What to expect at first appointment?

Hi Leigh. Welcome to our community but so sorry you are finding yourself here. 
11th May is pretty quick so that’s good that they can get cracking with fixing you. 
Are you able to take somebody into the consult with you? That would help enormously as they will hear and remember things you don’t. Take pen and paper with you to make notes. 
The most likely scenario is that you will see your consultant who will examine you. It might be obvious what’s wrong so he or she should be able to give you an indication if there is cancer likely. 
The next step will be an MRI though that won’t happen in the day. 
Head neck MRIs are a little challenging as you have to lie still for at least half an hour, they are noisy though you will get headphones. They will likely give you a contrast agent into a vein. 
Please stay off Google. You have to be a medical expert to navigate it sensibly and you will only scare yourself with inaccurate alarming scenarios. 
The people to ask are your medical and surgical teams and folk here who have been through it all. 
Best of luck and come back as and when you need more info. 
As for a return to work it depends so much on your treatment plan and is difficult to predict. 

Hi Leigh

welcome to our small community sorry you find yourself here but everything Dani has said is  right , so I won’t repeat myself only y to say some people do manage to do work part  of way through treatment as long as you have some flexibility it all depends on what you do and how you are feeling . I know a lady who only missed 3 weeks work she is an online sales person and arranged her work around it. If you need chemo that can take up half a day at least radiotherapy itself is rarer longer than 15 min plus travelling time of course. We all react differently. 
let us know how you get on. 
yes agree once I knew what I had it was easier to deal with as I can deal with facts. . Again please keep off google you will scare yourself silly. 
Hazel x

Hi Leigh,

You are most definitely at the 'head like a washing machine' stage where you have so many things churning round and it's hard to see anything clearly because you just don't know what you are dealing with.  I hated that part.  Like you, I'm a big fact person, when I sat down to be told I had cancer I already knew and was prepared.

Obviously, we are all different, although it turns out that my cancer was in the base of my tongue I knew nothing of it - my first thing was a rather alarming large lump suddenly appearing in my neck!

Your first appointment with a consultant will very possibly involve a nasal scope thing so they can look at the back of your mouth easily.  This (for me) really wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be.  Deep breaths and relax as much as possible and it's done.  It's really thin and they are very good at it.  As Dani said, they will probably then want scans.  I had MRI, CT and PET in one week.  I try and find a mental happy place (balcony overlooking the sea) and focus on that.  You are 100% capable of doing all of these, I think the fear of the unknown is such a big thing to get your head round.

I have recently had surgery and am shortly starting my chemoradiation.  I have total faith in my hospital team and am letting them get on with it!

I normally work in a shop standing for long periods of time and mixing with a lot of people.  Because of this (and full no questions sick pay, sorry to rub it in ) I have not been at work.  Also a degree of covid isolation.  If I was sitting and working online, baring appointments, I would have been able to work quite well I feel.  I had a really good recovery from both tonsils and base of tongue being removed so maybe a week or 2 there??  We are all so different it's hard to know. I know a lot of people manage quite well through their radiotherapy as Hazel said.  If it's not a physical job that is a bonus.

Remember, there is plenty of financial advice available from people like Macmillan, once you know where you are you could have a chat to them.  I am so sorry that you have to deal with that on top of your health concerns.  Life can be so tough sometimes can't it.  Keep us updated and come and talk on here whenever you need to, it's lovely having this support,

Julie xx

Thanks Dani, the appointment is really soon thankfully,  but that's scary in itself - the GP did an urgent cancer referral.  I haven't had the letter through yet, but I don't think I am allowed to take anyone in with me due to COVID.  I've had a full spine and brain MRI before so thankfully know what to expect with that one. The waiting is a killer isn't it?  I'm so reluctant to start any work things in case I can't see them through.  In some ways though, I've been in so much pain and weird symptoms, that I hope this finds some kind of answer for me. 

Thanks Hazel, the waiting is excruciating!

Julie your message made me cry, not in a bad way, but just you hit the nail on the head with how I feel right now.  I can't really talk to anyone about it, because my best friend's mum died of cancer and she's just about to go to her dad's funeral this week, my partner is very much "it's fine, it's probably nothing" and I don't really want to tell anyone else.   I'm weirdly in a place where I almost want them to find something, just so that I know and that maybe don't have to struggle along with this pain in the future.  Which is ridiculous, I know!  I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through this all at the moment, but pleased that things are underway and healing quickly.  Thanks so muhc xx

The fear of the unknown is what you are going through. Remember  very few cancer referrals turn out to be cancer. As for taking someone in please ask as I saw my oncologist two words I never thought I would say. ! He said he all the way  through covid allowed one other person in for diagnosis and results plus if the patient was anxious he allowed someone in at every meeting. 
hazel xx

Hi Leigh

With all you've said I'm very glad you've found the forum as it's such a godsend when you know you're speaking to others who completely understand.  The waiting for results etc is almost the worst part.

Now you've been referred to a specialist unit they should be able to get to the bottom of what's causing your issues - hopefully not cancer.  If it is though there are many of us who've been through the treatment and come out the other side successfully.

Wishing you all the best on the 11th.

Linda x

Hi Legh, sorry about making you cry, maybe you really needed it, honestly this bit is the worst, I can't tell you how much better I feel now that I know where I am, even though mine is cancer!! Feel remarkably OK considering, though do still have wobbles of course.

Just to say, you can take someone with you to the appointment, I did phone to check first but they were fine, I took my sister so that she could write everything down for me. When I had my appointment with the oncologist, he seemed concerned that I hadn't taken anyone with me!!

Keep coming on here and talking to us, don't fret alone xxxx

Hi LeighP21

Wanting them to find something to give you certainty is a very natural feeling for many people.  You are at the very worst stage for stress - waiting for some clarity.  Once you know things will fall into place.

I'm not sure anyone can give you a definitive time back to work as everyone recovers at a different rate.  However, being motivated and the flexibility of being your own boss gives you an opportunity to do what you can when you can, but you do need to ensure you look after yourself.  Do you have any sickness insurance that may kick in?