Am I the only one

The thing about oropharyngeal cancer is that most of us are felled when we are well. It comes out of the blue. One afternoon I was well and by the evening I had cancer. Apart from my head I felt fit as a fiddle. 

Hi loopyliz, I too  had no symptoms other than an ulcer that didn't heal. I was so fit doing 13 exercise classes a week and walking 8 Kms six days a week so finding out I had tongue cancer really freaked me out plus I felt angry as I ate so well looked after my health and didn't drink or smoke ever so going from totally healthy one day to having tongue cancer the next day was unbelievable. Xx take care

It all seems so surreal, I mean know I have cancer but I feel like a fraud because I'm not unwell, it's a very bizarre situation x

Thank you guys, it really helps talking to people who know how I feel, I feel silly saying it to family & friends because they don't understand x

I also had no pain, just hoarseness on and off until a lymph node swelled up.  Even then I had a cold at the time so put it down to that.  However, when the lymph node didn't return to normal after 8 weeks, I thought I'd better get it checked out.  Remember, it is good to catch it early.  Everyone on here is so helpful and supportive and we have all felt like you at some time.  Take care.

Hugs

Hazel x

No I think many of us are like that.  You see all sorts of terrible photos on Google about H&N cancer and wonder how they let themselves get into that state before seeking help. 

Last year I had a mild irritation in my throat which I thought was scar tissue from earlier operations.  It was the cancer, but caight really early on this time.  

Glad you have done the sensible thing and sought help early on.  Well done - and nothing fradulent about that!

Hi Loopyliz

I was just the same as Jg123. No symptoms other than an ulcer that would not heal on my gum. I was fit, have never smoked or drunk alcohol, ate healthily so it was a bit of a shock when I was diagnosed with jaw cancer. Just the luck of the draw. It does seem unfair when all of a sudden we are on a different path than the one we thought we would be on for the rest of our lives. Catching it early is the key.

Lyn

Exactly Sophie catching it early is so important. I only found mine by biting my tongue and that turned into an ulcer. My max fax consultant actually said biting my tongue saved my life. If I hadn't have bit my tongue god knows how long it would have been before I found it. So I find myself sooo lucky . Xx

I had no symptoms I had just cycled 1100 kmwas fitter that’s j had ever been I had no swallow issues sore throat just a lump in my collarbone. I was 61 when diagnosed 

Hazel 

No, I didn’t either.  Know exactly what you mean about feeling a bit of a fraud.  I found a lump in my neck when applying moisturiser, notified my GP fully expecting to see someone eventually….but was hauled in the same day and the rest, as they say, is history.  Tests, scans and biopsy revealed the primary at the back of my tongue. They got it really early thanks to my GP being on the ball.  It was surgically removed along with a raft of lymph nodes, only one of which was cancerous and lack of sufficient margin on removal led to radiotherapy.  Up to and including the surgery I felt fine.  Radiotherapy was a different animal. Wasn’t a walk in the park, but, hey ho, got through it and things continue to improve.  All the best for your treatment.

Liz