Hi

I think you are quite amazing. I am going to have a busy few days from tomorrow. I have also been lucky to have an efficient hospital so far. Christmas eve noticed my lump by tuesday had got bigger so went to doctors. 4th January at ENT had nasalendoscopy to find enlarged abnormla tonisl one side hard mass, non painful. Ultrasoiund booked for thursday 14th with aspiration then got cancellation for MRI tomorrow 12th then today get telephone call asking me to have a preoperative appointment for biopsy and panoscopy? not entirely sure on this one but think it is some sort of chest endoscopy., Not worried about MRI have had a few of thiose before, bit worried about aspiration and will be worried when i get date for biopsy. I am supposing that if anything shows on aspiration I may get a call to go in and discuss or wait for biopsy?? consultant said I could get call at any stage. Was not told about the other tonsil possibly getting cancer perhaps each hospital is also different. Let us know how you are getting on,. 

Hi Elona

Welcome to the whirlwind!  I am glad that I am not the only one :happy:

Thinking of you at your MRI, I too have had a few...  The noise just strangly brings back memories of the 90s raves :laugh:

Sounds like we are going through pretty much the same at pretty much the same stage.  And luckily both with very efficiant Hospitals.

I originally went to the doctors back in May 2020 with an enlarged tonsil that had a couple of white patches.  Because it was the early days of Covid and it was a throat issue I had to see a locum in the surgery car park.  She said there was nothing wrong, but may have a bit of thrush.  She subscribed Thrush treatments and away I went...  Obviously the treatments didn't work :laugh:

I didn't know I was having the good tonsil (only the good one, with biopsy of cancerous one and tounge biopsy) removed until the day of the op.  Didn't even know I was down for a tonsillectomy until I was at my pre assessment.  The Nurse could find no info on the system...  As it turns out there were two perfectly good reasons.  I saw the dental surgeon (One of my MDT members) at my ultrasound and he told me that they were a victim of their own efficiency and that the op could change right up to the moment before I have the anesthetic.  Hence lack of info.  I don't mind, I'm just so impressed with everything.

What is an aspiration?

Let me try and put your mind at rest about the biopsy.  I had a fine needle biopsy which was done under local anesthetic.  This was a biopsy of the lymph nodes taken through the side of my neck. I could feel them pushing around, but no pain.  After the anesthetis wore off it was a bit uncomfortable for a day at the most.

Under general anesthetic I had a deep tonsil and tounge biopsy.  This was at the same time as having the right (good) tonsil removed.  All the staff were brilliant, the surgeons came and saw me pre and post op explaining everything.   Ooh and the bed was soooo comfortable.  I was left with no pain or discomfort from the tongue and deep tonsil biopsy as far as I know.  This may be due to the overall pain and discomfort from the tonsillectomy disguising anything from the biopsies.

All of my appointments were made via phonecalls or I was sent for a test whilst at the hospital having something else done.  

How am I getting on?  The throat is still sore from the op, but the pain is very managable.  It's a great excuse to eat icecream  :wink:  I wont lie there are moments of Ahhhrrrggggg!  But they do not last long.  Earache now in both ears Boooo!   I have been living with an invisible condition, for a few years, that causes a lot of unnecessary pain daily.  So me and pain are good ole friends, he is annoying but without him I wouldn't be here (I have no idea why I made my pain male) The trick with pain is to find other, better, happier things to occupy your mind.  Hence I've written so much here, whilst writing this my pain is dampened.

Keep in touch, as we are in such a similar position.  It'll be interesting to see how our treatment paths differ or assimilate.  It'll also be a good and informative read for others who pass by.

Take care, be strong

Hi 

Hmm early hours in the morning are not good, quiet but disrupts the good rest needed. I am getting into quite a routine at the moment - 4am, 10am, 4pm, 10pm medication and an hour earlier figedting hoping the time will go quickly lol. We start with BBC news at 4am to get an educational start to the day finishing with New Tricks /Vera/ER after 10pm! 

Like you I tried the spaghetto today hubbies iddea with soup as a sauce but there were a few incidents of intense pain it was not a happy meal. I used to love food now at the moment I look at it as a neccesity. I think I need some of your exercises as I dont like oening my mouth. Will have a word with hospital next monday if no better when i go for biopsies. 

You are right about consultants I dont think they are always aware of how they sound and also presume we are all idiots. At the moment they dont know whay I am like I am this the consultant admitted it can be that any cancer cells in lymph nodes have not been identified because aspiration not perfect but then why dont they just do proper biopsies and save money or good news no metastisis. What i dont like is not being told exactly what was found. I am going to ask to see a copy of what results they have so far. This is where our hospital is falling down. 

I know at the momment I am still having some of the symptoms of before and some more - i have had some bad earache, dizziness as well as the tiredness will mention this too. 

I am so sorry you have so much discomfort please take it easy too Have as much rest as possible regardless of time - hubby says you have to learn to cat nap whenever you need and he is probably right. 

Hope the mask fitting goes ok I presume this is to protect areas not wanting the radiotherapy? 

Hope your gums settle soon. 

Speak soon 

Hi

how are you today?

was up as usual early watching hard talk on BBC news quite educational talking to WHO person. 

not feeling like eating today but did force some scrambled egg down not sure what i can force myself to do for tea. Thankfully hubby does not mind hes been really good - must admit am surprised! 

really tired today and have to force myself to do stuff come as a bad time as i have a friend doing some house work for me next week - putting up some stud walls (to try and improve my delapitated bungalow lol) planned months ago so i have to clear areas. Unfortunately hubby cannot help so we do a bit rest then do a bit more. I had hoped to have felt a bit better by now :( please notr being of a certain age  am useless at doing emojis lol. 

2 pots of ice cream on the shopping list lol. 

take care 

Hi Elona

Firstly  your emoji is great lol....  :laugh:

Me and ice cream have become good friends too, my favourite flavours at the mo are creamy fudge and salted caramel. We need extra freezer space so looked at getting back up table top freezer for extra storage  but I was shocked at the price... £104 from Argos.  Of course could no doubt pick up a second hand one for less than £40, but with covid and shielding that's next to impossible. 

I am really sorry that you are still suffering so much from your op.  If I was you I would get back to your Dr or specialist for better pain control.   To me your pain is becoming persistent/chronic which needs sorting.   Not being able to eat properly for so long can cause all sorts of problems both mentally and physically which will also slow the healing process.

I had my other three teeth out yesterday,  much worse than the first three.  Mainly down to the infected tooth even after 5 days of double antibiotics. The local anesthetic only worked about 80% on that tooth but between me and the dental surgeons we were determined it was coming out.  That was an experience I never want to go through again.  The pain since, well put it this way I had a kidney stone when I was 25 and the pain from that paled to insignificance compared to this.

The cancer too has been an ***, causing tear jerking pain.   Thankfully the cancer Nurse is calling this morning to help with the pain control.   I'll tell you something  that l have learned they don't like you being in pain once you've been diagnosed. 

its amazing the things you end up watching on TV at all hours.  Things you would never normally watch, yet find yourself getting slowly pulled in and learning things that you never knew that you never knew.

Funnily enough our bathroom too is in a dire state which was bad enough with my chronic condition let alone this new one.  Advised to apply for a grant, which I did.  I meet every criteria except that we've lived in the property less than 5 years!  Ridiculous!!!

sounds like your hubby has found an inner strength.   I lost many things when I was diagnosed with my neurological condition and by far the hardest loss as a man was my ability to provide for  look after and protect my family.  That made me more depressed than the actual condition itself.  Took a long time to come to terms with  and in many ways I haven't.   Perhaps hubby went through similar and has found a new mojo being able to care for you in your hour of need....just a thought.

Remember to be strong,  one day all this pain will be a distant memory. 

Al

Hi Al

was checking to see if you had replied and how you were. 

i am so sorry you are suffering not good - especially if it hs got worse already. lets hope they crack on with the radiotherapy and starts getting it sorted. 

i still cringe at those teeth extractions you are gobsmackingly brave and amazing! 

well bloods done this morning for full blood count. clotting and prothrombin in preparation for monday. 

lymph node is seeping out (have hole in neck lol) and has reduced a bit more in size because of this but am hoping they get a good sample and can provide a proper diagnosis. still feel bunged up a bit on that side with earache and swallowing pain. think things are already chronic and probably have been longer than I realised. 

new food wotsits can suck them to mush lol. 

salted caramel is also one of my favourite ice creams but finished the cookie dough last night so cant wait for the next tesco delivery! i have to be careful as allergic to cream so have to scrutinise ingredients that unfortunatley limits choice. Mint funnily enough hurts to eat must be something in the peppermint flavour that agrivates. 

hubby i think also went through the provision bit too and we did find it hard since he had been the beter earner veterinary nursing not a good choice for good pay a vocation they say lol and definately not glamourous. 

well make sure your nurse gives you good pain relief very important and keep checking in please. 

you be strong too i tend to think now there cannot be anything bad we cannot go through now after all this and especially what you have gone through. 

speak soon

Elona 

Wetsuits...  I  typed in Wotsits haha, good ole predictive text!

I too like a Wotsit,  they just melt in the mouth... much easier than wetsuits do.

Tried the beef ones the other day, wasn't impressed.  Wotsits should be cheesey.   Also found Quavers and Skips easy to eat.

I never knew a lymph node could leak. Is the hole from the aspirations?  I was reading your reply to Srayra and realised I had the biopsy where they take a blade to take a slither from your nodes. I  so hope that they can give you a diagnosis soon.

Talking of Srayra I am pleased they found our thread, we both know how important finding those in a similar situation is.  Great reply by the way,  you covered it all much better than I could have.

Right I'm off to try and sooth my phantom tooth ache, I say phantom as it has all the properties of a tooth ache without the tooth.

Did you get your tyre fixed by the way?

Onwards and upwards,  stay strong

Al

Morning Al

Wetsuits I had to laugh I actually could almost do with one here it is so wet!! went to feed the hens and they have practically refused to leave their house because they said they really dont apprecaite the mud!  Sir Reggie my ex racing pigeon agreed he was avoiding walking around too much the only things that had been around were unfortunately some rogue rats after an opportunity feed. 

Hubby can sympathise with phantom pain he gets it as an amputee and I am sure your mouth is the same. Not nice - get those painklillers in !!!! 

Mouth feeling a bit better but a sense of false security as eating still a problem but at least the nails have reduced to gravel now in the back of my mouth. Cant reduce painkillers yet so early morning a friend still. Was disappointed hardtalk was a repeat from the other night. 

I think we both combined covered everything you brilliantly added things that i missed. 

Interesting that they didnt do a proper biopsy on me the first time round? yes I think the hole appeared after the first needle so linning of lymph node must have been friable. It still leaks a bit every now and then but node is still about 2cm length. 

Phone call am nurse at doctors didnt get enough blood yesterday for a full screen so looks like i am going to be spending a lot of monday at the hospital waiting around. At least it means I can read another Jasper fforde book! Bit of a *** though will cost in parking. 

I agree with you beef wotsits not as good as cheese suspect will be cheesed out soon though!! it has become a staple more on saturdays delivery!. good idea may have to try skips and quavers. What a healthy diet lol I bought a melon the other day should try that before it goes of. Also annoyed Tesco has run out of smash hmmm. No energy to cook properly yet. 

take care look after the mo9uth and neck 

finally 16 days post tonsilectomy I am finally getting control of pain and eating a bit better - sloppy mince and smash being the latest yay! still prefer not to talk but thats ok. 

loads of to and fro from hospital yesterday sorting out mondays appointment - had to find a lift to the hospital in case neck goes in spasm after biopsy apparently. finally sorted so now to try and have a relaxing day before then 

hoe your ok AL 

tried bread today can eat it but. struggle to swallow, also some jaffa cakes they were a bit harder due to the sharpness of the jam. you learn a lot. thankfully pain has resided to a very sore throat rather than sharp pain. very annoying. 

hows your mouth AL. 

tke care 

if the snow hangs around will be a fun trip to the hospital tomorrow! 

Hi Elona

Firstly good luck for today.  I really do hope that your neck behaves and that you're not too impeded by the snow.  I will be thinking of you.

We haven't had any snow here, which is unusual as we are prone to it.  One of the hospitals I have to attend is over a mountain that gets closed if its too snowy or icey.   Fortunately the cancer hospital,  although an hour away, is on a main route and the local council are very good at keeping the roads clear.

I had to smile when you mentioned the rats.  We had a hen house when I was growing up and it was one of mine and my brothers chores to rat catch.  And Sir Reggie, what a great name for a pigeon :happy:

So glad to learn that your throat is improving and that you're managing to eat more, you did have me worried for a bit. It may not feel like it but, reading back over the thread, it seems like its improving daily.  Ah mince, I love mince... Mince and tatties, spag bol, Chile and chips.  Sadly I cannot eat it at mo, trying to avoid any foods that can get stuck in my 6 gummy holes.  Which also includes rice, and I love rice.  Still all is not lost,  great excuse to eat trifle and ice cream. 

Tell your husband that I feel for him and not to get too comfortable as your voice and ability to talk will be back before he knows it :wink:

How is my mouth you ask...  How long have you got haha!  Well we were back at the hospital late Friday night for around 3 and a half hours.  Remember the phantom tooth ache, well that got progressively worse to the point, even with meds, I just wanted a big hole to open up and swallow me.  Long story short turned out the infection had got into the bone,.  They removed the stitch and packing, gave it a good clean and left it open to drain and heal.  Sent off with another weeks worth of antibiotics and strong anti inflammatory meds.  They're going to call today to check in on me.

I had only had around 9 hours sleep between Wednesday and Saturday slept for 12 hours on Saturday into Sunday Yay!  Short lived as was up at 5 this morning listening to a tin can blowing up and down the street.. . Boo!

So this week I am expecting calls from Dentist and  Macmillan, l have my first covid jab on Tuesday,  bloods on Wednesday and mask fitting on Thursday...  The rock and roll lifestyle we lead!

The reason there is a can rolling up and down the street is because its rubbish day.  I  noticed when we put the bags out that there didn't seem to be much, I mentioned this to the wife and she replied that its because I haven't been eating much... Well I didn't quite know how to take that :laugh:

Ooo before I go I would like to pick your brains if I may.   My eldest dog Spoonie has hobbit feet and we have all hard floors which she tends to slip on every now and then.  This wasn't an issue when she could go on long runs,  but recent walks around the streets has meant her furry feet are well furrier.  Is it ok to trim them?  Any advice would be much appreciated. 

Again good luck for today, let me know how you get on.

Just click your heels three times.

Al

hi 

started then had to stop as came over feeling faint. it has been an ordeal today but thankfully all done even though it will take my body a while longer to get over this trauma lol. 

snow made the journey trecherous but thankfully friend came nice and early and took it really slowly. 

had to go and have re4peat bloods thankfully again nice and early and all fine for clotting etc. 

appointment came and went and about 1 hour late i eventually got taken in. another ultrasound and three biopsies were going to be taken one near carotid artery. apparently there is some deep inset infection or what appears to be present that has not clesred even though i had antibiotics like you. 

got covered in drapes then the ultrqsound took a while to locate various areas for the local anaesthetic. Injections are a little painful but could be worse but it took a long time to get the biopsies from the sounds of things it was not easy. Like you i would not stop or be put of. there was quite a lot of manoevring and stretching neck etc before i could feel the biopsy needle and hear the spring. have had some blood in mouth straight after op although did not say anything, then some more now after trying soup and a little bread - probably not a good idea. - gutted my ice cream did not turn up in order!! 

came home to more stress of house work the builders could not do what was planned due to one of the stud walls being a bearer for water tabnk - didnt fancy hundreds of gallons of water on my head as well lol. re plan to smaller room and still a bit more kitchen not too bad we hope! i could have done without that. just wanted to go to bed but thats not happening. mild headache coming on probably due to blood pressure stress lol. 

need to learn to relax.

eek so sorry about your infection sounds like that tooth was in desperate needs of removal. hope the antibiotics and pain relief kick in soon. 

sounds like you have a bit of travelling to do for all your appointments hope you get time to relax inbetween. Rest is going to be really important for your healing. good to hear how you are getting on. 

yes i always clip furry feet stops things getting caught between toes etc. my boy gets his done regualry on top of toes and inbetween and underneath where able. 

apologise the spelling too tired to go back and check lol 

dont worry did click my heels together several times unfortunately i did not wake up or get home any quicker lol 

take care 

hi 

started then had to stop as came over feeling faint. it has been an ordeal today but thankfully all done even though it will take my body a while longer to get over this trauma lol. 

snow made the journey trecherous but thankfully friend came nice and early and took it really slowly. 

had to go and have re4peat bloods thankfully again nice and early and all fine for clotting etc. 

appointment came and went and about 1 hour late i eventually got taken in. another ultrasound and three biopsies were going to be taken one near carotid artery. apparently there is some deep inset infection or what appears to be present that has not clesred even though i had antibiotics like you. 

got covered in drapes then the ultrqsound took a while to locate various areas for the local anaesthetic. Injections are a little painful but could be worse but it took a long time to get the biopsies from the sounds of things it was not easy. Like you i would not stop or be put of. there was quite a lot of manoevring and stretching neck etc before i could feel the biopsy needle and hear the spring. have had some blood in mouth straight after op although did not say anything, then some more now after trying soup and a little bread - probably not a good idea. - gutted my ice cream did not turn up in order!! 

came home to more stress of house work the builders could not do what was planned due to one of the stud walls being a bearer for water tabnk - didnt fancy hundreds of gallons of water on my head as well lol. re plan to smaller room and still a bit more kitchen not too bad we hope! i could have done without that. just wanted to go to bed but thats not happening. mild headache coming on probably due to blood pressure stress lol. 

need to learn to relax.

eek so sorry about your infection sounds like that tooth was in desperate needs of removal. hope the antibiotics and pain relief kick in soon. 

sounds like you have a bit of travelling to do for all your appointments hope you get time to relax inbetween. Rest is going to be really important for your healing. good to hear how you are getting on. 

yes i always clip furry feet stops things getting caught between toes etc. my boy gets his done regualry on top of toes and inbetween and underneath where able. 

apologise the spelling too tired to go back and check lol 

dont worry did click my heels together several times unfortunately i did not wake up or get home any quicker lol 

take care 

well neck came up like a golf ball yesterday thankfully has gone down this morning to three smaller lumps. very tired this morning did not sleep well. 

All I can say is Brrrrrrrrrr..!

Minus 5 here at mo, tho somewhere in Scotland hit -16 last night and London is due to hit -8 this week.  I  think we're due a -9 wind chill this evening.    Thank goodness for a high tog duvet. 

Just watched the funniest news report about a viral video of an American judge, I think, who had a cat filter on, which he couldn't turn off during an important Zoom meeting.

Glad to learn your neck is recovering.   I can only see your last post so I can't refer back to the last but one so my apologies if I ask something you have already answered...   Most importantly,  how are you today?    Any idea when you'll get your biopsy results? The noise is loud when they take the slices isn't it, you have to do your best not to jump... especially when you know they're near your cartoid.  I joked that at least I'm in the right place lol.

If I had replied to you yesterday I would have cried that I just want my head taken away.   On top of everything else I'm now suffering with light sensitivity which in turn is giving me migraine Grrrrr.   Of course it could be the migraine affecting my eyes.  Anyway they sorted my meds out yesterday,  started on the good stuff.  I was weary of taking it, but oh my goodness it made a huge difference to my day.  Even managed 7 hours sleep last night.  And when I woke I woke with manageable pain... First time in what feels like forever. 

Off to the cancer hospital for bloods today,  then back there tomorrow for CT Set Up and mask fitting.   Apparently you can keep your mask at the end of treatment, the artist in me is filled with ideas of what to do with it lol.

Any way, really hope you're feeling even slightly better today. 

May every step be in the right direction. 

Al

Hi Al

so glad you are now on the good stuff and managed to get a decent amount of sleep thats good. sounds like you really needed it after yesterday. i hope they start sorting out the radiotherapy soon not good that the pain has got worse this quickly. fingers crossed. love the idea of your own mask at the end of the treatment will have to stay in touch to find out what you do with it. 

any ideas whats causing your light sensitivity?

hows the mouth?

boy felt ill yesterday and still feel lousy today have not wanted to do anything. Neck is still swollen and uncomfortable but still on my high painkillers so tolerable. swallowing not brilliant and affects breathing. dont feel the tonsilectomy has had any effect.

presuming results will be another two weeks. 

got up at 3.30am for meds and was disappointed because they showed the same programme hat had already been repeated once a couple of days ago about a female detective. 

i saw that zoom too it was hilarioous especially when he had to say "i am not a cat!" i would not have any idea how to do that. reminds me of the wicks advert and the kitchen where she puts the fairy tle unicorn picture behind her. the ending of that advert keeps getting missed of which is a shame since the other ladies all put up backgrounds when she shows of her new kitchen lol. 

your right it has been cold the snow has turned to ice here and the animals water bowls are all frozen over. the hedgehogs who were not hibernating have decided enough is enough we will try and sleep through this - what a good idea! the only reason tortoise is awake is because of my heating in my bedroom. the cats have hardly moved of the bed! 

newest fad is watching casualty 24/7 real life - no idea why perhaps makes me feel better lol last night had to cringe poor man fell over a plant pot took the lawn mower with him that then fell on his foot taking ovr his big toe and two other toe tips was totally yuck! there were alwo a lot of drunkards who made me feel a bit annoyed when you consider the time they were taking away from needy people. 

also been watching the supermarket show talking about foods etc she mentioned that a lot of foods had increased in size over the yers. had to smile since i had thought the opposite - remember the wagon wheel, the curly wurly and snickers surley they were bigger when we were younger? 

good luck with the bloods and ct. 

take care x

hope your being careful with this ice wow its lethal outside!!! 

throat being controlled better now with painkillers albeit still swollen and neck feels nobbly lol. 

hope things are going ok with appointments. 

i hope youve got a good ice cream for valentines day! i am trying for the tesco cookie dough again - fingers crossed!! 

take care Al

Hello you and your nobbly neck lol 

Cookie Dough one of my favourites...  although to be fair had you mentioned any flavour I would have said 'one of my favourites ' lol, except rum and raisin,  don't even know if you can still get that flavour.    I myself have gone for a traditional raspberry ripple this time,  which hopefully we will be picking up today.   I say hopefully as we've booked a click and collect for between 12 and 1pm today, but its supposed to start snowing in a bit. (Its now 7am ish)

We live 600ft up a mountain valley which has its own micro climate,  the mountains either trap weather in or hold it out.  Fortunately they are good at keeping the main roads clear here and we do have an old Jeep which enjoys the challenge of adverse weather lol.

So good to learn that your neck is improving  You do have days where you wonder if it'll ever end, but then you dig deep for a resolve you never knew you had and fight through each minute,  each hour and each day.  Often you see on TV survivors with a grit and determination that no one else has, I am beginning to understand that now.  I for one will definitely be a different person after all this, how could you not be.

Last few days I have felt really fatigued and poorly.   I said to my wife how could someone feel this ill and not have a temperature lol.  I think I have all the adverse effects from the covid vacs (I had the Oxford one) probably in some part due to my body already feeling rubbish and fighting the big one.  In my 51 years on this planet, other than my neurological disorder, never had so much as a cold, I think I'm paying for that luxury now lol.

Mask fitting went well,  in fact I quite enjoyed it!  It was like having a warm face massage.   Also had a meeting with my oncologist who suggested I now take 2 types of morph, an instant hit one and a slow release one.  They weighed me, I've never been weighed so much, and told me that this is now the weight I have to try and stick to.  One of the reasons for this is if I lose too much weight the mask won't be any good as it has to fit snug.  I have invested in a set of scales, which hopefully will arrive today.... snow permitting. 

Only a blood test to have in the coming week and then Radiochemotherapy starts on the 22nd.  As long as my rogue non tooth heals properly.   They may have to delay treatment by a week if it doesn't sort itself out.

Any type of scissors you can recommend for trimming hobbit feet? (Anyone else reading this, its my dogs not mine :laugh:)

Wagon Wheels....  I watched a programme about them and the ceo had a glass trophy kind of thing with an original Wagon Wheel encased inside.   He offered up a new Wagon Wheel to it and they were both the same size!  Don't think that's true for most of the others.  Remember when Snickers were Marathons?

When life gives you lemons,...  Send them back and exchange them for oranges 

Al

Morning Elona

Hope you are feeling better today

My scales arrived yay!  Not a fan of  bathroom scales, especially having 3 daughters.  I'm also dubious of their accuracy,  but fortunately these ones showed the same weight as the medical ones at the hospital so that's good.   Plus the girls are all grown up now so there shouldn't be any end of the world sagas because someone ate some kale and put in an ounce.

Talking of bathrooms how's yours coming along?  Or is that a sore subject?

I looked into starting a blog yesterday,  not something I've done before.  I want to record mine and others journeys for people in a similar situation to find and hopefully bring some reassurance,  advice and answers.  I for one struggled to find any meaningful help and info, I think myself lucky to have found you.  No one can really understand unless they have been  or going, through it themselves. I also want to add stories of people who faced the tests and agonising wait for results that fortunately came back negative.  So many go through that stage. 

I have also noticed a heartbreaking theme of 20 somethings whith health anxiety who believe they have neck cancer, I found more of those than people with true symptoms.  I want to include links and help for those soles also.

What started out as an idea for a simple blog has already boomed into a complex online help centre and I've only got as far as designing the front page lol!

Still if it helps just one person it'll be worth it.

Happy valentines day, I hope you and your husband can enjoy it.

Remember if at first you don't succeed... pay a professional. 

Al

Hi Al

what a great idea doing a blog. I had thought of recording my experience but had no idea where to start! am pretty useless as said before on computers. My brother did my behaviourist page. needs changing and have not got a clue. Quite happy to contribute if  wanted. Glad we have met it has been great talking to someone else about our experiences and comparisons and differences. I am also glad we are still keeping in touch here, thanks. 

not a fan of raspberry ripple must admit but have found a new one from tesco called piggy ice cream have ordered it for next week lol sounds intriguing with marshmellows and chocolate in piggy shapes lol. 

i have not weighed myself for a long time but i know i have lost some weight - for me thats good need it lol. glad you have your scales they do say with the radiotherapy you have to make sure you maintain your weight. - good exscuse for all those wonderful fattening things lol if you can manage them. 

bathroom - was actually kitchen and that has been a pallava! the two stud walls i wanted replacing and moving turned out to be weight bearing - one the water tanks hahaha found out when the wall was taken down and the ceiling bowed and water started to drip down. the other was the corner of the ceiling. the old people had basically covered the ceiling with another ceiling underneath that had looked nice and new so we had to get this propped up and wall replaced. plans never work out well do they lol at least compomise was made and i was able to get an L shaped kitchen so a bit more open out making it easier to move about and for hubbys wheelchair. now i have a mammoth task in cleaning and decorating but at least hubby says i have his permission to move a tin at a time!! 

glad the mask fitting went well and you quite enjoyed it. hope that tooth gets better soon. 

now i cannot believe the wagon wheels being same size - must be because i was a kid hmm never did get the grips with name changes like the marathon to snickers as mentioned and opal fruits came starburst, dime bar came daim, jiff came cif. you cant say starburst made to make your mouth water can you! doesnt sound right. 

Where you live sounds lovely, bet you have some amazing scenery around you. Must be interesting finding things for the garden - unless you are not that interested? it is very flat here in essex but at least i have some countryside near me being in a village. we have a field at the back of the garden and in the summer you can sometimes see the family of foxes going past to see what they can forage. its also ideal to release some of my hedgehogs. 

Sorry you have not been well. there are several incidents of people who have had the covid injection being ill for a few days with the symptoms. I am unfortunately down in group 9 despite being a carer, key worker etc so probably wont get mine until May. I am glad in one way as i am still suffereing from this with either some anxiety/blood pressure. I think because neck and throat is still swollen I am getting a bit congested but as you said there has been some improvement. 

Personally to trim fur I use clippers because you are less likely to cut the skin so if you use scissors try and get a small pair of curved ones and rounded blunt ended so theyy cannot get caught. Work from the toes up the feet a bit and then inbetween toes. If able try and cut inbetween the pads underneath the feet. I trained Pedro to give me his paw to clip by lots of little treats. 

Well typically i fancy some icecream so of cours the delivery has not arrived yet - whats the betting it is out of stock!! 

happy valentines to you both too. 

hope your feeling better 

Ahhhhhhrrrrggggg!

I had just composed a reply to you, sat in bed using my phone.  I pressed the wrong button and came out of chat.  Came back and my whole reply had disappeared.  :cry:

Going to get up, make a coffee  get the laptop fired up and try again.

Al

Hello Again

Laptop fired up,  I'm not saying its old but the valves took a while to warm up!

Now where was I?  Ah yes...

Well my ice cream was sadly missing from the order, still I do have a box of Mini Milks in the freezer so they will have to surfice for now.  Your Piggy ice cream sounds interesting, you'll have to let me know what its like.

I remember when we had our kitchen done, there was dust in places for days I never knew could get dust  We were so glad when they were finished and we could have the house back to ourselves.  The decorating after was fun though.

Yes this is a very scenic and beautiful place to live, we have a mountain views from the house, we are very lucky.  Waterfall country, they were all frozen at the weekend like something from a fantasy story.  We only moved here in 2019, the property being a doer upper.  The front and back gardens were all concrete slabs which we spent the first lock down sorting out.  Hopefully when all is back to a relative normal we can find the weird and wonderful to add, we did manage to collect a few mountain stones which are dotted about.  We moved from the south coast of Hampshire, only looked at this house as one of tthe ones we had travelled to see was sold en route!  this one didn't match our wish list at all, but we both fell in love with it when we walked through the door.  Still much to do to it.

I have an array of clippers from over the years.  Don't know why I never thought of it before.  Fortunately she is trained to lie on her back for me to check all her toes so hopefully she should be ok with the clippers...  Though she does have tickelish feet lol.

The effects of the covid jab have all but worn off, just left with a bit of an itchy arm.  The meds seem to be working as yesterday I had a day of little pain and the pain I did have was managable.  I was praying for some let up before I start radiochomo.  All i wanted was a few peacful days and I think I'm going to get them Yay!   All I need now is for yesterdays covid test to come back negative and I can get on with treatment.  I would love for my gums to heal up though so I can at least have some proper food before my throat decides otherwise.  Still on relativly soft easy to chew food such as roast veg and swedish meatballs.

I would love you to contribute to the blog, I was rather hoping that you would.  It's hard work at the mo, getting my head around it all.  Wish I had started it earlier so I could record things as they happened.  Aiming for it to go live before my radiochemo starts.  I've created the home page, an about page and a useful links page.  I think all i need to do now is log the journey to date then we're good to go.  Of course it will need tweeking along the way.   As soon as I publish it I will send you the link.

Hope your Piggy ice cream arrived

Al

wow sounds like your house is definately a stunner and one i would probably fall for too. I loved the idea of doing the house up but boy it is hard work isnt it. still as hubby says little and often and not to push too much. it will get done when it gets done. 

really pleased you are feeling bit better pain wise thats great enjoy these few days. 

glad your also eating ok ish lol not sure i could manage swedish meatballs they sound good what makes them 'swedish' compared to ordinary? 

my soft food now includes cauliflower cheese actually had the energy to mke today, mr kiplings balewell tart (melts in the mouth). tried singapore noodles yesterday but due to their length and thinnest they got caught at back of mouth. Hubby had the great delight in finishing off - his favourite is any kind of chinese!

had some skips as per your recommendations yesterday forgot how nice they are !

piggy ice cream is arriving next week but cookie dough arrived so happy bunny! 

one thing i forgot to ask you was after your tonsilectomy is yout taste normal because mine is not as good as it was - it has not gone or altered as in covid but i definately cannot tast some things as well. 

if your dog is that good i dont suppose you will have any problems getting the clippers on her toes, bless her. 

glad you are happy for my contribution will be honoured. 

have a good day have a yelping dog who is demanding attention so had better comply!