Hello, 

firstly thank you so much for posting your experience for us all. I take my hat off to you I really do. Could you please tell me what gave you the tonsil cancer diagnosis in the first place? I am in a very similar situation. 
 

I have had the nose scope twice down the throat, I've had an MRI, a tonsillectomy (for biopsy) and on the 8th of Feb I'm having the core neck biopsy. 
 

Basically my right tonsil was swollen for months post numerous spouts of tonsillitis and left 2 papillomous spots visible. Unsure how long they had been there only noticed because dr examined mouth after being sick. This has now been biopsied and I'm recieving results on the 8th coming. 
 

After my MRI a 2cm lump has been found in my neck which is being biopsied also on the 8th with the needle I guess you are talking about? 
 

Your experience seems to be the closest to mine that I've seen on here but it's obviously the complete other way around and I am scared obviously but also just dealing with what's to come. If you can give me any advice towards my situation it would be so helpful. No one understand what I'm going through right now and im so thankful to have come across yourself. 
 

God bless you and I wish you a healthy recovery .. I just don't understand why I've been through the same as you but nothings been confirmed yet :( 

Hopefully speak to you soon xx

Hi Syraya

Nice to speak to you and as you said it is always useful having someone in a similar situation. 

My friend has definately been diagnosed with cancer I have not yet. 

The diagnosis depends upon how obvious the signs and symptoms are. It also depends upon any biopsies and histology results. As you will no doubt have been told 9 out of 10 do not have cancer or at least cancer that has spread and causes problems. 

I had an aspiration biopsy probably what you are having and that came back inconclusive so I am having a proper biopsy of my neck on the 8th as well under a local anaesthetic. ~T~his is going to be using a spring loaded biopsy punch that takes a sample of the lump rather than a few cells as in an aspiration. This will then be sent for histology so it will be stained and examined under a microscope for the different cells. Cancer shows up as unusal shaped cells as well as proliferation of the area. 

Both of us had the aspiration, MRI, bloods, and tonsilectomies. I had my bad tonsil out and DragonFach had the good one out so it didnt spread - this varies due to clinicans thoughts of treatment. 

Lumps can appear due to bad infections and viruses so try not to get too worried I always believe in no news is good news. 

Usually two weeks is the time for histology results to come back then they discuss your case before they get back to you but they can let you know earlier. Make sure you ask lots of questions if possible this helps put your mind more at rest and let you know exactly what is going on. I know what it is like though very frustrating when you dont get a conslusive answer. 

let us know how you get on. It is good here to keep in touch helps us get though this and make friends. 

be positive.

Hi Srayra 

Welcome to the thread.

I think my amazing friend Elona has pretty much covered everything. 

I sympathise with you as although I have cancer, when I was in your position (having tests and waiting the reults) it was definitely one of the most difficult parts of the journey mentally date.

This may sound strange but I was relieved when I got my call, even though it was confirming cancer.  I mentioned this strange relief to a nurse, apparently it is relatively common.  The not knowing is very hard to deal with,  what I did was to break down each day trying to do things that I enjoyed or made me smile and laugh.  Anything to detract my mind away from the uncertainty. 

Like Elona said 9 out of 10 people who go through tests are negative for cancer.   That figure is for all cancers, head and neck cancers are classed as rare so the odds are even less.  Although rare they tend to be one of the quickest to catch early, one of the most successfully treated and one of the least likely to spread. This is why you've found it difficult to find people like Elona and myself on here.  I was so relieved to find Elona,  its a comfort to chat to those in a similar situation as no one will understand you better.

If you are scrolling Dr Google my advice is to stop.  Here, Macmillan and maybe the NHS sites are all you need now.   Dr Google does very much have its place if used wisely.   If used without caution it can lead you down a deep dark hole.

Most importantly, as hard as it can be some days, stay positive.   We all get our ups and downs,  no matter how you feel post here one if not both of us will reply.  You yourself will be helping others in a similar situation looking for answers.

Stay strong 

Al

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