Fear, dread undergoing investigations.

Hi Whoopsie

So glad you decided to post Welcome to this friendly group .

Its totally normal at this point to feel fear and anxiety . Remember most peoples issues are not Head and Neck Cancer but we all go through the same process and feel overwhelmed with what may lie ahead.

Its so easy to say and very hard to do but try to keep yourself busy doing anything you enjoy walking in the fresh air exercising seeing friends/family.I found watching everything and anything on Tv/Netflix helped calm my brain after a while.

Please stay away from the temptation of searching on Google it really isn’t helpful . The people in this group are always willing to share their own experiences and knowledge .

Hoping for a good result with your MRI

Debbie

Hi Whoopsie, a warm welcome from me. 

The waiting sucks, but once past the diagnostics and you have some certainty as to what is going on it does get easier.

I think you will be amazed at how your family bonds together to support you through this.  Often I fell that family have the worst time when we have cancer.  We are, to a certain extent, in control of what is happening and how we feel. They, on the other hand, will try their best to help you, but never be able to fully comprehend what you are going through - and that makes it really difficult for them.  Be kind to yourself and them and be honest with how you feel.

Hi Whoopsie, 

Welcome to our friendly group. Thank you for sharing your story. 
waiting for scans and results can be for most extremely difficult and completely understandable as we feel out of control. As Debbie suggested, doing what you enjoy will help ease your mind and be a good distraction. 

We all felt overwhelmed initially and it’s completely normal to feel that way. To be honest, bravery has never come into it, we weren’t given a choice and just had to carry on regardless. 

The majority of issues often turn out to be harmless.

This cancer is very often successfully treated with an aim for cure especially when HPV driven. 

Wishing you all the very best with your results. Please stay with us and reach out anytime. Sending you hugs xx

Hi fear if the unknown is normal. There’s very little we can do to speed up the  waiting. I coped by watching trashy box sets but I also had moments of sitting in kitchen floor at  0300 crying and wondering what next. I cried thinking I wouldn’t live to see our grandson go to High  school and lots of other things. I’m still here and James has started his 3 rd year at high school. We’ve welcomed numerous babies into our family circle had lots of holidays. Head and neck cancers do have a high cure rate try to remember that if you are unlucky enough to join us. None of us are brave we just got on with it one day at a time.  
hugs Hazel x

Thank you Debbie, I'm trying very hard not to Google stuff and took myself off for a walk in the lovely sunshine today. 

• Thank you for replying to my post. I'm being honest with my family about the process and tests I'm having but feel like if I let on how scared I am it'll make it harder for them. I do have close friends though who I'm able to fully express my fears to.

Thank you for your very reassuring reply. I didn't know about HPV causing oral cancer until I came across this site. I'm going through waves of feeling optimistic and then terribly pessimistic. I'm guessing this is something that you all went through on your journeys too. 

Thank you Hazel, your journey gives me hope if it does turn out to be my worst fear. It certainly helps to hear that there can be light at the end of the tunnel. I really really appreciate you all taking the time to reply to me.

Hello! I deal with particle similar symptoms, waiting for appointment now. My coping strategy is to sleep a lot and play simple mobile games with crystals/candies. I hope you won't get any bad news and everything outcomes benigh!

Hello Whoopsie

I'm so sorry you're going through such a horrible anxious time. The waiting and not knowing is the worst I think. We all dread the word "cancer" as if it was a death sentence but these days it really isn't, as I discovered.  I do hope your scans come back clear, but if not there's so much support on this forum - it was a godsend for me.

Let us know how you get on

Good luck

Catriona