Hi, I had surgery for a lump in my neck nearly 2 years ago I was told by the doctors after years of going in agony that “if it was anything bad you’d be dead by now”
after I was finally listened to I had surgery and was told soon after I had t1 right parotid Acinic cell carcinoma. At the age of 22 I didn’t really understand any of this and brushed it under the carpet thinking I wasnt valid to feel upset or angry I just had to get on with life as if nothing had happened as am aware it’s not as bad as other people have it so I count myself lucky and appreciate I don’t have to have anymore treatment. However Two years later I have realised I am struggling and don’t like to ask for help. I have a big scar down my neck from the surgery that I am very self conscious about and people like to point it out. And I would like to start a family soon but am worried what if they have missed something and the cancer is still there or has returned. No matter what the surgeon says at my appointments nothing makes me feel at ease.
Hi Fighter2002 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community, and although I've had different cancer diagnoses to you I know how difficult coming to terms with everything can be.
The online community is divided into different support groups so I'm going to recommend that you join the head and neck cancer group, where you'll connect directly with others who have the same type of cancer as you, and also the life after cancer group. This group is for cancer survivors and people who have finished treatment and it's a space to discuss things like the physical and emotional after effects of cancer, returning to work, or trying to move on with your life.
To join, just click on the links I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
