Had My ENT follow-up for my ears yesrterday. Ears are all good.
But whilei was there i thought i'd mention that i'd had some blood mixed with my mucous lump and could sometimes taste blood when my throat is dry and i swallow. It feels like something streatching. Because my cancer was in the nasopharynx i'm dryed out up my nose and right at the back of my nose as well as my mouth and throat. I thought perhaps the tight scarred skin back there was weak and tearing when when it streatched.
So Mr.Kirkland thought it would be a good idea to have a look for me.
He found a blood clot, but couldn't tell what was behind it . I'm thinking that if it he thought the cancer had returned he would have biopsied it right?
He's reccommended i try this new nasal spray - Sterimar. Which will help flush it all away up there and give me relief from the dryness. Also he said when i'm at the cancer centre in 3 weeks they will be able to see what's behind the clot because it would have been flushed away.
If the Sterimar is any good i'll let you know. & now i just hope it isn't back!
I know we all have our scares. I'm just hoping this is no big deal?!

Oh bugger Michelle but yes you would think if there was any cause for concern he would get a biopsy done. Three weeks is a long time to wait, could you not ring and tell him how worried you are (and your friend Angie is too), and could he not do anything sooner? I know how you are with the hospital thing but three weeks is too long.

Hello Chelle, Have been catching up with your previous posts.Your journey post treatment has been very similar to my husbands in a lot of ways although actual NPC sites are different .Paul will be 2 years post radiotherapy this December as I think I mentioned .Hope this may be of help and although I am not an oncologist I can tell you what happened with my husband .As regards peripheral neuropahy this is now all gone .Pauls hearing was extremely bad and was monitored .This too has improved greatly and his hearing is now fine but has occasions when if someone is speaking very very quietly has to ask them to speak up .Bearing in mind he is 59 this is acceptable .
Like you Paul had some bleeding from mucous production balls at back of throat with bleeding he could taste it also and felt as if it was running down back of throat which gave us a fright also .The clinic looked at this closely and said it was just damaged scar tissue from RT and badly stuck mucous which was coming away on its own and as he was now eating, was helping dislodge it.They said it was nothing to worry about .( This was last year)He was just told to go back on the Bicarbonate plus 1 teaspoon of salt mixture and gargle .Also he had to nasal douche with this twice a day .They gave Paul a funny syringe thing to put up his nose with mixture in to clear out these nasty crusty blobs which were stuck in the cavities at back of nose and throat .( we didnt get the spray you were talking about )
Tha last scare we had was when we atteneded clicic for camera and the last 4 camera scopes he has a lot of bleeding for a day or two down the opposite side of nose from where tumour side was.Enough to frighten but not need visit to hospital .The reason for this they said is because the healthy tissue on that side was also treated with the RT .Unfortunately this side of nasal cavity is badly scarred after treatment and when camera goes up the space that is there is now very small ,near non existant because it is now filled with strictures which start to bleed after camera .We have been told this is normal and not a worry .In time there is an operation to remove them and give him the normal nasal space for breathing back on that side.The operation is not the easiest in the sense they remove the strictures then place a plastic splint up there till it heals .So at the moment until he feels it is really unbearable and would really like to have it done it is on the back burner .Paul also has been left with a runny eye on stricture side but this agin has impoved.
I hope this has maybe helped to make you feel a little less worried .
All said and done Chelle the best thing for you to do if you cannot wait till next clinic visit is to phone your liason nurse from clinic and tell her you wish to have your appointment brought forward .This is what we did as we were panicking also and the result was residual problem from RT and nothing to worry about ,

His throat area has stopped building up this problem now and it is just his nose after camera scope .So,as times goes on Chelle things will improve . Paul's main problem now is his restircted breathing on stricture side.Also lots of sticky mucous in morning ,again this is considerably better than what it was .At night Paul uses a gunky stuff similar to vaselene(but NOT) and puts a little up each nostril with a cotton bud ,This helps loosen the dried mucous secretions when he is sleeping as all the passages are bone dry like his mouth,I can let you know what this is if you like ,was recommended by oncologist and can be purchased over counter in chemist lasts for ages ,will get back to you with the name .
You are so young Chelle and have done so well through treatment I am very proud of you and have never even met you .I have never experienced a treatment like this ,Although i was just my husbands wife and carer I was really horrified with it all ,watching the pain and reality of it all .I am positive with you being younger you will heal more quickly and do well Chelle.Already Chelle you are picking up and gaining your strength ,getting back out there and claimimg your life back ,well done .Paul is now back on the golf course !!.
Unfortunately the hospital team can not prepare you for what to expect in recovery as everyone is different .This is why this forum is so magical as it gives people a place to confer and help others to feel less isolated in regards of things to try in order to find helpful solutions .Even to just talk and make the soul feel better .
Look forward to your posts Chelle .If there is anything else you woud like to ask us please let us know .
Don't worry Chelle I am sure all is well .

Bell x

Hi Chelle

Fingers and toes crossed for you.

We all know what you mean by "scares" (If I have good look in my mouth I think s**t is that a new lump or bump).

Bell's posting is really helpful, so hopefully your's will be the same just a blood clot and nothing sinister.


Stay positive.


Regards

Tony @ Kathy

Thanks guys!

Bell,
Thank you for taking time to reply, your words have reassured me no end!
I know there isn't too much point getting worked up because after all - what can i do about it? It is what it is!
The fact that Paul is a year on and has experienced almost all the things i have helps so much! I don't know what to expect or what is the norm. Considering i was last scoped by the oncologist just a month and a half ago surely something would have been picked up then if it was back?
My nasopharynx does have one or two spots of tight scar tissue so i expect its just one of those thats torn a little. You'd normally have saliva and mucous to flush it away naturally but i guess as i don't it stays there until something dislodges it!
& to top it off i seem to have gotten a grotty cold.
& it couldn't BE anymore inconvenient cuz i'm working so hard to set up my dog grooming business in the next 2 months!
Hmm... perhaps i'm over doing it a bit?
Working full time and astablishing a new business.
But i just want it sooo bad and i don't want yet another set back!
Anyway, now i'm whining!

Bell thankyou again!
& Ange & Tony,
Thankyou for the encouragment!
Night All!

Whining !! NO ,NO.This is not word that fits the discussion boards on this forum by any manner of means in my book.I did a fair bit of this on Paul's behalf in the early clinic visits as he was a poor traumatised shell of person unable to speak and hardly able to walk .I was scared for him and felt I was not getting enough information on what to expet side effect wise after treatment.
The oncologist told ne "nicely" that each person would have different problems and to remember that all the complications ensuing would be managabale !Most of them subsiding given time ,excluding the poor saliva production.he also said it would take 2 years post treatment for energy levels and fitness to return .

So if you are overdoing things Chelle you may tend to feel a little run down .However motivation and dreams to unfold for you are paramount and I wish you well in your new venture ,best medication out for everyone in life .When there are no goals to reach I feel a person can be less motivated in enjoying the good times in life.

Nurse that cold girl with the usual care and attention finishing with a nice soothing drink and early beds!! ,it will soon shift ,check with doctor as the irritating extra mucous secretions will be a major bind .

Good luck with the dog Grooming business,wish you were nearer us as we have a very old black boxer who is in dire need of a wash and blow dry including manicure,Lol
Bell & Paul

Dear Michelle,
Dont even think anything is wrong and it is not. You are one of them people who really helped me out of depression - so that means you are tough (as Nails). To a large extent I do not even think about Cancer as it came,saw ,conquered and left with its massive side effects. There is nothing more in my life that hit rock bottom then this. This makes me think and the moment I think( I do think once in a while!!)as to how far my dear friend Cancer and I have gone - anything is possible.

Lots and lots of love,
Ananth

What Bell says sounds reasusring and in her second post, she makes good sense. Try not to overdo things.

Hi Chelle, long time no speak! So sorry to hear of your problem- Bell's words have reassured me that there is nothing to worry about. Just another side effect of our treatment. (I wish they would hurry up and go away!) Like you, am now in the throes of "drivewithanne" and very busy-and stressed! These learners are hard work!
Definately a good thing to keep busy but still we need "me time"- make sure you get it,
Best wishes and keep smiling Anne

Chelle-Dont you dare even think about it!!!!

Thak you guys!
You all mean so much!
Bell,
It sounds like Paul and i have experienced all the same nightmare! Almost like a mirror. It's comforting that someone has been there and done that though why the human body is so flawed and invunerable is beyond me!! I wouldn't wish this on anyone!

The cold is a nightmare! I was thinking, this is probably the first cold i've had in about a year! It's horrible, cuz my nose gets blocked in the night from the snottyness i then have to breathe through my mouth and that gets even dryer than usual!
On the other hand, Amir is loving my deep husky voice!

Ananth,
I may be tough but don't always follow nmy own advice!

Anne,
It's great to hear that your new business is flourishing! I'm proud of you lady!

& Liz,
That's me told!

Thanks guys!
x

Hi Michelle

sorry to hear you have been out of sorts and we have not been there to support you but we back now

your a very strong woman look how far you come and the help and support you have provided to everyone

we have certainly missed your posts

Regards
Dave and Sue

Hey you two,
Good to see you back!

Michelle

Hi Michelle

I'm sure everything will be just fine. Keeping you in my thoughts.

Love Mum x

sending you a big hug chelle love bevxx