Hello…I’m a newbie

Saw GP in June and was referred to ENT, was told to expect 18 week wait. Got really bad end of September and was re referred urgently under 2ww on 1st October. Have been at GP every week since and last Tuesday she changed my referral to a different health board (I live on the edge of two) they joined yesterday with an appointment for today. 

Phoned yesterday not joined!

Hi if you can tell them this weekend they will be with you from the start. You’ll be surprised. How much stress that will take off you. Once you’re in the system things roll along biopsy’s results vary mine was around 2 days but they knew from my find needle aspiration I had cancer. If you  want to tell us what area are you in ? I was Leeds cancer centre. 
Ask away  in here we’re all happy to help

Hazel xx

RadioactiveRaz said:

mine was around 2 days

How long did you have to wait for the FNA results ?

Hi a week, walked jn and straight away she said SCC a sorry.   the  biopsy was 2 week after but surgeon went through my scan showed me the tonsil area. The next morning he rang to say could I go to Leeds on the Monday this was on the Thursday and met oncologist the rest is history. The HPV status was suspected but that histology  took another week. 
Hazel x

Hello Janicebee  sorry you find yourself on here but your not alone , I too am not long diagnosed , I too am a mum living alone . But the support on here , help and advice is brilliant . No question is too silly , and we've all been where you are now . 

Hi. I just wanted to say try not to feel alone. Your team and people on here are with you. I told my son in stages. I don't know if that was better or worse. I told him I may need an operation then mentioned the C word later on but I think he had worked it out by then (aged 14). I emailed his school to let them know the situation and they were great. All the best x

Hi JB

Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis ..Im not sure how old your children are …. mine 18/26 I wrote them both identical easy to read letters ss i knew i would be too emotional saying the words …..

My youngest looked shocked but asked loads questions my eldest just sat tears rolling down his face

It was hardest thing ive ever had to do …. but such a relief once id done it … hard keeping secrets.Im happy to say they are more resilient than i thought x

McMillan have a thick leaflet wiyh tips on how to explain illness to children .

Hope ot goes ok

Debbie

Thanks for your replies. 

They are both aware I’m unwell, my eldest more so (18). I want to tell them but I don’t have any answers, I can’t say mum has cancer but I don’t know exactly what type or stage or what treatment…or if I’ll get better..  For now I’ve said I’ll need an op next week and then we should know more and technically that’s the truth? Who knows, my head is like mush… it’s only been 24 hours.. I suppose it’ll work out somehow? If I don’t laugh I’ll cry? 

It’s entirely up to you how and when you tell them, and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. I let my (grown up) kids know by drip feeding it bit by bit on a need to basis as I found out more, although to be fair I was helped hugely by lockdown. After about 3 weeks they had the full picture and coped with it well.  It’s a surprisingly hard decision to take. 

Wishing you well. M