Newbie

Hi Pet lamb you’ve come to the right place sorry yiuve found yourself in here though. I’m Hazel almost5   years post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer with seven affected lymph nodes.  
I was  SCC tonsil cancer HPV positive 61 when diagnosed. Totally out of the blue no symptoms apart from larrybthe lump in my collar bone. Rant away on here we’re a friendly bunch always happy to help. 
Some family can’t handle it my sister in law worked in a need to know  basis I did my blog below to help my hubby otherwise he would have lent all his time telling family and friends. Treatment is pretty brutal but if I can do it anyine can. While you’re feeling ok ish maybe batch freeze a few meals for your hubby as when you’re further into treatment cooking might be last thing you want to do. Plus if people offer to help take their help. House work will keep don’t try to do too much 

hugs Hazel x

Hi Petlamb

Welcome, all though non of us want to be here !! You'll find a lot of support, be it answering questions to having a good old grump. 

Wishing you luck with your treatment.

Cat x

Hello. I’m a year (in 1 week!) post treatment for tonsil & lymph node hpv 16 positive. From diagnosis through to end of treatment the process is traumatic.Rest when you can, get ready meals in, don’t worry about housework - it’s not important. This forum is fab. I can highly recommend the free counselling sessions via Macmillan. People react so differently to a diagnosis. Be kind to yourself. 

Hi Petlamb and welcome to the community. Stay with us. There are plenty of people in the early stages of treatment to swap notes with and quite a few in recovery of various stages to urge you on and show that you do get better. I'm four years clear which I realise will feel as far as the moon to you and it certainly did to me when I was just starting out but we get there.

My advice would be to listen to your body, rest and remember this is your time, your cancer and not anybody else's. You'll get by a day at a time and at your own pace. For now nothing else is more important than your mind and body welfare. 

Don't do too much or you'll just be crushed with disappointment . A little gentle exercise.....just a walk in the fresh air is often enough is good for you.

Remember. It's not forever.

Hugs

Thank you Hazel. I have been reading some of your blog & will continue. I am 58, & my hubby is also called John. Mine is also HPV origin.. 

Thank you Cat x

Hi remember HPV driven tumours respond well to treatment. Thank you for reading blog it was onky thjng I could control in an uncontrollable situation. Glad it helps. 
always happy to help. 
Hazel x

Thank you Blod. I was just trying to do little bits so I wouldn't feel so useless but it's not really helped & we do have lots of help available. May well make use of the counselling as traumatic is exactly how I would describe some of the interventions to date, & I can't even begin to think about being pinned to a table with a mold on!

Thank you Dani. You are so right re people well into their recovery but it's great to know that life goes on and my time will come. Very short walks are possible & it is great to feel the fresh air, looking forward to better weather & longer daylight hours.

Hi tip practice lay on your bed close your eyes set alarms for 12 mins. Then take your head to a happy place visualise a favourite walk or holiday. Even wander round supermarket. Also oractise breathing in fir count for 3 seconds breathe out for 8. Get them ti cut eye holes on mask I can send you a link to mould  room at my cancer  centre. It helps you if you see the mask bejng made. 
Let me kniw Hazel d