One Year Post Treatment

Hi all! Today March 18, 2014, it has been one year since I completed treatment! It’s been a very long time since my last post, but I do visit daily for encouragement. It is hard to read about those just starting out on their journeys and hearing their stories, but good to see the advice and information given to them is the same good advice and information that was given to me! Each time I read a “New to This Site” or similar statement, it takes me right back to the start of my journey. The uncertainty of the future, the natural fear the word cancer causes, and many questions about treatment and recovery.   Today I am somewhat back to normal (the somewhat must the abi part that so many of you talk about).    I have many of the same issues from the radiation that many of you experience (saliva, taste, swallow, energy…), however have am learning to live with them. My message to those who haven’t started yet and to those in treatment…Hang in there, do what is necessary to make it through the day and stay positive.  You can and will make it through this. Come to this site often ask any question you may have and prepare for the long haul. It has been said many times progress is measured in months not days.  Keep looking forward and trust the advice given here and follow the instructions given by your medical team.  I offer many thanks to those who selflessly offered their advice and shared their personal experience in dealing with this disease.   I know many times when I was feeling down and worn out from fighting, I would come to this site (I still do) and be encouraged by those who gone before me and experienced the same things I was experiencing.  Since treatment ended,  I’ve had 2 MRIs, 1 pet scan, 1 nuclear bone scan,  a brain scan, a regular old chest xray, scope up the nose twice, 2 or 3 swallow studies,  and several visits with both my rad onc and med onc as well as my ENT, urologist, dermatologist, neurologist and dentist.  All have come up with the same conclusion: NED !!!!! Praise the Lord!

Paul 

DX Stage 4A tonsil cancer left side with lymph node involvement 11/2/12                                                                                              Modified left neck resection to remove mass and affected  lymph nodes 11/2/12,                                                                                  Bilateral tonsillectomy 12/20/12.                                                                                                                                                          32 rounds radiation,                                                                                                                                                                      PEG tube placed last week of treatment                                                                                                                                                   5 chemo treatments with Paclitaxol (only 2 completed).                                                                                                                     PEG removed in June (3 months after treatment ended)