So that is positive news! Glad it has not gone into your lungs! There are several here who have done rads twice. Its not easy and you did it before so you know how it goes. But this time around you know what to avoid and know how important nutrition and hydration are to getting thru it easier. If you need to go thru rads again, you can do it!!!! This time around you have OCF behind you.

Hi Christine. Im praying I only have to do Chemo so I can still keep working. My FMLA is all used up and I have pretty much used up my lifes savings.Man..I did not expect this again so soon. Hopefully 3 times the charm!!

Hi Christine,
I'm assuming that this reoccurrence is also HPV+. The reoccurrence was also Base of Tongue, so in exactly the same site. I guess that although Kris had a clear PET last June, there must have been a few cells remaining that were not killed off by the radiation and Cisplatin. It was a small localized reoccurrence and not as large as the original tumour. Although his surgery was done on the original tumour margins. Guess we are one of the unlucky ones.
Tammy

Plant girl as far as I know chemo alone isn't very effective against OC - push for more... Maybe a combination of chemos? Hug - so glad I not in your lungs!!!

Are you being treated at a cancer center? Have your doctors suggested chemo would be the only thing necessary to cure this recurrence? What about a second opinion?

Im seeing docs Monday. I dont know what I will be doing yet. Ill let you all know.

Im being treated at UNC cancer hospital in Chapel Hill NC

UNC should be a good place - they are highly regarded and have a good many clinical trials going. However, getting a second opinion is not a bad idea, either. If you don't have the information already, you may want to ask about having some of the some of the additional biomarkers - besides HPV - that might provide a more information on what course to take next. Hope that things go well on Monday.

Hello, Plantgirl.

I haven't consistently been on the forums for a few weeks, now, so I am just learning of your recurrence. I am so sorry that you are going through this at all, let alone for the third time! Like others have said, I am so grateful that it is localized.

I did not have chemo/rads, so I can only go by what I have learned through OCF, but it seems that rads is what KILLS the cancer and the chemo prevents or slows down the spread while you are getting treatment. Someone here, correct me if I'm wrong.

My advise to you, other than getting a second opinion (this is your life), is to write down all of your questions and get them all answered. Keep a notebook handy at all times so that when a question arises, you can jot it down while it's fresh in your mind.

I give you my best wishes in this battle. I will be holding you close in my heart.

With great care,
Kerri

As it stands now, if the labs and EKG are ok, I will be in a clinical trial for the chemo drugs Capecitabine and Lapatinib. They are FDA approved for breast cancer but they have very good results for patients with OC. Ill have to take 2 pills a day (no IV yay!!!)
and see the Dr every 3 weeks. The side effects are not at all bad so I should be able to continue working. Like I said this all depends on my tests so Im praying. It really seems like the best option for me as I cannot do any more radiation to that side. If at any time they find the cancer not responding or spreading I will have more options. What do you guys think?