I just had my six month post TX check-up and so far so good. Life is basically back to normal now.

I am feeling just fine, active and food tastes fine (a few things still have a muted flavor or are not as sweet) - no swallowing problems or anything.

ENT mentioned my BOT is a bit thicker, but that it is not unusual for some post-radiation thickening to occur - has anyone else ever heard of this?

Last month my RO told me to gain five pounds. I gained about four, but somehow managed to lose it again so I am going to have to hit the pasta and potatoes before I see her again in April.

Never a day goes by that I don't think about recurrence - does one ever get past that?

Don,

First off Congratulation!!

Re the thickening post Tx I was never told that mine did nor did I ever feel something like that.

Gaining weight post Tx was a huge challenge for me and I'm sure my bike riding and the fact that I didn't enjoy eating on many different plains didn't help but I really only recently found that I can gain weight and that's after 2+ years of recovery.

Congratualtions Don! That is great news. I can't believe you're finding your taste so good - I'm still not 100% back in that area - although it does continue to improve. How are you doing for fatigue and stamina?

And as far as recurrence, like everything - we're all different. I know for my lymphoma it was quite a few years before I didn't think any little change in my body was a sign that it was back. I've been told that for OC, the first two years are the riskiest, but as we've seen here, it can come back at anytime. I really think that some worry about it is perfectly normal and to be expected.

Sorry Don I forgot one other question you had re the worrying. I worried each time I went to get checked out. I worried in between each time I went to get checked out. I especially worried waiting to get results of scans post Tx but I don't seem to worry now. It's always in the back of my mind and everytime I read about someone here finding it again it brings up ugly thoughts but nothing like the first couple of years. Time heals all wounds kinda thing.

Ditto to David's post, though I am about a year behind him, and a bit more inclined to worry, particularly when I get a cold or something involvning the upper respiratory area. Far less now than earlier in the recovery process. As with most things, it just takes time.

Congrats-and keep up the healing process!! Dont dwell on the beast comming back, instead enjoy today. Semper-Fi Bob

Margaret,
Good hearing from one of my Ole "Radiation Road" buddies.

About the "fatigue and stamina" question; I can't really tell any difference now than before Tx.

I always wondered, since I didn't have tongue surgery (free flap), if that doesn't affect taste recovery?

I had a rare cancer-like lupus condition when I was quite young that caused tumors to form in my blood vessels and capillaries. The effects of that disease and a Chemo called Cytoxan left me with some kidney damage(although I can't tell it).

The kidney issue was a major consideration and why they avoided Cisplatin/Erbitux, and instead, after the SND, just blasted the hell out of me with Tomo, but it adds to my worry about recurrence and re-treatment issues and options.