Hi Everyone! It's been since July 15 that I received the news that the Tonsil cancer that was treated in the Spring of 2004 presented itself in my liver. I have gone through 4 weeks of Methotrexate (one cycle). I went to Sloan Kettering in NYC for a consult and was told to stay with what I was doing until reimaging showed resistance to the treatment,then switch to the monoclonal antibody Panitumumab. Stay with that until not working then switch to another new drug. Some people have been going this way for 3 years. The main problems with Methotrexate are mouth sores after 3 weeks and I had a case of Pleurisy for 6 days. It is much,much easier than Cisplatin. I should mention that out of 1500 people with Head and Neck cancer over the last 10 years only 8 people have had distant mets. I am the only one where it just went to the liver. I've been doing a lot of reading and research and I plan on making it alot longer than expected. My plan is to go from treatment to treatment until the right drug comes along! I feel great and will do the best I can for myself and everyone with this disease! With affection and appreciation, Tom Roussell

Tom

Thanks for the update. I had been reading yourprevious posts. You have such a wonderful attitude. Attitude can make a big difference in how you handle tx. Best of luck with your treatments. It must not be an easy road you are traveling. You will be in my prayers.

So happy to hear from you and to glad to know you have a new plan. Turns out I won't be in N.S. this fall (going to NFLD) so I will look forward to meeting you in 2009

Donna

Tom,

Aren't you the lucky one. Maybe you should play the Lottery. When will you be reimaged? How did you discover the liver mets?

Tom- my husband has the same attitude and it has served him well.

Sue

The way that the liver mets present themselves is a sense of hardness just below the breast bone. I thought it was my gallbladder or spleen as I thought the liver was much lower. It is right underneath the diaphram. It is a good idea to check for hardness(no give)along the breastbone and along the lower ribs. The Doctor at Sloan mentioned that they see thyroid and kidney problems even 5 or 6 years out from the original disease causing fatigue, depression. You should get these checked every year with a blood test. I also should mention I am in no pain. The only time I feel sick is when I am in Treatment. There is a balance here.Considering that there is 10-15% patient response rate (meaning a reduction of 50% of the tumor)( personally I'd be happy with stabilization and no increase) but it only happens for short period of time 2,3 maybe 6 months. the cells mutate and become resistant to the chemo and you switch. A person can function with just a very small amount of liver (5%). This is the path I am on, I am a grown up adult and I can accept it. I don't like it, but I accept it and will try to pass on as much information as possible. I go for reimaging on Oct 15. We go from there... Your Friend, Tom Roussell