#77117 07-17-2008 10:11 PM | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 666 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP  "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 666 | It has been pretty much one year since the last IMRT session (July 18th). Since then, Lancelot (my mask), languishes in the basement and scares the occasional rodent.
Recovery was relatively rapid, although not nearly rapid enough naturally. Other than a minor (in retrospect!!) scare because of an infection, things were thankfully uneventful.
My last visit with the H&N surgeon (June 2nd) was all clear as was the visit with the RO the week before that. (PET/CT scans were clean 2 times now) There have been huge improvements in taste and food tolerance, and this is still going on. Over all, besides the expected issues (teeth, dry mouth) I feel "healthier" than before all of this started. Or maybe I am just appreciating life. This I hope will be permanent.
Considering the last year I wished that started with the hyperbaric treatment earlier, I thought they were quite useful. And to echo David's advice I wished that I had done a better job with nutrition during and after IMRT. I checked this board from the beginning of my journey, and the insights it provided were incredibly valuable (and humbling).
Grateful to be here!
Markus
Last edited by Markus; 07-17-2008 10:18 PM. Reason: too much time???
Partial glossectomy (25%) anterior tongue. 4/6/07/. IMRT start @5/24/07 (3x) Erbitux start/end@ 5/24/07. IMRT wider field (30x) start 6/5/07. Weekly cisplatin (2x30mg/m2), then weekly carbo- (5x180mg/m2). End of Tx 19 July 07.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Hi Markus,
Congratulations on reaching this milestone. I am sure that you have given back much more than you have received from this board. Your postings continue to be both insightful and very helpful.
I just noticed that your partial glossectomy was exactly 2 years to the day after mine. That is the date that I celebrate each year as I did not have radiation or chemo.
I wish you continued good health and many more anniversaries.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Hey markus
congratulations on your anniversary.I have an anniversary coming up soon so i guess we are both survivors.All the very best too you and i hope you have many many more.
love liz
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Fortunately or unfortunately depending upon how one looks at it, this isn't a situation where we "live and learn" about our mistakes during Tx and recovery but at least we can try to pass on our new found wisdom to the ones that follow us. My goal on this site has always been to help someone avoid going thru what I did if at all possible. When someone tells me I made a difference it makes my day.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 666 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 666 | Thanks guys!
We went out celebrating and I am happy to say that food tolerance AND enjoyment has made another leap!
M
Partial glossectomy (25%) anterior tongue. 4/6/07/. IMRT start @5/24/07 (3x) Erbitux start/end@ 5/24/07. IMRT wider field (30x) start 6/5/07. Weekly cisplatin (2x30mg/m2), then weekly carbo- (5x180mg/m2). End of Tx 19 July 07.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | Congratulations, Markus!!! Having lifted my rapidly aging body off the IMRT table for the last time about 1 week before you did, I can sure appreciate the feeling. My taste is pretty darn good, and I can tolerate pretty much any food, except really spicy stuff. Dry mouth is bad, teeth require constant attention, and shoulder\neck stiffness is ever present, but I'll take all of them.
Glad you celebrated -- many, many more!
Jeff
SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007
T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa
Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007
39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07
Complete response to treatment so far!!
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