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!

  • 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

  • Hi Elona :happy:

    OMG!  I, and I am sure others, enjoy reading your 'blatherings'.  They are a much needed relief from the trials and tribulations of living with cancer.  I couldn't imagine this thread without you, actually this thread would no doubt have finished weeks ago without your wonderful, thoughtful posts and replies.  You may not be living through cancer, but you did go through all the tests, biopsies, witing for results etc.  And the end results may not have been cancer, but the stress of the wait was the same and they did diagnose you with a life changing illness.  So many people go through tests for neck cancer to be diagnosed with something else and they need to be able to read posts from beautiful souls like yourself who have also been through the same.  You have certainly helped me through this, for which I will never be able to thank you enough.

    Well I've had a very quite Bank Holiday.  The weather has been rubbish so just been rattling around the house finding things to do, we even ran out of disasterous disaster movies to watch.  The good thing is the plants have had a very good watering from the heavens.  We had 50mph+ gusts down the valley last night, lights flickering.  Sounded like a freight train, a few trees down and many pubs lost their parasols etc.  We will be venturing out to put bits of the back garden back together today, fortunately no damage just things where they shouldn't be.

    I was thinking about, amongst other things, the lack of being able to post pics here.  And was wondering what the interest would be in starting a private Facebook neck cancer journey group.  People would have to ask or be invited to join and only members would be able to see and write posts, comment etc.  What do you think?

    I'm eating a bit more normal food each day, I even had a Happy Meal burger on Friday!  No sauce and couldn't eat the chips.  The most amazing thing was yesterday a few sweet taste buds started working!!!  All looking good to having the tube removed before the 15th.   Only eating around 500/600 cals a day at mo, so still having to top up with the tube feeds.  But heading in the right direction :happy:

    Right I'm off to put the garden back together.

    Be strong

    Al' x

  • Hi Alli :happy:

    I think I had my tattoo on the day that they set up the radiotherapy machine.  Throat is still painful, but improving daily.  Slowly eating more normal food each day, only around 500/600 cals at mo.  Still having to top up with tube, but heading in the right direction.  I'm having days of energy, seems to be a pattern at mo of one day completely fatigued and sleeping a lot and then two days of relative energy.

    I am both slightly nervous and excited about the prospect of baby Love Birds.  It's not uncommon for first time parents to have issues.  If this happens the babies will have to be hand reared which is a lot of work.  Hand reared however do make better pets and do well as single birds.

    I was thinking about, amongst other things, the lack of being able to post pics here.  And was wondering what the interest would be in starting a private Facebook neck cancer journey group.  People would have to ask or be invited to join and only members would be able to see and write posts, comment etc.  What do you think?

    How are you feeling with regards to treatment starting this week?  Do you know what chemo you are having?  I had cisplatin.

    Hope you have a great day

    Stay Strong

    Al' x

  • Afternoon, but late today man delivered compost for garden and Pedro wanted attention. 

    He was abit better yesterday on his new front lead harness but did put the brakes on in the new estate. I think it ws actually due to the high winds that spooked him. He is now resting nicely curled up next to me unawares that he will have to try again later! the front harness did work though it did make him walk closer to my side than before which was good. 

    Thanks Al for your kind words I needed them. 

    I think facebook maybe a good idea but i would check with the administrators first that they woulod not sensor ths pictures. They have been a bit daft recently with some of the things they are not allowing. I have made harmless comments and they have been denied. The other thing would be to ask questions to the people who want to join otherwise we could get anybody. The other thing is as administrator unless you want someone else to also do it have you time and energy?

    AM thrilled Al that you are eating and 5-600cal not bad start and a burger lol what a start!! I find some things still get caught in the back of my mouth on occasion so this may always be the case now. Hope the pain starts to ease soon. 

    Alli try not to get too nervous about thursday we will all be thinking of you. I am sure hopefully all will go well. Try as many distractions as possible beofe then. 

    Mini mafia junior was out again in the carport last night we suspect he has been left there on guard to report back with any changes until the time has come for their retalliation. Grandma will certainly have a say in what happens. 

    Al it will certainly be exciting to see baby love birds sounds like you have had experinece with them before. They are beautiful birds. 

    Boy it sounds like we have all had the wind. It certainly has been singing its way through my garden and lifte a parasol here too - not far thankfully but shows how strong it can be. Bet it was bad down in Wales. Valleys do seem to get the wind gusting through. Have not cheked on my plugs yet. At least the sun is trying to shine through. 

    yay finished the wall and painted the window this morning so floor to finish now then fire place and coving lol. Will be good to get that done. One bit at a time lol. 

    have found a foreign disaster movie called the wave on Amazon pretty good. (norwegian i think about a flooding). 

    keep smiling and have a goo day x

     

     

     

  • Hello

    Al that's great news that you are starting to be able to eat again I hadn't realised that tastebuds could come back so soon so it gives me hope, haven't had a McDonalds since before the lockdown so will maybe be able to have a big Mac when all this is over if I can open my mouth wide enough that is( I'm sure ill find a way lol). Sun is starting to come back out again so have retrieved the recycling that was strewn all over garden only one casualty one of my green bunny garden ornaments lost an ear but I managed to glue it back so he's nearly as good as new. Good news that Pedro's getting used to the harness Elona, it sounds like your going to have the room done in no time just don't try to do to much. I don't go on Facebook Al but if we could sort it I'd give it a go. Im not feeling to anxious at the mo I've been keeping busy  doing cleaning and jobs around the house and yesterday the kids set the tv up in my room and I can get catch up on it so I may get so comfy in there I won't  want to come out

    Take care and enjoy the rest of your day

    Alli x

  • Hi Al

    Forgot to say the chemo drug I'm having is called carboplatin, they are giving me this as I am partially deaf in one ear and have tinnitus so some chemo can make it worse according to doc x

  • Afternoon, 

    raining nicely here - good plants still need a lot, even the little plugs i have just transplanted this morning. Its good to see that i have not killed of all the plugs lol. 

    Rum tum managed to scare of the pigeons from the bird table today he gave them such a fright poor things hope they come back later. Birds cannot see glass so they must have thought t=he was just about to get them. Mind you they are fat so they could do without a feed now and then lol. 

    Gandapa mini mafia is going senile! he thought the fake funeral procession was a marriage and started doing a jig on top of the coffin. He then got incredibly drunk he got into Aunt Agathas bed who was not amused. Grandma gave him a right talking to but he just laughed it off. Consequently the whole protest turned into mayhem and nearly everyone got drunk falling over each other laying around showing their tummies and long tails caught up uin each other that when they stood up they fell over again. no wonder the plan has not been decided yet they are still suffering and untangling each other. The two on look out Junior and cousing are not amused having to miss out on all the fun. Grandma told them that until they are old enough to be their own bosses they have to follow the rules whether they like it or not. 

    Glad Alli you managed to clue the ear on your garden bunny. Thankfully we did not get any damages, but the garden is at the moment quite a mess having taken down the old chicken coop. A skip arrives tomorrow so we should be able to get rid of a lot of rubbish then. Hubby will have to help. We have a plan he carries things on his lap and i wheel him it works well. some of the larger things like the chicken coop and run i may have to get a neighbour to help. THe one good thing about being ill this year is being able to do the house and garden lol. It amy take four times as long but i probably would not have been able to do if i was still working. 

    how are your plants Al.

    Pigeon is back for second attempt this time Rasputin has his eye on him - stupid cat he cant get him either!!! 

    take care all keep smiling x

     

  • Hi 

    I love the mini mafia stories Elona they make me smile, looks like you have the rain now hopefully without the wind, I know what you mean about the wood pigeons they are so greedy they never stop eating they are so big when they are on the bird table no one else can fit on lol, 2 new visitors a magpie and what I think was a blue *** which was exciting. Hope you are ok Al and still managing to eat more solid food how soon did your taste change when you were having treatment, I've bought more soft food today so think I will be ok. I'm having a rest now been cleaning for 2 days and im shattered I've been getting breathless lately which is a scary sign trying not to worry, treatment tomorrow I think im as prepared as im going to be. Don't overdo things in the garden Elona good idea to get neighbour to help 

    Enjoy your day

    Alli x