My wife and I decided that because I was diagnosed by a Local General Practitioner (whom we weren't happy about) our first step was to go to the closest local available ENT Specialist and get reviewed. (Secretly hoping the G.P. was wrong)
We arrived and the ENT Specialist inspected the report then quietly and more considerately told us the news.
Getting Confirmation of Stage 4 Diagnosis
It WAS Stage 4 Pharyngeal Throat cancer and there were worrying signs that it could be Stage 3 Carotid Artery Cancer as well.
Once again we were shocked beyond belief and I felt totally defeated thinking I wouldn't pull through this.
Gathering our thoughts (which seemed slightly easier this time) I asked the inevitable question "HOW LONG?
50% Survival rate depending on IF Stage 3 cancer was present.
*****Then I believe this was the most important Stage 4 Cancer Decision we made!
REFER ME TO THE CANCER SPECIALIST CONSIDERED THE BEST IN THE FIELD IN QUEENSLAND.
Our closest available Ear Nose and Throat specialist was in Brisbane -we were in North Queensland 1300km from the capital. I was told that I could apply for a travel subsidy to help with the cost of the travel.
Off to Brisbane, we went! to see Professor DR. Chris
As normal we rushed and were lucky to be able to see Dr. Chris who we found a lovely man who carefully scrutinized my referral did an examination and a camera exploration of the site and then sat down to talk to us.
This is an Endoscopy camera used for internal throat examination.
This camera was inserted into my nasal passage allowing the doctor to view the entire area for cancerous growth. It didn't hurt but the desensitizing spray used before insertion had an awful taste. Here he could get a clear vision of the extent of the spread and overall health/color of the connecting passageways.
A photo of my throat passage taken 6 years later showing pink healthy tissue when I was declared clear of the Throat -Pharyngeal cancer (episode 24)
We had a thousand questions But time was precious.
Dr Chris - Response
1. He would like to take a sample from the area to determine what type of cancer it was? Requiring a hospital visit. By this, he was placing me under anesthesia and removing a small sample of the cancerous growth for analysis.
2. Booked me in for another MRI scan.
3. He also wanted to do sampling in the Carotid Area (side of the neck) to determine if it was cancerous.
4. Send me to The Princess Alexandra Specialized Ear Nose and Throat Clinic Who would be doing my treatment.
5. He asked if I had private health - I had at this time, the Public hospital team had a strong success rate, so we chose there.
6. Dr Chris rang the Oncologist who would be overseeing my treatment.
TO OUR ASTONISHMENT (and later even more so) Professor DR. Sondro Porceddu
CAME OUT ON HIS DAY OFF TO DO THE SAMPLING ON MY NECK.
Dr Porceddu true to his word came out to do the sampling (unbelievable dedication)
I didn't know what to expect!
It began with the doctor taking samples from numerous locations on both sides of my neck with a Syringe. Uncomfortable as it was it was necessary to determine how far the cancer may have spread. with this direct approach, they had material samples to give a definitive analysis of these problem areas.
I was happy with this because there seemed to be a question mark over the "shadows" detected on the scan in the neck area.
STRANGE THING HAPPENED. I MADE A JOKE ABOUT WATER SPRAYING FROM MY NECK NOW. Why was it strange?
IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD LAUGHED SINCE THE FIRST DOCTORS VISIT.
I WAS FEELING SOME RELIEF THAT WE HAD THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO LOOK AFTER ME AND IT BUILT UP MY CONFIDENCE TO FIGHT THIS CANCER!
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Welcome, I hope my blog helps in some way to cope with cancer.I am a survivor remember; One Day at a Time;
Regards
Phil on a Mission