Hi

I really sympathise with you.  I was confirmed with neck Cancer on New Years Eve, but in some ways it was a relief to know.  The not knowing either way is the hardest time so far.

I'm in Wales and the speed of the NHS here has been amazing.   I had a 2 week wait to see the ent specialist  From there it was just a week for CT scan. 3 days after booked in for ultrasound and MRI.  Also booked in this week for a biopsy.   So rest assured if they suspect anything they will be on it quickly. 

Do keep in mind that 9 out of 10 people sent for tests come back negative for cancer.

I coped with the waiting by keeping my mind otherwise occupied giving it less time to think.  Watched Netflix,  went for walks with my wife and the dogs, played games  yes im a 51 year old gamer.  Anything I could do to stop my mind wandering.  Stress and anxiety will make you feel rubbish.

I know its hard, but this place has been amazing especially at the lower points.  Simply writing this to you has taken my mind adrift. 

Be strong.

Hi there.

sorry to hear that but hope you're ok. 
 

like I say, no other symptoms and I only have one lump now and it's deep in my neck. Nobody can see it and you can only feel it from like touching deep inside it's not visible. It's because of my health anxiety I found it after I found the little lump under my armpit. But that lump has gone now. It's just the little one in my neck. Does that sound promising? 
 

I have no night sweats, no fever, and nothing like that. Appetite fine, lost no weight, just been normal. 
 

it's been present for just over 5 weeks. 
 

thanks. 

I'm good thanks, ready to do battle

I was misdiagnosed back in May 2020.  So been going on some time. 

Painful throat, night sweats, no temp, enlarged tonsil, enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue,  no weight loss, no loss of appetite. 

There is a million and one reasons for enlarged nodes.  Keep that in mind, stay positive,  but make sure you get the right treatment.  If you're not happy with your doctors tell them your concerns,  they're human too.

I wish you all the very best, honestly. 
 

how were you misdiagnosed if you mind me asking? 
 

thank you 

No I don't mind you asking at all.

Back in May I had sharp stabbing pains in my neck/throat.  I noticed an enlarged tonsil with white patches.  Thought it may be tonsillitis or canker stones so left it for 3 weeks.

I had no temperature and the tonsil was still enlarged,  plus my throat was becoming more uncomfortable so I went to the docs.  Due to covid a locum saw me in the surgery car park and pretty much told me there was nothing wrong and gave me a script to treat thrush.   I felt stupid. 

Move forward to November throat is worse now with enlarged lymph nodes, night sweats etc. Doc sends me for urgent ENT,  ENT is not happy with the thrush diagnosis I received back in May.   

Oh goodness. How were you confirmed with neck cancer then if you mind me asking? 
 

I think it's great how positive you are.  

I do everything I can to make my body release endorphins,  the bodies natural happy drug.  I play with the animals, I have fun conversations with my wife and daughter, I watch Secret Life of the Zoo on All 4, I  walk or drive in the mountains where I live.

Still get low points and I am only at the beginning of my journey. 

So I saw ENT who sent me for an urgent brain, neck and chest CT scan.  Within a couple of days I was booked for a neck ultrasound and MRI.  But apparently the ct scan was enough for them to confirm cancer on New years eve.  The mri and ultrasound are for them to get a better idea of the spread and I have a biopsy booked for Thursday so they can determine which cancer it is.

It not unusual for people to have a lot more tests prior to diagnosis.   And 90% prove to be non cancerous.