Living 6 months at a time! Can you say NED!!! :)

Hello, Everyone, haven't really posted in a while. Since, I am still battling with alot of depression; I am trying to stay away from the cancer boards and trying to think positive. I feel that thinking about cancer everyday doesn't help. Plus I'm dealing with normal life issues like relationship stuff so that doesn't help with the depression and stress either. You folks that are married and have kids are lucky, one less stressor in your life.

I admire those of you who have taken the position of mentors for the new comers and are on this board everyday;no need to add names we know who you are. God bless you guys.

Anyway, I first just wanted to say that I'm sorry for those of you who have recently had news of reaccurence and are starting the fight again. My prayers and thoughts are with you!!!!!

Secondly, I am roughly about 1 year and 4 months post treatment for Tonsil cancer, HPV+. Everything seemed to be going good, but 3 weeks ago was laying in bed and felt a pea sized lump on the right side of my neck where I had the surgery. Went to the ent and they said it most likely was scar tissue; but since I was up for my 6 month pet/ct he said lets just take a look. As a side note: This was only my 4th Pet/CT: 1 pre diagnosis and 3 post diagnosis. So I think my frequency of scans is lower than the norm here; but I am ok with that. I'll stick with the every 6 months. Well to make a long story short had the test done on Thursday OCT. 27th and saw the ENT today. NED!!!!!!! He said the scans looked great and the lump was either scar tissue or calcium build-up. Nothing to indicate cancer. So, he said go back and live your life another 6 monhts at a time. Amen to that.

As far as eating, dry mouth, weight gain, dental:

I can eat what ever I want; even eating spicy foods such as chicken wings, salsa but mild of course. I can eat subs but need to wash it done with water; but that's better than soda. Dry mouth: I still get dry mouth when I sleep: By I can sleep a solid 8 hours as long as I don't drink to much fluids before bed. Luckily my teeth are doing good and didn't have to have any pulled, so i chew xylitol gum alot during the day and this helps with saliva production. Also, I brush with Previdnet 5000 1.1 flouride 3 times a day, use act for dry mouth flouride rinse 3 times a day, and try to use flouride tray2-3 times a week. last dental exam was good; and x-ray showed good bone density. I don't drink any soda or apple juice or orange juice anymore, too acidic for the teeth. Weight has gotten back to about 185lbs; I was 195 before and got down to 160 by the end of treatment. Overall, besides the depression, doing pretty good!!

Anyway, God Bless and hang in there for the newbies; you can do it!!!!!! Big Huggs for everyone!!

Charles