New to this, but getting experience real quick

670NOSDoorules

Hi to all out there and my sincere best wishes to the same

I have only recently joined this elite club and have paid my membership dues in full. When I first heard the nasty "C" word, it most certainly came as far more than just a shock. It was a smack upside the head of the most gargantuan proportions. I very quickly realized that my prognosis allowed me to move to the front of the line. No longer did I have to wait in line for an ultrasound or a CT scan, I kinda felt privileged, (or something like that).

    It all started out with a thing under my tongue that I thought was most likely a thingy, or a cousin to a coldsore, what I knew about it was I didn't know about it. After going to my GP and VERY quickly being referred to an ENT specialist, who (thank you very much) took a biopsy and indeed confirmed that the "thingy" had to go. In short order that was taken care of and due to the guidelines set down by the Canadian Cancer Society (I think?) it turned out that the thingy was a bit too big and required radiation therapy to bring the whole ugly mess back in line with what was acceptable to me and the rest of the world.

    At this point in time I am finishing my second week of RT and have four more to go. As all of this info and dates and guidelines and reccommendations and health care items that are my responsibility to pick up, and other items that are handed to me are all bombarding me, I was ever so grateful. The biggest reason for my misplaced happiness was that I didn't have time to whimper and try and pull a "poor me" act to try and find someone sympathetic to my plight which was truly a blessing as I discovered therre is always way more than enough time to to wallow in self pity if that is what you choose to do. I do intend to add to my entry down the road, but find myself out of time presently and have to cut my chat short for now.

    I do look forward to my next entry as I will be able to further explain my situation and experiences as I saw them unfold. What truly caught my attention was my perception of how and what I needed to do next as far as my treatment was concerned, as far as I could see and bear witness to, all I had to do was keep breathing and my fully capable medical system far more than truly took care of the rest. I can not say what a relief it was to not have to worry about what I did or didn't do. As I saw it so far, all was far more than taken care of and made dealing with my crappy hand of life that I was being dealt with so much easier to take. Make no mistake, I was still able to wallow in self pity and as well was far more than capable of digging a pit of depression far deeper than was required. Just having the helpling hand and lack of financial woes was so much a breath of fresh air that made waking up each day so much easier to do that I can not descibe how grateful I really and truly and at this point in my life. Make no mistake, I have a far more than a few things to piss and moan about, yet I thankfully do not have to dwell on those trivial details currently.

 

Will be in touch very soon and look forward to hearing from other people amd their experiences. Be in touch soon, Wayne

phrannie51

Hi Wayne...

...and welcome to the club nobody wants to join. 

You sound like you have a good attitude, and a sense of humor.....those attributes go a long way in coping with treatment and the after effects....This board is full of positive attitudes and humor, you'll be glad you found us.  This is also a very supportive place for those days where self pity, or just pissed off try to take a hold. 

p

TracyLynn72

Welcome to the family!

I'm so sorry that you have found yourself here, but this is a wonderful group!  Best wishes to you as you continue treatment and kick that "thingy's" butt! 

Hondo

Hi Wayne

Glad to have you, It might not be the best way to make new friends but I just wish I knew about CSN when I was going through treatments. To tell you the truth now that I am here I can’t think of a better place to be able to help others who are in need. It is almost like a second family.

 

Welcome to CSN H&N

Tim

wmc

Welcome to the H&N Group

Welcome Wayne, and sorry you need to be here. When I was told what I had my company insurance assined a nurse to assist and make sure all went smooth and I got what I needed, as well as she was there to talk to. She asked one day, why I skipped the "Why me". My answer was it won't change anything as why I got this. I smoked and had acid reflux. I told her the only thing that does matter is what am I going to do now. Still she asked if I was putting on a front for my family. My answer still was no. I knew what had to be done to servive and what was going to happen, but as long as they removed my tumor I would be fine. Now yes I was scaried and knew it was going to really change my life forever with what they had to do, but I would beat this.

You are going down a rough road, but you can beat this as so many here have before you. Just take one day at a time, and never give up. Drink lots of water, stay hydrated, and sip water all day. You might not think so but you can forget how to swallow and have to get retrained, I know. I was not allowed to swallow anything including sliva, and in nine days it was hard to remember just how to swallow. Also don't forget, you are not alone in this. This group does understand what you are going through, as well as the caregivers here as well.

Bill

ratface

The little things won't matter much from here on

at least not the negative little things and you will endeaver to dwell on the positive little things. Welcome to the Board and all the best with the rest of your rads. Don't be a stranger and do some reading in the archives.

hwt

ratface said:

The little things won't matter much from here on

at least not the negative little things and you will endeaver to dwell on the positive little things. Welcome to the Board and all the best with the rest of your rads. Don't be a stranger and do some reading in the archives.

Wayne

Welcome. I hope your journey is an easy one. Your attitude will take you far. As you progress through tx and have questions or concerns don't hesitate to ask. This is a great group of people always happy to share what we can.

Candi

CivilMatt

welcome to our world

Wayne,

Welcome to the H&N forum, where you appear to have a  good attitude going into this jungle, which should serve you well in the days ahead.

Stay  on top of your side effects, drink plenty of water, swallow often and keep your team in-the-loop on any changes.

Look forward to your next informational post. I was stage IVa, scc, bot, 1 lymph node, hpv+ (surgery, rads &Erbitux).

Good luck,

Matt

Barbaraek

Welcome Wayne

Glad you found your way to us, though we are sorry you have a need to be here. Sounds like you are on the bus and are buckled in for the ride. There will be bumps and detours, but you'll get to the destination eventually. Meanwhile - feel free to ask questions here - you have plenty of travelmates and there's a lot of experience here on the message board.

All the best to you,

Barbara