Another First Followup After Treatment

jthornsbury
jthornsbury Member Posts: 62
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Have my first set of followup appointments this Monday-Wednesday at MD Anderson in Houston.  A little anxious about the whole thing but know it is something I need to get used to at least for the next five years of my life. Any advice going into this from those who have gone before...

 

Thanks!

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Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    Drink...

    LOL, just teasing..., we all go through some sort of scanxiety, or pre-checkup anxiety... It gets a little better the further out you get, first year or two is the worse.

  • HobbsDoggy
    HobbsDoggy Member Posts: 276
    #3
    It Ain't Easy

    I don't know of any easy way to face this and its always going to be scary, at least for me.  I guess I do think about the fact that most people who go through treatment di well and that so far it is going well.  I can calm myself by reading all I can about cancer, for some people that wold be a bad idea.  Also being a member of a local cancer surviors group has been a big help to me.  I also totally agree that writting down the questions helps.  So far my check ups have been brief deals with check down my neck to look for problems so far so good.

     

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #4
    I'm with John

    Drink.......but do it in the parking lot at the doctor's office so you don't drink and drive. I am also kidding.

    The follow up visits prescans wasn't so bad. My first visit after a PET scan was nerve racking. I waited two weeks after the scan for the doctor appointment and I was two days shy of checking into the funny farm. But it was all worth it JT as it will be for you. Come the time for your first scan, I would ask the doctor if you can call to get  the results before your office visit. My doctor told me I can always do that. I did so for the second one but haven't since because I have learned to control the drama in my head thanks to the first two being NED.

    Get ready to celebrate....then you can drink (at home)

    Enjoy the day

          Jeff

  • jthornsbury
    jthornsbury Member Posts: 62
    #5
    Duggie88 said:

    I'm with John

    Drink.......but do it in the parking lot at the doctor's office so you don't drink and drive. I am also kidding.

    The follow up visits prescans wasn't so bad. My first visit after a PET scan was nerve racking. I waited two weeks after the scan for the doctor appointment and I was two days shy of checking into the funny farm. But it was all worth it JT as it will be for you. Come the time for your first scan, I would ask the doctor if you can call to get  the results before your office visit. My doctor told me I can always do that. I did so for the second one but haven't since because I have learned to control the drama in my head thanks to the first two being NED.

    Get ready to celebrate....then you can drink (at home)

    Enjoy the day

          Jeff

    Will See the Doc the next day

    Jeff,

     

    I will see the Doc's the very next morning after the scan...so will have just a short waiting game.  thanks for the encouragement and good words...will let you know on Wednesday if I get to meet NED!

     

    Jon

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #6
    Duggie88 said:

    I'm with John

    Drink.......but do it in the parking lot at the doctor's office so you don't drink and drive. I am also kidding.

    The follow up visits prescans wasn't so bad. My first visit after a PET scan was nerve racking. I waited two weeks after the scan for the doctor appointment and I was two days shy of checking into the funny farm. But it was all worth it JT as it will be for you. Come the time for your first scan, I would ask the doctor if you can call to get  the results before your office visit. My doctor told me I can always do that. I did so for the second one but haven't since because I have learned to control the drama in my head thanks to the first two being NED.

    Get ready to celebrate....then you can drink (at home)

    Enjoy the day

          Jeff

    Yeah But....

    Jeff and John,

    Drinking is all fine and good but dang it! It hurts my mouth!! ~lol~ 

    "T"

     

  • peggylulu
    peggylulu Member Posts: 375
    #7
    Jon

     

    Darn , I am going to MD Anderson on Thursday so I will just miss you !! Isn't MDA a wonderful place if you need to be there ? If you really are very anxious , take a xanax like I do a little while before your scan or Dr. appointment. I am sure you are going to hear NED ( no evidence of disease ) so try to relax. My best to you.

    Peggy

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #8
    Notes

    Hi JThorn,

    I just did that yesterday and saw my MO. I wrote down some questions I had and took a few notes too. At this point being that I'm not getting scanned or scoped it wasn't too stressful but still, not knowing if Jack is totally gone is a little nerve wracking. She just poked around ny neck and checked out my mouth and throat. Make sure you bring a list of all the meds and doses you're taking. They inevitably ask for it every time (they want to see if anything has changed). 

    Good luck! Positive thoughts and prayers

    "T"

    PS... she poked and prodded and looked into my mouth and thoat and said I was doing well... no scopes or scans for another two months. Everything has to settle down inside to avoid false positive readings. 

     

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #9
    I think the first scan

    is the scariest.....of course the fear level for later scans lessens in much the same way as we heal....by degrees (when I got the results of the first one I literally dropped to my knees and cried)....that didn't happen the second time Smile, tho my heart was trying to beat out of my chest.

    p

  • jcortney
    jcortney Member Posts: 503
    #10
    I'm with P

    The night before the first one was a bit scary, but not nearly as bad as the first CT at three months.  I could not get to sleep the night before even though I knew everything was going to be fine.  My PET after and each follow up has been a breeze so know that it will get better.

    Good luck

    Joe

  • dunedintech
    dunedintech Member Posts: 90
    #11
    Go Well

    Jon - go well today. Interestingly I am 9 weeks post treatment today and have my first ENT appointment /  checkup this afternoon. Scan in 3 weeks time (I am based in Singapore) Fair to say last night was not great for sleeping but that seems to be normal from what I have read on this site.

    Positive thoughts for today.

     

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #12
    firsts are always anxious

    Yes we all seem to go through this.  But you made it through the trenches.  I giggle at people who don't have Jack and squirm at the idea of the scope.  Yeap it's a funky feeling, but considering what we've all been through it's a breeze.  We'll be thinking only positives for your check ups....I take a benedryl sometimes the night before so I can get some decent sleep.  Please keep us posted.   Katie

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #13
    I don't have any advice, but

    I don't have any advice, but just letting you know I'm wishing for the best and hoping your anxiety lessens!  Hoping for the best!

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #14
    fishmanpa said:

    Yeah But....

    Jeff and John,

    Drinking is all fine and good but dang it! It hurts my mouth!! ~lol~ 

    "T"

     

    "T"

    That is where the oxycodone chaser comes in LOL

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #15
    Duggie88 said:

    "T"

    That is where the oxycodone chaser comes in LOL

    Rookie...

    LOL...

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #16
    Skiffin16 said:

    Rookie...

    LOL...

    Do I hear?

    A challenge?

    "T"

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #17
    fishmanpa said:

    Do I hear?

    A challenge?

    "T"

    Hold on Hold on

    Allow me to grab a beer, pop open a lawn chair, and watch the show. OK yes I believe I read a challenge

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #18
    Duggie88 said:

    Hold on Hold on

    Allow me to grab a beer, pop open a lawn chair, and watch the show. OK yes I believe I read a challenge

    Oh Hell No!

    You think you can sit on your patootie and watch?... Ohhh no... you're in on this too!

    "T"

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #19
    fishmanpa said:

    Oh Hell No!

    You think you can sit on your patootie and watch?... Ohhh no... you're in on this too!

    "T"

    Enuff

    Well T, if you drink enough, you won't feel the pain..., LOL. My choice of chaser at the tine was a crushed percocet in a little water. I'm sure in a few months you're going to be able to handle most anything you attempt.

    JG

  • jthornsbury
    jthornsbury Member Posts: 62
    #20
    Scan came back with issues

    friends,

    my scan came back with issues in several lymph nodes and so i will be returning to MDA in a month for ultrasound and needle biopsy if positive.  Then i will have surgery to remove a 17mm node on the right side of my neck.  Not exactly what I wanted to hear but the rad doctor was very positive as she said this would be the last step in dealing with the issue. If I need surgery when I return.  Still a little bummed!

    Thanks for through and prayers!

    Jon

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #21
    jthornsbury said:

    Scan came back with issues

    friends,

    my scan came back with issues in several lymph nodes and so i will be returning to MDA in a month for ultrasound and needle biopsy if positive.  Then i will have surgery to remove a 17mm node on the right side of my neck.  Not exactly what I wanted to hear but the rad doctor was very positive as she said this would be the last step in dealing with the issue. If I need surgery when I return.  Still a little bummed!

    Thanks for through and prayers!

    Jon

    Jon

    So sorry to hear that your scan wasn't what you had hoped for. I've heard good things about MDA. Prayers that your return trip next month brings you good results.

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