Tonsil Cancer - Whirlwind Week

Hi All 

Firstly Hats Off to the NHS in Wales, they have been super amazing since my diagnosis on New Years Eve. Thank you all 

The title of the post is Whirlwind Week and this is why:

New Years Eve I have a phone call from ENT confirming tonsil cancer.  Very apologetic confirmed over the phone.  Wants me in for a biopsy.   Later the same day I get calls from ward team and covid test centre booking appointments.

Monday 4th January i have a covid test at 9.30am. Results back same day, negative for Covid19.  On route to test centre call from pre assessment team asking me to go in straight after my covid test for my biopsy pre assessment.   Forgot to mention biopsy booked for 7th January. 

Tuesday 5th January have an ultrasound at 9.30am and an MRI ar 11.00am.  The ultrasound was an external ultrasound of my neck. They decided to take two needle biopsies of lymph nodes which took some doing as the nodes were so solid they couldn't get needle in... Thank goodness for local anesthetic :)

From ultrasound they decided to send me for a 3d scan of my jaw.  This was done primarily in case I need any teeth removed pre radiotherapy treatment.  Apparently radiotherapy can cause your back teeth to crumble.  Don't panic not everyone has this done.  i believe it totally depends on size, position of tumour and the amount of radiotherapy you need.

After the jaw scan I went straight for my MRI.  Think I  had two 10 minute sessions,  the second 10 with dye injected into my blood.  I had also had this done for a CT scan on 18th December.

Wednesday 6th January day off.  Which I used to eat as many nice things as possible :)

Thursday 7th January 07.30am its minus 4 degrees c and I'm back at the hospital with my overnight bag ready for another biopsy, I was told to expect to be in hospital overnight.  Due to covid we have to wait at the entrance.  Just 3 of us, asked lots of covid related questions and temperature checked before being escorted to the clean ward.

The ENT surgeon comes to see me to explain the procedure.  Remember everyone is different.   So for me they are going to remove the good tonsil and send it for tests.  What? Not the bad tonsil?  The reason for this is because when you have cancer in one tonsil it is pretty much a done deal that you will get itin the other.   Also by leaving the cancerous tonsil in it allows for more treatment options.  If they cut it out there will only be one treatment path.

During the tonsillectomy they also took biopsies of my bad tonsil and my tongue.   After the op ENT told me that it would take about 7 days for the results so they expect to be calling my Wife and I in a week on Wednesday. 

I was allowed to go home as long as I had eaten something, drunk something and had a pee.  I was home by 7pm the same day.

Sunday 10th January its 6am and I am sat in bed writing this post.  Next to me is a glass of water which I sip all night, my 6am pills and a lip balm.  My bottom lip took a battering during surgery and is very swollen and sore.   The cancerous side of my throat and shoulder is still painful and the right side is even more painful from the tonsillectomy.  Even my lymph nodes seem to be complaining  :)

But you know what, I don't feel sorry for myself,  I don't feel sad.  I'm going to lose weight, but hey I'm 5ft 6inch and 13 and a half stone (male) i could do with shedding a few pounds ;) 

I know this is just the start of a long hard journey,  but I'm ready... bring it on I say!

Parents
  • 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 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

    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

Reply
  • 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

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