Anxious

Hi Claretmad

I think feelings of uncertainty are common after a cancer diagnosis.  There's a heightened sense of anxiety when the body doesn't feel quite right.  At least you've taken some proactive steps to get things checked out.

Fingers crossed for you.

Linda x 

Good evening Claretmad, I know it's not easy being uncertain about these issues but it sounds as if you have done the correct thing in getting it checked out, it does not sound as if anything sinister is happening, as long as you feel ok and your appetite is good with no big drop in weight. Did you see G.P or a consultant in March, if it was a G.P  then it would be more reassuring getting it checked by your consultant or one of his team? I have heard that radio and chemo can give unwanted side effects to the ears but not experienced it myself.

   Hopefully, its a simple issue and can be easily put right, wishing you all the best, take care.

                                                                                                                                                   Chris x

Hi Claretmad

horrid isn’t it?

I have this feeling sometimes and I’m sure it’s fairly common  

I am 25 months out and at the beginning every niggle was cancer. I have been back to my oncologist early just the once though to check out a worrying symptom which proved to be nothing. He was fine about it and said he’d rather be looking at an apthous ulcer than a cancer. 
I have got better but I’m still a work in progress 

We will be prone to sore throats and allied problems but you’ve done the right thing to put your mind at rest. I’m sure it will be nothing. 

Morning all

Thanks for your kind responses, you are right in that..that horrible disease really does make you stir crazy. Makes minor ailments become real worries. Weight wise I'm fine, still putting a bit on, the dryness has returned a bit...but that will probably be there for a good while.

I was speaking to a friend who said i was looking really well and must be glad its all behind me, i had smile and wave (as they say)...behind me I thought. I feel like I've been up Everest and I'm now coming down the other side with just one boot on. 

My ear is better, but not quite right....i have a feeling I lost some hearing in that ear as I was going thru the radiotherapy...times like this i wish i had kept up to my diary. 

Take care all

Pip

Looking really well?!!!

Drives me mad too

I even have to lie to my husband about how great food tastes when I have a “cardboard” day So as not to upset him  

Give your friends this to read

https://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

"Ooh you look really well and you're sounding better".   Drives me mad too, especially when I feel I'm about to drop!!  I suppose people say it thinking it will make you feel better.

Linda  x

I know they mean well, but I always feel they are happy to hear just the good things... not the day to day rubbish your going thru....seem to change the conversation when it goes the other way.

Pip

Hi Pip

inam 21 month post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph nodes and yes dry mouth is still around not as bad as it was in the early days but it’s nit normal and guess it never will be .But I still have a 20 min nap most afternoons and yes I had a totally clear  pet ct scan and yes get fed uo when people say oh you’re  back to normal you're looking so well.Yhen proceed to tell me all their ailments yes they are there ailments but I really don’t want to know about  an growing toenail so smile nicely and make my excuses .   The article Dani has highlighted is an excellent form of reference yes we’ve got the all clear butbweve still git at least 5 years of hospital visits and the fact we’ve had cancer doesn’t fo away. So yiu aren’t in your own we are all in this together .

good luck 

Hazelxx

I can forgive well-meaning friends and relatives saying that we look “really well”, but I cannot forgive my experienced  Oncologist who insists on starting any consultation with the words, “You’re looking very well indeed”. Last time she said this, I answered that I had looked really well the day I was diagnosed with cancer! I could have pointed out one can look ‘really well and have metastatic disease (secondary cancer), or that she cannot see dry mouth or hearing loss or depression, or even see the anxiety we feel sitting in the waiting room before we are seen. I find it a crass comment, possibly designed to make sure we just agree, say we are fine and leave, without discussing the side-effects which plague us!! I think that when she has a waiting room of patients to see she should get on with my medical consultation, not pass comment on my appearance. I sound like a right grouch, but I resent doctors feeling that we should be grateful if they tell us we are looking well.

With friends it’s different, and we are expected to agree and say how well we are, even if we’re not, but then I don;t know what I would have said to a friend post-cancer treatment, as I was the first in my friendship group.......And listening to their tales of woe and ailments about themselves or other cancer sufferers .....yes smile and wave!

Hilary

Yes Hilary you're right. My Oncologist says exactly the same thing to me. 'You're looking well'.

I know he is trying to be encouraging.  When I opened up the issue that I was not coping very well and was feeling discouraged he was extremely helpful. He went out of his way to take time to discuss things with me and give me some direction even though the next patient had to wait. 

I think I am very lucky to have him. However he will never fully understand the impact that cancer has as you have to experience the day to day side effects that you can't get away from.

That is why I find this forum so helpful. You don't feel so isolated as there are so many others who are going through similar experiences.

Lyn