Hello from sunny Australia. (A bit too sunny, a lot more rain would help!)
I'm 44yo and went to a doctor in mid December as I had the beginnings of a sore throat for 3 weeks, that hadn't developed into a sore throat. In the morning, prior to seeing my Dr I felt a very small lump on my throat. My Dr gave me a referral to an ENT specialist for that afternoon, and he thought it was nothing much, but said he would take it off in day surgery in 2 days time.
This all occured just prior to Christmas, and on January 2 he rang to say that it was a small tumour, but no worry as he got it all. I explained that it was still very sore there so I was sent for a CT scan, X-Rays of my TMJs, and finally an ultrasound of my lymph glands where they aspirated some cells to check.
Back to the specialist on Jan 21 to be told all is clear, but had another look and decided that the tonsil had to go as it was still enlarged.
3 days after the late Jan surgery, I was told that the tonsil was cancerous, and I was sent to our cancer hospital to organise follow up radiation therapy. Due to start tomorrow but it has been put back until they work out why my mouth can't open properly, and there are problems with tongue nerves.
All in all though, things aren't too bad. Except for waiting for the treatment to start. Funnily enough, when I first started noticing my throat I suspected it could possibly be cancer, even though I have never been a smoker.
I'm married with 2 young boys of 3 and 5, so I have to make sure I'm fit enough to chase them around for a fair few years yet.

Very best of luck David and i hope the sunshine wont be too hard on your skin with the radiation.
We should have half your luck its rained in England for days now.

love

You've just ruined the stereotype of England for us Aussies then cookey, we thought it didn't stop raining for months.
But seriously, we're in major trouble with our water here, I'm in Melbourne in the south of the mainland and the reservoir that provides two thirds of our water is only 20% full. How much of that is drinkable quality I don't know. Severe restrictions are on and we're just waiting for the drought to break.

sounds a bit like the cricket lol

David,
Welcome, and much luck with the ongoing treatment. I hate to tell you this, but you are going to be ill once you get started on the radiation treatments.

H&N radiation is a double edged sword. On the positive side, I was told they had perhaps the most consistently good results with radiation in this area. The downside is that the side effects can be severe given the promimity to the surface, and the sensitivity of the tissues being irradiated.

It is not pleasant, or fun, but it is very doable. Keep hydrated and keep up your calorie intake. Those two things will keep you fighting.

Melboure is a beautiful city. I have relatives in Wagga Wagga and Bondai, would love to make another trip over there
Wayne

Welcome David

Sorry about your diagnosis, but be assured that in Melbourne you will receive excellent, and I'm sure effective, treatment.

I also had tonsil cancer diagnosed over Christmas 4 years ago and am happy to report that I'm now well although I do live with the after effects of the treatment as most of us do.

I had radiation to my throat and both sides of my neck. I got through it day by day and was able to take myself to each treatment. I didn't use a feeding tube, but did lose a lot of weight. I was too fatigued to work.

I wish you well, when you need support people here are very understanding and generous with their experiences and will offer all they can.

Email me if you wish, all the best to you and your family on your journey.

Helen

Hi David,

Another tonsil cancer survivor from OZ, Sydney. I'm 3 years since the end of radiotherapy in a few days time ("the Ides of March, 2004"). As long as you're at a comprehensive cancer hospital you'll be well looked after. I see that Olivia Newton John is helping to get a comprehensive Cancer Centre built in Melbourne (I have donated), with inputs from Bracks and Howard. Great!

Down Under feeding tubes don't seem to be offered much - I didn't know about such things until I found OCF. Another thing, with radio (I didn't have IMRT) you may lose saliva and thus your mouth has to be looked after, like getting trays for fluoride treatment, special toothpaste and such.

The saliva does return, I only occasionally have a dry mouth now.

Best wishes,

Tizz
www.soundwarp.com.au


(My pseudonym is Meredith, 4 stories on the OCF Patient stories: http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/patient_stories/meredith_1.htm)

Welcome David,


Please send the sun to NY as it is going to be 5 below tomorrow ! You have come to the right place for any questions !! Good luck in your treatments and keep your chin up for the light at the end of the Long tunnel we call "treatment" ( personally I am thinkin they should rename it lol) And as far as you havin that "feeling " even though you are a NON smoker , I too had the same feeling in my situation even though all drs and dentisit said no way ..until it was tested. Somtimes we just KNOW !! GOOD LUCK >>>>YOU and your family are in my thoughts

G'day David,

Sorry to have to meet you this way. Not much advice I can give you as my treatment and experiences were not similar to yours. However, I want to wish you good luck and hope that you don't have too difficult a time with your treatment.

I just last week returned from a trip "down under" and was in Melbourne from Feb. 4th to 6th. It is a lovely city and my stay there was much too short. I hope you get the rain that is so desperately needed.

Again good luck and keep on posting. There are so many knowledgable people here and you will be sure to get answers to any of your questions.

Jerry

PS G'day to Helen and Meredith, too.

Good Luck, David. I have no advice. I just wanted to say that you have come to a good place. We all care about each other, no matter what form this disease takes for each of us. I will be thinking about you as you begin your treatments.