Hi sally

and sorry to hear that the process is not going so well for you

where abouts in your body has the cancer been diagnosed, this might help people give you the right advice

all the best

vatch

Hi vatch thnx for reply. He said it's on my vocal cords/voicebox, he thinks he's caught it early but gotta wait for results from yest biopsy 2 decide what to do next. I can remember him saying something about surgery but it was all pretty much a blur. 

Yes I remember those blurry days

this is obviously a worry time for you and the lack of answers at a time like this just adds to things

all I can say is that it takes time to know everything regarding what type of cancer you have....it a process of elimination 

if its of any use

i went to my doctors around 11th march

went to the hospital for a check lump in my neck

went back for a scan and biopsy

at 12:35 on Monday April 28th I was told I had throat cancer

on the 8th of July I started my six weeks of treatment

it does depend where you are in the country but I must say I had first class treatment all the way from the nhs

i hope this helps

Shout if you have any questions

Thanks vatch, the doctor only mentioned surgery I think. Next time I'm goin 2 record what he says as it all went over my husband's head aswell. I do remember him saying he thinks he's caught it early n wanted to do another biopsy 2 see where we are. Said he had 2 wait til it was healed or summat before he could do another. It's all so confusing to me. So it's just waiting about for rather phone to ring or a letter. I'm hopin I getta letter cos I knew right away something was wrong when the called me 2 go in. 

Hi Sally,

I find it helps to write down any questions I have before I meet my consultant and write down anything she says as she says it. It also helps to repeat back what you've written and ask them to explain anything I've not quite understood. Apparently most patients only remember about 40% of what has been said due to stress levels being so high. I've found myself sat in the car park looking at my notes and thinking "I don't remember being told that!"

Best wishes

Dave

Thanks Dave, I intend 2 at the next appointment. I've put on alot of weight recently is tht linked do you think or should I just put it down 2 stress. 

Not sure - worth mentioning it during your next appointment.

If you comfort eat or have been drinking more alcohol than usual, that might explain it and who could blame you?

Hi Sally and thank you for your post.

I cannot add much more to what Vatch and Davek have already said. It is not unusual to have a second biopsy if the first was inadequate or insufficient or if they wanted to check another area close by. I am not sure if you have had other tests done in the meantime. We have information about all aspects of laryngeal (voice box) cancer here. There are links to the tests done to diagnose laryngeal cancer and to what further tests may be needed.

Many teams treating patients with head and neck cancers have a specialist nurse who can give patients information and support. If this is the situation in your case it may help to contact this nurse and ask for advice in relation to your particular circumstances.

I am sorry that I cannot be more specific but hope that you get your biopsy results and a treatment plan soon.

With kind regards,

Mary

Hi Mary my next appointment is 30th Nov. They seem to be leaving me along time I think. Since I last wrote I've been having headaches, dizziness and now a few days ago swollen glands I'm concerned it's starting to spread and seem like they just left me to it. been back to doctors a few times. I'm on iron tablets because they said my levels have dropped. Is it normal to wait that long for an appointment

SallyAnne,

It is unusual to have so long a gap between diagnosis and treatment. The whole point of early diagnosis is to get a treatment regime in place at an early stage. The standard waiting times are listed here www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../waiting-times-for-tests-and-treatment-after-cancer-diagnosis

It would be worth asking your GP or named nurse to chase this up on your behalf. At the very least you have a right to know why you're having to wait so long.

Best wishes

Dave