Hubby diagnosis

Hi racheal. Welcome to the community though I am so sorry to find you here. You are in a good place for advice. 

It's really early days but the worry and shock are overwhelming. I am three years clear of tongue cancer myself and all too easily remember those early days.

First. Please try to stay off Google. There is a lot of misinformation there just ready to upset and frighten you. There is good stuff there but you need to know what to sort out.

Do you know what his cancer is? The common one is squamous cell carcinoma and if it is HPV positive especially cure rates are high. 

I know the waiting is absolutely dreadful but all you can do is to try to keep busy to avoid dooming and glooming every waking moment. Try to trust in your team. This is all new to you but they do this all the time and they are good at it.

Once there is a treatment plan you will both feel much better. Yes there are some dark and painful times ahead and the treatment is difficult but it's doable a day at a time.

Your husband will need some support. All you can do at present is try to keep his mind busy. It seems it makes more of a psychological impact on the guys going by what people say here. Perhaps because of the lack of control. 

I did a blog (linked below) which was my control.As time goes by I've tried to write some upbeat stories to illustrate that life goes on and is good. I was 67 when all this started and I got through.

Stick around. Tell us more when you can and there are lots of people here to get you through

Don't despair.

Best wishes

Hi Rachael welcome from me Dani has said it all. I am now 3.5 years post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph nodes .Thus part is the worst it’s the waiting sn dear if the unknown. Please keep off dr google best advise my oncologist gave  me. You’ll scare yourself even more. Keep on here ask any questions. When you’ve got a bit more info ir what type if cancer we can advise you. Just remember it’s not the death sentence it used to be. I’m over here on holiday in Spain 65 now just going for a ride on my bike not electric either. 
Once you get a plan things do fall into place honestly. My blogs below it shows like Dani there can be life after diagnosis. 
hugs Hazel

PS make sure you have husbands permission for his team to talk to you and that you have his Clinical Nurse Specialist’s contact details. She may or may not be a Macmillan nurse as well. She’s a good point of contact for questions that arise between appointments 

Hi Racheal and a warm welcome from me.  Not a lot more to offer from Dani's and Hazel's posts.  Once you know more then I think we will be able to give more practical advice.  Try to keep busy doing other things as worrying will not help either of you at this time - we've all been where you are and know that is much easier said than done, but the vast majority of cases are curable.

Hi Racheal,

I didn't have tongue cancer, mine was in my nose, and I had to have it removed as a result.  It's hard going when you get diagnosed but if you stay positive and as Beesuit says keep away from Google, you and your husband can get though it.  The treatment is hard to go through but its brilliant when you get to ring the bell.  I am two years post diagnosis and treatment  and am cancer free at the moment,  and this site helped get me through it all.  Stay focused and stay positive both of you.

Lots of luck.

Hi Racheal and welcome.

I was diagnosed in May 2018 with base of tongue cancer and completed my treatments in August that year.

We're a friendly bunch and you'll find lots of help and support from people who have received similar diagnoses and treatments.

I can't really add to what has already been posted other than to stress to  resist the temptation to Google, especially while your husband is still undergoing tests and waiting for a full diagnosis and treatment plan.   And do get a contact number for the Clinical Nurse Specialist who can be brilliant at answering questions you forgot to ask at appts etc.

Take care.

Linda x

Sending you love  fingers crossed for you  and hubby stay strong