8 months ago today.....

Hi MarkEL Good Advice. I wasn't far behind you in treatment. I have/had  base of tongue cancer that spread to both lymph nodes and had 30 RT and 6 Chemo but could only do 4 as so ill. I finished my treatment on the 29 of January and it has been one hell of a trip since. I was looking at a long list of things that were wrong with me that I had to ask the nurse about. I am now addressing a blood pressure issue which is being dealt with. Stopped taking a load of medication and down to 4 tablets a day. So far I have no major symptoms and hope it stays that way. Throat isn't to bad and take difflam spray when needed. I am also starting to eat normal food and found quiche a good one. It really has been a blur and I hope life changing for the better. I am really glad I found this web site as I was a bit freaked out at first . All the Best Regards To All Min 

So glad you’re making progress Min. We’ve lived through one another’s treatment over the past few months, albeit with me a little way ahead of you. My throat where the tonsil was feels weird still, but there is no pain. I don’t know how long it’ll take to feel normal again, or whether this is it. However, like you I’m hoping this experience will change life for the better! 
Onwards and upwards eh? 

Hi Mark n Min 

Writing to  both of you. Just look how far you’ve come since those early dark days. It’s still early for both of you on 33 month post radiotherapy and still noticing improvements albeit smsll ones but all positive. 
Both of you are now helping others between us all we are a great team. 
onwards n upwards. 
Hazel xx

Mark have you lost your uvula? The dangly bit at the back of the throat. Many of us do. Not that it’s painful was just wondering I lost mine means I don’t snore anymore well ent consultant says I can hibby disagrees with him ! 
Hazel x

Thanks Hazel I think You and Dani and Chris were the first people I spoke to after I was told I had cancer over the phone lol. Its amazing how you can go from being in the pits to be able to function like half a person. The body is amazing the way it can heal itself over time. All The Best Regards Min 

MarkEL said:

Top tips? Have faith in your team, keep trying to do normal things, including exercise, as far as you can and use the guys in here for support.

Well done Mark and you yourself have done a damn good job hugging the newbies. Your Profile is brilliant and you're always here with a good word for all the poor guys starting the road.

Onwards and forwards .......there's a great life round the corner

No I don’t think so Hazel as I’m still snoring, although I think that might be mainly because my throat is still a little swollen and I’ve put some weight on. (I’m having to diet now after having got used to all that high calorie eating!)

update: I just got my wife to check and she says it’s still there. 

Yes, onwards and forwards as you say Dani!
It’s still early days for me and I know this first two years especially are going to be particularly anxious ones. However, I keep having to tell myself that my team are optimistic and that the prognosis is good. That said it doesn’t stop the nagging in the back of your mind every time you feel any change in your neck or throat. My excision site still feels ‘raw’, but not painful if that makes sense, and seems to change as each day progresses. Maybe I’ve just reached my new normal? I guess it’s still too early to tell. I see my oncologist in two weeks so I’ll update after that

Hi MarkEL I think it is normal for us to jump to conclusions with any sign of anything out of the norm. I woke up this morning with a roaring sore throat and used difflam spray to calm it down , got some xylocaine if it gets worse but havnt had any pain killers for a few weeks. I got my hair cut on friday and had a sore head on one side for no particular reason and really sensitive to touch , now eased of thankfully. I got rid of some notes I made to ask the doctors and it was one long list with about 8 problems I have which have now disappeared and been replaced by other problem lo. Just go with the flow and stop worrying it will get you nowhere like a rocking horse. All The Best Min 

“Just go with the flow and stop worrying it will get you nowhere like a rocking horse.”
Excellent