Hi all, my partner (29m) has been struggling with a hoarse voice, excess phlegm and has a swollen throat. He got an endoscopy through the NHS in the summer which showed clear and he was diagnosed with silent reflux and given medication.
Nothing worked and although his voice did get slightly better before Christmas it got a lot worse recently. I pushed him to go to a private doctor as we have the privilege to do so since we both work.
He had his appointment today and they could see a mass on his right vocal chord. They have told him it could be cancer but it also could be something else. He will get a scan and biopsy soon but I am so extremely terrified.
He is young fit and healthy otherwise and has no underlying conditions and has never smoked. He drinks a regular amount but not weekly or in excess.
Basically this is why I am here as I just don't know what to do and can't see how I will cope with the next few weeks of waiting.
Thank you for reading
He is obviously very scared and upset and has expressed that he does not want to leave me. I have told him to not think like that but this is extremely hard.
I know how hard it is but radiotherapy or surgery if indeed necessary and life changing is hugely successful.
I must say that when I was diagnosed I felt a huge burden in my husband and wanted it to be all over so that I didn’t get in the way of his future. So quite the opposite of how your partner feels.
My oncologist sat me down and told me that even though it would be a bumpy ride he would cure me.
Hold onto that. The surgeons and oncologists do this every day and they are good at it.
My first husband had laryngeal cancer in 1987 and had six weeks of radiotherapy. In those days I suspect they didn’t give as hefty or targeted dose because he had no side effects at all. Sadly it recurred pretty quickly and he had to have a laryngectomy.
He was a journalist and always the loudest voice in the pub. After his op he became the loudest laryngectomee in the pub. He continued to work unfazed by being a neck breather.
Im telling you this that even so long ago with more rudimentary treatment he was cured
Hopefully all your partner will need is radiotherapy to get better.
Don’t despair. Trust his team.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
Yes waiting is hard. We’ve all had to do it. Knowledge is power and before you do find out you imagine all sorts of rubbish.
Stay away from Google. Keep busy. It’s all outside your control and worrying about it makes no difference to the outcome. But you know that and it’s still hard.
If either of you are finding it hard to sleep then do get some mild sleeping pills from your GP. Lots of people here have and it’s made the waiting easier to bear.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
What I really just want is to sit down with the doctor and find out exactly what stage we're at and what the treatment plan is.
These decisions are made by a Multi Disciplinary Team. This is made up of oncologists surgeons pathologists radiologists radiographers and various nursing allied health professionals. They generally meet once a week to discuss all the patients in their care. So you see it’s a big decision with lots of input. His doctor won’t have a clear plan till they discuss things. That’s why you have to wait.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
