Maxfax referral. What do I need to expect

Hi long story short...

Previous 2ww was thankfully not a lymphoma(still have raised lymph nodes right neck and behind right ear)

I went to the dentist Monday 6th dentist took one look at my throat said ive got lesions and said I need to be seen by head and neck. Doesn't think it was cancer but I'd be a good case study (his words)

I had Covid November 2021 it was a horrible 4 weeks I completely lost my voice, tonsillitis laryngitis you name it I had it. Noticed a large red lump right at the back of my throat behind the dangly bit. Not painful but can feel it when I swallow or eat. Didn't think anything of it carried on as normal until last week I've noticed a massive swelling on the hard palate which is given me some nerve/numb pain in my left lip cheek and nose, back on gabapentin.

So I have been referred as a 2ww to maxfax, had the call Tuesday morning which I was shocked about appointment for Thursday 17th.....

I didn't know I was being referred as a suspected cancer is this normal  and what will I be having test wise they said I could bring my husband with me.

Thanks for reading xx

  • Hi There

    i was reading through your posts .  You have had some anxious times this past year .  I was recently referred via 2ww to ent for a lump to my soft palate ,not maxfax I  know , maybe because your lump is to the hard palate it needs different investigation .  I am waiting on biopsy results , also had a MRI but prob all tests will be revealed together.  
     

    Hopefully someone with maxfax experience sees this and responds .  
     

    Jo

    x

  • Hi Jo 

    Thank you for your reply. 

    Who were you referred to if you don't mind me asking.

    I have a lesion on the hard palate but also have a large painless lump in I believe its called the oropharynx.

    I need to gear myself up to have tests now as I've had multiple problems and feel like a hypochondriac at times where no one believes me or doesn't take my symptoms seriously because I'm young and I don't drink or smoke  

    Just looking for peace of mind 

    Hope you get your biopsy results soon do you get a date for the results at the appointment? 

    Chloe x

     

  • Hi Chloe

    I was referred to ENT (ear nose throat) by my GP .  ENT put a camera up my nose to back of throat and then recommended a MRI scan and biopsy - I had the biopsy Monday under day surgery with general anaesthetic.  Before I was discharged Monday night , I was given a provisional date for results on the 23rd March so i have a long waiting game ahead .. not much joy and life is on hold for me right now  

    The fact you are being referred hopefully means they are listening and they may even be able to put your mind at ease on the initial consultation with  Maxfax  

    Jo

    x

  • Oh and yes, My lump / mass is in tthe oropharynx area , above tonsil and to the left of uvula .  
     

    x

    Jo

  • Hi Jo

    Wow that is a long wait, I hope your finding some distractions. I find writing things down eases my anxiety and stress, this forum seems helpful to not feel alone too.

    I do hope it's good news for you 

    Do you have raised lymph nodes in the neck? I have on both sides now I really believe I must have an infection but no source

    Just need next week to hurry up

    I've had to go back on gabapentin too as getting nerve pain in my cheek and upper lip 

    Keep me updated 

    Chloe x

  • Mri neck to chest with dye booked for 14th April on urgent basis.They will phone me if they get cancellations but now a long wait :confused:

    I'm getting paranoid about the lumps in my neck but too scared to ring the GP as last time I spoke to the receptionist she recognised me by my voice.... :cry::cry: not a good sign... 

    I do hope my symptoms are long covid, but cant help my mind wandering....

     

  • Hi Jo 

    How are you? 

    Have you got further along yet any diagnosis?

    Chloe x

  • Hi Chloe 

    Thanks for dropping in on me..  I am on route for cancer treatment now .. I was diagnosed with sqaumous cell carcernoma .. Cant say its be a great few weeks. still in so much pain from biopsy site , which opened up (stitches came away) still not healed and because there is no stitches it is a lumpy mangled mess .. anyway .. this week I got my final pathalogy report which made them decide I did not need surgey and my treatment path is six weeks of radiotherapy including two lots of chemo. .  I am due a PET scan on Thursday and I meet my radiology team,  dietitian and speech therapist Wednesday.  I am awaiting  appts for a feeding PEG to be fitted along with a fitting for my radiotherapy mask.  

    I have days of despair to days of acceptance.. its been a white knuckle ride for sure 

    I see you are booked for a MRI this coming week, how are you? well silly question really,  you are probably a wreck, who wouldnt be .. but still let me know how you are and whats what . ..

    Jo

    x

     

     

  • Hi Jo,

    I'm so sorry to hear your diagnosis sending lots of love.

    Your wound sounds awful I'm so sorry your having to deal with that as well, how are you finding eating and drinking at the moment? 

    I hope the pet scan goes okay and fingers crossed it hasn't spread anywhere else. I know this cancer has high chance of survival it's all the scary stuff that goes with the fact of what your throat does. I hope you have a good support system around you xx

    I must admit your diagnosis scares me as I feel like I have nearly the same symptoms. I am going slightly insane as you know this is more than a month now of just waiting for the 1st step I'm now on a full time soft diet as when I eat large/hard foods I feel it gets stuck and when I yawn I choke on my tongue as it touches the back of my throat, my neck is so swollen I feel nodes all over and along my right shoulder I'm convinced it's bad news. I've seen a lot of these symptoms in the forum I'm still in one mind thinking it could just be a reaction to covid which is scary for a whole other reason of not knowing of what to expect :cry:

     

    I will update good/bad, keep in touch and best wishes for the start of your treatment :love:

    Chloe x

     

     

  • Had my neck MRI scan last Thursday...

    Phone call today from the maxillofacial secretary...

    I need to have another scan at a university hospital (North West specialises in head and neck) My consultant only works 1 day a week :cry:

    The consultant will phone me next Thursday at some point with the results and go through the plan as i am a squeeze in as she cant get me in to be seen....

    I'm totally thinking why has she told me this information which is very vague and making me think the worst :cry:

    feeling very down :cry::cry::cry: