Hello - I hope someone here can offer some advice.
After 8 months and 3 visits to a consultant I finally had an MRI scan a couple of weeks ago and the consultant phoned me from his holiday in Spain (worrying) to tell me that I had 'abnormal tissue' on my tonsil and I needed to have it removed. He wanted me to have it done next week, but I can't make that so it's a week on Monday. Does this mean I've definately got cancer? I've been scouring the internet since Christmas looking for information and my single enlarged tonsil seemed a posibility for cancer but the consultant kept saying I was too well and it was probably an infection.
I am a single mum to a little girl with special needs (and two grown up boys) and run a busy business. I've never smoked, drank and always enjoyed very good health. I feel fine except for my permanent slightly sore throat and the feeling that there's something not right about it. Also I sometimes get shooting pains up into my ear. When I first thought I had cancer in January I was paralised with fear and kept imagining all sorts of horrible scenarios, but I have sort of got used to the idea and am more concerned with the practicalities of how I will manage.
Sorry this is so long.
Thanks
Vicky

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

Hello Vickyh

If you haven't had a biopsy, the term 'abnormal tissue' merely means the x-ray appearance is different. This difference could be caused by inflammation or scar tissue (from past infections) related to the enlarged tonsil. So, don't read what your consultant said as a diagnosis of cancer!

The shooting pains are often muscle spasms related to subconscious clenching activity, so check to see that you aren't clenching.

Hope that helps. Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Dr Vinod
Thank you for your reassurance. Whatever my diagnosis, I have already found reading through some posts quite uplifting.
Best Wishes
Vicky

I had very bad tonsilitis prior to a cancerous tonsil and lymph node involvement (and subsequent neck dissection).
I think that if your tonsil is cancerous you would have had "other signs" by now. The biopsy will put you in the clear and give you much peace of mind. Good luck - but I don't think you need it.
But I do know those stressful feelings while waiting for results etc! And they are not nice!

cheers tony k

I had my tonsillectomy yesterday eve. I'm back home now with a carrier bag of pain killers. My consultant wouldn't be drawn on what he thought the matter was, just made me an appointment for next week, when he hoped to have results! One thing I'm worried about though is my health insurance. I am an extremely broke person who works very hard but relies on Tax Credits, and I happen to have health insurance. I was alarmed to discover that I would be billed for my painkillers! If it turns out I do have cancer, I definately won't be able to afford to pay for medication, is there any way round that? To have private medical care but nhs medication? I have an exemption certificate for presciptions. I know I'm jumping the gun but this has become a disproportionate worry since I found out this morning.... maybe due to drugs!
Thanks
Vicky

Hi Vicky,
Don't worry - forget about the private health care . Just use the NHS. That's what it's there for.
Should anything be untoward show in your biopsy I am sure that the consultant will act quickly.
I sympathise with your tonsilectomy. Swallowing will be very unconfortable for a few days.
good luck girl.

Tony K

Hi Vicky

At least you have the NHS. I was uninsured when I was diagnosed, and before I even had surgery the hospital was calling me, hounding me for payment arrangements. (Thank goodness for the charity care office and a tremendously understanding doctor.) I was even denied assistance when I applied for emergency medical coverage; "screwed" is a pretty succinct way to describe how I felt.

Right now, just concentrate on recovering from your tonsillectomy. It won't be easy, but do try not to dwell overly much about the prospect of cancer. You might well be jumping the gun.

I'm hoping for the best for you.

Julia

Hi Vicky

Just to let you know I too had private health care and used it to jump the queue so to speak to get to see a specialist, from then on though I had all my treatment done on the NHS.

I have had nothing but the best of treatment from all concerned and have never had to pay for anything, over the last 9 months I have had enough drugs and kit issued to me to open a small hospital! there were times I was tempted to opt for the private room rather than the shared wards but never did.

The plus side of all this is that because I chose to stay with the NHS I became eligeable for a payment each time I did not use the private facility (check your policy, it may be called a 'cash option' or similar)

As I am now well on the road to recovery with the proceeds of my 'cash option' I have just booked a trip to the Maldives to take my partner and thank her for looking after me over the bad times but shhhhh don't tell anyone!

Best wishes and have got everything crossed for you.

Nick

Hello Vicky

Hope the you get good news next week. If you are a cancer patient, you should be getting all your prescriptions free. Also check out: Financial Help for Cancer Patients (U.K.)

Best wishes
Vinod

Hey All
Thanks for the advice. I'm sorry Julia, I forget how lucky we are here sometimes. Tony, you're right about the NHS and Nick, what a great idea with the cash payments, I don't know if my policy has that, but I'll check when the time comes.
I'm full of painkillers but still wide awake..sigh. Still, I managed a toasted cheese and pickle sandwich for supper - didn't feel a thing!
Night, and thanks for taking the trouble to reply. xxx

I got my results today..... Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. That's all I know right now. The consultant was very apologetic about not diagnosing it 8 months ago. He said he had been blinded by the fact that I didn't fit the profile. He said he was only human and humans make mistakes. I thanked him for his honestly and told him I thought it had been a conversation that we needed to have. I hope he has learned something from this. As for me, I'm not really surprised, but need to know alot more details. Obviously as a single mother of a special needs child my main question is will I be able to cope on my own? He was talking about radiation and peg tubes. To be honest, I know it's not his area of expertise and I thought it was a bit premature to be talking about tubes - what do you think? Should I move away from 'introductions' now and into another catagory? My family are taking it all very badly, I know they love me, but I've had to remind them (already) that I'm not dead yet!!
Thanks
Vicky

Hi Vicky

*hands over a membership card, a schedule of our parties and dances and the official 16 oz tea mug*

I am so sorry to read your news. This is going to sound very strange, but not fitting the profile seems to be the new profile. I'm in the same group; my doctor told me that I shouldn't have had tongue cancer but Lo! and Behold! I did.

I wish I were able to answer your inevitable question. Someone whose experience is more like yours will be should be along shortly.

Julia

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Julia,

Hi, Sorry to read your bad news, it brought back memories for me.
As soon as I was diagnosed and I am sure it would be the same for you, my treatment was discussed between the ENT department and the oncologists. Following this meeting you will get a much better idea of what treatment is planned for you. I was able to discuss my surgery with the ENT consultant but he was not really able to answer any of my questions about radiotherapy and Chemotherapy.

From the beginning I was introduced to a Macmillan nurse. I admit I did not use her services as much as I perhaps could have done, but she was there if I needed advice on anything from my treatment, to if there were any benefits I could claim. I had her phone number and email address and it really helped me to feel like I was not on my own and instead of me wondering who to contact I could just get in touch with her and she would advise me. I also met her twice a week whilst I was having my radiotherapy treatments.

If by now you have not heard from your consultant I would encourage you to get in touch with him to see if there is a Macmillan nurse you can talk to. He/She will be able to offer so much advice about your forthcoming treatment etc.

This site is also very useful, it is really encouraging and helpful to see people having relatively the same treatment and who have come through it. Good luck and please post to let us know how you are doing.

Hi Julia and gd
Thanks for your replies. Julia - do I get a badge??? and gd - my MacMillan nurse is away for the rest of August! Never mind! I think it'l be at least 2 weeks before I see the oncologist. AFter an 8 month wait what's another couple of weeks?
Vicky x

Hi Vicky
I was just being silly--I spend way too much time on "I Can Haz Cheesburger."