I wanted to share my journey so far.
At the beginning of Dec 2024 I noticed a scratch on the back of my throat. I thought I might have caught a crisp or piece of toast on it. Over the new year I looked in the mirror again and could visibly see what I could only describe as a small jellybean just there on the side of where my tonsils would have been. ( they were removed 50 years ago).
I decided that I should get it looked at and did the tiresome task of an online doctors consultation and added a picture. I was seen by a doc on saturday 4th jan. She was very concerned and said she'd do an emergency referral to the hospital. Knowing the state of the NHS at present I thought I'd be waiting weeks, but got a phone call from maxillofacial asking me to go in the next day!!!!!
My husband came with me as I was really worried about what to expect. I saw a lovely young lady who had a good look in my mouth and took some pictures. I asked her to be honest and she said she was concerned but she would have to pass me over to the ENT department. They were very busy so she said she would ring me that afternoon. True to her word she rang to say she'd shown my pics to the ENT consultant and he had requested an mri before he saw me. This was booked for the same week.
MRI
My appointment was for 5.45pm. Im extremely claustrophobic so was told I could request a sedative from my own GP which I did. I also have very hard veins to get blood from so they couldn't get cannula in to put the contrast through so they did basic mri and explained I might have to come back again. I actually coped well with the mri. I was telling them I was scared etc but my body was not reacting at all.
Meeting Consultant
Scary time sitting waiting to go in. Explained to me that it looked like one of my tonsils was trying to grow back but they suspected that it could be cancerous so wanted me to have pandoscopy where they would do a biopy and put the cameras down for a look about.
Biopsy day
Went to hospital at 12pm for afternoon surgery. Luckily was first on the list so not much time to fret.
Woke up and didn't feel half as bad as I thought. Within an hour of recovery they had me eating a sandwich and jelly. Eventually got home at 8pm. 2 weeks to recover.
Back to Consultant
They don't beat about the bush was told I had tonsil cancer, ironic really as dont have any. T2N0M0 hpv + couldn't believe what I was hearing ' I had cancer'!!!!! But my mri or ct scan had shown a swollen lymph node on the other side that he wanted investigating, so still no answers about treatment ,just more scan, ultrasound and pet scan.
Consultant did explain that if the swollen lymph node was nothing serious then my options would be Tors robotic surgery or 6 weeks, 5 days a week radiotherapy!!!!! I shut down the idea of surgery straight away, I was adamant that it was radiotherapy I wanted.
During my time waiting to see the mdt again I did alot of research into both treatments . The people of here are very honest about what they are going through. The thought of having to wear that mask for 6 weeks treatment scared me and the mention of having teeth out.
Next mdt meeting
Some good news finally, the swollen lymph node was nothing to do with the cancer!!!!
My Consultant nearly fell off his chair when I started talking about surgery, my cancer is small so hopefully he will get good margins and praying then no more treatment. If not then radiotherapy will be needed.
Had pre op yesterday and meeting with Speech therapist and dietician who will be looking after me after main op. But got neck dissection first next week.
Told I will have fentanol pain relief patch on shoulder plus a buzzer to self administer. Will not be eating for a while due to the hole at back of mouth, meal supplement drinks for a while.
