Bob & Laurie,

I know how strong the desire can be to have something conclusive that you can point to and rely on after the end of treatment. However, recovery from surgery and radiation (especially radiation) is usually a lengthy process, and Bob will need fairly frequent follow-ups with his team for at least a year or two. They should probably be seeing him every 6-8 weeks for the next 6 months or so, and then perhaps less often after that if everything is still OK. Generally he should have an annual chest x-ray, and his doctors may also feel that others scans are necessary each year. He will also need more frequent dental checks from now on (with a dentist who has expertise in post-radiation issues), since radiation can cause long-term damage to teeth and gums.

It's a good sign that he's already back to soft foods at this point, but if he's lost 50 pounds it will be important to maintain contact with a hospital nutritionist who can help him get back to a normal weight.

This is not to say that the "new normal" has to revolve around doctors' appointments all the time. Within a year after I finished radiation, my husband and I took a couple of fairly long vacation trips with no problems, and within about 18 months after treatment we undertook a major home renovation.

However, given the nature of this disease, you will need to be watchful for any warning signs that may appear, and be sure your oncology team is readily accessible for any questions you may have -- not just over the next few months, but for the long term.

Cathy