Sorry Erica, it sounds like they're putting you through the mill.

This is not my area at all, I'm a breast cancer person, but just wanted to say hi and let you know someone had read it.  There are busier and quieter times on this site.

Cancer Research's own page on your type of cancer is found here www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../types 

Your type is what my friend has had a couple of times now and, if I remember rightly from his experiences, it is the most common type of skin cancer (?)  I guess that gives me additional hope for you as the more common our cancers are the most research into treatment there tends to be.

I hope it had been found quickly (in relative terms) and am glad that at least now you have the diagnosis treatment can get underway.

Hopefully someone with the same type will come on soon and let you know what happens next.  If not it might be worth reposting with your type of cancer in the name of the thread, that can help.

All the best, LJx

Thanks LJ,

Next appointment today with ENT surgeon. 

Let me know how you go.  Fingers crossed for you.

Hopefully you're feeling a bit calmer now.  I went into our local MacMillan centre recently just cause I was passing, even though I am coping very well I couldn't believe what a relief it was just to sit there with a cup of coffee and talk to a stranger about what's been happening.  It wasn't even a counselling or therapy session, just a blether over coffee with a woman that works for a cancer charity.

If you have a charity service like that around your area consider giving it a go, it can really help.

LJx

Hi LJ,

I need to get a small part of my ear removed (the tragus).  I have a provisional date of 31 July to get this done.  The consultant doesn't think that it's spread and hopefully after I've had this done I'll only need regular check ups.  I'm going on holiday next week and I'd been having headaches and ache in my ears (but mostly my right ear) so I was concerned that things had moved on.  The headaches have gone (I think they were hormonal as I'm also peri-menopausal) but still have this dull ache in my ear.  I went to the dentist to make sure that this ear ache wasn't toothache but teeth are fine.  Consultant thinks that the weather and pollen could be contributing to the full feeling and ache in my ears.  I'm just a bit nervous about flying with my ears not feeling right.  She's not concerned with me going on holiday and helped me with all the info I needed to get travel insurance (my annual policy had expired a few weeks ago and was having trouble getting a policy, especially as I'm awaiting surgery). 

I hope you're doing okay with your treatment.  It's a scary time but as you say speaking to people can really help. 

L (Erica isn't my real name)

That's cool L.

Glad to hear things are underway and it's all looking good for you getting on with life.

Good call going to the dentist.  The other thing might be your eustachian tube (whether you maybe just have a tiny infection somewhere, some inflammation, or maybe slight hayfever) or it could be to do with your trigeminal nerve.  Both cross the face and can create referred pain in the ear.

I understand your fear with flying with ear pain, I had to fly recently with two ear infections and I have a history of ear infections.  People that don't have them have no idea how painful they are.  I can't suggest anything other than paracetamol beforehand, and chew gum or intentionally pop your ears throughout the flight.  Flying with the infections was painful but not remotely intolerable.

Just as an FYI for the future there are some companies that specialise in travel insurance for people with health conditions.  It is still more expensive but often cheaper than the standard travel insurance as they bother to understand the conditions and what the risk actually is, it gives you peace of mind that you are properly covered too.

Hope you're off somewhere really nice and you have a great time.

LJx

Thanks LJ,

I also have type 1 Diabetes so I'm very familiar with the minefield of travel insurance when you have pre-existing medical conditions, just another trial in life I suppose. 

I'm not a lover of chewing gum but I think this is a good idea for the flight.

Take care

L x