Hello,

I had T1 in right cord diagnosed October ‘17. Biopsy appeared to show non malignant tissue removed, this proved incorrect and just 3 weeks later I had laser treatment. About a month after this I was advised to be 100% certain that all the nasties were gone I should have a blast of RT. 4 weeks daily. I’d read all sorts of horror stories but consented and prepared for the worst. As luck would have it I sailed through. The mask was unpleasant but bearable. I managed to eat solids with slight discomfort in swallowing, kept the burnt skin to a minimum with regular creaming and actually gained a couple of pounds in weight ! By far the worst aspect was a 24 hour non stop cough which I developed for 2 weeks after treatment finished. This was very nasty but gradually subsided. I had check ups on a regular basis ever since and am all clear. Apart from a constant need to want to clear my throat because of excess mucous and a gravelly voice ( which I quite like ) I am fully fit and healthy. Checks will continue for a further 3 years and then I will be cured. I am a fit 67 year old and managed to take this all in my stride. NHS were exemplary and I feel very lucky to be living in the UK. Above all, our cancers have a 93% success rate of total cure. Don’t worry over the gloom and doom found in some Google postings. If you’ve got to have cancer ours is the one to have ! Should you be offered RT my advice would be to go along with it for future peace of mind, it’s not  pleasant but very bearable and worthwhile. Hopefully the laser would have done the trick and you can now look forward to a normal, healthy life. From my diagnosis onward I accepted the medical advice, stayed 100% positive and here I am, returned to “ normal “. Good luck. Any questions... fire away.

Thanks for replying to my post. I was reading with such interest and have taken note from what you sound as a happy confident person. You are right in terms of cancers that ours can be cured unlike others. Before I was diagnosed I'd never heard of it. I might feel more positive once I've had my next biopsy to check if they got it all but I will keep you informed and please keep us all updated on your positive path. Take care xx

Thanks for replying to my post. I was reading with such interest and have taken note from what you sound as a happy confident person. You are right in terms of cancers that ours can be cured unlike others. Before I was diagnosed I'd never heard of it. I might feel more positive once I've had my next biopsy to check if they got it all but I will keep you informed and please keep us all updated on your positive path. Take care xx

Hopefully the lasering will have done the necessary, but, don’t be too worried should a course of RT be advised to make absolutely sure the cancer has been sorted. This appears to be quite a frequent occurrence and it does not reflect on the nature of the cancer but a thoroughness to eliminate it completely. Better to get everything done in one hit rather than the cancer returning within a couple of years. As I said previously I relied and trusted the advice from the specialists. I attended a large London hospital where they have all the latest technology so I knew I was in safe hands, but the standard of cancer care appears to be high around the country especially for a straightforward one such as ours. All the best with your next biopsy. I, and others, are here to provide any help you may need along the pathway to a cure.

Thank you I will keep you informed as soon as I have my next biopsy. Keeping everything crossed. Xx