This post was moved from the end of a non related thread to this new location by OCF
Hi, My husband is about 4 months out from the end of his treatments. He's doing fantastic -- eats well, is gaining weight, etc. He sees his doctors on a 3 month or so basis. Unfortunately, his last visit threw him into a depression. His doc., (we now call him "Mr. Ray of Sunshine") went on and on about how that even though there is no sign of cancer now, there is always the likelihood of it reoccuring somewhere else. Although we were aware of this, hearing it from his doctor really hit him hard.
My question is, how will we know it's back? Will he have any overt symptoms? (His doc. said something about getting sinus headaches?) We don't assume there will be any obvious symptoms because we only found his current cancer after it had metasized to his lymph nodes. He had Stage III back of tongue cancer with the usual neck disection/rad/chemo treatments.
Also, what specific tests should the doctors be performing and how frequently to test for head and neck cancers? What is the liklihood that it would occur elsewhere in the body like the lungs or liver?
I guess the toughest question is how to cope with this incredible cloud hanging over you for 5+ years. We were feeling really great about ourselves because we thought we had survived, but then reality smacks you right in the face. I've read some of the survivor stories and they're great, but it is always different when it's you. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
BC