Patrick, my first visit with the surgeon was last Friday. He told me that depression was a common occurrence for folks in our situation. Worse yet, it is associated with poorer long term outcomes (validated by a study). As a consequence I accepted his offer of a prescription for Escitalopram (Lexapro), an SSRI anti-depressant. I can't say if it will help or not because this is only the third day. But I figured why take a chance?


Peter, age 62 at Dx
3/27/15 Dx T2N2aM0 Tonsilar P16+ G3 SCC
4/6/15 Full PET clear except for above
4/24/15 TOLM tonsillectomy/clear margins. Neck dissection 20 nodes (1 w/cancer & extracapsular extension)
5/28/15 PEG in
5/27 - 7/10/15 Daily Radiation to 66 units cumulative; Cisplatin weekly X 7
8/24/15 PEG out
9/24/15 Full body PET - N.E.D.
12/22/15 CT and physical exam. Continued clear.
3/11/16 Physical exam. Continued clear.
7/12/16 One year post-treatment! CT clear.
7/7/17 2 years post - still clear