Thank you Mark for starting this thread. As a stage 1 survivor who had a neck dissection and no nodal involvement, I always get a little anxious when the discussion involves stage 1 tumors and radiation.

I truly trust my team of physicians and my watchful waiting does involve annual extensive testing, and every two months visits with thorough visual exams and hands on palpation for another year. After that, I am not sure of the schedule for the visual exams, (may go to 3-4 months?) but the annual stuff keeps going for a minimum of 5 years.

I do try to curb my enthusiasm over my good reports to not offend those with not so great results. At the same time, I want people to know that not every patient has a terrible experience with this disease. Ok, my rose colored glasses at times minimize the extensive tongue surgery with grafting and the neck dissection and the difficulty of recovering from that. That is my nature, very upbeat, positive and proactive.

And Dag Nab It, I am so happy to be on this side of the grass and sharing with all of you!

Sincerely,
Lisa in Ks