Struggling waiting diagnosis

Hi Mack1 

Take a deep breath. 90% of referrals are not cancer. 
If it does turn out to be tonsil cancer cure rates are in excess of the same 90%. How old are you Mack? Age does have a bearing on this. Oropharyngeal cancer tends to be in the older person, 45+. I’m 74, over six years clear of treatment and living really well. The treatment is a challenge but if a 68 year old me could do it ………

Don’t  Google any more. Youve seen where it’s got you. 
Just keep busy doing what you like to do. If you haven’t heard from the hospital in two weeks, chase it up. 
Good luck. 

Thank you Beesuit, Really truly appreciate the reply, Im 45 but unfortunately up until the last few days I was also a smoker, so the odds don’t look good. Im a kinda negative thinker, always have been. But find this forum is helping me a little. I have a wife & 4 kids depending on me, youngest just 6.

Mack1 said:

I was also a smoker, so the odds don’t look good.

Smoking increases the risk but even smokers respond well provided they stop smoking 

Dint blame yourself. None of it is your fault. 

Thank you for your kind words

Google can elevate anxiety and cause needless worry. Waiting for a result from ENT will take a little time best to try and keep occupied with things that will take your mind off the problem, not easy but that's what most try to do, focus on the fact that most of these lumps and bumps are not cancerous.

Thank you Micky, its funny the way the mind works. You look for reassurance, you don’t get it so then you keep googling looking for it, going deeper into that black hole

Hi Mack1. Now you’ve found us please keep off dr google you’re going into rabbit holes that are hard to get out off. Stick with us we will hold your hand. 7 years ago on Monday I had my first chemo radiotherapy for

hpv driven tonsil cancer. Like Dani says 90% of referrals aren’t cancer if you’re unlucky enough to join us remember head and neck cancers respond well to treatment. My initial summon was a limo in the collar bone area if you do get diagnosed mine had been there at least 10 weeks probably longer. So don’t stress. You’ve given up smoking so please don’t start again that’s a bonus if you think about it. Start saving the money for something treats later in year. 
Treatment is hard but if I can do it you can. Try to keep busy and keep off google !!

hugs Hazel 

Thank you very much Hazel. Ya defo not smoking, pity it needed to be something like this to make me do it. But thats life I guess. Congrats on your outcome its encouraging!

thank you. Like I said start saving the money for something nice. We gave up smoking around 25 years ago saved up for a new tv dread to think how much cigarettes are now so bonus you won’t have another cigarette and can buy something nice. Let us know how you get on and we’re always happy to help. Just kero away from de google you’ll scare yourself even more than you are already. 

Hazel c

Hi Mack1, it's good that you have found us. Hopefully it will turn out to be nothing to worry about, like many referrals are. However, if it's not you have come to the right place, to get some good advice, and know that there are many of us who have gone through this and come out the other end with good results. Try to stay off Google. We are all here to help, ask as many questions as you want, someone will always answer if they can.

Ray.