| | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 14 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 14 | Friday is the big day, going to see the ENT. Most of the process stuff I think know about, what else should I know or questions to ask? I know the appointment schedule, every month for the first 12 months and then going to every other month for year 2. PET/CT at the 3rd month and again 6 months later if it�s questionable, that�s assuming it doesn�t show a distant site or such. I have been told that the first couple of appointments the �growth� might still be there as it dies off. Overall my response to treatment has been very good, as I have been blessed in this area. Getting back to eating normal foods had a sandwich for the first time today. Still have a dry mouth and it seems to be getting a little better as time goes by. Went back to work a couple of weeks ago without any real issues, other than problem employees. That�s another story. Returned to my workouts and I am getting my strength back. Cycling has always been a passion for me and I have gotten my cycling legs back and I have been able to extend my rides distances without much problem. It seems like I am in the watch and wait stage, and lots of praying it doesnt return.
Dx 11/19/2011, SCC T2(2cm)N0 M0,BOT,HPV+
Tx 35 Rad(6996cgy)IMRT, No Chemo, Tx Done 1/17/12,
Never smoked, rare drinker, 52-Male
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 42 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 42 | Mark, You should be ecstatic at this point. Had my first ENT follow-up today. First on 12 monthly visits to be sure it is gone.... Pretty simple visit, camera in the throat check things, then careful external check of the neck. Even had a good discussion on vaccinating our kids.
30 minutes then back to work...
All good things ahead.
Nov2011Tonsil Cancer Stage3 T1N1 HPV+, Non-smoker, slight drinker
Dec2011 Radical Tonsilectomy (TORS),
Jan2012 Neck Disection areas 2,3,4
Feb2012 Opinions from 5 RO's decision for No Rads/No Chemo
Jan2013 all clear at 1 year , continue regular check-ups
Jan2014 all clear at 2 years, less frequent check-ups
Jan2015 all clear at 3 years, MRI, chest x-ray, blood work all good
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | Mark - glad that you are back to cycling - will get those endorphins flowing, and let you better deal with the pesky employees!
Mike - so you're on the 'no adverse features' track in the guideline, and you had access to TORS - very good. It sounds like you have a real partnership going with your doctors that will make the 'aggressive observation' a good alternative.
Best wishes for health and healing to both of you gentlemen!
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 14 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 14 | All went well, the doctor told said I am healing ahead of schedule and did not find any signs of the cancer in my throat or lymph nodes. He gave me the option of coming in every couple of months, after talking it over with my wife we decided to stay with monthly for a while. Can�t be too careful. The true test is coming with the PET/CT scan, he suggested waiting until the 6 month mark to help ensure it�s as accurate as possible. We did discuss the trade offs of waiting a few more months.
Dx 11/19/2011, SCC T2(2cm)N0 M0,BOT,HPV+
Tx 35 Rad(6996cgy)IMRT, No Chemo, Tx Done 1/17/12,
Never smoked, rare drinker, 52-Male
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Congrats on the great check up, Mark! Its much better to make sure you are sufficiently healed before you do the scan. Hope you do something special to celebrate your good health.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 14 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 14 | Yes we are, now that I can eat more types of food we are going to have a nice quiet dinner out on the town. Looking forward to a couple of long rides this weekend, going to the gym and sleeping in. Taking today as a gift as who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Dx 11/19/2011, SCC T2(2cm)N0 M0,BOT,HPV+
Tx 35 Rad(6996cgy)IMRT, No Chemo, Tx Done 1/17/12,
Never smoked, rare drinker, 52-Male
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