Hi all,

I must be one of the lucky ones - I first worried about the swollen gland in Sept 2003, told my doctor late Oct 2003; had an ultrasound booked virtually straight away; then an ultrasound guided biopsy within a week; chest X-ray next day; November 5 2003, informed I have cancer; referred to an ENT/Onc Surgeon ASAP; CT scan ASAP; then a surgical biopsy. Then the radical neck dissection in mid december 2003. All results were in the same day, or a day or two later (I usually collected my results and read them before going to the GP or Onc.)

Reading all of these posts, I think I have been lucky with my team of professionals - there was hardly any waiting times for test results, usually the same day. It all was a blur: from my first worries about my "lovely" neck lymph node lump (2 x 3.5cm, met to neck, primary on soft palate near the tonsil), three months later I began radiotherapy. And it was nice to be able to read my reports straight away (except for the ENT/Onc surgeon). Maybe Australa is not too bad, even though we have problems with our medical system, like everywhere else.

Now, I count mself lucky - saw the Head & Neck Clinic the other day, and I don't have to see them until 3 months time now! I am now 5 months post radio.


For Brian - I mentioned OCF to my ENT/Onc and he sounded very interested, as they want to set up a site here and perhaps have a link to OCF! Will let you know further as things progress.

Cheers!

Tizz