| Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 | We are just over the one year out mark Emily, and are just beginning to not think about things every day! Hang in there!! Kathy
Kathy wife/caregiver to: Kevin age:53 Dx 7/15/11 HPV16+ SCC Stage IV BOT/R Non smoker, casual drinker 7/27/11 Cistplatin, taxotere,5FU 2/3week sessions, followed by IMRT 125cgy x 60 (2x daily) w/Erbitux weekly. Last rad 10/26/11. Last Erbitux 10/27/11 PEG placed 9/1/11 Removed 11/8/11 Clear PET 10/12 and 10/13 and ct in 6/14 | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 | I undertand your feelings Emily, having had 5 recurrences myself, and can't help thinking if it will return, but I believe it shows your concern about your health, and other matters, and is better than no thoughts at all. It's only natural, but when it interferes with your daily living it's a concern, but there can be postive prepardness too. In fact, I finished treatment on the 19th, and had a break in between, but I need to get All my medical records for future reference, so I don't get caught short again. When you think you have enough, someone always asks for something you don't have, and my local oncologist just did the other day for my blood work from treatments lol. I also need to see doctors I have not seen in a few months since I may call on them again, one day. Being diligent in seeing your doctor about any medical concerns is being proactive, and good too, and doubt any good doctor would disagree, otherwise, why would we need them, and may rely on Dr. Google instead. Updating or changing your medical plan, doctors, insurance, wills, occupations, diet, and even spiritual thoughts often results in these thoughts. I like to think we may not always be ok, and that's ok too, I'm prepared.
Take care.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 | Paul, I cannot begin to imagine all you have been through with 5 recurrences! Hearing from other surivors on this site (many who have gone through so much I cannot even imagine) help to put things in perspective for me and give me hope that if it does come back, I can fight it. I just hate even considering the thought though!
I think this cancer has turned into an obsession of mine, which I know I need to snap out of and just live my life.
Thanks for all the advice, good luck to you all!
Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis HPV-, no risk factors T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection 30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin) 1/13/12 last day of treatment Diagnosed October 2011
| | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 | Try to have satisfaction that you had the best treatment available, and did all you could have done, and try to enjoy yourself now! Its ok to get down, but dust off, and get back up, and start again. To help your thoughts, get caught up in the holidays with family and loved ones, play your favorite music, join a group, go shopping, find a hobby, get a pet, read a book..non cancer, go on vacation, out on the town, and celebrate your cancer anniversary in January, and enjoy the moment.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
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