Unfortunately, I don't really know much about the cancer that your husband has been diagnosed with, I became a member just over a week ago (it feels like a lifetime) after my wife was told that she's probably got ovarian cancer which has spread to other organs (still waiting for the biopsy results). But I do know what you're going through right now, what with all of the worry, uncertainty, concern for your partner, and fears for the future. It's horrible, absolutely horrible, and every day it feels like there's a huge black cloud hanging right over your head that just won't go away. All I can do is wish you and your husband my very best wishes for the future. But know that you're not on your own, if you're looking for support, then this site is most certainly the right place to come to! The support I've had from other members has been invaluable. I'll send you a friend request so that, if you ever need a private chat about what you're going through, we can do just that. Anytime.
I too was diagnosed with this back in January. Since then Ihave had 2 day surgery ops and 4 weeks of radiation. At last check up my cords were cancer free and I am now under observation for the next 5 years. You didn’t mention the staging of the cancer. Mine was caught early and there is a 95% cure rate. Even for stages 2 / 3 the prognosis is usually good. The vocal cords are quite isolated and so usually this means that the cancer will not have gone anywhere else. Laser surgery and a short burst of RT is the normal treatment, but you may get away with the lasering alone. I had a slight sore throat, minimal skin redness and manageable fatigue during my treatment which ended 4 months ago and now, apart from problems with mucous which will not clear, I am very well. Reassure your husband that all the horror stories one hears about throat cancer will not necessarily apply and, like me, he may have an easy ride, we all will respond in individual ways. I wish you both well in the coming weeks and hope to hear what staging he was given and treatment options. Don’t worry unnecessarily, this is very treatable.
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband..you’ve chose the right place for advice and I’m sure you will have lots of replies and support..
My husband was also diagnosed with throat cancer in January..it all started off with a small lump on the left side of his neck that he found Xmas eve and by New Year’s Eve it was the size of a golf ball..I phoned the dr and she sent us to the hospital and by the 3rd of January we had a phone call to go to the ENT at Guys hospital and from that day our life changed!..He had so many appointments..MRI..CT..biopsy..PET scan with other appointments in between..so many letters coming through the door from Guys and so many phone calls from them then and then on the 25th of January they told us it’s cancer stage 4 (Guys and the NHS have worked so quick with everything) he then had a TORS biopsy on his throat as that is where the primary cancer sat! and also removed his tonsils...he has finished all his treatment of weeks chemotherapy and 6 weeks of radiotherapy (everyday except weekends). Us as a family it hasn’t been easy emotionally and it’s a long journey. His only 48 and this October we have been together for 30 years and have 4 beautiful daughters (3adults) and one primary age also a granddaughter. We’ve supported each other but it’s a rollercoaster of a ride that just cannot wait to get off and never get back on it..He has another PET scan on the 4th of September then on the 12th of September he gets his results..we have every thing crossed that we get the news that we’ve been praying for and the cancer has gone!
Im also here if you would like to ask anything or even just having someone to chat too X
Welcome to the forum and I know its a difficult time for you both.My experience is much the same as TinaDLs - my hubby was diagnosed with primary tonsil squamous cell cancer in December 2015 when a lump appeared on the right side of his neck. After a tonsillectomy, 5 cycles of chemo and 30 fractions of VMAT radiotherapy and then a neck dissection as unfortunately the tumour in his lymph nodes hadnt cleared he has now been in remission since July 2016. As Tina says the treatment is tough both physically and emotionally and can be hard on the fanily but we are here as oroof that there is light at the end of the tunnel and you can make it through.
This us the toughest time waiting to hear what treatment is needed and when it will start - I know we just wanted to get on with it . Keep talking to each other and you dont have to be brave all the time its ok to cry and get angry with this damn cancer. Try to keep positive it really does help even tbough you might not feel it at the moment. Keep away from Dr Google it doesn’t help and the stats are all old anyway.
Thankyou we don’t know what stage it is as we had biopsy 4 wks ago ct scan last sun mri this sun see doc wk tues to find out more they hoping it can be done by lazer but if not 7 wks rt
Oh Jeese my fingers are crossed my hubby had horse voice they call it had bloods done was told not cancer as not shown in blood ent said not all cancers show in blood goes for biopsy was told 90% sure nothing nasty two wks later was told it cancer but it’s the waiting that’s the killer
i too was diagnosed with right cancer tonsil June this year ,stage t2n2m0 basicalybstage 2 cancer two lymph nodes no metastasis.this week I finish my last 4 radiotherapy treatment s will have had 35 and 2 chemotherapy days. It’s rough and the side effects vary so much I have a feeding tube if yiu are offered a peg take it is mybadvise my hospital Leeds dntbdo them routinely.but withoutbthebfeedingbtube i would be struggling big style.
remembervwe are all different I have done a blog if you want to read it it explains about the mask and treatment.
people in here are very good if unwant anything just message or send a friend request
Mandy, as I said before, try not to get a step ahead of yourself. Vocal cord cancer is not tonsil cancer, which is in most cases a far more complicated and debilitating disease requiring a much tougher treatment regime. You have already been told that the treatment may be lasering, which will involve a day at the hospital under a general anaesthetic or / and a course of RT. Hopefully the lasering will do the trick. If not the RT is very manageable. As I stated previously there is. 95% CURE rate for early vocal cord cancers. Remember that. Your husband is now in the system and if he receives the same standard of care in the NHS as I did, and I’m sure he will, in a years time he will be well on the way to full health once more.
