Squamous carcinoma.

Hi RLW86 and welcome to the Macmillan Community but so sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

Navigating the cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but getting support from others who are dealing with the ‘exact same' cancer type can help a lot.

This New to Community area is like our reception desk where we look to direct you to the best part of the Community for you to get support.

The Community is actually divided into dedicated Cancer Support Groups (Discussion Rooms)………… so if you care to have a look through THIS LIST you will find all our dedicated cancer support groups listed.

These groups are safe places to talk to others who may have a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support from members who are navigating the exact same journey.

Have a look through the LIST above and once you find the support group that best fits your cancer type....... click on the link and when 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.

When you are ready……. you can introduce yourself 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.

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.

Hi

I know how you’re feeling , I got a SCC diagnosis last Feb , “ rare and aggressive “ they called it after thinking it was a hernia/groin strain .Was a large tumour in right groin lymph nodes having spread from penis ( I hadn’t even known !!)  Though stage N3 with all the whistles n bells, they gave me 20% chance for 6m-2yrs . I’m 56 but the shock was palpable . 
my tumour burst out of skin in April ( slowly came through but no pain ) They told me far too gone for chemo /radio and only 15% chance of removing due to depth of tumour . They predicted huge skin grafts with 85% chance of sepsis /never recovering . Anyway they did surgery at Christie Manchester and incredibly avoided skin graft . I’ll spare you the gore , boring details but started chemo Aug-Nov and Radio in Feb I hope . Getting post chemo scan results tmrw . 
I hope your chemo goes well, cisplatin? I had carboplatin & Paxitel .

Nick

I havent been given a stage or how long yet had my radiation and now chemo.

Yes Paclitaxel and carboplaitn.

Had one session so far was ok but my hair has started to fall out.

Am not sure when i get a next scan to see where an what is happining with my mass.

Been on going since this time last year not feeling right left leg going numb leg swelling. Doctor i was seeing was really bad nothing wrong with you. Said was nerve pain here pop these pills.

1. Just so scary 38 an no idea how long i have left an so scared being a single mum. Even tho having a treatment plan its the unknowen of what time am going to have x 

Hi

Hair came out bout 2 wks after 1st chemo so shaved it off . ( easy decision for a guy though ) it’s just coming back now 6 ish wks after last session . I mainly just wore beanie hats . I had 6 lots of chemo , 3wks between. Tended to have 2 ok days then it hit for 48/72 hrs and id gradually pick up. It does get slightly worse but more just tiredness though peaked after 4 and stayed about same. Anything you wanna know about the chemo let me know as it’s a rare combo we’ve had .

You’ll get a scan after 3 sessions ( or half away ) then an end one . How did Radio go ? I can only imagine what your going through with kid (s) telling my son was hardest thing I’ve ever done .

Radio was ok first say 2 weeks was like this is not too bad.

I had 5 weeks everyday mon to fri saturday sunday rest days. 25 sessions in all.

Id say by week 3 then after that my skin got a bit sore and tiredness like taking a small walk tottaly wiped me out.  Still really tired i had my 1st  chemo 4hth am same every 3 weeks next one the 24th yeh hair is really thin. Think il have to bite the bullet an brave a shave

Chemo wise did it make you ill like be physically sick? Did you feel more tired an lack energy to simple things?

How many chemo have you got left.

Aw it was so so hard telling my little boy hes 8. Ive been told to be open honest as cancer is just a word they dont link the dots the same as an adult.

My chemo was x 6 and finished end of Nov. Just waiting to get prepped for Radio x 25 probs Feb, thanks for info about tiredness 

Chemo -No nausea at all , though defo take your anti nausea tabs . i had chemo on Thursdays  , Fri/Sat were ok then Sun would hit . Tired , bit wobbly etc but could do basic tasks . By Tues I’d slowly pick up, weeks 2/3 were then ok .Parcetemol was a close friend ! Long as you know when you’re gonna be bit rough it helps a fair bit . I tried to keep running but was impossible,  always tried to exercise in weeks 2-3 before next cycle .

Are you having surgery after chemo ? has it shrunk at all ? Is it in legs?
That’s a tough age to tell , though maybe it’s better they don’t fully grasp things . I’ve only told a few people as just too complicated to tell people I find .