Effing cancer is an effing effer, frankly
Discussion
Condolences to you Thunderspook, sorry about your loss. Sadly I have my own experience to share....
Having had a lump in my neck for 4 months now and being told by 2 separate doctors it was almost certainly a viral infection and would go away, I finally managed to see a consultant last week. He went pretty much straightaway for an endoscopy and found an enlarged right tonsil to go with the swollen lymph node in my left neck under the jaw. Other than that he said he can't find anything wrong, but said it could only be cancer and would be treatable.
I have a couple of weeks to wait now to get the MRI scan, Ultrasound/blood test and follow up consultations done. To say I'm bricking it is an understatement, although it is more worry for my kids and whether they will have a dad growing up or not. I'm not that old (mid-late 40s) and otherwise very healthy, having never really smoked, don't drink to excess and whilst my diet is pretty average, I'm not overweight and eat reasonably well. I also have medicals every year and had my last in Feb with no issues at all, I did have a blood test in Apr which found a very slightly down white cell count - which can be a sign of cancer or infection.
All the warning signs point to cancer of the tonsils that has spread to the lymph node (possibly elsewhere too?), but curiously they are also signs of tonsilitis or viral infections - but unlikely to be sadly as I have no other symptoms of them.
Until I get my results I'm just totally in the dark and all I can say is - if you get any lumps then get them looked at straightaway by a specialist. it is going to be a long, dark 2 weeks for me and my family as I wait to hear whether it is hopefully nothing or.....
Having had a lump in my neck for 4 months now and being told by 2 separate doctors it was almost certainly a viral infection and would go away, I finally managed to see a consultant last week. He went pretty much straightaway for an endoscopy and found an enlarged right tonsil to go with the swollen lymph node in my left neck under the jaw. Other than that he said he can't find anything wrong, but said it could only be cancer and would be treatable.
I have a couple of weeks to wait now to get the MRI scan, Ultrasound/blood test and follow up consultations done. To say I'm bricking it is an understatement, although it is more worry for my kids and whether they will have a dad growing up or not. I'm not that old (mid-late 40s) and otherwise very healthy, having never really smoked, don't drink to excess and whilst my diet is pretty average, I'm not overweight and eat reasonably well. I also have medicals every year and had my last in Feb with no issues at all, I did have a blood test in Apr which found a very slightly down white cell count - which can be a sign of cancer or infection.
All the warning signs point to cancer of the tonsils that has spread to the lymph node (possibly elsewhere too?), but curiously they are also signs of tonsilitis or viral infections - but unlikely to be sadly as I have no other symptoms of them.
Until I get my results I'm just totally in the dark and all I can say is - if you get any lumps then get them looked at straightaway by a specialist. it is going to be a long, dark 2 weeks for me and my family as I wait to hear whether it is hopefully nothing or.....
Siko said:
Condolences to you Thunderspook, sorry about your loss. Sadly I have my own experience to share....
Having had a lump in my neck for 4 months now and being told by 2 separate doctors it was almost certainly a viral infection and would go away, I finally managed to see a consultant last week. He went pretty much straightaway for an endoscopy and found an enlarged right tonsil to go with the swollen lymph node in my left neck under the jaw. Other than that he said he can't find anything wrong, but said it could only be cancer and would be treatable.
I have a couple of weeks to wait now to get the MRI scan, Ultrasound/blood test and follow up consultations done. To say I'm bricking it is an understatement, although it is more worry for my kids and whether they will have a dad growing up or not. I'm not that old (mid-late 40s) and otherwise very healthy, having never really smoked, don't drink to excess and whilst my diet is pretty average, I'm not overweight and eat reasonably well. I also have medicals every year and had my last in Feb with no issues at all, I did have a blood test in Apr which found a very slightly down white cell count - which can be a sign of cancer or infection.
All the warning signs point to cancer of the tonsils that has spread to the lymph node (possibly elsewhere too?), but curiously they are also signs of tonsillitis or viral infections - but unlikely to be sadly as I have no other symptoms of them.
Until I get my results I'm just totally in the dark and all I can say is - if you get any lumps then get them looked at straightaway by a specialist. it is going to be a long, dark 2 weeks for me and my family as I wait to hear whether it is hopefully nothing or.....
Same for me. I had a persistent cough recently and eventually, after 5-6 weeks I got pushed to see the doc. She gave me some nasal spray and sent me for an x-ray. Bit over the top I thought but can't complain at them being thorough.Having had a lump in my neck for 4 months now and being told by 2 separate doctors it was almost certainly a viral infection and would go away, I finally managed to see a consultant last week. He went pretty much straightaway for an endoscopy and found an enlarged right tonsil to go with the swollen lymph node in my left neck under the jaw. Other than that he said he can't find anything wrong, but said it could only be cancer and would be treatable.
I have a couple of weeks to wait now to get the MRI scan, Ultrasound/blood test and follow up consultations done. To say I'm bricking it is an understatement, although it is more worry for my kids and whether they will have a dad growing up or not. I'm not that old (mid-late 40s) and otherwise very healthy, having never really smoked, don't drink to excess and whilst my diet is pretty average, I'm not overweight and eat reasonably well. I also have medicals every year and had my last in Feb with no issues at all, I did have a blood test in Apr which found a very slightly down white cell count - which can be a sign of cancer or infection.
All the warning signs point to cancer of the tonsils that has spread to the lymph node (possibly elsewhere too?), but curiously they are also signs of tonsillitis or viral infections - but unlikely to be sadly as I have no other symptoms of them.
Until I get my results I'm just totally in the dark and all I can say is - if you get any lumps then get them looked at straightaway by a specialist. it is going to be a long, dark 2 weeks for me and my family as I wait to hear whether it is hopefully nothing or.....
Next visit the doc says, shadow on your lung, go for a CT scan. Take this Cancer leaflet.
Went for the scan, still assuming nothing wrong. Had to see a consultant next who had a McMillan nurse in there which got alarm bells ringing. She said to go for a PET scan. If you google that it basically says it's for cancer people.
Had that on Saturday and am waiting for the next appt to see the consultant in 2 weeks.
I've told no-one, in case it does turn out to be nothing. After all, I have never smoked so getting lung cancer is fairly unlikely.
It would create a meltdown in my family if I told them I thought I had the Big C. Anyway, been through all the emotions that everyone else no doubt does. Just ignoring it now.
I'm a little bit confident it isn't cancer as the coughing stopped now and I don't have any symptoms associated with it but f
k me it's scary. I'm only in my early 50s and fit and healthy too. To suddenly think 'It'll all be over soon.' is....well...horrible. ThunderSpook said:
My Dad died this morning. I can’t stop crying.
Very sorry to hear this. My Dad died 20 years ago and even now your loss brings back those memories. All I can offer is the fact that he had a wonderful family and wonderful life, something that millions of people around the world never had. You have happy memories of him and he'll always be with you in your thoughts.
Sorry to hear that undirection. Hope it’s nothing too and rooting for you. I have told close friends and family but not the kids until we know for sure one way or another. It is really scary and having lost 2 great friends (both younger than me and otherwise very healthy) to cancer in the last 2 years it does concentrate the mind a little.
22 said:
Agree with this.
I've been on an emotional rollercoaster this last year or so and my wife is still fighting.
I want to set up something - not even sure what shape it will take - or exactly what it will do, but to offer support to the plus ones. I'm sure some of the experiences here would be invaluable.
https://www.facebook.com/CancerPlusOne/ ETA: Maybe FB links not allowed, URL is correct but link is back to PH.
Not shared this before today, and I'm hopeless at Facebook so it might be the wrong kind of page/thing. Mods - it's 100% nothing that needs/collects money.
Try thisI've been on an emotional rollercoaster this last year or so and my wife is still fighting.
I want to set up something - not even sure what shape it will take - or exactly what it will do, but to offer support to the plus ones. I'm sure some of the experiences here would be invaluable.
https://www.facebook.com/CancerPlusOne/ ETA: Maybe FB links not allowed, URL is correct but link is back to PH.
Not shared this before today, and I'm hopeless at Facebook so it might be the wrong kind of page/thing. Mods - it's 100% nothing that needs/collects money.
Edited by 22 on Friday 13th May 12:02
https://www.facebook.com/CancerPlusOne/
Undirection said:
3pm today I see the specialist who will probably tell me one way or the other. Not over thinking it but they did offer a telephone appt which I thought was odd if it was bad news....
Good luck mate - got my results in two weeks from scans/biopsies this Fri. I did wonder if him offering you a telephone appointment was a good thing but I guess it could also be Covid protocol, either way I'm rooting for you. Having spoken to my GP yesterday it sounds like my consultant was so concerned he has started me on the "Pathway" already whatever that is, all I know is I have an appointment at an ENT clinic at my local NHS Hospital (I'm on private medical cover and he said it would be a mix of NHS/private). She said it was a good thing he had started me early, but certainly adds up to either a very proactive consultant or one who is very concerned.
So, the PET scan looks for active cells which indicate C. They showed up. I have to have a biopsy for final confirmation. I asked the doc what my chances would be if if it is C. He said there is a good chance it is curable as it only shows in one area (when it has spread it's a different matter).
I'd kept things to myself up to this point but brought my wife this time and told her I'd pretty much known but hadn't wanted to tell her or anyone. She was mad at me for doing that but was happy to be at this appt.
So, not dead yet and may even survive C. Glass half full.....
PS: This isn't my usual profile as I don't want anyone on here reading this and finding out. For now we're keeping this to ourselves.
I'd kept things to myself up to this point but brought my wife this time and told her I'd pretty much known but hadn't wanted to tell her or anyone. She was mad at me for doing that but was happy to be at this appt.
So, not dead yet and may even survive C. Glass half full.....
PS: This isn't my usual profile as I don't want anyone on here reading this and finding out. For now we're keeping this to ourselves.
Undirection said:
So, the PET scan looks for active cells which indicate C. They showed up. I have to have a biopsy for final confirmation. I asked the doc what my chances would be if if it is C. He said there is a good chance it is curable as it only shows in one area (when it has spread it's a different matter).
I'd kept things to myself up to this point but brought my wife this time and told her I'd pretty much known but hadn't wanted to tell her or anyone. She was mad at me for doing that but was happy to be at this appt.
So, not dead yet and may even survive C. Glass half full.....
PS: This isn't my usual profile as I don't want anyone on here reading this and finding out. For now we're keeping this to ourselves.
Sounds like you have a plan and a doctor who is optimistic.I'd kept things to myself up to this point but brought my wife this time and told her I'd pretty much known but hadn't wanted to tell her or anyone. She was mad at me for doing that but was happy to be at this appt.
So, not dead yet and may even survive C. Glass half full.....
PS: This isn't my usual profile as I don't want anyone on here reading this and finding out. For now we're keeping this to ourselves.
Onward to victory!
Undirection said:
So, the PET scan looks for active cells which indicate C. They showed up. I have to have a biopsy for final confirmation. I asked the doc what my chances would be if if it is C. He said there is a good chance it is curable as it only shows in one area (when it has spread it's a different matter).
I'd kept things to myself up to this point but brought my wife this time and told her I'd pretty much known but hadn't wanted to tell her or anyone. She was mad at me for doing that but was happy to be at this appt.
So, not dead yet and may even survive C. Glass half full.....
PS: This isn't my usual profile as I don't want anyone on here reading this and finding out. For now we're keeping this to ourselves.
Sounds positive mate - good luck.I'd kept things to myself up to this point but brought my wife this time and told her I'd pretty much known but hadn't wanted to tell her or anyone. She was mad at me for doing that but was happy to be at this appt.
So, not dead yet and may even survive C. Glass half full.....
PS: This isn't my usual profile as I don't want anyone on here reading this and finding out. For now we're keeping this to ourselves.
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