A year ago today I had my operation. This was following diagnosis of a squamous cell primary cancer to my right tonsil, with a secondary to one of my neck lymph nodes. Radical neck disection, removal of RHS lymph nodes, cutting through jaw, removal of primary and replacement with a flap from my left forearm. A familiar story to many on this forum.

Surgery took over 7 hours. Intensive care for a day, hospital for 8 days altogether and then home. First day at home - disaster! Speech suddenly goes indistinct, I look in the bathroom mirror and see that my flap has come undone down one side! Back into hospital and they decide they do not want to attempt a repair but wish to review it after my radiotherapy course.

A couple of weeks at home and then I'm back into hospital to be fitted up with my mask and into 6 weeks of daily radiotherapy. I also had 2 sessions of chemo (cisplatin) which knocked me for 6 both times. As I was having some difficulty eating anyway, I agreed to have a PEG fitted from the outset. Was given Ensure as a diet supplement.

Radiotherapy wasn't too bad until the last couple of weeks. Then mouth got realy dry, throat got sore and I did get a fungal infection which was cleared up fairly easily with some drops. In my last week of R/T the skin on my neck broke down. I lost over 2 stone during this period.

R/T finished at the end of October, but it took a couple of weeks until I really started to recover. I was given a zinc supplement which brought my sense of taste back fairly quickly, but I couldn't stand alcohol or chilli for quite some time. By Christmas I could manage a fair range of food and beer, but not wine.

In November they had a look at my throat flap and decided that it could be saved. Minor op in early December and I was stitched back together, although in the process my flap ended up smaller than intended which has left me with "hyper-nasal" speech.

Back to work in January, family holiday in Cyprus at Easter and then I ran the London Marathon in April.

1 year on and I've got most of my weight back and I'm as fit as I was before this all started. I've got some interesting scars and my speech & hearing aren't great - but everything is far better than it could be!

You have been on one long journey. It gives those of us still riding the roller coaster confidence that it will end sometime and we will be able to get off.

Well done.

Thanks Angie

Writing the story mad me realise that I've nearly forgotten some parts. For me, being a survivor involves not dwelling on things too much, but I'm determined to keep calling in here from time to time.

I also realise that I got off lightly during the R/T phase - many on here suffered far more than I did.

How are you doing?

Hello again, Thanks we are doing well considering. I am sure there are lots of the year you have forgotten about. In the short time I have been on the ride there are things I have forgotten about, I think we sailed through Chemo, then I read other peoples stories who are not as far down the line as we are and I think, oh yes, that happened to us. I am sure if you go through all your postings and put them all together you will have a much more detailed story than the one you have told here.

It never fails to amaze me just how much the human body can stand, yet how frail we are at the same time.

Your story is very comforting to those of us who are only mid way through the journey.

Well done 200

thats some achievement

Regards
Dave and Sue

That's quite an acomplishment 200! What a long way to come!
Determination is the key. & you have it in abundance!
Inspiration like yours is just what we all need on here to boost out morale on a bad day!
Well done you!
Michelle