A recurrence is NOT a death sentence!!! Cancer is unpredictable and you just never know if it will return. Ive been diagnosed with OC three time in three years. The last being Stage IV with very low chance of survival. Somehow I beat the odds and survived which surprised even my doctors. Most patients will fare best at a comprehensive cancer center (CCC), especially when having a recurrence. If you can get her to a CCC for at the very least a second opinion it is worth the trip. Do not delay in scheduling appointments, time is of the essence. Some patients who have recurrences experience their tumor to grow quickly making it harder to treat. Some patients have been diagnosed with OC due to trauma in their mouths which sounds like what has happened in your wifes case. Regardless of what the cause was it still must be addressed and treated. If your wife only had surgery to remove her cancer then she should have both surgery and radiation as treatment options which for Stage I have great survival rates. For first time diagnosis at Stage I patients have a 90% chance of survival. I would have to guess that wouldnt be so different when talking about recurrences especially when radiation was not used the first time around.
As a caregiver, you do NOT have an easy task. Its not easy taking care of the person you love the most in this world while you see them fighting and struggling to get thru everything. Plus taking care of your normal household chores while always maintaining a cheerful, encouraging attitude in front of your patient. Thats a heck of alot on your shoulders!!! Your fears are a normal reaction, we all fear a recurrence as what we are most afraid of. Recurrences force us to think about our own mortality and then the hardest thoughts with "what if..." way of thinking. Stay busy and make sure you take some time just for you. Even a walk around the block to clear your head can help dramatically when carrying so much on your shoulders. Take time to still go out and do your regular activities as much as possible to keep your routines going which can help make this easier on both of you. We understand where you are coming from and are here to help support you both.
Wishing you and your wife all the very best!!!
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