 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Welcome to OCF. Im sorry your brother has been thru this.
The fear of a recurrence is something we all deal with. After going thru the brutal treatments its one of all of our worst fears.
After finishing rads, recovery can be a long road. It can get frustrating having ups and downs. Seems like every time a patient begins to feel human again, they will take a couple steps backwards. Usually after about 3 months post rads most patients are doing much better and 6 months post rads, they are even better. A complete recovery can take a full 2 years for everything to get back to as normal as it will be for the patient.
Best wishes to your brother with his recovery.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | 
