Hi

Hi,

Joined the site yesterday and still finding my way around. I was diagnosed with throat cancer on the 1st April 2008. I am due to go into St Luke's Hospital, Dublin on the 4th June to start my radiotherapy treatment. Really want to go in and get the treatment started now. Getting very sore now and I can feel the cancer spreading at the back of my mouth and top of throat.

I feel quite fortunate that I have been diagnosed in the early stage and have not had to wait too long for treatment. Doctors and consultants are very positive that the treatment will be successful and so am I. I first noticed something on the back of my throat in December 2007. It felt like a flap of raised skin or ulcer. I was busy working and moved house from Dublin to Newbridge in February 2008 so I did not get to see a GP until the 3rd March 2008. He referred me to a consultant who I saw on the 12th March 2008. I had an exploratory operation on the 25th March 2008 and a biopsy was taken.

Over the past two months I have had an MRI scan, nothing else found so cancer local to throat only. Several visits to the dental hospital for some fillings, removal of wisdom tooth and cleaning. They have also made upper and lower teeth tray moulds which I must use to clean my teeth using Gel-Kam and Corsodyl gel, ten minutes each day using the different gels on alternate days. In St Luke's they made and fitted my plastic mesh mask and did the CT scan. So far this was the most uncomfortable experience and I have to prepare myself mentally that for ten minutes each day this will be positioned over my face and I have to lie still.

Have remained positive most of the time but have had a few low days. For me waiting is the most difficult for now. I am self employed and have not worked since being diagnosed. I had just finished my last project and was about to start a new job but decided to focus on getting through this. Bit of a roller coaster journey emotionally and everyday it hit's home to me that this is for real and not a dream. I was in the dental hospital last week getting my teeth moulds fitted when I asked "How long do I have to use these for?" Thinking it was just for the six week period of treatment when the dentist replied "You should do this everyday for rest of your life." For some reason this made me realise the seriousness of my situation and I struggled to get back up on an even keal for a few days.

Everyone has been so supportive and kind. My daughter, sister, brother and his wife have all come over form England to visit me which has really helped. I would not have stayed so positive with out the support of my partner Ann she is just amazing.

All of the medical people I have dealt with so far have been so professional and caring. Taking the time to fully explain what is happening and answering any questions. St Luke's Hospital have provided several booklets with very good descriptions of the treatment and possible affects. There is a lot of information to take on board so having these booklets to reference is very useful and gives me an understanding of what is happening and what to expect. I know things will get very painful during treatment but I am determined to stay positive and get through this.

Regards

Ken