New here, was diagnosed Friday (2 days ago) not sure how to contact anyone on here? Hope this works.

Hello Margaret,
I haven't been diagnosed yet but am waiting to see an ENT surgeon on Tuesday. I've found the forum really helpful so far and it's a good place to get things off you chest or to share experiences with other people or to ask any questions.

You must have a million thoughts going through your head at the moment but try to take one day at a time.

Best Wishes,

David.

Hi Margret
Welcome to the most supportive, friendly, informative site you're likely to find anywhere. I'm sorry you have had to come looking for us but rest assured you will be buoyed along on your journey by those who have travelled the road before you and know exactly where you are coming from when you express fears, want answers to questions that may seem 'silly' to those who haven't 'been there, done that'.
We're all here for you.
You are in the 'dangling' stage right now. A time when everything seems surreal and must be happening to someone else. You have to try to digest the news you've been given while you seem to have interminable waits for the next news or procedure. This is all 'normal'.
Keep us posted.
Cheers from Down Under
Deborah

Thanks for answering me David.
Found your reply under find, new since last log on.

Still trying to get round this site.

Saw the consultant 2 days ago (29 Jan 2010) must have been in shock other than knowing that it is to be straight to surgery within the next few meeks (not sure if this is 1 week, 2 weeks or more) and that my first appointment with the speech therapist is Tuesday this week not much else has sunk in, oh and it's the voice box, larynx.

I had the flu (so we thought) last week of October 2009 and my breathing never improved. Did not dream of this.

Thanks Deborah,
If you read my reply to David you will see that I went to my GP (dr) on the Wednesday (27th), Consultant on the Friday (29th) (diagnosed). Speech therapist next tuesday (2nd) all within 6 days the speed is frightening not had time to take anything in. The word "Cancer" was enough no idea of the extent of the surgery to be performed.

quote:

Originally posted by David T:
Hello Margaret,
I haven't been diagnosed yet but am waiting to see an ENT surgeon on Tuesday. I've found the forum really helpful so far and it's a good place to get things off you chest or to share experiences with other people or to ask any questions.

You must have a million thoughts going through your head at the moment but try to take one day at a time.

Best Wishes,

David.

David,
Please let me know how you get on on Tuesday, wish you all the luck in the world.

Margret, hope you are now finding your way around the site, I joined just before Christmas following my diagnosis, I also thought as did one consultant and GP had a bad throat infection and from this I had a swollen gland, even though the tests they are doing gives a clue to what they are looking for you still think it wont be and it does come as a shock when they tell you that life changing news. I remember saying to my brother I cant turn the clock back and he said matter of factly "and if you could what would you do give up smoking and drink less" neither of which I was guilty of. Better to channel your energies into the future and facing the treatment. Weeks on and following surgery and waiting for radiotherapy I still get the why me?? I still struggle at times to deal with whats ahead and whats going on now. Talking to other cancer sufferes who are much further on is a great help, unless you have had that first hand experience yourself or a close loved one I dont think anyone can fully understand what its like and the impact it has. You go from getting on with life of moaning about little things to being faced with your own mortality and its a hell of a lot to take in. I do hope you have someone close who can be there for you and go to the appointments with you. As soon as I was diagnosed I was introduced to my Macmillon nurse, although this made me feel like yes I am now a cancer patient, it also was a great help as I could talk about how I was feeling and she also gave me lots of advice and could talk to be about the treatment pathway. All hospitals have them, make some enquiries and see if you can meet yours. I t was a long time before I posted on the site, I read through lots of postings and this really helped, I could see that there were people out there who had the same cancer as myself and I could read from when they started their treatment to when they were back to getting on with their lives. I hope it helps you too. Good luck with the next few days and weeks this isnt an easy time but you will get through it, it amazes me that I have got through the last 6 weeks, but all being well I hope to be like the previously mentioned posters and getting back on with my life by the summer. Best Wishes Gill

Moved Reply:

you are doing good. just drop down to one of the MEMBER FORUMS and post a message under maybe INTRODUCE YOURSELF or GENERAL CHAT.

Check back and i am sure you will have some replies.

good luck!

after i posted the above i saw where you did find your way and posted a couple of messages.

like yourself, i showed up at this forum lost and thanks to some other board members they helped provide me with lots of helpful info, etc......

Moved Reply:

Thanks for answering me Pete228.

Still trying to get round this site.

Went to GP Wednesday (27th Jan 2010)
Saw the consultant 2 days ago (29 Jan 2010) must have been in shock (the word "Cancer" was enough)other than knowing that it is to be straight to surgery within the next few meeks (not sure if this is 1 week, 2 weeks or more) and that my first appointment with the speech therapist is Tuesday this week not much else has sunk in, oh and it's the voice box, larynx.

I had the flu (so we thought) last week of October 2009 and my breathing never improved. Did not dream of this.

Moved Reply:

Margret, hope you are now finding your way around the site, I joined just before Christmas following my diagnosis, I also thought as did one consultant and GP had a bad throat infection and from this I had a swollen gland, even though the tests they are doing gives a clue to what they are looking for you still think it wont be and it does come as a shock when they tell you that life changing news. I remember saying to my brother I cant turn the clock back and he said matter of factly "and if you could what would you do give up smoking and drink less" neither of which I was guilty of. Better to channel your energies into the future and facing the treatment. Weeks on and following surgery and waiting for radiotherapy I still get the why me?? I still struggle at times to deal with whats ahead and whats going on now. Talking to other cancer sufferes who are much further on is a great help, unless you have had that first hand experience yourself or a close loved one I dont think anyone can fully understand what its like and the impact it has. You go from getting on with life of moaning about little things to being faced with your own mortality and its a hell of a lot to take in. I do hope you have someone close who can be there for you and go to the appointments with you. As soon as I was diagnosed I was introduced to my Macmillon nurse, although this made me feel like yes I am now a cancer patient, it also was a great help as I could talk about how I was feeling and she also gave me lots of advice and could talk to be about the treatment pathway. All hospitals have them, make some enquiries and see if you can meet yours. I t was a long time before I posted on the site, I read through lots of postings and this really helped, I could see that there were people out there who had the same cancer as myself and I could read from when they started their treatment to when they were back to getting on with their lives. I hope it helps you too. Good luck with the next few days and weeks this isnt an easy time but you will get through it, it amazes me that I have got through the last 6 weeks, but all being well I hope to be like the previously mentioned posters and getting back on with my life by the summer. Best Wishes Gill

Moved Reply:

Thanks for the advice Gill.
Please keep in touch, Northampton is just down the M6 from me (Junction 10).

I expect I am at such a loss because I have no idea what to expect. I have no pain as yet (husky voice and problems breathing) but it seems that the treatment will end this and then I will know that it realy is me that has this awful thing.

Hope we are BOTH well and having a nice life by this summer

Moved Reply:

Margret,
We read loads in the papers about our NHS but I took a lot of comfort in that as soon as I was diagnosed I was in hospital eight days later,something I really wanted because I just wanted this thing out of me as soon as possible. My husbands brother is a doctor and I asked his advice as to what to do and he said when its something like cancer the NHS was the best place to be. He explained that following my diagnosis there would be a multi discipline meeting where my consultant and oncologists would meet to discuss the way forward, I am sure this will have happened for you and the next time you are seen you will know a whole lot more. The waiting around is so difficult. I have had my operation and now am waiting to start my chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which I am told will be much worse than the surgery. It has helped me prepare for the weeks ahead by reading posts from others who have had radiotherapy, but I have also learned we are all different and all respond and react to the treatments differently.

Please stay in touch and let me know how you get on. There is the facility on this site to send private messages if you ever need to. What hospital do you go to, I live a few miles from Northampton and get treated at Northampton and Kettering.

Moved Reply:

Gill,
I have added you to my buddies list.

I am waiting to heart which hospital, the consultant said it would be the Manor Hospital,
walsall or the Heartlands Birmingham (do not know this one).

I have no idea if I am supposed to go back to work tomorrow. Think I will go see my GP in the morning see if he thinks it is ok for me to go back to work (not that I feel likje it right now, afraid of breaking down and embarrasing myself)

Moved Reply:

Margret
I have edited my previous post, I was telling you previously about how I was since I was diagnosed and then tought it didnt sound too good. I had told colleagues at work that I was having tests but I dont think it became real until I was diagnosed. I went to my appointment got my news and then went into work, sorted out my emails and what had to be done, told my close colleagues. One said how long have you got? others just hugged me, I was no longer Gill their colleague I turned into Gill whos got cancer. It wasnt easy so i think I made the decision then to start my sick leave and avoid any more situations, those I am close to come to visit me at home, as i have said I was in hospital a week later so wouldnt have been physically fit to go into work anyway. I know others who have been able to keep on working but I think its an individual decision. As I have said earlier I went to a supermarket the other week and a lady I used to work with shouted me and ran the length of the carpark, stopped and started patting and hugging me, I know she meant well but sometimes you just want to do usual things and not be reminded. I have loads of cards and flowers and each one reduces me to tears people are so kind.

I really do want to return to work but at the moment I am just concentrating on me and getting better, anything else including work will have to wait.

Moved Reply:

Sent you a personal message of thanks, not sure if it worked (not done it before)