Hi again we are busy!
My neck lump was a secondary tumour and they didn't know where the primary was. I ended up having a PET scan which showed primary cancer on my tonsil.
The scan was an all over body one but more intense in the above shoulder area as that was where they were expecting too find something.
It was odd being radioactive for the day!
By the way I passed the last part of my driving exam today- so now I am an official driving instructor! I must be mad!.
I decided to do it after I realised I would'nt be able to do my old job (swimming coach). Having no saliva, a weak voice and limited movement in neck and shoulder/arm- it's a bit tricky!
So, new career! Watch out for my roof sign- DRIVEWITHANNE.
Wish I could celebrate with some champagne- I'm sure I can find something that my mouth will accept.
Keep Smiling!
Anne

Well done Anne that's fantastic!
It's great the way we learn to adjust as humans and find our way round things.
it's a shame about the champagne. I dont "do wine" either. But this week i've found i can tolerate beer the bubbles hurt my soft palette unti now. Hmm i wonder if that means i can manage cherry coke now
I also added a little Baily's to my chocolate shake Mmmmm

My lymph gland was a secondary also. A woman who lives in my town was also diagnosed with the same cancer as me - she's 33. Her primary was unknown until they eventually discovered a tumour the size of an adenoid in her nasopharynx. But she had more nodes involved - i think 3. My tumour was so large it came from my nasopharynx right down my left nostril. Yet i just had 1 node effected. This was because mine was of the faster growing, undifferentiated kind.
Congratulations again Anne!
Michelle

Congratulations on passing your tests Anne,

Try a Magners, at the moment that is the only thing I can drink apart from Water. I think it is because it doesn't have the acidity of most ciders.

Hi Angie and Chelle,
That's right Chelle. They can tell from the proximity of the the cancerous lymphs the region of the primary. Secondary cancer cells are different to primary ones so they could discount the cancerous tonsil as a primary. During my biopsy ( 2hrs) and radical neck dissection ( 5 hrs) they had a good look around my tongue , throat and sinuses.
I am convinced that my so called primary has gone.
And believe you me I really did need some convincing!!!
I had a big scare last september when my lymph glands on the left side of neck began to ache painfully - I was distraught.The consultant sent me for a CT/PET scan. This would show signs of cancer activity anywhere in the body. It was all clear and that gave me the springboard to really move on.

My saliva is poor-taste is nearly all there -I can't eat anything remotely hot and spicy tho'. I have aches and pains in my neck and shoulder from the surgery. But everything is a great leap forward from 2 and a half years ago.
I am going to the gym regularly now and that has incresed my strength and flexibility of the right shoulder/neck.
I can put up with side effects - no problem.
I just couldn't cope with the cancer diagnosis.
I do hope I have been of some help.
Best wishes - cheers Tony K

Hi Tony,
I think we know our bodies well.
I "felt" that my cancer had gone by my 3rd cycle of chemo.I just knew it was gone. I text my mum from hospital saying so. & then a scan proved that there were no signs of the cancer.
I too had problems with my shoulder/neck muscles. But working has helped with some of the stiffness. & i had some deep massages too which really helped alot. My masseur said it was like knocking on wood they were that tight.
I think it's great you're working out and everything. I was saying to a customer today that there ARE some of us that can come out the other side of this, damaged, but still kicking!
All the best,
Michelle

Howdy all,

Chell that is amazing, When Bill had his first scan, they only did it down to the waist and when we saw the consultant afterwards when she confirmed my suspicions that it was the big C, I was very concerned that it may have spread to his stomach because he had recently suffered from some tummy problems which was very rare for him. I wondered when we saw our first consultant how come she was so sure it all above the shoulders. But… you know, come to think of it, they have never felt anywhere else.

Bill is so much better. The up side of not being able to taste is: I have not long since cooked dinner. For pud Bill was having ice cream with chocolate sauce, I put the ice cream out and asked Emma (my daughter) to pour on the hot chocolate sauce which was in the microwave, then take it to her Dad. I have just collected his plate and thought the remains of the sauce looked at bit odd. When I got downstairs I realised the chocolate sauce was the gravy Michael (son in law) had warmed up for his second helping! Bill hadn’t noticed.

Goodness Anne, that much have been one hell of a shock for you and your family. How on earth did you cope with the kids and all?

Congratulations on passing your exam. Does that mean we have to be careful if we see the Drive with Anne sign lol! I will have a glass for you!

That brilliant Tony I’ll have a glass for you as well.

Chell, why are your shoulders sore if you didn’t have surgery?

Must go and get something done.

Nigh Night everyone

Angie

Angie, just got back from celebration (glass of white wine diluted with copious amounts of water). Husband has just got job after 10 months out of work. So double celebration! What a year!.
Kids dealt with news as only kids can. Had loads of advice from my team at hopspital on how to tell teenagers and how they will behave after the news.
MY eldest is at university so he dashed back and failed his exams but managed to get retakes which he passed. Middle son was in the middle of his gcse's when I was in hospital but managed very well and now doing as level. Youngest daughter had to go into hospital at the same time as me for little op for her teeth.
So not a good time to be ill!. We all coped and we are all stronger for the experience. They say every cloud has a silver lining- well, if I hadn't had to sell my business due to ill health,then we wouldn't have survived the last few months financially with husband out of work.
So, keep on truckin'!
Anne

*rofl* Mmmm gravey & ice cream!
My shoulders are frozen from the R/T Angie. It's made the muscles very tight and fiborous. It was described to me like when you cook beef and it goes all tough - that was in effect what happenedn to my muscles.

#Anne the silver lining effect i agree with.
My biological father & i weren't very close at all. I'd see him like 4 times a year. But from the day i was diagnosed i spoke to him every few days. I even stayed with him a month to conveless & still speak to him regularily.
It's a shame it took something like this for him to step up. But hey ho at least we're there now!

Night all! Day off tomorrow & i'm DETERMINED to sleep in... Or at least sleep past 8 o'clock!