Hello

Hi Peter Thank you for the welcome, got some tests and appointments this week - hopefully know more about treatment options soon. 
Nathan

Hi Nathan. Sorry you find yourself in here.  Many of us have been down a very similar road recently and are here to tell our tales to try and help those following on. Never feel alone and please lean on us as much as you need to. It’s great to hear that you’re in such good spirits as that will help you no end. And if you’re not already, try to get as fit as you can these coming weeks as that will help speed up your recovery from any treatment  Wishing you all the best, Mark 

Thanks Peter appreciate the message of support. I’m relatively fit from Rugby reffing but to be honest since diagnosis last week I’ve not trained. I’ll get back to it today - thanks for the nudge in that direction

Hi Nathan, 

I'm new too, also 50 and diagnosed 18th Jan. Just a heads up these things take time so hang in there, im self employed so kept myself busy but allowed myself breathing space too. I found it surreal at first and it took a few weeks to learn about it all. I felt like i was on another planet and a little isolated the first week, then mri and pet/ct scans weeks 2/3 as the primary source needed finding... then there was a little waiting time. I had Tors surgery by week 5 for base of tongue biopsy and part tonsillectomy. Its now week 4 after op (week 9), it takes up to 6 weeks for recovery, it's more than just a biopsy but it is do-able and every day there's a little improvement.  I've been to the dental hospital last week (nothing needed thankfully) for a check up prior to treatment starting. I'm seeing the Oncologist for the first time tomorrow... so hopefully should know a bit more re a treatment plan. I'm waiting for another biopsy on a salivary gland lesion to see if its related as that will decide if both sides of neck or just the left needs treating... so although I'm told now 4 weeks to treatment im in the mindset it might be a little longer. I've gone from wishing time away to acceptance that this is how long things take. 

It's a roller coaster of a journey and you'll probably feel like you've no time to spare sometimes and wonder why things are taking so long others. You will have a clinical nurse team... ring them, even if it's just to put your mind at rest! 

Staying strong and positive becomes a mantra. Try to stay away from Google... although I admit for certain things its unavoidable... but for advice and support this is the place to be. Surround yourself with positive people, you really find out who loves you and cares right now! Eat well, sleep well if you can and keep going with being active... it will all help. I don't think I've ever had so many fruit smoothies and vitamins leading up to diagnosis! Keep in your mind no matter what this is very treatable and has a huge success rate... it might be tough getting there but we will :)  Sharon x

Hi Sharon

Thanks for your message really appreciate it. Sounds like you have had a tough 2022 so far! 

I am really positive and have a great family and community around me. As you say sometimes it seems like a dream and surreal, I’m adjusting to things and have many things to be grateful for in my story not least of all the early diagnosis thanks to my dentist noticing an unusual looking ulcer. I agree we will get there 

Hi Nathan, 

Hope it helps to try and navigate your way, one of the main things I found was the not knowing timescales, what to ask, what comes next, expectations not being managed... and a bit of mis-information from people who really shouldn't advise anything! When youre hanging on everyones words it can be exhausting trying to work things out. It's funny, I don't feel like it's been tough, when you're in it you just get on with it! I still think my early diagnosis and stage 1 is such a blessing. I've found remembering to be kind to yourself and let yourself go through the myriad of emotions has helped. I've had down right uncontrollable panic moments that aren't pretty... l think It's very much like grief... there's a process to go tthrough, i felt before any appointments that i was in a stage of 'enjoy this time before', things are going to change for a bit... then you'll get better.  I think we have a little in common as we dont really know what its going to be like yet.

1st Oncology appt today, armed with a list of questions and telling them I don't want it sugar coating! Then no doubt some processing time again afterwards. Thank god you had a dentist appt, after the covid wait for them that must have been a stroke of luck :) x