Hi all,

I just finished my 1 year follow up visit. I can proudly say that they kicked me out for 6 months.

All clear after one year.

To my family out here, thank you so much for your kind words, prayers, smart ass comments, tears, hope, joy. I love you all.

To all newbies, no matter what happens, every second of every day, is a gift.
Yes, you will feel normal again.
And most of all PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do your homework and get the best care out there. You owe it to your family if not yourself.

Thanks you all.

Robert, Christine, Alison, Robby, Tommy, Billy, and Scotty Hamilton

Dear Robert and Family,

CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is fantastic news, all clear for one year! I love hearing this kind of news, it gives the rest of us a lot of hope. I'm sure you are walking on air right now. Hope you and your family go out and celebrate tonight, you deserve it.

Thank you,

Shelley

Rob,
Great news!
Best Regards,
Dave

Wonderful news, Robert.

These posts are the best ones for me to bring to Tom. - - Although I think he's turned a psychological corner, he is often depressed with the slow rate of recovery - esp. weight gain. He hates the sound of his voice, which used to be very strong and a great tenor. He is hoping once his throat allows more solid food down that the voice will return a bit (??) What say you out there?

Nicki

Rob
Yeahhhh congratulations to you and your
family. I just love good news.
Nicki
It will get better , eventually. Like the rest of the guys patience is probably not his strong suit!

Take care
Marica

Marica - you are right-on when you say patience is not his strong suit. He's a stubborn fellow - very strong-willed - and he refuses to stand in line for a movie or restaurant or museum or ANYTHING now that I think about it! He is one of the hardest working men I know, and this has realllllly put the brakes on that aspect of his life. He's coping OK with that part because he has such a strong team at work and the business is thriving. He is NOT coping well with not being able to do things around the house like he always has. I told him that would get better because it HAS to!
He is exercising his arms, shoulders and neck and that at least makes him feel productive.
(Boy, I just realized how much I missed talking to everyone here! I can't stay away so long...!)
Nicki

Robert, good news to cheer us up. Your doctor is really confident about your health as he won't be seeing you until 6 months later. I am still on a 14 week interval although I am approaching my 4 year mark. Maybe your cancer is of an earlier stage than mine. My advice is in between your next appointment, always be on the alert to your body.
Nicki, me too! The first thing I turned on the computer every morning is to get to OCF to read members' messages and I look forward to reading good news.

Karen

Robert,

Congratulations! I got good news from my doc last Thursday. That's 2 years, 2 months, 2 weeks and 6 days after my initial surgery... but who's counting? Live strong!

Ken

Hi Robert,
I was so excited with my one year check up.........I'm glad you get to feel the same way! You have a beautiful family and this news must make their day also.
I'm with Karen on keeping a close watch on your body during the 6 months until you go to the doctor again. I am 7 months ahead of you and still see my doctor every other month.
Take care,
Minnie

Hi Thanks everyone. I agree and do keep quite a good tab on things that are going on. While I was treated and diagnosed stage IV, my metastasis was 2.8 to 3.0 depending on the measurement. I personally believe that I am stage III and two of my three doctors (Surgeon, Oncologist) agree.

However, my Radiation Oncologist (who in my opinion holds the key) said stage IV and he wont hear any arguments to the contrary.

So catagorigly and historically speaking I had a small primary (1.6cm) border line (III,IV) met. I was considered a very curable case.
Of course we all know what that information is worth. Remember Lynn?

Once again, thanks for your concern. I check my neck nodes at least two hundred times a day and try to feel inside my mouth in the morning and at night (you all know the drill).

Also, since I wrote my first post my Surgeon

Congratulations Robert and your family

How wonderful for you all, big celebrations in Libertyville I'm sure. Thankyou for your inspiring post.

I was very similar to you Robert, RH tonsil (remnant), very small primary but major lymph spread. I am 2 yrs out and doing well also. Like you, I believe every moment is precious. I live a quiet, peaceful life and I'm so HAPPY in myself.

Love and light to you all, from Helen

Robert I am glad to hear the good news and happy to read at the bottom that you will still see someone at 3 or 4 months. It feels good to have those "all clear" checks anyway, so why not have one every 3 months!

At nearly 4 years for me, My ENT said 6 months....I'm not sure I am ready for that! I'll probably come up with an excuse to see him say maybe 4 months?

Nicki, Tell Tom that I joined my church choir at about 6 months out. My voice got pretty good but at least several notes lower and not much falsetto left (although that has gotten better over time). No problem, I now sing bass. The one thing that I haven't got back is my whistle.

Robert,

Congratulations. I am 10 months and so far so good. News like yours gives me hope. My doc just took me to three months and I am a little nervous about that. Great news. Thanks for sharing it.

John

Hey Mark, that is funny cuz my oral surgeon has tried to wean me to like every 3 months check up but I manage to get in there earlier every time! In fact, the last visit he asked if I would like to have a bed set up there. Smile!

I am having surgery on 03/08 for reconstruction on my flap and neck scar revision. Has anyone else had the flap reconstruction?

Thanks,
Carol

CONGRATULATIONS Robert & Family!!!
I say "and family" because this disease is not a "solo" thing. As the wife of a survivor I must say that every appointment/test/etc feel like they are mine as well. So, I can attest that your family feels the happiness with your good news just as much as you!

I must say though, just like the others, my husband and I both go through withdrawals if there isn't some sort of doctor's appointment at least once a month. Amazing how we came to rely so much on their words of encouragement. Great news though that your doctors are so confident!

Enjoy each and every day...

Lorie

Robert, congrats on the good report at one year out. Its nice to hear them say " cancer free" at each visit. Its also nice to be able to see the doctors at a longer interval. I'm sure your family is happy to hear the good news also.

Hello Robert,

Thanks for sharing your great news!!! It picked me up a notch and when your only 5'7" It made me feel as tall as Mark!!!

Does this mean you have to continue to watch the Bears? You could get a feed for the Packer games and enjoy your Sunday afternoons a little more!!!
Do you want me to send you a cheese head?

Love you and your lovely family!!!!

Best Wishes, Danny Boy

Robert,

I am so sorry I missed the great news but a very warm and sincere belated congrats to you!!

May you and the entire tribe have many more happy semi-annual visits!! I love you, too, dude.

Ed