Hello…I’m a newbie

Hi JaniceBee, you are defiantly not alone, all of us on here know what it feels like to be told you have cancer. I know it was the last thing. I thought they would tell me. Take comfort in the fact that head and neck cancer respond very well to the treatment, with very high cure rates, many of us on here are living proof of this, and we all here to help you as much as we can. Any questions, just ask, someone will always answer if they can.

Ray

Hi JaniceBee 

Ray is right. You aren’t alone. So sorry you are here but stay with us there’s lots of help and support here. Once you have a proper diagnosis and treatment plan everything will slot into place and you will feel better. 
Children are more resilient than we realise so while you feel you have to protect them they do need to know. 
Macmillan have a leaflet that might help. It’s a bit generalised but it’s a start https://be.macmillan.org.uk/Downloads/CancerInformation/ChildrenAndYoungPeople/MAC5766TalkingtochildrenE2.pdf

Have a look there. 
As for sick leave you really are protected by law if you have cancer 

Give the helpline a ring. The number is at the bottom of my post. There will be somebody to help there. Remember, you do have employee rights. 
I’ll hunt around for other useful links. 
EDIT

This might be if some use 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/financial-and-work/financial-guidance-help-line

Thank you so much, I’ll have a look through the links, I really appreciate your reply and support! 

Thank you! It’s lovely to hear positive things! 

Don’t be frightened of phoning. These guys answering the phone know their stuff. 

Thanks.. is online chat an option? I have very little voice and stridor sk phone calls are difficult  

Yes. Just look at that second link 

Hang in wrong link 

I’ll find it 

Yes here 

www.macmillan.org.uk/.../get-help

Hi Janice hee you’re not on your ien you’ve found us here. Taje everythjng one day at a tkne. How old are your children ? They are far more resilient than you May thjnk. Do you have a support network if so use if. There’s a few different hesd n neck csncers when you know more we can tailor our responses. But keep iff dr google ask us on here. 
hugs Hazel x

Hi Hazel

thanks for replying. My kids are 16 and 18 so not kids kids but as a single parent they’ve always only had me. 
I have a really good friendship group for support. 
my GP has been amazing today, the hospital updated my records, she saw it and phoned me. Came out to see me after surgery closed with various medications to help over the weekend. She’s been back in touch with ENT and because of the stridor I think they are admitting me on Monday for biopsy and de bulking?  Assuming I’ll know more after that - does biopsy results take long? 
staying well away from google as my one hit today told me I’d have a tracheotomy and never speak again
kids both out so I’m off for a bath and bed.

I’m so pleased I joined here. Thank you all! 

JBx 

JaniceBee said:

 Assuming I’ll know more after that - does biopsy results take long? 

Usually two weeks but because your aren't able to breathe properly they might hurry things up.

Have you seen your GP about this previously?