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

    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

  • Hi Elona 

    I think the mini Maffia are here to stay lol, your right about the colours of flowers making you smile I have a plant that despite the winter and me looking after it lol survived and has a mass of lovely little purple flowers that look like little stars. Don't overdo things you have to keep your strength up. A day of washing and ironing not my favourite job but am getting prepared so I don't have to worry about finding something to wear when going to hospital

    Hope you have a lovely relaxing day

    Alli x

     

  • Hi Al

    Hope you are well and are starting to have a bit more energy I know it must be frustrating but give your body time and I'm sure you will start to feel more normal soon, the lovebirds sound lovely and sound like there living up to there name baby ones how cute now that is something I would love to see. Not got a very exciting day planned just washing and ironing hope your day is more fun than mine lol

    Take care

    Alli x

  • Morning

    `well so much for the rain we badly needed I think every where else must be having the rain except us! My plants really need it. 

    I really dont know where the days go so far they seem to race away. Its hard to believe it is May already and all of us have gone through so much in the last few months. Al has gone through the worst and come out the otherside and is doing really well.Alli is going through the process and will with hope come through like Al. Sam is also comeing through the otherside. T~he journeys are all unique but similar and special to that person only. Each one special and amazing showing how hope, love, determination and dedication join forces for that person how wonderful is that. I feel humbled to be allowed to share. 

    Alli I love all flowers that are blue/purple they are my favourite colour. Some of the flowers i have ordered are blue. colour is important although I would not neccesarily believe when people say what colours mean or hubby with his love pof yellow would be a pyschopath!!! 

    Al hope you are getting more and more energy as days go by and resting well. I could not be more pleased for you that you are healing it is amazing your wife and yourself must be full of hope. Keep up the progress!!

    had a day free of the mini mafia the brothers must still be suffering from their fight! (or grounded by grandma). 

    Am going to have a gentle day of sanding and hopefully painting the last part of the dinning room area. It is a goal to get that area of the double room finished and looking nice. Once the wall is done i have a few floor planks to finish then i can concentrate on the fireplace. That is the exciting area. It is an original fireplace but unfortunately an old boiler was placed inside. I removed the bottom area leaving the fireplace and removed the horrid shelve unit thing the lady left there leaving the fireplace area. I have bought on ebay some original fireplace tiles to go on the outside and cant wait to get them up. Hope Alli you enjoyed your cleaning day lol. 

    have a good day 

    keep smiling 

    x

     

     

  • Morning 

    hope everyone is ok this morning. 

    very windy today and glum but still no rain. They say we should have some later but not convinced so may have to water the garden.

    mini mafia was quiet last night hubby says they are definately having a government meeting about the situation and i could swear i saw one dashing across the garden yesterday. i found a hole they had eaten into next doors fence to get through have to work out how to close it up. 

    Bought a new harness for pedro yesterday with a front lead so basically you attach the lead at the front and also at the back which helps you control the dog and teach him proper walking. Pedro can walk nicely but he is reacive with other dogs. this is used by one of my behavioural friends so i thoiugh we would see if it worked with him. he retalliated! i put it on him - no problem looked really smart then decided to walk him down the road a little to see. we got to the end of the drive way and he sat down refused to budge!!! can you imagine trying to move a 37kg dog ? he had those dolful eyes that turned stubborn. it tookus a while to move anywhere!!! we will have another go later. 

    Rolo decided to wake  me up as usual last night so his paw came out to pat me on my face then when i refused to budge the claws came out and suddenly pain! a claw dug into my cheek - blood everywhere. little B....... !!! then now he is as cuddly as pie 'i love you mummy' !!!

    did not get to finish wall yesterday so will try again today. 

    have a good day 

    keep smiling x

  • Hi

    Sorry its been a while I do my posts and emails on a kindle I'm a technophobe lol I don't have a fancy phone and managed to leave it in Gary's car yesterday so only just got it charged, how did you get on with Pedro Elona did he let you walk him on the second attempt, sounds like your not taking it very easy hope your feeling well and not overdoing it although the fireplace sounds like it will be lovely when its done I love all the original features so I would be itching to get it done to. Mini mafia are definitely hatching a plan be prepared it may be the calm before the storm and grandma may lead the troops to make sure there's no fisticuffs in the ranks lol. Only a few days to go till treatment getting a bit nervous more that it might not work but trying to put them thoughts aside. Hope your ok Al and on the road to recovery hope the lovebirds are doing ok 

    Take care Alli x

  • Nearly forgot I think we have got all the rain Elona we had a bit yesterday but today its been torrential and windy to, hope tomorrow s nicer maybe you might get some rain soon it's certainly gave the grass and plants a good soaking x

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