OK, so I quit smoking again after trying off and on for a number of years, but this time I've hopefully cracked it.
Thing is, I've had a throat pain for a couple of months along with some hoarseness, tiredness and loss of appetite - although I haven't lost
weight.
So, today I went to the docs and I've been fast tracked to see the ear,nose,throat specialist to check for throat cancer - which is pretty scary, but
I'll be seen within 2 weeks.
I've also got to have blood tests for thyroid problems - I have been taking corticosteroids for a number of years.
It could be many things that are causing the symptoms, but obviously, as soon as I heard the word cancer, that is what stuck in my mind.
The survival rate is about 80 - 85% for early stage cancer, and most fatalities are older people - I am 41, so even if it is cancer I rate my chances
pretty well.
The main problem at the moment, is psychological - I can't get that horrible word out of my head.
That's all I can think about, even though the likelihood is that it's something else.
It's a truly horrible place to be - but in a couple of weeks or so, I'll know, one way or another and then I can concentrate on fighting whatever it
is.
In the meantime, it's kind of a slow torture, playing on my mind and eating away at me - and it's only the first day of waiting.
The thoughts of mortality are something that we all think about, but if the worst happens and I do have cancer, it's going to be different than the
usual intellectual exercise.
I have a good support network, and a strong family, girlfriend, and friends, and I hope that it ends up to be something rather trivial in comparison
to the worst case scenario.
I suppose I'll just have to wait and see, and keep my fingers crossed hoping for the best.
When I know, I'll post and let whoever is interested know as well.
Until then, wish me luck