Hello everyone, my name is Derek Law, I`m aged 46 and use the user name of `kreedawl` [anagram of Derek Law].
Just got back back from latest appointment with the hospital, been told that i am now under the `control` of the main hospital in Belfast (The Royal) previously all biopsies etc have been done locally at the area hospital or hospitals close by (my location being Antrim [Northern Ireland]) having recently being diagagnoised I have now to wait until monday (my next appointment) to see what wonders await me regards treatment.

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

Hi Derek

Welcome, welcome! I hope you find what you need at this site.

Did the doctors tell you what type or stage you have? Any indication of how they plan to treat it? The folks here have had treatments that were all over the board, ranging from surgery to rt to chemo to various combinations, so someone should be able to answer your questions.

I won't tell you not to be frightened--cancer is scary and anyone who says otherwise is selling something.

Let us know what happens on Monday.

You're not alone in this.

Julia

Thanks Julia,
I have not been informed what stage i`m at, Just that the biopsies confirmed i had cancer of tongue and that the ENT dept where now handing my treatment over to ` The Royal` Hospital Belfast, i guess they will explain things more clearly when i see them on Monday. The only other appointment i have is for a CT Scan of the chest/neck/abdomem/bowel set for the 15th Jan.
My main fear is that i don`t end up like my father who died of tongue cancer in 1985 after some very disfiguring surgery and going senile

hi derek
well you have found the right place for support and information and believe me you will find this site invaluable.it is frightening i remember how frightened i was when i was diagnosed maybe i am thick but cancer never crossed my mind so it was a total shock when i got the results of the biopsy.when i found out from the team how they were planning to deal with it(in my case chemo and radiotherapy)i just went with the flow as there was nothing else but to get on with it.they gave me different scans like c.t bone and mri scans and they showed that base tongue cancer was the primary and it was no where else that was a bonus.so that is what i wish for you.when you get more information and treatment starts you will cope with it much easier hopefully.please keep us informed of your progress and remember we will all be rooting for you and any questions fire away,we have all been there.good luck kindest regards shirl xxx

Hi Derek

Check your PM's. Sorry the message is so long.

Julia

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

hi,derick i know how you feel scared,alone and confused,thats how i felt even with family all around, the word cancer frightened me ontil it was explained it did,nt always mean death. i did,nt want to know to much about the ins and outs of it but i did keep telling myself i was getting better i wasnt in a position to access this forum unfortunatly, right from the begining derick i told doctors and everyone i was in contact with exactly how i felt it helps them to under stand you,all the best for now jimmy.

Hi Derek, I'm the same as Jimmy really. I didn't want to know the ins and outs of it all. I found that just knowing the basics and knowing it wasn't going to beat me was enough to get by.
I didn't have access to the forum which was a shame but I did learn from very early on that sometimes, as far as drs go, you really have to shout to be heard. If you dont think you're getting enough support, info, whatever, then keep on hassling them until you do. All the best, Hagg.

Which part of the tongue? base of the tongue? My dad was stage IV and his great doctors now of him NED = No Evidence of Disease. This forum is an amazing resource, glad you found it. Keep us updated!

Hi Derek

We haven't heard from you in a while--hope you're all right.

Please let us know what's going on.