| | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 17 "OCF across the pond" Member | OP  "OCF across the pond" Member
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 17 | I am extremely lucky, six months ago a tumour was removed from my left cheek and no radiotherapy or chemotherapy was required. I am on 8 week checks and so far I am NED. To celebrate our family would like to go on a cruise around the Greek Islands, but I am scared to book it! I am not confident that the cancer wont return and to book a holiday a year ahead seems like tempting fate. When did other people's confidence return?
SCC type 1 tumor in left cheek aged 45
T2N1M0 - surgery 14/2/13 to remove tumor, skin graft from wrist, neck dissection. No rads/chemo.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | Hi Mandy Rose,
We have just returned from a holiday on the Sunshine and Gold Coasts of Australia. It was wonderful and just what we needed. It showed us that we can cope and deal with anything that comes up - and we did.
Kris is now 18 months post treatment.
Yes , I too worried about what if we couldn't go. However, when I booked this 6 months ago I also took out travel insurance in case we had to cancel. That gave me peace of mind.
It was also really good to have something to look forward to.
I say " go for it".
Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | If you spend all your time worrying you will never live - never put off what you want to do. I admit I'm a short planner normally so I tend to book a few weeks in advance when traveling - why not commit to it and book closer to the date? Hugs
Last edited by Cheryld; 08-18-2013 02:55 PM.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 151 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 151 | Mandy Rose,
If you have a chance to go on a cruise, make plans and don't wait. There's always the option of insurance just in case.
Just before my husband was diagnosed I was busy booking a cruise for the end of November. I remember him telling me to wait because he was afraid it might be something serious. I thought he was just being paranoid and booked anyway. He was diagnosed in October, laser surgery in November and thankfully the doctor said we could go and have the neck dissection when we returned.
My husband was determined to go on another cruise in June after completing treatment in April. Didn't have the feeding tube out till end of June but we have been on 3 cruises and a trip to Mexico since all this started less than 2 years ago.
My new motto is "life is too short" and even without cancer there are no guarantees. Make plans and enjoy the time with family.
Last edited by terrib; 08-18-2013 06:36 PM.
Husband diagnosed Oct '11 Cancer of the vocal cord Nov '11 removed right vocal cord. Neck Dissection, cancer in one node, .2, very small & contained) Jan '12 Radiation and Cisplatin, 6 doses. June '12 & Dec '12 clear Pet scan. April '13 Celebrating 1 year cancer free since treatment ended.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | Absolutely agree with you all.
I am now planning next years trip back to Vietnam to visit family.
Can't wait.
Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
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