Head and neck cancer

Hi Jigsaw girl and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but sorry to hear about your diagnosis and the challenges you are facing.

Navigating a cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but getting support from people who have walked or are walking the ‘exact same' journey can help a lot. (I have a completely different cancer).

This New to Community area is like our reception desk where we look to try and direct you to the best part of the Community for you to get support. The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend that you look to join and put up your own post in our dedicated Head and Neck Cancer support group.

This group is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support. To connect in with the group please click on the link below…….

         Head and neck cancer

……. and once the group page opens you will see a [Black - Click to Join - Banner] at the bottom of the page, click in this box and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.

You can then introduce yourself to the group by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.

You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.

The Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear.

Macmillan have also teamed up with BUPA to offer up to 6 free counselling sessions for people struggling emotionally because they are living with cancer. Clicking on the link will give you more information about this.

Talking to people ‘face to face’ can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.

Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community ((hugs))

I am 55 years old I am recovering from a lump in my neck it has been treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I suffer from bouts of severe depression. Any advice?

Hi Hanif 

Pop over to the Head and Neck Cancer group. Just click on the link I made. There are plenty of us there who have trodden the same path as you. I'm Dani and I am five years plus clear of Head and Neck Cancer. Come over and talk to us. Just put a post up in "new here, say hello"

Jigsaw girl said:

HI everyone, about 5 months ago i was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour on my tongue, needless to say this was a terrible shock, i am 54 and have never been ill in my life, i had the tumour removed along with a part of my tongue  and a neck dissection, luckily it was caught early and didnt spread , but i havent been the same since the op, just cant function day to day, crying all the time,lost interests in my hobbies, i think i have PTSD as i am constantly re living every moment. 

Hi Jigsaw girl 

Mike has given you the link. I am Dani and I am five plus years clear of the same cancer. Come over and have a chat with us. What you are describing is so common. We can help you do something about it. Meanwhile, have a read of this piece by psychologist Peter Harvey on recovering from cancer. It really is an insightful bit of work. AFTER CANCER

Hi Hanif what type of cancer do you actually have?…..

I had a brick sized lump in my neck but I had Non Hodgkins Lymphoma.

But if you have Head and Neck cancer then do go over to the Head and Neck Cancer group that my friend Beesuit has highlighted.

Sorry Mike. I got ahead of myself. 

Hi Hanif

Chemoradio can be very harsh....I suffered from depression during treatment....I suspect most do....getting a decent night's sleep can be difficult....but things do improve....as others have stated post in the Head and Neck forum....plenty of support and sound advice.

Peter