Hello everyone,
I found a lump in my neck a few months ago. Fast forward through my GP appointment to meeting with my ENT consultant, I have been diagnosed with T1N1M0 HPV + head and neck cancer. The primary site is the right tonsil and the lump in my neck was my lymph nodes (1 main one and what I have been told were two ‘angry friends’).
I have had my CT/MRI/PET scans and have been at the QEUH in Glasgow for a meeting and have another one next week. From speaking with the head and neck cancer nurses (who are saints) I think the plan for me is for the consultant to put me under to explore the area around the primary site, possibly remove the right tonsil there and then and afterwards, move me on to 2 rounds of chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiotherapy. There was initially talk of a neck dissection but I’m not sure if that’s going to happen or they may wait for this treatment to take place first and see how the lymph nodes look after all that.
I’ll not lie, it’s a daunting prospect but I have to get on with it. I’m 38 and up until now have always felt that I am healthy and active. That’s life I guess! Anyway, I’ve taken a good bit of inspiration from some of the stories on here and some of the tips are great and I’ll take these on board.
all the best,
Chris
