What the F#*% just happened?

Hi there and welcome to our forum and i'm sorry to hear that you've found yourself in this awful situation.

But, please know that most of us here have been in your exact position (or very similar) in the past and have come out the other side stronger and wiser, so please know that although this can be a tough journey, it does get better. You are now in the hands of excellent medical professionals and wonderful nurses who all want the best outcome for you.

I would also add that you have come to the right place for support, from a community that have years and years of shared experiences of head and neck cancers and treatments, so there will always be someone around to advise and encourage as you continue this journey of treatment and healing.

Please do not feel terrified for the future, but hang in there and talk to us during the healing stages, as it does get better and you will come out of it stronger. 

MickyC

TheNf4df9f said:

I was a happy, content, confident, independent and strong 56 years young, woman, and now all I feel is lost, lonely & utterly terrified by my future? I don’t recognise myself anymore, physically or mentally and really struggling. 

Hi and welcome. That describes most of us here at the beginning. Micky is spot on. Stay with us. There is also great group called Young Tongues. They have a website where you can access their very active and helpful social media page. Have a look there too. https://www.youngtonguesglobal.com/

Hi, and welcome from me to the group none of us wanted to join. You're right it is one hell of a thing to get your head around, and I know it does knock you sideways, however there is light at the end of the tunnel, it may seem in the distance at the moment, but you will get there. When you go for your appointment have a list of all the things you want to ask, and if you can write down what you are told, if you have someone who could go with you that would be great, two sets of ears. You are in a very scary place right now, hopefully you will feel a little better about it all, after your appointment, bear in mind these cancers are very curable, there are many of us on here who are living proof of that. We are all here to help, so if you need us, or have any questions, just ask, someone will always answer if they can.

Ray. 

Yes it's a tough and terrifying situation we have to deal with, most of the posters on this forum have been in exactly the same place that you find yourself in.

HPV16+ cancers respond well to treatment, 90%+ cure rate, stick with this forum, lots of good advice and support.

Here's a hug from me.  You'll quickly find this is a friendly and very supportive group.  Nobody wants to have joined, but we're all here for each other.  

Margaret 

A warm welcome from me.  Well done on finding us and taking the first step into a very supportive group.  Many of us have walked the journey you are on and others are careers for those on the same journey.

Here you will find a place where you can express both your fears and joy (and undoubtably there will be some joy in this journey) and receive support, encouragement and sound advice.

Almost everyone has similar feelings to you at some stage.  This is a journey that belongs to the patient and friends and family can only do their best to help you in the choices you make.  Once you have the results of the pathology you and you clinical team can make some decisions and, amazingly, most of us feel more comfortable emotionally and mentally at that stage once many of the unknowns have been removed.

I hope you have good margins in the pathology and you don't need to go onto RT.  Whatever the outcome stay with us - we have your back.

Thank you all for your supportive words, feel like I’m drowning in everything, bad day on the emotional front, I’m sure tomorrow will feel more positive 

Hi and welcome to the most supportive group of people I have had the pleasure to have known.

I hope you will be able to take comfort from the wealth of support, tips and knowledge you will receive here - ask any question - no question is silly. 

Sending a virtual hug - you are still an independent and strong woman - you've just had a huge knock but I am sure you will come back stronger - we are all here to help and support one another.

Debbie

Hi.

My timings sound similar. I'm just starting chemo radiotherapy today!!! 

I'm not sure why some of us have the op 1st & ohers go down the C/RT route??

Did they offer you a feeding tube?

I'm having one fitted tomorrow.

Becky

T4 N1 HPV+

BeckyW7c6caf said:

I'm not sure why some of us have the op 1st & ohers go down the C/RT route??

I had the same cancer as you. Surgery wasn’t an option as it would have resulted in life changing deformity. There are some bits of the oropharynx that you can manage without and some, like the base of  tongue that you can’t. 
My RT was nearly seven years ago and I’m fit and well.