Kieran's Kit Quest

In July I had a lump in my neck, it was very small but different enough for me to notice. I had no other symptoms at all, other than the lump, I felt fit and well (ankle sprain aside) all the way up to my operation on 20th November.

Apart from trying to raise money for charity I also want to raise awareness, guys (it’s mainly guys who ignore these things) please don’t hesitate, get anything strange checked out before it’s too late. It takes no time, if it’s nothing you’ll have peace of mind. But if it is something you’ve likely caught it early and saved your life X

20th July — I went to the doctor and she was hot on it straight away I am very grateful for her diligence. I was referred on 2 week rule. As I said other than lump I had no other symptoms. I went on holiday the day after the GP appointment and had a normal holiday, it was great, obviously had this in the back of my mind.

July — October So it took about 7 appointments with various biopsies, MRIs, CT Scans and a PET scan before they could find the cancer.

18th October — My consultant told me I had Oropharyngeal cancer, very small, expected to be treatable, 90% success rate.

Was obviously a shock when you hear that C word, this was the day before my daughter’s 10th Birthday. My head was all over the place, I’ve not had a full nights sleep since this date. Anyway we did family birthday celebrations as planned and told her and her brother on the 20th October.

24th October — Endoscopy (on my sisters birthday) Still can’t find the primary. I’m starting to think they got it wrong and I don’t actually have cancer.

Appointment booked for 20th November for tonsillectomy, removing tongue tissue and right hand side lymph nodes.

It was good in a way as we had three weeks of “normal”. Wife’s birthday 9th November, as I’ve said I was fit and well with none of the other symptoms, by this stage my ankle was getting better. (this is another less exciting story) Work agreed I could have weekends off between then and appointment to spend time with the family. That time is so precious, I am very grateful for it as I write this still in recovery.

20th November — D day, I had the first appointment so wasn’t much waiting around. It was deemed successful not 100% if they got primary at first glance without results being analysed.

Felt ok after surgery, then nurse Colette my literal angel spotted a swelling, asked if I was ok, I was. Called a doctor, then 10 were in the room before you could say neck drain. It now feels like someone is tightening a scarf round my neck. My surgeon gets called from emergency surgery with someone else, comes to me, says we need to operate now, I tell him to call my wife, he does. Two hours later I’m back in the game, was told I had a haematoma.

30th November — My consultant informs me (a week earlier than expected) that they found the cancer!! 8mm primary in tonsil & two lymph nodes they removed contained cancer. Surgery booked for 18th December to take further tissue as a belt and braces approach, then Radiotherapy starts mid January.