Scared about what's to come and how to cope physically and mentally

Hello. It’s such a shock to get a cancer diagnosis & extremely frightening. On top of that there’s an overwhelming amount of info to take in. I had a bilateral tonsillectomy & 6 weeks of chemoradiation for tonsil  & lymph node hpv 16 positive. Chemo every Monday & radio every day for 6 weeks ( weekends off!) I’m 55 & am now nearing 14 months post treatment  Yes treatment is challenging, but it is doable. I had a PEG feeding tube fitted prior to treatment & so when eating orally became too difficult at week 4 of treatment, I fed via a pump linked up to my PEG each night  This ensured I had all the calories necessary for treatment & recovery. I had also deliberately put on a bit of weight prior to treatment as I knew I would lose it during the process  I can highly recommend the counselling that Macmillan offers. I had 6 sessions & it helped me get through a dark patch Ask anything here - we have a wealth of personal experience.

Hi Diane. Welcome from me as well. Hearing the word cancer  sends you into a frenzy. I’m almost 5 years post treatment now. Please don’t rush inti anything silly re your house both Dani in here and I gave a friend who sold his new  motorhome within days if diagnosis thinking his life would he over we tried to tell him take a step back. Please if it’s financial issues maybe ask Macmillian they do have finance people. Treatments hard I was 61 tonsil cancer affected lymph nodes as well. My blog might help don’t be scared if mask it there ti save your life ask for eyeholes to be cut out. Am sure your son will be supportive. 
hugs Hazel keep asking us on here no questions to silly  ps our friend recently bought another motorhome he often says he wishes he had taken our advice. 

Diane1962 said:

How do I get through this

Hi Diane. Welcome. Stick around. You do this a day at a time there are lots of folk to hold your hand here 

I’m four years plus clear and I know that sounds as far away as the moon but a day at a time becomes a week, a month and a year.
Don’t worry about losing weight.  Your dieticians will keep a good eye on you. Lots of us are fed by stomach tube when swallowing becomes too painful. I had a nasogastric tube in for eight weeks and it saved my life. It was no problem at all. I lost very little weight and made a good and uneventful recovery at 68 years old. 
I guess you are 11 years younger than me. If I can do it so can you. 

Thank you Dani......so pleased you have come through it all well x 

Yes I'm 61 years old. Pretty fit in body but not in mind...I think that's why I'm so scared. Tried the support line today but they aren't there on Sunday.  I will keep coming on here, you are all very  good at reassurance x

Thanks for your reply hazel 

I have looked at your blog, you are pretty amazing.....my path is just starting so my whole life just seems crazy right now.....thank you for your advice

Diane 

Hi, thanks for your reply...

I was told about feeding tubes and supplement drinks, so hopefully I will get those pretty early on. My head is just blank at the moment.

Bless you, Diane 

Hi, Diane, welcome from me. You are right it is very scary; I was scared witless, you will feel so much better when your treatment starts, then you will focus on your daily routine, during the treatment, always keep your team updated on side effects or any worries you have. The treatment is testing to say the least, but it is doable, like others have said, many of us on here have done it, with good results, you will be able to do it too. If you are offered a feeding tube a RIG or a PEG (they are both very much the same) my advice would be to have it, they are a lifesaver, if eating gets difficult. Any worries or questions just ask, you haven't said any stupid stuff, and even if you do, nobody will be bothered. All the best.

Regards Ray. 

Thank you Ray

Well done in getting through  

I think, like you say, when it all starts I will hopefully get into a routine. I'm stuck in no means land at the moment

Hi Diane You are the same age as me so thats a blessing already. Everything goes haywire at first  on information overload and thinking the worst but when you start absorbing the facts and that its all doable it doesnt seem so scary anymore. Dont make any rash decisions and stay off google . You can and will get through this . We are all here for You X All the Best Minmax  

Diane1962 said:

  I will keep coming on here, you are all very  good at reassurance

Yes because it is doable. It’s hard. But we’ve done it. Pop on whenever. There’s always somebody here. Xx

Diane1962 said:

Tried the support line today but they aren't there on Sunday.

But there is at The Swallows 

https://theswallows.org.uk/

Chris Curtis is a head and neck cancer survivor. He and his wife Sharon run this charity and there is a human voice to chat to 24/7 

Give them a ring.