H

Had results today from biopsy on tonsil and now know its cancer, its all been really quick what with scans and hospital visits so not really had time to think about it now it's just starting to sink in but I'm pretty positive, I'm told its spread to a lymph node has anyone else had this 

HiAli

I am sorry to hear your diagnosis, but the first thing I would say is there is always hope. Al my friend here has the same and is currently undergoing all the treatment. He is having a six week course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy over most of the week meaning daily trips. The first thing they have to do is make sure you have no teeth that will get corroded by treatment so need removing first,. They then measure you for the mask this apparently is quite comfortable. They then arrrange the neginnings of the treatment. It will not be easy so you will need a good support system around you - family, macmillans, friends especially when you have down days. Some people loose taste buds during treatment some can find swallowing hard but if you look back on our talks there are mouth exeercises to do. 

Find all the exciting food things you love that are highly flacoured and stock up you will need to keep your weight up and need things that are exciting to make you smile. 

good luck i am here is you want to talk. 

stay strong x

Hi

All that food sounds scrumptious Elona wish I could cook I'm hopeless at least what I make is edible just about lol, glad you and your hubby were ok after the jab and no side effects. Went for another walk today a little bit further this time I'm thoroughly enjoying it and the weather's to nice to sit in, saw the weirdest bird in a field next to a house were I walk I think it was there's,

it looked like a massive peacock but grey without the lovely peacock feathers I'm not sure it was to pleased to see me so I made a sharp exit lol. Will definitely miss the antics of the mini mafia when they are evicted i like the idea of the wedding fisticuffs lol, hope your ok Al and are taking it easy

Alli x

Hi Alli bet you can cook really! 

glad you have had a good walk apparently walking is also a good destressor so all in all a good thing and nice to enjoy the weather. it is beautiful today. 

well i have been cleaning up after the mini mafia in the carport wow the party was a large one and by some little drops of blood there were definately the family fisticuffs!! the carport is now ready for the hedgehogs again all disinfected and looking good. took all day doing it slowly but really pleased will shock the mini mafia later lol when they try and explore. 

have my appointment finally not until 30 th June though with the thoracic consultant really pleased about that. \\

think your bird could be a peahen the female peacock she is ot coloured like the male, but still reasonable size. we have a house donw the road with peacokcs they are magnificent birds. 

my pigeon is as big as i get here lol with the ravens who nest in trees not far away. pigeon is getting fatter on my bird seed but i dont mind see if he can scare the cats again later lol. 

have great evening 

x

morning after cleaning carport feel realy tired today so late waking. 

looks like it should be another good day even though the wind is blowing so it is probably chilly outside. 

one of the mini mafia was desperately trying to emerge last night could hear all the scrapping at the hole (i had filled with polyfilla). hubby says there were graffetti protestations and a lot of swearing to be heard! me thinks the battle has begun!!! am going to have to investigate the area later tis morning. hubby says there may well be a rally later as he maybe gathering recruits lol. 

so pleased i have my appointmnet now just got to hope they can discover the cause. 

Al how are your wifes plants coming along and your veggies/herbs?

hope everyone has a good relaxing day.

keep smiling x

morning 

a bit duller this morning and boy isnt it chilly again would be lovely to have decent weather to sit outside but i suppose it is only April still. 

no mini mafia last night that hubby could detect hope they are not planning the next manoevre! 

cats have finally discovered the bird table through the window lol and you realise sometimes how stupid they can be trying to pounce through a glass sheet - really does not work!! there were a few roll over backwards , straighten themselves up then look cat determined and try again !! 

Al hope your ok 

Alli hope your ok too

Sam hope your ok

tired today so may not do much. watched the suicide squad yestrday with will smith in a gritty super hero film - my sort of action movie and enjoyed it. 

have a good day and keep smiling x

Morning

Glad to hear you finally have an appt Elona but sorry its so far off at least now they will be able to find the cause and treat it, we do seem to spend a lot of time wAiting for appt lol, tomorrow is dental assessment day and was told I should get dates for treatments so scared and happy about that. Didn't go for walk yesterday but was busy went shopping and then back to Gary's for dinner in his garden as the weather was lovely was so pooped when I got home I forgot to post, you were right about the peahen Elona I looked it up online and also found a white peacock I was mesmerized it was so beautiful. I think the mini maffia are determined to stay by the sound of things I think you have a battle ahead had visions off rats in army uniforms planning battle tactics, I read a few posts back Al that you had illustrated a book for your late brother in law maybe you could get together with Elonas hubby and do that book the adventures of the mini maffia lol. Off to New Brighton today hope weather brightens up Gary's off work and my daughter finishes at lunchtime and have even persuaded my son to come to, Im hoping it will be quiet as its Monday just thought it would be nice to have a day at the seaside I intend to have chips and ice cream lol

Hope you have a lovely day to take care

Alli x

Hi Elona

I am ok all things concidered thank you :happy:  Sadly energy levels and chronic fatigue don't allow me to post daily.  I asked the MDT about it yesterday as energy level getting me down a bit, they said it can take 6 to 8 weeks post treatment for levels to return to any kind of normal.  Post treatment is taken from the third week after the last radiotherapy, so although it feels like ages since radio this is technically week one... Humph!

I may also have contracted mucositis.  I say 'may' as although quite common during treatment it is rare to contract it so far after.  I am seeing ENT tomorrow (Wednesday) so they can have a proper look to be on the safe side.  Apparently it is also rare for ENT to look at the throat this soon after treatment so you can't help but worry a bit.

How did you and hubby fair with your second jabs?  Better than me I hope.

A Truffle Kent Cob Tree sounds interesting, I have no idea what they are or how they look.  I would have one just for the fab name! :happy:  If truffles are to grow under it you will need to be on le look out for a rescue pig to snuffle them out.  I believe that with certain trees that truffles favour it takes around 4 years for the first truffles.

Just read your post containing your non reactions to the second jab, so happy for you both :happy:

Your Indian on St Georges Day sounded lovely, can't wait for my first indian.  To be fair to you there is nothing more English than an Indian, it's as English as roast on a Sunday :happy:

So glad to learn that you have finally got your appointment with the Thoracic consultant.  30th June may seem a way off at the moment, but it will soon go by.  Remember the 'Take each day at a time'.  Sometimes more easily said than done, I know.

Plants, herbs, and vaggies.... vaggie? What's a vaggie lol?   Veggies are all doing well, even the sprouts that were transplanted outside last week.  Just love watching things grow, very exciting.  We must be turning into proper gardeners as we are hoping for a bit of rain this week :laugh:

Love the film Suicide Squad!  Took my eldest to the flicks to watch it.  Think it was the last film that I managed to stay awake through, I had a habbit of falling asleep in the cinema.

I hope that your energy levels have returned today, even if just a bit.

Enjoy your day. Stay Strong.

Al x

Hi Allie :happy:

You ask as many questions as you like, I will try and be as helpful as I can.

The feeding tube that I have is an NG Tube, goes up the nose and down the throat.  Sounds worse than it is.  The ones that they connect straight to the belly I believe that they avoid those if they can.  More trauma to the body.

The full body PET Scan does help to ease your mind.  I didn't even mind if they found something, just knowing was enough for me.  

It's good that you are out walking, even better that you are enjoying it :happy:  It all helps, just be careful not to over do it.  Last thing you need going into treatment is to be fatigued.

I will be thinking of you today, dental appointment.  Fingers crossed you need no extractions.  The dentists that I saw at hospital were a breed apart from my regular dentist.  They will do everything they can to save your teeth.  My regular dentist is no longer allowed to remove any teeth.  If they feel that I need one removed I have to go back to the hospital and they will do their best to save it.

Just reading through your posts, I would love to illustrate a mini mafia book :happy:

All the best today.

Be Strong

Al x

Hi 

AL please take things very easily then if you have chronic fatigue and possible mucositis. (hope ENT goes ok tomorrow) seems like you are breaking all rules about being different. hoping this is nothing serious and nothing to worry about. i thnk though people will get a brilliant idea of what you and sam and Alli will be going through by reading this thread. 

am feeling bit better today much like you guys i have good and bad days with fatigue but not so bad as you. trouble is i cannot get to sleep during day very much hence watch a film. 

hahaha we will all be gardeners here!!! should build ourselves another group the cancer chat gardeners lol. well i have always found it therapeutic - yes sorry about spelling, head goes ahead of fingers so sometimes comes out wrong!! my yakon roots are arriving in about a week so that will be exciting to see what they look like. glad to report some of my little plugs are growing yay!! 

going to take hubby into town this morning - my first trip out since christmas - apart from hospital and doctors etc. not sure about wanting to go still even though we have masks and are vaccinated because not sure i should but need to get to bank and he is hankering going round poundland!! he has a sweet tooth lol. i think though he is just looking forward to getting out. At least it is sunny. 

hubby came through this morning to inform me that there was a mini mafia funeral last night (he was truying to make me feel sorry for the mini mafia lol) - the one who had been scrapping a lot to try and get back into carport. he said they made a real racket, had beer cans piled high on top of the coffin, one leg was hanging out, there was a lot of singing and wailing as they walked past. the men were as *** as neuts. (they were faking everything!!!). the protests have begun. as far as iam concerned the carport looks really good now and ready for the hedgehogs. 

am being pestered by rumple teazer now boy he has claws, since he has lost his shyness he has got quite affectionnate but also i need to clip those claws since he pats me with them and they hurt!! - especially at 2am!!! 

well enjoy your day 

keep smiling x

forgot Alli good luck witht he dentist appt

Hi Elona :happy:

Look at me posting two days in a row!  probably because we spent all day yesterday doing absolutely nothing, bar watching a film and a few tv shows.

It does feel like I am breaking the rules again, I'm fed up with rare lol.  Just one bit of normallity, that's all I ask...  Actually life would be boring if everything was 'normal'.

Cancer Gardeners Chat Haha!  Love it.   It is raining here today, all day I believe, which I am actually happy about.  Can't beat a bit of rain water for the young plants.  My Grandad had a water butt to catch rain water, think I am going to put one on my shopping list.  Good to learn that your plugs are growing, here's to blooming gardens this year, such a shame we cannot post pics on here.

How did your trip with hubby into town go?  Our friends that visited, he absolutely loves Poundland.  I am sure he must have shares in the place lol.

Sounds like the Hedgehog Hotel will be opening it's doors soon.  We used to get a lot of hedghogs when I lived in the countryside.  Didn't see one for years after and then we happened apon a weak young one last year in a local park, I was shocked that it was the first time my wife had ever seen one. We kept an eye on it until a local hedghog sanctury picked it up.  We often wonder how he/she got on.

Hope you have a great day today

Stay Strong.

Al x

Hi Elona :happy:

Look at me posting two days in a row!  probably because we spent all day yesterday doing absolutely nothing, bar watching a film and a few tv shows.

It does feel like I am breaking the rules again, I'm fed up with rare lol.  Just one bit of normallity, that's all I ask...  Actually life would be boring if everything was 'normal'.

Cancer Gardeners Chat Haha!  Love it.   It is raining here today, all day I believe, which I am actually happy about.  Can't beat a bit of rain water for the young plants.  My Grandad had a water butt to catch rain water, think I am going to put one on my shopping list.  Good to learn that your plugs are growing, here's to blooming gardens this year, such a shame we cannot post pics on here.

How did your trip with hubby into town go?  Our friends that visited, he absolutely loves Poundland.  I am sure he must have shares in the place lol.

Sounds like the Hedgehog Hotel will be opening it's doors soon.  We used to get a lot of hedghogs when I lived in the countryside.  Didn't see one for years after and then we happened apon a weak young one last year in a local park, I was shocked that it was the first time my wife had ever seen one. We kept an eye on it until a local hedghog sanctury picked it up.  We often wonder how he/she got on.

Hope you have a great day today

Stay Strong.

Al x

Hi

Will have to get tomatoes growing now so I can be part the gardeners chat group  Elona lol what is a Yakon  root? hope your hubby stocked up on goodies from poundland they do have a good selection. Hope your appointment went ok Al how did you get on, hopefully your energy levels will pick up soon. Had a busy couple of days went out Monday to New Brighton and had a lovely time and had chips and fudge so no chance of losing weight before treatment that's my excuse anyway lol, hospital yesterday the mask fitting was an interesting experience got a bit panicky cause I'm claustrophobic but they were lovely had scan of head and chest with mask on that's going to take some a getting used to, after dental assessment they said I didn't need extractions so treatment starts Thursday  so scared and pleased at the same time, the doctor has decided against the tube in tum because I have ulcerative colitis so will see how I go and maybe ng tube if needed. The bird I saw was a Rhea I was talking to a neighbour and she said its the farmers so mystery solved, catching up on cleaning today not very exciting  but has to be done

Hope you have a lovely day

Alli x

Afternoon 

bit late today needed more mellow time, and a dog to cuddle up to lol. 

A little pair of pathetic eyes was watching me yesterday cleaning near a window and it skirted out a couple of times to collect a piece of corn litter before running back. felt a slight pang of guilt but it soon passed! there were a few bangs last night too but we could not assertain where they came from this morning. - the plan is afoot!

the trip into town yesterday was not enjoyable. There were too many people not wearing masks i did not like it. Even though iam now vaccinated until i get sorted i do not want to come into contact with stupidity. One woman went into poundland with her young child, put a mask on herself to go inside but didnt put on on her child! could not believe it. even if the risk is low for children i would not have taken any risk. We did not stay out long. 

I let hubby go into poundland by himself and he came out with a bag full lol./ - with the pretence that he had thought of me at the same time and some of the items were therefore for me! Always a good excuse. 

cant believe how cold it is today, we certainly do not have any sun and the wind chill factor is freezing. It is supposed to be summer time - the only indication is the beautiful blossom on my fruit trees. (i have made a small area into an orchard with plum, apple, pear, saskatoon, elderberry and walnut. The apple and pear act as a fence surrounding one side. They also act as a divider for the garden and a wind break. 

there have been a few lovely birds around this morning. The pigeon came for his morning feed, there was a blackbird at the bottom of the garden, a rook next door - what an amazing pointed beak he has - very dangerous!, blue *** and sparrow. i do love this time of year. cant say it enough but love the emergence of new life. 

watching sony movies today - love disaster films! after watching asteroid versus the earth we now have eruption LA lol keeps me happy - no energy for work on paper or book or anything else today, probably just me being lazy lol. shame though have a lot i want to do. Doea not help when a cat attacks you at 2am when you dont need to get up for medication until 4am! the swine you cannot reason with them lol. 

anyway hope you have a good day 

Al great to see you two days in a row lol 

Alli hope went ok. 

keep smiling x

morning

Alli glad you did not need to have any teeth out thats good and that your treatment can start. Hope it goes ok anmd remember we are here for you. x By the way have no idea what yakon roots are like lol they just sounded really interesting so thought i would try them lol!! 

At the moment it is lovely and sunny but they have forcast some rain. Boy the plants need a good downpour they are very dry. it also gives me an excuse not to be able to do anything or feel guilty about not being able to do anything outside. ! i have created so much junk we need a skip!! 

Next door had put out a half coconut filled with stuf for birds and the rook was on it this morning, byt the way it was pecking i would be surprised if there was anything else for the other birds left. Rum tum has taken great interest in looking out the window at them and still forgets there is a window separating him from getting at them ! 

couple of thumps in the carpart again last night but no visible evidence! ....

keep smiling x

Hello

Weather doesn't know what to do with itself here so using time to sort house ready for treatment start on Thursday then if the sun comes out ill go for a walk later, hope you and Al are feeling ok the yakon roots will be a lovely mystery while you wait to see what springs up, poor RumTum will have concussion at this rate Elona lol, next doors cat wandered in this morning while I was in the garden he nearly give me a heart attack when he come walking down the hall he got a bit panicky cause I had shut the door so didn't have any trouble vacating him lol, I'm going to miss the tales of the mini mafia I think maybe they are realising they can't win the battle you may see a small white flag as they leave with there tail between there legs quite literally. Al hope you have been given something to ease your mouth and you are feeling better. Well back to work hope you have a good day

Alli x

Hi Alli :happy

I am so glad to learn that all went so well with the restorative dentist, you must be very happy too.  One less stress for your body to go through and believe me the less stressess the better.  It also means that you can get on and fight the real fight.  I was so happy when I got my treatment start date, it was a relief to be able to finally start fighting back. But like you I was also a bit nervous about going into the unknown.  This is why we need more people like you and Sam talking about their experiances of the journey.  I think an NG is much better as it isn't invasive, again less stress on the body.  Did you get a small dot tattoo?  I had a tattoo on my chest to help line up the radiotherapy machine.  As soon as I am better, and can afford it, I am going to have another tattoo in the same place incorporating the dot.

Which part of your treatment starts on Thursday?  Did they decide to go for the two or six chemo sessions?

Go on start growing some tomatoes, if nothing else they will be something to do and think about to help take your mind off of all that is going on.  Loving watching things grow and there is nothing like home grown.  I too have no idea what a Yakon plant is, I am sure Elona has told me before, but with my brain it totally escapes me.

My appointment went very well thank you Alli.  I do have ulcers in my throat, but ENT said that they believe that they are clearing up (forgot to ask what the cause is).  They gave me a script for a mouthwash which also has a pain killer in it.  Also prescribed 3 moths of Antacid, and that is a lot of bottles.  Suffering really bad with acid reflux, probably due to starting to eat real food again, stomach not used to it.  He had a look down my throat with a camara, which was interesting as it goes up the nose but I only have one nostril and the other has the tube.  He said that he could not see any sign of the cancer, Yay!  But obviously they wont know 100% until I have the PET Scan, but still great news.  Diet and speech were there too, decided to stop the 10 hour 1 litre night feeds.  Now on 4 hour 500ml feed 6pm - 10pm plus try to eat as much normal food as I can throughout the day.  They're going to contact me on Tuesday to see if its working.

Alli, have a great bank holiday weekend, enjoy every moment.  Start growing tomatoes.  

Stay Strong

Al x

Hi Elona :happy:

I didn't make three days in a row.

Loving your recent movie choices, we have been watching disastrous disaster movies all week.  Some of them were so bad they're good :laugh:  

I told Alli that you had explained Yakon root to me before, but I had forgotten what you had told me.  My stupid brain must have made that up lol.  Well I wanted some rain, must have done the dance to perfection because the rain Gods have replied with rain for as long as the MET doth forcast!  Still saves us doing it.

We had a pair of black birds in the garden yesterday, he was searching through the bark whilst she stood guard. Luckily the cats were fast asleep on the bed.  Got me thinking instead of a bird table I could put a pole up and hang food from it.  I would have to place it more than a cat leap from the walls though.  May have some baby birds of our own soon though.  The Love Birds have been having much bird fun and produced eggs in the nest.  This isn't the first time she has laid.  On all but the previous attempt the eggs have been without embrios.  He wasn't great at his part.  On the last attempt two of four eggs did have babies, but sadly didn't make it full term.  We believe she didn't keep the nest moist enough.  This time I am proud of him and I think she has sussed egg rearing so fingers crossed by mid May we will hear cheap cheap (actually baby Love Birds are really loud and do not know the difference between night and day) sounds from the nesting box.  Then we have to hope she looks after them properly, we don't step in unless absolutley neccessary.

Have a fab Bank Holiday weekend.

Stay Strong

Al x

Hi

i think i may have said before Al about yakon roots. Apparently they look like sweet potatoes but are juicy and taste like a mixture of apple and celery. they are probably whats called a super fruit. 

My truffle kentish cob arrived so mad dash to get it into the ground. it meant moving some rocks and digging some soil so consequently iam feeling very sore but proud at the same time. 

i have a question for you two - do my little blatherings help in any way since i am not going through the same experience any more as you two am i still wanted here? 

sorry have a mimi wobble ! 

Alli dont think the mimi mafia are gouing to disappear that quickly! We have offered to help them move home so there could be a story in that. Al is also right you should plant a tomato plant it is easy to grow, will give loads of lovely tomatoes - healthy and good for you and is fun. 

Al love to hear about the love birds wow they are so pretty. It would be amazing to get some babies. I know rearing birds is not the easiest thing to do. 

i have an african grey and he made me laugh the other day. I was sitting on the loo as you do and he suddenly came out with "dont hurt me!" his cage is right outside the bathroom i could have fallen of the loo i cracked up. he must have heard it on a film but you can just imagine he saying it when someone comes round that would be call the RSPB. 

gorgeous day today and the one thing that made the day better is the huge fern my mother left behind that was dry and i thought dying but in actual fact there were some new shoots uncurling. the new growth appearing made me smile. 

have good weekend too 

keep smiling x

Hello

You have been a lifeline Elona I don't know what I would have done some days if I hadn't been able to come on here and listen to all that's happening with you, it doesn't matter that you have something different you are still dealing with an illness and I hope it helps you to come on here to, ooh I like the sound of yakon roots I've not seen them in the supermarket I suppose there a bit exotic for Tesco and Asda lol, the African Grey sounds like a character its a shame we can't put pics up so I could see all yours and Al's lovely pets. Another day at hospital it is now like my second home just a pre assessment for chemo and bloods but ended up being a long day cause we got stuck in traffic coming home, it normally takes an hour but it took 2 but the driver was lovely and chatty so quite enjoyed the journey. Hope your mouth is easing Al good idea about putting bird seed up high so kitty's can't reach, I haunt had the dot tattoo no ones mentioned it yet when did you get yours (sorry another question lol). Got to get more bird seed the last lot had mixed seeds and the birds have just ate the ones they like and left the rest I have very picky pigeons 

Hope your day has been a good one

Alli x

Forgot to say Al that's brilliant news that they couldn't see cancer when you were examined x

morning all hope your having a good weekend. 

Al fantastic news re your endoscopy, i had that down the nose it was quite uncomfortable as i remember but fantastic they could not see any cancer - looking positive. 

Alli thank you that made me feel better, and am glad your appointment went ok although you had a bit of a journey. 

well i had a stand off with mini mafias cousin who i think lives near the pond. (i should charge him for having to patch up the pond liner making a large hole for a window), he was up on the bird table eating happily until i opened the window then he scooted into the flower bed and i could feel his little bedy eyes watching and waiting for my back to be turned before yes he was up gain! three attmepts later and he had eaten all the bird seed i lost that battle. 

as for the mini mafia well there was a scuffle in the carport last night and a fight broke out. they were trying to get a plan together and could not agree on the details so mini mafia junior threw my disinfectant spray bottle at his brother who retaliated, grandpa had to intervene and pull the brothers apart leaving them black and blue. 

i decided that i need colour to brighten my life so have chosen some fragrant parrot plants for the garden adn some poenies. not usually a peony person but these have ruffled flowers and look pretty and i have a bed that used to be a foxgloce and grases bed that could do with a change. colour is another thing that can make you smile. 

easy day today after yestrerday that really drained me and when iam in pain and tired i do get emotional so some gentle sanding me thinks. am hoping that pushing myself to do these things will help with my illness. 

keep smiling x