I am A Newbie

Sara1234
Sara1234 Member Posts: 121
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Seems Like A nice forum I havent gotten thrown off yet.......I am pretty worried that I mite have tonsil Cancer ....I havent been dx Yet have to go see my ent in 10 days...it started back In March I woke up with a severe Sore throat .....so instead of waiting 10 hrs at the clinic I decided to take some amoxil I had In the house ......It worked.......for a while ....My sore throat never realy came back but since a few wks a go my left side of throat has felt really raw and dry....I do have post nasal drip which I thought could be causing that Also have some acid reflux......Then of course i did the big NO ..NO started Googling Lol...........So the other day woke up to a cold with a cough  .....So the cold is gone but had a pretty bad cough and just since 2 days ago My left tonsil is swollen.......I have no lumps in my neck ....One of my husbands friends just went through tonsil cancer ....she is doing faboulous she did radiation and is completly in remission.......I gave smoking up a while back but sure enjoy having my wine in the evening.........So I do think I am at higher risk and I am 44 years Old.............Any feed back would be great.....I am going to read some posts and see if I can give some words of encouragement to anyone who needs it..........I live in Canada Were Is everyone from.........Hope you all have a great day ........I need to do some less worrying and spend a nice day with my Family....since its so nice out weather hasn't been that Great Here

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Comments

  • Mikemetz
    Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member
    #2
    We have a saying here

    Sara,

    You have found the very best group of people to be in contact with.  We have a saying here "It ain't cancer until the doctor says it's cancer."

    I understand your concern and questions, but would advise you to see your ENT first before getting too alarmed.  And, if it does turn out to be HNC, you'll have time for asking the right questions before treatments start--both to your doctors and those of us here.

    Mike

     

  • catfish_58
    catfish_58 Member Posts: 138 Member
    #3
    Newbie

    Welcome to the Forum Sarah1234,I'm sure you'll find all the answers your looking for here sooner or later,But first off just remember that it's not cancer until they say it is beyond a reasonable doubt.I can only tell you what I've experienced with my cancer and I'm sure someone here has been through exactly what you've been through or are going through,First I noticed you said you were taking amoxil and seen some improvement which i would gather is probably just an infection or tounsilitis but your ENT will know for sure after any test needed, I'll keep you in my prayers tho for a clean report from your ENT in the next 10 days,I'm sure others with more insight in your case will be posting soon.I had cancer as a primary in the left tounsil and didn't know or have any pain till a lump or mass formed on the left side of my neck,Even then there was no pain and kept going to my doctor whom said it was just a pulled muscle.Waited for about 5 mos. and had seen my dentist who suggested an ENT specialist.Finally seen them and found out about my cancer at that time.So in all at least your seeing an ENT and not waiting.Anyways just keep up the faith and we are here if you need us.

  • Sara1234
    Sara1234 Member Posts: 121
    #4
    Mikemetz said:

    We have a saying here

    Sara,

    You have found the very best group of people to be in contact with.  We have a saying here "It ain't cancer until the doctor says it's cancer."

    I understand your concern and questions, but would advise you to see your ENT first before getting too alarmed.  And, if it does turn out to be HNC, you'll have time for asking the right questions before treatments start--both to your doctors and those of us here.

    Mike

     

    Thanks

    Thanks Mike My ENT app is in about 10 days

  • Sara1234
    Sara1234 Member Posts: 121
    #5
    catfish_58 said:

    Newbie

    Welcome to the Forum Sarah1234,I'm sure you'll find all the answers your looking for here sooner or later,But first off just remember that it's not cancer until they say it is beyond a reasonable doubt.I can only tell you what I've experienced with my cancer and I'm sure someone here has been through exactly what you've been through or are going through,First I noticed you said you were taking amoxil and seen some improvement which i would gather is probably just an infection or tounsilitis but your ENT will know for sure after any test needed, I'll keep you in my prayers tho for a clean report from your ENT in the next 10 days,I'm sure others with more insight in your case will be posting soon.I had cancer as a primary in the left tounsil and didn't know or have any pain till a lump or mass formed on the left side of my neck,Even then there was no pain and kept going to my doctor whom said it was just a pulled muscle.Waited for about 5 mos. and had seen my dentist who suggested an ENT specialist.Finally seen them and found out about my cancer at that time.So in all at least your seeing an ENT and not waiting.Anyways just keep up the faith and we are here if you need us.

    thanks

    Thanks for the advice Cat.......So How are you doing fill me in on your progress...........................................

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #6
    maybe not

    Sara,

    Welcome to the H&N forum, hopefully it will turn out to be a visit.  As said, “it isn’t cancer until the doctor says it is cancer”. 

    I had no pain, just a lump on my neck indicating my path ahead.   Hopefully, this will turn out to be nothing serious. 

    Good luck,

    Matt

  • Joanielo
    Joanielo Member Posts: 55
    #7
    Hello

    Hi Sarah,

    I had tonsil cancer and my treatments ened about 17 months ago.  So far, my tests show no more evidence of cancer.  I had no pain at the time that I was diagnosed but I did have a very swollen lymph node on the side of my neck and my tonsil was swollen.

    Try to remain calm and think positive thoughts until you see the dr.  Try not to spend too much time researching possibilities on the internet as the information can be very scarey.  

    Good luck and  let us know how your appointment goes.

     

    Joanie

  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570 Member
    #8
    DON'T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS

    Hey Sara,

    I ditto the others in cautioning you to hold on to your britches, and not make yourself nutty jumping to conclusions (I know, easier said than done) before you see your doc; as it has already been said, it ain't cancer 'til the doc says so.  I suggest keeping your attention diverted as much as possible whenever the worry pops up.  You could always try making a daily appointment with yourself to fret about it for a bit of time, and refer yourself to your appointment if the worry zipps in at other times.  Whatever you do, I hope that you can keep your anxiety in check, it doesn't, as you know, help.   Hopefully, your symptoms will turn out to be a non beast related issue.  I'm sending to you my best wishes, hopes, and mojo for the results of your evaluation process to be the coveted NED.  I'm in south FL, and the weather is oh so just balmy at this time of year.

    PATRICK 

  • Sara1234
    Sara1234 Member Posts: 121
    #9
    patricke said:

    DON'T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS

    Hey Sara,

    I ditto the others in cautioning you to hold on to your britches, and not make yourself nutty jumping to conclusions (I know, easier said than done) before you see your doc; as it has already been said, it ain't cancer 'til the doc says so.  I suggest keeping your attention diverted as much as possible whenever the worry pops up.  You could always try making a daily appointment with yourself to fret about it for a bit of time, and refer yourself to your appointment if the worry zipps in at other times.  Whatever you do, I hope that you can keep your anxiety in check, it doesn't, as you know, help.   Hopefully, your symptoms will turn out to be a non beast related issue.  I'm sending to you my best wishes, hopes, and mojo for the results of your evaluation process to be the coveted NED.  I'm in south FL, and the weather is oh so just balmy at this time of year.

    PATRICK 

    Thankyou

    thanks for the support............seems like alot of nice peeps in here

  • Sara1234
    Sara1234 Member Posts: 121
    #10
    Joanielo said:

    Hello

    Hi Sarah,

    I had tonsil cancer and my treatments ened about 17 months ago.  So far, my tests show no more evidence of cancer.  I had no pain at the time that I was diagnosed but I did have a very swollen lymph node on the side of my neck and my tonsil was swollen.

    Try to remain calm and think positive thoughts until you see the dr.  Try not to spend too much time researching possibilities on the internet as the information can be very scarey.  

    Good luck and  let us know how your appointment goes.

     

    Joanie

    Glad

    To hear you are cancer free thanks for the support......I will be on and off here so i will definitly keep you posted ..........................I find when i drink plenty of water it doesnt bother me has much......what kinda treatment did you do

  • Sara1234
    Sara1234 Member Posts: 121
    #11
    Sara1234 said:

    Glad

    To hear you are cancer free thanks for the support......I will be on and off here so i will definitly keep you posted ..........................I find when i drink plenty of water it doesnt bother me has much......what kinda treatment did you do

    hope you got this reply

    hope u got my reply

  • catfish_58
    catfish_58 Member Posts: 138 Member
    #12
    Sara1234 said:

    thanks

    Thanks for the advice Cat.......So How are you doing fill me in on your progress...........................................

    My Progress

    Thank you for asking,I am doing a lot better as of now,Went through 33 radiation treatments and 7 chemo's (once a week),I am right now NED ( no evidence of disease),Do have to go see my ENT in the next couple of weeks for a follow up and they are wanting to do an ultra sound on my thyroid to check it out as a precaution.My last treatment was in late april of 2013.I have about 25 to 35 percent of my saliva back and am eating anything I like,Tho have trouble with some things like hamburgers and fajita's,But that's OK I'll take that over the alternative anyday,Hope your not doing a lot of googling on the internet as that's what I did right off the bat,And found a lot of negative things on this, your best bet is to stay positive.If you'd like to read about what someone may have gone through or what they said at the beginning of joining this forum all you need to do is to left click on they're name in the box next to they're replies,Anyways sorry about being long winded>If you need anything hollar back all of us are here probably once a day to once a week,We know the anxiety you are probably feeling right now and we're here to help.

         Thanks again Chris

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #13
    hi, sara.  sorry you are

    hi, sara.  sorry you are feeling scared right now but do your best not to worry until you see the doc.  i know that can be hard but please try.  also, i wouldn't google for info as many times that info is very outdated and lots of improvements and progress has been made.  if you want information from experience, stay here and read.  the stuff you read hear is from actual patients or caregivers so it is up-to-date and accurate.  there is much hope today when one is dx with H&N cancer as you will see from all us survivors here.  we are many.  please let us know what your doc tells you.  I'm praying it is just a normal cold with a sore throat.  sending positive thots your way so you can stay positive while you wait for your appointment.  I'm in Cincinnati, OH.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • Goyca
    Goyca Member Posts: 220
    #14
    Sara1234 said:

    Thankyou

    thanks for the support............seems like alot of nice peeps in here

    hello sara

    Hi sara , I am kinda new to the forum too, but everyone here is so supportive and helpful. Even though, i hope you won't need to discuss cancer stuff anymore with anyone. But untill your test results come back please stay positive :)

    Keep us updated. and keep smiling :)

     

     

    Goyca.  

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #15
    Hi Sara

    Welcome to CSN H&N, remember one thing it is not cancer until the doctor tells you it is cancer. You sound like you are having a lot of problems but wait until you see what the doctor tells you. I am glad you gave up smoking as that would make you kind of hi risk for many types of cancer. Just hang in there and see your ENT as soon as you can, keep positive no matter what the doc tells you. There are many of us here who are survivors of C and we are living and enjoying life again.

     

    Hondo

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #16
    Welcome....

    Like mentioned, it's not cancer until your MD tells you it is..

     

    Your symptoms..., just some insight on me at least..

     

    I had a small irritation in my throat, not sever, but persistant.., for a few months actually.

     

    When I did go to my GP, he gave me Amoxicillin for 10 days..., it did nothing, the 10 days of Levaquin..., it too did nothing. Scheduled me with my ENT... Also I had a small lump develpoe on my neck.

    First visit, he scoped me, sent me for a CT, had me come right back after (same day).., told me he was 90% sure I had SCC Tonsil cancer, that was Firday. He took the tonsils out on Monday, confirmed STGIII SCC Tonsil Cancer and more than likely HPV+ which later was biopsied and confirmed.

    Sooo, at this point, I doubt you have cancer..., but only the ENT and MD's can and should confirm for you...

    Best,

    John

  • Sara1234
    Sara1234 Member Posts: 121
    #17
    Skiffin16 said:

    Welcome....

    Like mentioned, it's not cancer until your MD tells you it is..

     

    Your symptoms..., just some insight on me at least..

     

    I had a small irritation in my throat, not sever, but persistant.., for a few months actually.

     

    When I did go to my GP, he gave me Amoxicillin for 10 days..., it did nothing, the 10 days of Levaquin..., it too did nothing. Scheduled me with my ENT... Also I had a small lump develpoe on my neck.

    First visit, he scoped me, sent me for a CT, had me come right back after (same day).., told me he was 90% sure I had SCC Tonsil cancer, that was Firday. He took the tonsils out on Monday, confirmed STGIII SCC Tonsil Cancer and more than likely HPV+ which later was biopsied and confirmed.

    Sooo, at this point, I doubt you have cancer..., but only the ENT and MD's can and should confirm for you...

    Best,

    John

    hopefully not

    you are right will only know after all tests are done i will see what my ent says I also Have a mild iritation in my throat only on left side and seems it only acts up after I cough so yes my throat could be just iratated from the coughing or maybe something else I still worry Its Human Nature I guess I am trying to stay Positive............................Thanks for your History I was reading it on your profile great to hear you are cancer free....................................

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #18
    sara, i saw this and knew i

    sara, i saw this and knew i had to post it to you.  its true and i hope it will make you feel better and bring a smile to your face.

    image

     

    enjoy,

    dj

  • Sara1234
    Sara1234 Member Posts: 121
    #19
    debbiejeanne said:

    sara, i saw this and knew i

    sara, i saw this and knew i had to post it to you.  its true and i hope it will make you feel better and bring a smile to your face.

    image

     

    enjoy,

    dj

    Sooo true

    Lol

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #20
    Skiffin16 said:

    Welcome....

    Like mentioned, it's not cancer until your MD tells you it is..

     

    Your symptoms..., just some insight on me at least..

     

    I had a small irritation in my throat, not sever, but persistant.., for a few months actually.

     

    When I did go to my GP, he gave me Amoxicillin for 10 days..., it did nothing, the 10 days of Levaquin..., it too did nothing. Scheduled me with my ENT... Also I had a small lump develpoe on my neck.

    First visit, he scoped me, sent me for a CT, had me come right back after (same day).., told me he was 90% sure I had SCC Tonsil cancer, that was Firday. He took the tonsils out on Monday, confirmed STGIII SCC Tonsil Cancer and more than likely HPV+ which later was biopsied and confirmed.

    Sooo, at this point, I doubt you have cancer..., but only the ENT and MD's can and should confirm for you...

    Best,

    John

    Just agreeing

    Hi Sara,

    This is a great forum for support and info. Just catching up and reading some posts and came across yours. I have to agree with John. We've all seen some crazy things in our journeys and while none of us are medical professionals, what you're describing doesn't present itself as sinister. Best to have your doctor and/or a qualified ENT reassure you :) 

    Positive thoughts and prayers

    "T"

     

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #21
    Hi Sara

    Welcome to our friendly club house. I am hoping you don't have to go through the initiation. The dues you pay certainly goes up when you google and get to read the worst of the worst. I known it's easier said then done, but let the doctor diagnose your issues. I will look for good news from you in 10 days.

          Jeff

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