Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Hi Hanna and welcome 

HannaB said:

like my life is on hold. 

Yes, that’s what I felt and it’s true. Whike you are in treatment and shortly after that is exactly it. There’s no other option but to take it day by day. Lean on your support and push through 

Six months from now you will be in a good place. 
I was 68 when I finished my treatment of six weeks RT. 
Six years later I’m still here, fit, well and with only mouth dryness as a reminder. 
Stay with us. There’s always somebody here to talk to. 

Hi Hanna

I am 13 months out of chemo radiotherapy and generally feel well.  It is a tough gig as you recognise, but you will find us helpful and friendly on here. 

Hold onto the fact that this cancer responds really well to treatment and by trading a year of your life to treatment and recovery you will gain many more years of good quality life.

The best advice is to ask questions on here.  We all respond differently to the treatment so somebody will have experienced what you are and have some advice as to how to deal with it. 

Don't be stubborn!  When you need heavyweight painkillers or to use your rig to feed - do so.  We are all heros to get through this, but we don't want to make it more difficult than it needs to be.  Taking care of yourself really does aid recovery.

Keep doing what your are doing right now.  It sounds like you have a good grasp of what you need to do. 

Stay with us, we have your back! 

Thank you for your reply. I feel so alone even though I have tens of people that want to help. It's such an isolating and gruelling experience, I just want it to be over with. I have been so positive up to now but reality has hit and I'm an emotional wreck. 

Thanks Peter. It's great to know there are people that can relate to what I'm going through. 

Hi Hanna welcome from me. Yes many if us get our life was on hold or even over. But as many if us in here can testify there’s a fab life to be had afterwards. I’m 68 now was 61 when diagnosed and am living a great life. I’m I’ve in Spain and tomorrow planning a 60 km bike ride. All you can do is take it one day at a time remember HPV driven tumours respond very well,to treatment

Don’t be in pain the clue to getting through treatment and recovery is adequate pain medication dont try to tough it out  

. I’m a glass half full girl but even I through treatment had my moments at 0300 in the morning sat in kitchen floor crying. But it was big girl  knickers on that morning and face the mask and radiotherapy a few hours later. We’re all here for you theres usually someone around. Recovery can be a challenge but again one day at a time you are a fair bit younger than most of us thats will help you  week 8;of recovery  I flew to Spain  and yes I rode my bike only 22 km but I got on it and did it .

Any questions just ask 

hugs Hazel x

Hi Hanna. My husband was diagnosed with stage 1 ororpharynx cancer. Hpv 16 pos.  It’s a challenging treatment o won’t lie. Do what the drs tell you as far as appropriate dental and oral hygiene.  You may lose your sense of taste - just eat what you can. Esp high calorie protein drinks.  You will get through.  My husband is having his post treatment scan on 4/2. Everyone says this is a high cure rate so stay positive. I know it’s hard. I’m the biggest worrier you will ever meet so I understand your feelings.  God bless. 

Im the same, i feel like any positive thoughts have gone, cant see me living a normal life again 

Hi You will I was 61 when diagnosed now 68. Just retuned from a 60 km bike ride and eaten a roast chicken Sunday lunch with all the trimmings. Treatment can take a year out if your life but it’s worth it for the extra years it can give you. It’s not easy but if I can do it anyone can. I’m left with dry mouth at night and no tolerance to spicy food plus slight fibrosis on my  neck but all manageable. Doesn’t stop me living as before. 

hugs Hazel xx