Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#76967 07-14-2008 07:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 598
JeffL Offline OP
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
OP Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 598
Well, it was July 11, 2007 when I got off the table in the Radiation Room, politely rejected the offer to take my mask with me, and began the journey of After Treatment. I had my latest follow up with ENT/Surgical Oncologist today, and still all clear, so I can "officially" celebrate 1 year cancer free.

Interesting that there was more than usual anxiety leading up to this appointment. Part of it was the subtle increase in neck stiffness and tenderness, as some of the side effects of the radiation and neck dissection have taken hold. While I was pretty sure that these were side effects, the gremlin of doubt in my mind still stoked the fear that it had returned. Probably will always have that anxiety around appointment times, so might as well get used to it.

Hopefully I am able to contribute something of value to this site, as you have all helped me immeasurably during the past 16 months, since my diagnosis. Anything I can do to give back to the community, you all need only ask!


Jeff
SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007
T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa
Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007
39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07
Complete response to treatment so far!!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,311
Senior Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Senior Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,311
Congrats Jeff. I took my mask with me though as we had developed quite a bonding relationship during treatment.


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 621
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 621
Congratulations Jeff. I like you didn't take my mask either. If I had, it would have gone as far as the back parking lot and the dumpster <<grin>>.

You're really on your way now!!

Kevin


9 YEAR SURVIVOR
SCC Tongue (T3N0M0) diag 06/2006.
No evidence of disease 2010
Another PET 12-2014 pre-HBO, still N.E.D.


�Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. It matters that you don't just give up.�
Stephen Hawking
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,082
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,082
Way to go. Thank you for posting good news and providing Hope to the rest of us.
PS. I not only kept my mask but have made a plaster/stained glass insert of bright red to put into a sculpture I am working on with some of the CT scans.

Tom


65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin

Passed away 4-29-13
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,019
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,019
I took my mask too. It's collecting dust on a shelf in our basement. I have considered bringing it into work and hanging it on my office wall to scare students.....

Or maybe decorating it somehow and mkaing it a piece of modern art!

Anyway, congratulations, Jeff!


SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 148
Senior Member (100+ posts)
Offline
Senior Member (100+ posts)

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 148
Great news. Mine is in the garage but I had to put a towel over it as it scared people and pets. I hope to share the same results down the road.


Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,260
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,260
Congrats Jeff old buddy and I hope you have another 50 yrs of being free. I have my mask in the back room of my =basement in a plastic bag. Might be good for Halloween. LOL


Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6

Jeff:

Congrats on your 1 yr milestone. Hope you have many many more. I did take my mask home too, its in a bag in my closet.

Christine


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 231
Gold Member (200+ posts)
Offline
Gold Member (200+ posts)

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 231
Congrats my friend. Heres too many, many more anniversaries Jeff.


Dx Mar 07 with Base Of Tongue Stage IV. IMRT 35x with 3 doses Cysplatin ran concurrent. Tx ended May 31,07. Left and right node involved. Radical neck disection 7/18/07
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,219
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,219
Jeff,

Congratulations and you have already contributed a great deal to this forum and I hope to see you contributing for many more years to come.

Jerry


Jerry

Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.

"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,921
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5