Malignant saliva gland tumour

Hi Cocoz - welcome to a good place , I’m Nige. Your mind is no doubt is all over the place, absolutely natural. 
You will find that this is the place where you will gind so much support and help from lovely folks who understand what you are going through and will be here to support you in every way - difficult as though it may be now, but there is help - for your financial side, do think about talking to macmillon, they have amazing folk who will help you , talk to them.

Here over the coming hours and days, you will see and understand more about the help and support from like minded. Opening up helps, keeping it bottled up will be tough and the mind can take you to some dark places - you are not alone!

Anything you’d like to ask, please do, will answer anything I can and others will too.

Sending you strength and hugs  

Nige

Hiya Cozoz.

I had similar issues,  diagnosed with suspected parotid gland cancer age 54, and the waiting between biopsy and scans to confirm was the worst part. Once known and surgery planned then it was easier to get my head around it all. Surgery was excepted to find out what's really going on inside.  They found 3.5cm lump plus 1 cm lump so cut salivary gland, parotid gland,  lymph node and muscle to capture all infected areas.  Salivary gland carcinoma was results from samples removed. 

Now starting radiotherapy 5 days a week for 6 weeks , in my second week. To be honest my outlook on life is enjoy it, have a sense of humour and be grateful they found it. 

Dont Google shit...it out dated and life excepted is better than what's on the advice..worried about work is a burden you don't need,  seek advice and talk to your bosses.  

Radiotherapy sessions i look forward to as it means each one is nearer the end, i even fell asleep in it so relaxing. 

If you need anything just post on here somewhere someone going through the same process as you. Keep strong and fight it. 

Thank you for your comments and advice.  The thing is with my work it’s my own business so got to keep on working or no income! 

Yes google.com is terrifying!  Convinced myself I’m terminal.  Worried won’t be able to have many years left with my husband and son.  Taken it for granted would live until an old age and retire somewhere hot and sunny ! I have spent too  many years of my life being too busy with work and getting stressed and now this.   Things have to change now but feel missed out on life - always busy busy busy. 

Just need to know the staging and treatment plan and get surgery out of the way. The waiting is overwhelming.  Can’t sleep or eat. 

Finding it hard to be strong as still in a daze about the C word. 

I hope all goes well with your radiotherapy and that you recover quickly. 

Hi Cocoz  

You haven't missed out on anything,  you did it your way.. I focused on work for years but the greatest thing now is now. You will be stressed you're human and had a shock. I cried in private at the start, thought like you end of the road mind set. But then clarity..fight it , get fit and live your life.  The money side you have to get support but it shouldn't add to your situation as you'll need to concentrate on yourself during this time. 

Thank you. 

Hi welcome from me. The waiting’s the worst sort for sll

of us. Our minds can go to dark places. It’s human nature. Try to keep off dr google the info is mostly out dated. You’ve found us so stick with us in here. Head and neck cancers have an excellent cure rate remember that. 
im 7 years post treatment living a good life and yes spend 5 months in a year living in Spain just to give you hope. 

work I know people who have worked in between treatment.  It does depend on what you do and how flexible you can be. 
take someone with you whenever you can to appointments another pair of ears always helps. 

there’s a good life to be had after cancer it’s not the death sentence it used to be. 

hugs 

Hazel xx

I was treated with chemoradiotherapy for tonsil cancer over 2 years ago, cancer is a terrifying diagnosis and the treatment/recovery can be difficult, but it does not last forever, life will return to what many call a new normal which is not at all bad, without the treatment life would be a lot more challenging.

Googling is not a good idea for us as most of the info is irrelevant and out of date, stick to forums such as this one.

My GP gave me a fortnights supply of sleeping pills when I was first diagnosed, they helped.

As I have stated things do get better, we are just back from Greece, not our first holiday in the sun since treatment finished.

Thank you for your supportive words.  It really helps. 

Thank you.