> I've only just found out that I start Radiotherapy tomorrow. I still don't know exactly what type of cancer it is or what's caused it, but the chances are good that it hasn't spread.
>
> But, I'm still here and I expect to be for a long time yet. Needless to say, I will be checking Rinkworks on a regular basis and keeping people informed if there is any sort of dramatic change.
>
> Beasty

You can ignore most of that treatment stuff, it didn't come to pass.

However, what has happened, is that in the last few weeks I have been examined, scanned and probed and that it has been confirmed as papillary cancer of the thyroid. I am now booked to have surgery on the 6th February. They intend to remove my thyroid and then excise any tumours they can find in my neck in one operation, lasting about 8 hours. After that I will be having radioactive iodine treatment to try and mop up any left-over tumours that the surgeon couldn't get to. If they can zap the ones in my lungs and stop this cough that's been bugging me since March last year, that will be a huge bonus. This is not a guaranteed cure because the tumours might not all be killed off, but the survival rates average 97%, so I can take heart from that. I will then be on thyroid hormone replacements for life. One last thing to mention. The scars from this operation will go across my throat and up both sides of my neck. Sweeney Todd would be proud!

Many thanks for all the messages of support.

More news, as and when.

Beasty