Hi Guys:

Sorry, it's been awhile since Dave and I have posted and we want to reassure all of you that everything is indeed okay.

As some of you new members may need history to place us-my fiance Dave had a neck dissection in September followed by 7 weeks of radiation for SCC of the tonsil and one lymph node.

It's good to report happy news once in awhile and that is that Dave had his good friend PEG removed last week and is eating like a horse and gaining weight and feeling more like himself again.It is really a joy to watch someone who couldn't eat soup chowing on everything including a new fettish for ice cream.It's a truly simple pleasure to be able to go out for a meal again and have him actually enjoy food.

I'm posting this under "currently in treatment" in the hope that this message will offer a post-radiation bright spot for those who are still feeling the hellish effects of radiation sickness. So far, Dave has escaped with only mild neck tenderness and loss of feeling and a constant dry mouth with slow chewing. All in all, no complaints from our end and his neck scars look stellar.The radiation doc says his throat has no swelling and nothing looks suspicious (I would have preferred-"everything looks great" but they are docs after all). Next step is a neck CT in April.

As for our emotional state-I'll be up front and say we both needed a short hiatus from the message board as we struggle to change our mindset from thinking about cancer every minute to reclaiming our lives while embracing the fear of this "watchful waiting" post-treatment time. Now, could someone shed some light on how to stay calm during check-ups? Dave is great-I'm the one who is a basket case!

That's the scoop here,

Kim


kcdc
Wife of Dave,diagnosed with Stage III Tonsillar SCC,August '02
Modified radical neck dissection followed by radiation therapy
'There is glory and radiance in the darkness and to see we have only to look"