Not sure if i am losing the plot. Lumps

Hi Trev

You don’t have psychological issues. It is natural to be concerned about every lump and bump as we are all concerned about a recurrence of cancer. It is also sensible to get these things checked out to put your mind at rest and it doesn’t matter how many times you contact your consultant to get things looked at.

It is better to be safe than sorry and early treatment if required is always the way to go.

I recently had an ulcer that was taking weeks to heal and was a bit edgy as I have had 2 recurrences since my first cancer op. I went to my surgeon and he told me to keep putting on the ulcer ointment and come back in 2 weeks. I went back yesterday and he said he was happy with things as it seemed to have almost healed and gave me the all clear. It was a relief as another op is not on the list of things I want to do.

After 2 lots of radiotherapy the inside of my mouth tends to break down very easily.

Do get in touch with your consultant and don’t think twice about it. It is definitely the sensible thing to do.

Lyn  

Thanks sophie, i just feel like i am constantly badgering them - i will email the secretary now 

I guess i was looking for reassurance that i wont be the unique 'nuisance' patient that constantly goes in before they are due to be seen

It doesnt look like a goitre but i am just not sure

Thanks again i really appreciate the response.

Hi Trev

I have been exactly the same. My two operations were last July and August, surgery with no further treatment. My MRI scans have been clear, but every little bump lump etc I’ve been certain it’s back. I contacted ask a McMillan nurse on here, and she arranged some counselling sessions for me. It’s the best thing I did, it’s really helped me. Please try this option it may help to talk through your fears it’s certainly helped me 

Good evening Trev, i believe everyone goes through this stage of thinking about any slight change in the body is something serious, i was like it, to begin with but experience has taught me a lot,i never used to look on google .and still dont because before you know it you have every illness under the sun.In my opinion, if you feel ok, eat ok, and look ok with no fatigue or tiredness you should be ok. Just keep an eye on any new lumps or bumps. All the best.

                                                                                 Chris 

Trev, I still do it. I've left my head alone but concern has moved to other parts of my body. You're not losing the plot. If you have symptoms the best thing to do is check them out. While we are talking about thyroids, make sure you have a yearly test. A good proportion of HNC patients get an underactive gland years later.

I’m with you Trev. I think we’re probably most of us in a psychologically heightened state to some degree or other.  For me, any little change from the chest upwards still rings alarm bells.  Early on I got odd lumps, bumps and sores quite regularly and I still get the odd scare.  Just last week I woke up with a weird ache in my chest when I breathed in and I feared something bad for two or three days. It gradually went away so I’d probably just pulled a muscle or trapped a nerve or something. My personal rule is to leave it for a week and if it’s still there and I’m still worried I’ll contact the team. I count myself very fortunate that I have that direct access to my surgeon. All the best. M

Thanks to all of you- i feel a lot less like an idiot now and less guilty for having emailed the consultants secretary. If i annoy him, then i annoy him at the end of the day. It sounds like a fair few of us see them between the 6 monthers if we get symptoms.

Thanks again.

By way of example Trev, the fact that you’re on 6-monthly checks has momentarily put the wind up me. I’m only four months behind you and am still on 2-monthly checks (albeit alternating face to face and by telephone) so am wondering if there’s something they’re not telling me! Honestly, what are we like!  

Hi Trev. I am always told any issues contact the team as they would sooner know now rather  than later. Good  luck let us know. Is I’m one if the lucky ones I don’t stress but that’s not ti say I would  t contact the team  if I wasn’t happy about something I would. 

Hazel xx

I remember you going through treatment just after me mark!

And i imagine you just have a more careful consultant. I was given a different consultant once i got my scan results.

I was immediately put on 6 month checks after getting the metabolic response results, i have never been on 3 month checks.

My first consultant also said they would need to monitor my benign parotid tumor whereas my second consultant is not remotely interested in it :)

Unfortunately i dont have complete faith in doctors which doesnt help

2 months ago i went to my gp about a big cyst on my back, was told to ignore it

It got infected and he gave me antibiotics which didnt work but he still told me to ignore it

I saw him a third time, by this time it is huge and i have a slight temperature, he squeezed some puss out then told me to take some different antibiotics.

Eventually- leaking blood and pus all over my clothes constantly i went to the urgent care centre, who took one look and booked me in for emergency surgery there and then, they operated within 4 hours of me arriving.