Hi Mary. Quite early in in  diagnosis I took the decision that this wasn't going to best me. The mask was my defender I gave her a name snd every session told her I named her yep I did lol. Told her it was going to hurt her more than me and she was going to save my life which it did. I was fine I composed myself walked in with head head high and concentrated in my breathing and took my head in a bike ride or a walk I took my own music in. Before it started at home I used to our in bed visualise my walk set the timer for 12 mins and I never got to end of walk or bike ride. 12  mins most days nsybe 15 if scsn was being done. You can do it I did it. 
hazel 

Hi Peter thank you for reading my blog glad d you found it helpful. I did it originally just for me snd our family but just it's reached over 50,000 people scary fir a little lass from Yorkshire. Best advise is remember your won't get all the side effects the most common is dry mouth it's not pleasant  but it doesn't last forever. I have limited saliva but it's still improving now I am at approx 95 % during day  What you need to remember head and neck cancers are eminently curable ok treatment is hard but outcome is good. 
don't stress about the lump in your neck it's your lymph nodes doing what they should do. When I think about it my lump  was there in February 2018 I just ignored it whilst in  Spain and home jn May then treatment started mid July by then I had several more nodes that were affected. I know ladies in their mid 70 s who have successfully completed treatment and recover so at 69 you are a spring chicken. If I can help just ask. 
dovyoy know your h p v status ? It's a question to ask along with your T n m status I was T2N2NM tumour size 2-4 cm nodes 2 nodes later 3 no metastasis. 
Hazel x

Hi Hazel,

Thank you for the reassuring words and side effects information, your blog is an essential read for all of us afflicated with this awful cancer.

I've not had a biopsy yet, in fact I've had no communication from my doctor at all except a letter from the hospital saying I've to go for a CT scan next week, so not sure what my status is as yet, what the ENT doctor did show me however was a photo of the cancer at the base of my tongue taken when they put the camera down my nose, it's a picture I'll never forget!

Hopefully all the status details will come after the biopsy.

Best wishes

Peter

Thanks so much for the encouragement Hazel.

Well said Peter about Mary's Blog.

Hi Peter,

It's only this week, the ball has got rolling for me (which has made me very nervous and hope to have the will power to carry out this) as I have been waiting for MRI scan for a couple of weeks. Just waiting on a PET scan. 

How are u with eating. I am taken Fortisip drinks and like the peach and mango, I can manage Salmon, pureed veg. and potatoe mash. I dont eat eggs or chicken. So I am very limited.  It takes me a very long time to eat but I'm in no rush. I have taken up deserts, cheesecake, custard, rice Pudding. To build up some weight. I am in around 10st. 

Chat again Soon.

Hi Mary,

Glad things are moving, I'm nervous about what's to come as well and I find sleeping at night quite difficult due to anxiety, but then I think let's get this over and done with so I can get my life back so that thought gives me the strength to carry on.

I find eating a bit difficult due to the pain in my throat and also swallowing can be awkward but if I take water I can get most foods down, but wine and chocolate for some reason hurt like hell when I swallow!

Although I've been eating regularly I've still lost a stone in under two months and the weight is still dropping off dramatically which is a worry to me.

It's ironic that earlier this year to try and lose weight I'd stopped eating all the bad foods like buns, chocolate and biscuits etc. Now I'm back to eating these foods again to try and gain weight, but to no avail!

Best wishes

Peter

Hi Peter sorry for delay we're just at Portsmouth waiting for ferry to Spain yes life does go on after this waft cancer. Just to give you some hope it will feel doom n gloom just now I know I've been there. The ct scsn will help pin point where to do the biopsy so don't worry it's a week trodden path. I know it seems slow but it's hiw the planning etc is. Like I've said I was 63 days from putting on pathway to treatment starting. If I can help I will. Thsnk you for kind words re blog. 
hazel 

Hi Hazel,

It's great to hear your getting your life back on track again, hope you a safe journey to Spain.

Had a rough day today with the sporadic sweats that seem to be a regular feature now plus the pain under my armpits which I presume will be lymph nodes trying to cope, at least I hope that's what it is!

Once again thanks for your reassuring words, my two scans are next Tuesday and Wednesday so hopefully things will start to get moving soon.

Enjoy your stay in Spain.

Best wishes

Peter

No problem Mary snd Peter will help both if you snd hopefully you can help each other. The waiting is truly the worst part once treatment plan is in place everything comes together. Once biopsies and results are in then the planking gurus step in snd do their work as all our treatment plans are tailored to each individual. 
from the calm bay of Biscay proofing life goes on. 
Hazel xx