Week 4 of post treatment was an up and down week. Add to that some inconsistencies, emotional downtime and you have a recipe for an update. Friday I noticed an area on my lower neck and part of shoulder (tumor side) was extremely red and starting to blister. This had never been an issue through treatment or up to this point. Now it is worsening but I am controlling with Eucerin applications. Not sure why now this would surface. Second, tongue ulcer on right side is cleared up and pain free. Left side monster is still sore and aggravating. Had another laser treatment Thursday so I will observe for a few days hoping it heals. If not another treatment scheduled this coming week. On another front I am battling some fears and the usual questions we have all asked ourselves from time to time: Why? Am I ever going to heal? Why am I prisoner to pain meds and PEG tube? I actually had a crying moment with my wife yesterday as she could sense my anger/frustration with this cancer that has dominated our lives for 5 months now. I can appreciate those who have gone through this before me and take time to help others and yet sometimes you can sense the anger for what they had to go through. It just does not seem fair. Last night on the news it was mentioned that 1 in 2 will have cancer at some point in their life. Maybe we go through this so we can help the ever increasing number of people diagnosed with this disease.

At any rate I am progressing. Eating hot cereal everyday. Taste is back and once tongue ulcer pain eases I am raring to charge into the pantry. Weight has gone down another 3 pounds this week making total 13 overall. I am determined to correct that and put weight on with new determination. Also cleared to work from home until I feel good enough to go into office everyday. So you see this week was good, bad and ugly at times. So is this journey.


Age 55 HPV 16+ SCC, BOT 050613 Stage IV
great team at OSU
Tx 6 weeks of rad started June 3
8 weeks of chemo started May 28
RTOG Phase III trial Cetuximab group.
Treatment completed 7/16/2013
PET Scan completed 10/08/13
Results discussed 10/11/13
NED - Free but am I
Next part of the journey?
1year PET 10/24/14 NED
Good reports now 10 years out.