First post on the forum

Hi Roseberry topping and welcome to the online community

I can understand why you feel in shock at the moment. I was diagnosed with melanoma over 4 years ago now and I can still remember how shocked and numb I felt when told I had cancer.

Although you've said in your profile that you can't join a group because you haven't a diagnosis, this isn't the case and you're more than welcome to join. You'll find plenty of people in the groups in the same situation as you and they usually find it helpful to be able to talk to others to help them understand the process they're going through. If you know what type of cancer you're being investigated for I can give you a link directly to that group.

I also see in your profile that you're a keen campervanner, if that's a word, and that you've been to Scandinavia so I might be picking your brains later about your trip as that is something that I'd like to do in mine.

x

Hi Latchbrook

So hoping this goes in the right place  after your post?

Thanks for your reply - you Really Don't Want To get me started on Scandinavia - I don't know if I have enough time to tell you how fantastic the countries are to travel around in a van - Of course you will have Mozzies (mosquitos) in mid summer - but it is  really really great.  We have been travelling there for over 12 years - starting with a trip to Nordkapp

My cancer is lumps on/ my throat/neck - I have  had sore throat for about year - thought not much of it - went to Doctors 3 times - refered to Consultant eventually  and had a phonecall - diagnosis was stomach acids coming up - use Gaviscon for up to 8 weeks -Didn't work - second consultation and was seen this time -  As you can see by my inclusion in the forum - Gaviscon didn't work.   I can put on a brave face in a forum - not quite so brave in real life.

We are planning for the worst and hoping for the best -

I need to look in Help?techincal section as Sue said the notifications are coming into our joint  e mails - so there must be a box I can tick to avoid notifications coming in?

We are hoping to spend a month or so exploring Norway once the pandemic has settled down Roseberry topping. Don't want to get eaten by midges so which would be the months to avoid? We were thinking we might be safe if we went in June.

This is a link to the section on managing notifications. However, if you switch email notifications off the only way you'll know if you've had a reply would be to come on to the community regularly to look.

I'm going to recommend that you join the very very friendly head and neck cancer group where you can ask questions, share experiences and get support. 

To join just click on the link I've created and then choose 'click to join' or 'join' (depending on the device you're using) on the page that opens. You can then introduce yourself and 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 pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. 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.

If you have any difficulty navigating the community just drop me a reply and I'll be pleased to help.

x

Hi Latchbrook - thanks.

I will try following link and see where I get to - I was also  advised by moderator to add to my profile - which I did - very hard to know what to put - I recognise that my emotions are pretty much off the scale  at the moment - but its good advice I will try and be a little more informative if it might help others -

Norway - so least mozzies in Norway - we went all the way from Bergen  to Nordkapp following Atlantic road guide book - I would have to check but I think we went around May - back down through Finland in June - Norway was OK - Finland we were eating alive in Lapland -  All Lapland has Mozzies from May but Finnish Lapland is the worst.  You cannot prepare too much for them - Fly screens on all windows/doors - Mozzie Hats - Spray - etc But don't let it put you off - just be ready for them -

How big is your van? The tolls can be expensive on Bridges and roads around Oslo - anything under 3.5 tons is better

We have a Nordic Camper Book which is worth getting - You would be welcome to borrow ours - obviously lots of info on line

Anything else you need to know please ask - we know Sweden & Finland better than Norway - but have some experience  - fantastic country and residents - Norwegians were super helpful they do seem to like the Brits and a lot of information is in English over there -

 Great for you to plan though - It is exciting - We should have gone again last year - But Coronavirus scuppered that - then moved to this year and Coronavirus again - we should be there now actually - we usually go Mid April and make our way slowly North.

Thanks for the heads up about the Camper Book and the midges. I'm assuming the book is something similar to the Aires books that are available for France?

We are under 3.5 tonnes so should be okay with tolls which I'd heard can work out expensive. I think I better start planning