in a position to discuss a treatment plan with you. Once you know what is happening you can start to move forward  and then perhaps you will start to feel a little better.

    As Lucie suggested do give us a call if you think that it might help.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    All the best,

    Jean 

  • Hi there Mark

    welcome to the forum and hopefully you’ll find plenty of support here from members who are experiencing the same as you.

    My hubby had squamous cell ca diagnosed in Dec 2015 - his primary was in his tonsils with mets in his right neck lymph nodes. Following chemoradiation treatment he under went a neck dissection to remove the tumour in his lymph nodes - 20 removed in total- in July 2016. 

    I just dropped by to say we know its a scarey time as we’ve been there. Try to take one day at a time - hopefully you will be allocated a specialist nurse at the centre you're attending and they may be able to put you in touch with someone Who has been tbrough this who you can ralk to on a one to one basis.

    My hubbys op - although long - went well and he has been in remission for 2 years ! Anniversary was on the 8th July !! 

    Anyway keep in touch and let us know how you’re doing- use the forum for any questions concerns you might have and the friendly gang here will do their best to help.

    good luck and best wishes

    Emma

  • Hi Mark

    Just thought Id pop by to wish you loads of luck for your surgery tomorrow. 

    Let us know how you get on and I’ll be thinking about you at this nervous time.

    Best wishes

    Emma