Hi everyone,
I was just wondering what type of scans you have had as part of your follow up. I have chest xrays but I've not had one CT SCAN or MRI and every time I ask they say I don,t need one.I did have a scan of my sinuses but thats it. Had MRI and CT at Diagnosis but not one in 7 YRS> just doesn't seem right.Any suggestions?
P.S> This has a little to do with why I have an OB-GYN looking down my throat at the moment
Mark.

Mark,

My follow-up for the past 17 years has included mostly chest x-rays (more or less on an annual basis) and palpation exams by my oral surgeon and my radiation oncologist. I have infrequently had CTs or MRIs -- not on a routine basis, but only in response to specific symptoms that seemed to warrant a particular scan.

Cathy

Cathy,
Thank-You for your quick response. I noticed you are from Newton, I think it is my yrs. of being a Red Sox fan that creates my skepticism. You are a pretty special person to be 17 yrs out and take the time to ease my fears. Cathy what do you think about Amy trying to get me to get my wife DIAMONDS, and more important do you think we should trade Manny. Cathy I'm glad we are on the computer because they would have a field day with my Boston accent. Thanks Again,
Mark.

Mark,

Personally, I like diamonds. My husband (like you) likes baseball. I'm sure he thinks that a good compromise is for us to watch a game played on a baseball diamond! And yes, I think the Red Sox should find another home for Manny.

Regarding your follow-up visits -- if I were in your position, I would want someone other than an OB-GYN looking down my throat. Even after all these years, I still have checkups twice a year with my medical oncologist, once a year with my radiation oncologist, and twice a year with a periodontist, all of whom are very skilled in watching for any mouth-related issues.

Cathy

CATHY THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT ADVICE.MY MO MOVED TO ANOTHER CITY SO I AM SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING NEW MO IN NOVEMBER. I STILL FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST A CAT SCAN. WHERE MY CANCER ORIGINATED HAS THE HIGHEST PROPENSITY FOR SPREAD AND RECURRENCE ACCORDING TO EVERYTHING I'VE READ. WHERE MY BODY WAS BEATEN UP FROM LEUKEMIA, IT LESSENS MY PROGNOSIS DUE TO A LOW IMMUNE SYSTEM. I HAD NASOPHARYNX CANCER WITH 3 OR 4 NODES INVOLVED. I DON,T SEE MY RADIOLOGIST ANYMORE. APPRECIATE ANY OPINIONS OUT THERE.ALSO I AM OPEN TO ANY REFERRALS FOR H&N ONCOLOGIST IN BOSTON AREA.

Mark,

My RO rcommended a full body CT/PET scan every 3 months for the 1st year with monthy visits to an ENT. From what I've read before you should have a PET scan yearly. But hey what do I know I'm uglier or was it tougher than the undertaker.

Update on me:
Tomorrow is 3 weeks post rad treatment for me. And today I ate a full breakfast at IHOP...pancakes, eggs, bacon, country gravy smothered hash browns. I couldn't taste it all but I thought I could taste a little initially.

Boy- what wonderful posts to react to
Mark: See, I told you-Diamonds are pretty special[thanks, Cathy, for the reinforcement] And since OB_GYN's generally look up, rather than down., I second the advice on Mark getting a more appropriate Doc.
Stoj, glad you could eat all of that at IHOP-if you cooked it at home, you could use turkey bacon, low colestrol eggs, hash browns cooked in canola oil, pancakes made with low fat milk and had some left over to eat again. By the way- breakfast food is also good at night Keep on eating. Amy

Tim, I'm so happy for you . To hear the great news that your eating is terrific. Today was a great day for me to. You can read my new post under introduce yourself tonite. I have'nt stopped pinching myself. I think they misdiagnosed me I think I'm bi-polar instead of a cancer survivor. What an emotional roller coaster this is. I'm like a little kid, It is amazing the pick me up when people care and respond to people in need. I want to thank you all for your responses, I'm not right about much but love is the most powerful drug I know. Heck I,ve got so much energy tonite I just might build that room of my house like Amy but I'd be afraid that somewhere down the road that's where my wife would send me when she gets sick of listening to me.
Mark D.