Hi everyone, I've not been on for a while.
I'm looking for some advice, for the last 3-4 weeks I have been having pains on the left side of my neck where I had my first neck dissection, the pains started every other day and were a dull ache.
Now the pains are there every day and are making me feel quite nauseus. I have had spasms which I am used to and know to expect these, but the nausea and the fact that the pain is there every day is worrying me.
I have an appointment on the 27th with my consultant (this is my 3 monthly check)I am reluctant to go sooner,in case I am wasting their precious time,it could just be scar tissue and i'll need to live with it. I have also noticed and so have others that I don't look well, this again could be the worry, and I am very tired.
I suppose I am just looking for someone who has had the same symptoms after a dissection then I can stop imagining the worst.

Tracey

Tracey,

Doug had his surgery in early 2005 and he almost always (practically daily)has pain on that side. He often tells me it feels like someone is choking him. Also, a few weeks ago he was convinced the cancer was back because he felt very dizzy, naseaus and tired. It turned out to be a bunch of different things but not the big "C". I will tell you what Heathrow Steve told me....try not to worry (hard I know) Check out my last posting called "scared and freaked out". And go to the doctor sooner if you want..it is their job and your piece of mind! Best to you!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Just back from seeing my oncologist and he has arranged for a ct scan. I am so relieved as I was going to ask him for one anyway!
He agrees that there is a lump that wasn't there before (so i'm not imagining it)he asked if I have noticed a feeling like electric shocks in my neck does anyone know why he would ask that? what does that mean I told him I have what I would call sharp stabbing pains but mainly an ache.
Also my speach therapist noticed my talking voice was quite hoarse, which it has been for a while but not sore, and yet not my singing voice, apart from the lower notes. So the vocal chords will be looked at on the scan aswell.

I have all these emotions now worried, scared, relieved. I'm pleased I'm having a scan and yet worried what they'll find (hopefully nothing)waiting on the phone call from the hospital, but they said I should have it done before the end of the week.

Tracey

Tracey,

I hope that you get your CT scan by the end of the week. In a similar situation the best they could do was three weeks away, or an ultrasound on the Friday, but that was after the only appointment they could giive me with the consultant. As I had already waited 2 weeks to see the consultant, we phoned up BUPA, and I had my scan on Monday, then saw the consultant on Friday. Luckily my scan was clear. I think I have had some swelling on both sides of my neck, and I can see that on my left side this has now gone down, and that makes the swelling on the right side, where I had the radiotherapy, much more noticeable.

I'm sure you're feeling really worried at the moment, I know I was a total mess whilst I was waiting for the scan, and then the results. I started to read between the lines, so that when my appointment time on the Friday was altered, I convinced myself that this was because they had already looked at the results, and wanted me in early so that they could book a biopsy. This was not the case, but I was completely paranoid by then.

I really hope that everything works out fine for you, and I'll be thinking of you this week.

Thanks Jenni
Hospital phoned and scan is set for Thursday afternoon. I don't feel well today but I think it is all the worry and lack of sleep.You can't stop your mind imagining all sorts even tho you try not to
Its still going to feel like a lifetime till I get the results, I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again
Tracey

Hi Tracey,

It's great that you've got the scan arranged so soon. Have you got another appointment already booked with the consultant? I hope everything goes well, and do try and get some rest.