Hi,
I've just discovered your wonderful site and would like some moral support!What a wonderful idea to create this foundation. I've recently been diagnosed with tonsillar cancer with spread to lymph nodes, all yet to be confirmed! The biggest problem is the "woolly" information(or lack of it) and waiting for the results of a second opinion on the lymph node biopsy. It has been a 4 month wait since I discovered the neck lump and it sounds as though I won't have surgery for another couple of weeks (radical neck dissection). I feel very angry at all the delays but I guess that's one of the joys of rural living! I think my husband is in some sort of denial and is pretty useless except in the hugging department. Luckily, my sister is staying for the duration and is a Godsend, not only my best friend but an ENT/palliative care nurse and she's totally cool! Does anyone out there have any advice for a frightened, young(ish) woman who has only ever persued a healthy outdoor lifestyle and cannot understand this lesson at the moment?? Many thanks for listening,
Frances

Frances,

All of us here on the board know the frustration and fear that you are going through at the moment. We are surviors, newly diagnosed, spouses, daughters, sons and/or caregivers. My first suggestion is to read all of the posts on this forum. I know that seems like a daunting tasks, but you will find lots of good information. Plenty of questions and answers, advice, faith and hope from the postings are here for your taking. Many of us will be happy to answer your questions and just give some plain old good advice for coping.

Take care and keep us posted.

Anne.

Dear Frances,
I was recently diagnosed with Oral Cancer in October. It took me 5 months to get a diagnosis. I went to many doctor's who refused to biopsy a lesion on my tongue. Many of the Oral Cancer survivors were diagnosed much later then myself. The most difficult time of dealing with an illness is the waiting for results. The two life lessons I have learned are first is to be your own advocate. You will learn so much by being on this web site. Also ask your doctor about what kind of resources he can offer you. In my situation my doctor's research nurse connected me to an oncologist nurse and a wonderful therapist. It has been a wonderful support system for me. My second lesson that I learned was patience. That is a difficult one, but like I said waiting for test results is so difficult.
I had a neck dissection in November. It was uncomfortable for awhile, but now I feel so much better. I took Roxicet when the discomfort got to be annoying. I found wearing fleece fabrics near my neck to be quite helpful, because my skin were I had the neck dissection was very sensitive. I wish you the best of luck. It sounds like your sister will help you through this journey. My sister was with me when I had my surgery. I feel like she is my guardian angel. If you have any questions please write to me. I will be on vacation from Dec. 28th to Jan. 4th.
Take Care

Hi, join rural living ,2 hrs from any hospital, which nearly killed me.................now I fly to Boston..........if money is an issue, check Angel Flight......they have been our saviors........................Prayers your Way.........packer