NED!

fishmanpa
fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Next month April 24th will be my 4 year anniversary of completing treatment for Stage IVa Head and Neck cancer.

As of today, I'm NED! (no evidence of disease). There are some physiological issues with swallowing that are side effects of the surgery and treatment but all is well. It just means I have to keep on doing the swallowing exercises religiously everyday from here on out. I have side effects as in neck pain and neuropathy in my feet but they're manageable with exercise and meds. 

So... Next appointment with Radiation Oncology for a "scope, poke and prod" is in August and then one more appointment with Medical and Radiation oncology next year and I will be deemed "cured".

Throughout my treatment and recovery, the word "cured" was not used. It's always been NED. To hear the word "cured" is something I cannot put into words. I have a year to go but I'm, optimistic.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

 

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    edited March 2017 #2
    4 year NED

    Congratulations T

    t

  • robswife87
    robswife87 Member Posts: 209
    edited March 2017 #3
    Good News

    T

    So glad you keep on keeping on. Rob has been discharged by Radiolist, he will continue to see ENT now every 6 months. He suffers from neck spasms, which they have offered botox for but he says no to it right now. He also suffer from myoclonus which is worse when he comes home from work. He is on seizure meds to help. Leave it to him to get one of the rarest long term side effects from his Chemo. It is like 0.4% chance and he got it. 

    He is bummed about not having the stamina he had before this but is glad to be alive. Our daughter married over the summer and was extatic to walk her down that isle. Can't wait to bbe a granpa but she has 1 more year of nursing school before she will think about it. 

    I love hearing good news from the goup that started around our time also. 

    Sandy

     

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    edited March 2017 #4
    Wonderful news!

    Congratulations! Very happy for you!

  • Sprint Car Dude
    Sprint Car Dude Member Posts: 181
    #5
    Cheers

    Congradulation!!!!!  I am looking foreward to those days!

  • candyshapiro
    candyshapiro Member Posts: 16
    #6
    Just starting the journey I

    Just starting the journey I love to hear this news. 

  • bugsyboy
    bugsyboy Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2017 #7
    candyshapiro said:

    Just starting the journey I

    Just starting the journey I love to hear this news. 

    Congratulations!

    Excellent news!

    Bugsy

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #8
    God bless modern medicine!

    God bless modern medicine!

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    #9
    Wonderful news!!

    Wonderful news!!

  • Chris50
    Chris50 Member Posts: 14 Member
    #10
    CivilMatt said:

    4 year NED

    Congratulations T

    t

    Wonderful news!  And so good

    Wonderful news!  And so good to hear that word "cure"!  Keep up the good fight and savor every moment.

  • Captain Australia
    Captain Australia Member Posts: 21
    #11
    Congratulations

    I hope you live a long and healthy life from this point forward.

  • Grandmax4
    Grandmax4 Member Posts: 723
    #12
    Awesome

    Congratulations, after 5 years, 4 months, I'm still afraid to use the word "cured". We have all faced the demon and survived

    Hope you are still singing and playing!!

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    edited March 2017 #13
    Outstanding "T"

    Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and strumming that Guitar.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

  • Bionicguy
    Bionicguy Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2017 #14
    Terminology

    Congats and I wish you (and all of us) a long life and the best going forward.

    I have a good friend that had throat cancer 18 years ago. He still doesn't use the term "cured". He always says "cancer free" as in "18 years cancer free". Told me he just can't bring himself to say "cured".

  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    edited March 2017 #15
    5 years NED

    Congrats on your NED!  I just got my 5 years yesterday!

     

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #16
    yo T

    Hey,

    So glad to hear the good report, they keep coming in on time and using the right TLA, NED! Spring coming, enjoy the gigs in the hills. someday i'll be sitting in.

  • AnotherSurvivor
    AnotherSurvivor Member Posts: 384 Member
    edited March 2017 #17
    Good on you, mate.

    Good on you, mate.

  • Chicklette
    Chicklette Member Posts: 225
    #18
    So happy for you!

    I know you don't know me, but your story has been very inspiring for me.  My husband is a fellow musician and is just starting this journey.  I know everyone is different, but reading about your journey and knowing that you are playing and singing again gives us a lot of hope for the future.  Congratulations on 4 years NED!

    ~Chicklette~

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