My name is Shelley and I'm a new member. Someone wrote, welcome to the club that no one wants to belong to...I found this site while my husband was finishing 7 weeks of radiation on his throat. It was a very tough time for both of us, I'm so relieved to find other people who have "been there, done that" and will be able to give me some guidance and support. And hopefully I will be able to give help to others too. That's what life's all about right? Fortunately for my husband, he caught the cancer at an early stage, so he didn't have to undergo any radical surgery. But little did we realize how nasty and brutal radiation would be. He has his first appointment with the doctor's on 12/20/04. I hope this isn't a stupid question, but I am assuming the cancer cells are now gone (I don't see how they could withstand the radiation). Are these checkups to see if the cancer comes back, or is there a chance the cancer cells could still be there? I know I'm a rookie where all of this is concerned, so be patient with me OK!

Hi Shelley and welcome to the forum. Because of the nature of cancer in general, he will be be monitored rather closely for the next several years. This is pretty much standard procedure no matter what kind of cancer he had. The answer to both your questions is yes - It might come back and the cells might still be there, hence the constant monitoring, AKA "watchful waiting". The first exams, scans and visits can be a little unnerving but this will pass in time. The biggest risk of recurrence is during the first year. 80% of recurrences (if they are going to happen) happen then. The followup visits will mirror the risk a bit. His risk will be even less since they caught it in an early stage. Needless to say, being cancer free the first year is a pretty good milestone to reach.

Yes radiation was very brutal - many say much worse than surgery. I was pretty much disabled for a year and I was in very good shape going into it.

Hi Shelley and also welcome to the forum. Hopefully we can help answer your questions and let you know there's plenty of help. You're husband will be having side effects from the radiation for several months, and as he goes through those I'm sure you'll have questions of "is this normal?"

As Gary said, they'll be checking for recurrance for the next several years, but there are some of us who had fairly advanced staging and are fairly long time out with no recurrance issues. And as Gary said, radiation was much worse than surgery at least in my case also.

If you have any more questions, that's what we're here for. Support and community.
Bob

Shelley,

Although there are many similarities in post radiation recovery, if something different appears, do not hesitate to ask the question early. Pains will come and go, but things should ever be changing.

The doctors are checking for normal recovery, signs of recurrance and any other unusual indicators. Tell them everything, no matter how trivial. My recovery from radiation was unusually quick, but my worst week during the whole process was the week after radiation stopped. Go figure. Good luck to both of you.

David

Hi Shelley,

Welcome to OCF. Such good information you have already received from Gary, Bob and David. Yes, the radiation treatments were brutal and nasty. They were/are for all of us, and they are lifesavers. Kudos to your husband for having caught the beast early and doing something about it. Make sure you keep his nutrition at as high a level as he can possibly stand. As I am sure you have already read, this forum is also for you and what you are going thru. Don't hesitate to ask about anything that either your husband or yourself are experiencing.

God Bless you both and good luck

Jack
..........
Dx 1/15/97 SCC rt. tonsil met to rt lymph node Stg IV,
Srgry 1/23/97 tonsillectomy & mod radical neck dissection,
Radiation 35 trtmnts both sides

Thank you so much for responding. I really appreciate the feedback. After reading your messages, I feel better and more encouraged already! It's been 2 weeks since he finished the treatments and he's doing pretty good. He's even going back to the gym, but using light weights. He lost over 30 lbs. and he didn't have that weight to lose. I'm trying to keep his nutrition level high, but it's difficult because his throat is so sore and even the protein drinks tend to sting his tongue. It is getting a little better though, baby steps, but that's OK. After reading what some people have gone through, I almost feel guilty complaining at all. Thank you again, and may God Bless all of you!!

Shelley,

Welcome to the neighborhood! Never feel guilty for complaining. This journey you are going through may be the toughest of your life, too. It is not easy on any of us, patients or caregivers alike.

I'm glad to hear your husband has finished radiation. There will be some tough times ahead but many have traveled the path ahead and it is ready. Be sure and have him replenishing the electrolytes, especially if he is working out. The body needs a lot of hydration right now and the muscle tissue has not even started deteriorating as the body heals. Lots of fiber and protein, too.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your husband and getting your life back to some sort of order and routine. It will come!

Ed

Shelley, welcome to the site. Glad to hear your husbands treatment is complete. What stage was his cancer and where was it located? Did he have chemo along with rad? Were you treated in a cancer center or regular hospital? This information can help us understand your situation a little better and we can answer any future questions with a little more understanding. Remember we are all here to help each other through this disease and treatment, so don't hesitate to ask questions or offload some of the stress.

Hi Kirk, my husband's cancer was Stage I, squamus cell carcinoma in his throat. He was first diagnosed 2 years ago, but since he caught it so early and it was just surface cancer cells (I hope I'm not sounding like an idiot)they were in a quandry as to how to treat him. They say he has an unusual case because the cancer cells cover a wide area on the right side of his throat. They said the right side of his throat looked like a cobble stone street. Over these past 2 year's they have been keeping a close eye on him and doing lazer treatments. This past summer he discovered a small lump on the right side of his throat, which is why they decided to do a more agressive treatment (radiation). He did not have Chemo or surgery. We have Kaiser insurance, so the radiation was done at their radiation facility in downtown Los Angeles. I apologize if I don't sound medically "mature" in the wording I use. I haven't gotten down the lingo yet....

Hello Shelley and welcome,
Your husband seems to be doing well.. back at the gym already, wonderful.
Proper nutrition is very important , I made lots of home made soups with fresh veggies, barley, lentils etc. easy to eat and sticks to the ribs.
Keep us posted and let us know how he and you are coping.
Take care
Marica