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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

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

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 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

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