Hi all

I have to admit I have been lurking around the forums of this wonderful website for the last couple of months. My 28 son was diagnosed at the end of May. Has been seen by Professor T Brennan and Dr Boote at Queen Alexandra hospital Portsmouth. Thankfully they have a specialist Head & Neck Centre. Started with a lump in neck which after cat scans, blood tests, ultrasound all the usual the team seemed convinced it was a branchial cyst. Went in to have the removal of branchial cyst. One week later we was told it was cancer and it was where the cancer had ended. Next week back in for tonsillectomy, and soft tissue samples, next week a small tumour was found inside the tonsil which we was told had fired a seed which had planted itself in his neck. All other soft tissue was clear. so started the treatment 3 one week stays in hospital for chemo through drip combination chemo followed by 33 days R/T with 2 top ups of chemo . My son has remained positive throughout.An inspiration. after 2nd chemo top up the dreaded ulcers covered his mouth he has been determined to carry on eating and not have the peg. He only has two more R/T to go skin is starting to blister and peel takes about an hour to eat breakfast an hour 30 mins for other meals but he is still eating in spite of pain and things tasting disgusting. Without knowing it you have all been such a support to me which is why I decided to join properly. Husband and I have booked for the walk. I have tried to stay strong for the sake of my son and the rest of the family if I could have taken the cancer out of him and put it in me I would have willingly done so. Looking forward to getting to know you all better

bless you all
Mum

Hi Mum,
Welcome to the site & so sorry for the reasons you had to join in the first place!
It seems they found your sons cancer in time, and we can all sympathise with what he's going through now.
Good to read he's baring up without a PEG. For me it wasn't a choice i could make as i lost my saliva from day 1 of R/T & my ulcers were so raw that i could barely even drink water!
I'm sure you have been a rock to your boy, as my mum was to me when i was diagnosed last year at 22 years old.
How has he managed as far as working is concerned?
If we can help with moral support and advice feel free to speak up! We'll all help in anyway we can.
All the best to you all.
Michelle

Thanks michelle

I always read your posts. my son's firm has been very good and allowed him to take time off throughout his treatment and until he is able to return. He just can't wait to get back to a normal life as I am sure you all can't.

Hello Mum

I saw two patients of mine today. One a grandmother who was 88 and slowly losing it - she had her mouth cancer in 1984! The other a grandfather who had his mouth cancer 10 years ago and is fine. So there are survivors. It is very important to stay positive and do one's best despite the difficulties of the treatment and after. Not an easy road as you will have gathered but we are all here to help where we can. Give my regards to your son.

Best wishes
Vinod

Normal?
What's that?!
He will get there eventualy. Even when you think there's no way out, the next week things are just that little bit better.
The frustrating bit comes after treatment when it all just stops. & you think you should be better by now & you can't see the wood through the trees. But you should just remind him that it will get better!

Having an understanding employer takes the preassure off.

Keep us updated!
Michelle

Hi Mum (how lovely to be able to write that after a couple of years without my own)
Bravo to you and your son. My eldest son had cancer when he was 17 so I know the horrors of seeing one of your babies suffer from this horrid disease. I appreciate the helplessness you feel and also the pride in seeing them cope with the nightmares they face.
Good luck to you all for continued progress. Look forward to reading more of your posts.
Cheers
Deborah

Hi there,
Just wanted to say hello. It sounds like your son is almost there and there is light at the end of the tunnel. He also sounds a real fighter and positive thinker, which is so important. I was diagnosed with tongue cancer exactly a year ago (aged 26) and had surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. The treatment ended 8 months ago and I am back at work full time, feeling full of energy and although some bits of me physically are not the same as before, I can definitely assure you that there is life after cancer! Keep encouraging him and you will all get there as a family.

Hi Mum,
good on your son, what a a wonderful postive attitude to have, things will get better for him, and i know being a son of a mother (Who also is suffering with the Cancer but winning her battle) that the family support one recieves is the best medicine in the world above all else even if it may not appear at times. So good luck to you and your family.

Hi Mum,
The coincidence of the causes and the treatment are the same as mine and I can appreciate what you son is going through so I feel he is very brave and strong and will no doubt come out of it with all his facalties together, Good luck to your son and wish him the best from us down under.