Hi, this is quite long so please bare with, so I had gastric sleeve surgery in 2025, lost 12 stone and now only weigh 7.5 stone. Around 2/3 months ago I noticed a lump in my neck, spoke to a few pe
le all said don’t worry it’s a gland etc so thought nothing of it. Well it was still worrying me in the back of my mind, but then I found two more, so I went to the GP Monday, they have sent a urge referral, they found something in the back of throat. They were asking about symptoms, but now looking back I had put a lot down to weight loss/body changes due to rapid weight loss. I know I’m properly looking into everything a little bit more, but I’ve been feeling dizzy when waking in the morning, fatigue, pains in my bones etc all could be weight related still. My ear feels blocked, and I’m on day 9 of diarrhoea, but I’ve just got back from India and it’s a common symptom of sleeve surgery. The last few days I’ve bend waking up boiling and sweating, I’ve lost more weight since I last went on Monday and I’m struggling to eat. It’s all really hard to understand what’s weight and sleeve related or could be something. I’m not sure if my mind is just spiralling now or if I should let the GP know about the changes. I’m absolutely petrified, I’m 34 and have 3 young children. I’ve got blood tests today, but the wait is hard. They didn’t advice what type of cancer they were sending just says head and neck, doctor google is not my friend. I don’t even know the point to the post really, but thank you for reading, and any tips on getting through the 2WW would be appreciated.
Hi Anna9
Waiting is one of the worst starts to any journey. The not knowing and imagining the worst is so energy sapping in mind and body. As you have discovered Google gives the demons more ammunition. Leave it alone and talk to folk who do know about early survival. If you have been referred USC to head and neck then they will likely investigate for throat cancer but please be aware that 90% of these referrals are not. I'm Dani and I hang out in the Head and Neck Cancer Forum I am a long term survivor...7 years plus. We are a friendly bunch with lots of experience and we can help you through.
All you can do while you wait is avoid Google alone, do things you enjoy doing. Get out into the fresh air, have coffee with friends, keep busy. If you aren't sleeping there is the Awake and up all night thread where folk chat about all sorts of stuff or a visit to your GP to get something to tide you over temporarily.
Click on the two links I've made and see you in HNC
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
