My partner has just been told he has sinus cancer, but can’t have surgery, because of where it is, he can have radiotherapy to control it, they says it incurable but not terminal, I feel so confused, scared and don’t know what to think or expect, can someone help I’m new to all this and I suffer with depression and anxiety
Good morning and welcome to the Online Community but sorry to hear about your partner.
Yes, the noise in your head as that whirlwind rages is hard but once a clear plan is put in place and treatment starts the noise will slowly calm down - its the unknown is the hard part.
I am Mike Thehighlander and I was diagnosed with a treatable but incurable Lymphoma over 20 years ago. You basically can't remove Lymphoma with an operation but can be controlled and in some cases cured using various treatments....... fast forward to September 2016 the then treatments I had been have actually cleared any signs of my cancer - so there is always hope.
I see that you have already found some groups and put up some posts - well done. I am sure that some of the folks will get back to you with some support.
You may also find our various Macmillan Support Line Services on 0808 808 00 00 to be helpful as you can talk to a friendly person that can help in lots of ways.
We also ahve our 'Ask an Expert section where you can talk with medical professionals. You can also check out for Local Macmillan Support Groups and please check if you have a Maggie’s Centre near you as these folks are great.
Always around to listen and help out more.
All the best.
I have read ur journey and wow went u have been through is an eye opener, and u sound incredible! Thank u for ur reply and thank u for some encouraging words, I’m not really sure what to except and I’m very scared 
Hi again , so you were up early when you did your first post.
So my journey is just one of millions who have to navigate this unwanted cancer rollercoaster.
My wife and I are focused and determined people and this is important. As you both embark on this cancer journey its all about keeping your eye on the positives - I know that this sound something that is just not possible at the moment but you will understand as times goes on.
As you have been through my profile you will see the various treatments that were used to progress my fight with the beast and so far I have kept a few steps in front of it and intend to continue to do so.
The main thing that reduces the stress and the unknown is information - not Dr Google as this is the worst thing you can ever do - aim to get clear information directly from his team and this site can help.
Could I recommend that you prepare for all your partners appointment with his team. I would always recommend you get a old-fashioned note book. The note book is the place where you record EVERY question that comes to mind. The note book goes to all appointments and when the Consultant says ‘have you any questions?’ the note book comes out.
A lot of people freeze at this point and are overwhelmed by information. So you can say ‘yes we have some question’ you go through each question one by one, making sure you write down all the answers you get. If you don’t understand something you stop the Consultant and ask them to put into language that you understand and remember the record everything they say and again if you don't understand, fold your arms and say 'explained that so we understand' You don't want to be going home after an appointment saying 'I wish we has asked ........'
The note book also helps your sleep!! As these questions often come at silly-o’clock so get the note book out and write the thoughts down and park them - it does help a lot and I would always recommend that there should be two people at appointments as two pair of ears take in far more and the onlooker will catch the stuff the patient will not hear.
At the end of all appointments you go for a coffee and unpack what was said so it is fresh in the mind and it can go in the note book.
The note book should have questions like:
What are the proposed treatments Chemo, Radiotherapy......?
What are the names of the Chemo Regime?
How many cycles of Chemo and how long will each cycle last?
How many sessions of Radiotherapy and how long will all the treatments take?
Will there be drugs to take?
What side effects should we look out for during and after treatments?
Remember to express any reservations about treatments........ an example - I have Thoratic & Lumber Spondylosis - Spinal Osteoarthritis so I found out in the early stages of my radiotherapy that I had to take some pain killers an hour before I had my treatments as I found it hard and painful to lay on the radiotherapy table for long periods of time.
I see the cancer journey to be like a climb up a craggy Scottish Mountain. These Mountains have well trodden paths with little cairns put up by folks who have walked the paths before us. At each cairn the path divides in two - these are the points of decision..... like how we deal with side effects, the mental and physical challanges, the picking our selves up 'again' times. We do have to look very carefully at where each track will take us. Do we knuckle down and tough it out and keep climbing up or do we take the low path and keep going round the hill and possibly not reaching the summit...... not seeing that view for the first time.
But when you look at the cairns they are always just on the tracks that will lead to the top, so each stone that is put on the cairns is a "yes I can do this" decision......... keep putting the stones on the 'yes' cairn....... and every now and then have a look back down the hill and see the starting point and all the little cairns on the paths you have taken.
Always around to help out.
So this is a video of how the face mask is made (LINK)
I had two made at various times along with a full top of body one as well.
I still have one of the face masks in the garage and I use it to clean my paint brushes on it - LOL
Its more a mind game when it comes to it, the mask is made in 5 minutes and once all the machine setting up is done the 'zaps' last seconds and I did not have much issues with the radiotherapy, yes some faruge and dry skin that I still have problems with even now but nothing that I can not handle.
((hugs))
