NED - Year One

donfoo
donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
edited December 2022 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

 

Hi all,

Ringing the one year bell! CTs ordered by the MO and scope and poke by ENT show all clear - NED!

Most report various long term side effects and about a year out declare their new "normal".  A handful declare a new normal as good as or efven beetter than the old normal. For some unknown reason, I'm extremely fortunate to have virtually zero noticeable side effects.

With much embarrassment, the only things to report are my head sweats when I eat spicy hot foods, when stretching my head up hard there is the slightest tightness in my neck where the nodes got blasted with rads, and a couple holes where two teeth were extracted. Even better than before cancer is 20 pounds of blubber that has not returned. I lost nearly 30 and gained back about 10. My appreciation for live and the little things bringing joy daily is another improvement.

Many heal up nicely and return to their former lives and their active participation in CSN fades away so we forget most do quite well. For the many folks joining behind me in the last year and half, stay in good spirits as there is no reason why your recovery is not as blessed as mine.

Hang in there! Don

 

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Comments

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #2
    One year

    I can't believe that it has already been a year.  Glad to hear your report.

  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #3
    Happy news!

    Enjoy the new you!  Thanks for making my day!

    Deb

  • LumpinmyThroat
    LumpinmyThroat Member Posts: 98
    #4
    Hooray!

    Don,

     

    I'm very happy to read this. My husband was diagnosed today with HNSCC (HPV-16+) in his trachea and thyroid. I believe he will have a post like yours someday soon. :) Happy Anniversary. 

  • NelsonOng
    NelsonOng Member Posts: 47
    #5
    Praise God

    Don, congrats to you on a clean bill and I pray for many more NED to come.

    Cheers.  YNWA ... Nelson

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #6
    1 year post

    DonNEDfoo,

    Congratulations on your first year post treatments.  How fortunate you are to have such minor side effects, but even minor you are still a member of the “abi-normal” H&N clan.

    Keep moving forward,

    Matt

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #7
    Whoo Hoo Don!!!

    Yup....the "one year" mark is another milestone!  Can't believe we're almost at the one year mark that we met....you were just barely out of treatment.

    You did good, my friend......

    Hugs.

    p

  • sonyk728
    sonyk728 Member Posts: 124
    #8
    Fantastic news - Congratulations!

    One year NED is a big deal. I'm still at the baby steps of 3 months, 6 months (varying currently, next scan June 24). So happy for you! Thanks for sharing and being an inspiration!

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #9
    Glad you're doing good. NED

     Glad to hear NED. Couldnot happen to a nicer person. I just got my 8th month NED

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #10
    wmc said:

    Glad you're doing good. NED

     Glad to hear NED. Couldnot happen to a nicer person. I just got my 8th month NED

    Superdon!

    Hey Don, Along with a few others here I think Im proud to say we have become virtual buddies. As you have recovered you have remained here to help. No criticism of those who can't - people need different things. You have certainly been here for me and your advice on how to get through with the tube - well it got me through this far without the tube helped get me here (thus far). I hope to meet you and many others in person one day to thank you if ever possible. I hope to stick around and help others. You are a top bloke Din. A salute you and am so pleased for you. Gary.

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #11
    You my friend !

    Don,

    I'm so happy for the one yr. NED first of all !  And slight side effects to none ?  I'm so excited to share this with my brother !  You have been an inspiration on this board to so many.  Continued NED forever and a day my friend !  Hugs sent !  Katie

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #12
    1year NED

    Don, great news and I'm 4 days behind you!  Sounds like the side effects are minimal and I'm jealous that you can eat spicy foods!   

     

    it's great to hear from you and I'm really happy that you passed the 1 year point with flying colors!  Here's to many more in the years to come. 

     

    Keith

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #13
    KB56 said:

    1year NED

    Don, great news and I'm 4 days behind you!  Sounds like the side effects are minimal and I'm jealous that you can eat spicy foods!   

     

    it's great to hear from you and I'm really happy that you passed the 1 year point with flying colors!  Here's to many more in the years to come. 

     

    Keith

    4 Days

    Keith, delighted for Don and got everything crossed fir you now brother . England play Honduras at soccervfriendly in Miami in a few hours if any of you got TV on. Can take or leave England soccer but 5 Liverpool players in squad. Great news again Din, G.

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #14
    Most excellent report!

    Glad to hear you are doing so well.  Maybe try a "sweat band" when eating spicy food?  Haha

    PJ

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #15
    PJ47 said:

    Most excellent report!

    Glad to hear you are doing so well.  Maybe try a "sweat band" when eating spicy food?  Haha

    PJ

    Grammar & Spelling

    Just noticed was appalling in last shout by me. Must be delirious. PJ good image of Don in head band!

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #16
    Doing the Happy Dance

    Congrats on NED

    Debbie

  • Joanielo
    Joanielo Member Posts: 55
    #17
    Congrats!

    I am so happy for you Don.  I remember talking to your sister and she was so worried.  I am sure that she and the rest of your family are so happy that you are doing so well.

    I have my 18 month CT scan next week,will let you know how it turns out.  Dr. was happy with the way things looked when they scoped my throat a couple of weeks back.

    In the mean time, continue to enjoy life!!

    Joanie

  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570 Member
    #18
    HAPPY DANCE TIME!

    Hey Don,

    NED news is great news, congratulations!  It is wonderful that you are experiencing negligible side effects, that is tremendous.  Keep living well, and Keep It Mov'in Forward!

    PATRICK

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #19
    Don, this news is wonderful! 

    Don, this news is wonderful!  congrats.  hearing ned is something i will always enjoy hearing.  i hope you and your wife plan to celebrate.  i'm gonna do the happy dance around my kitchen for you, see me, i'm doing it now......la, la, la, la

    God bless you,

    dj

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #20
    Hi Don

     

    Great news my friend so glad for you. I been here from 2009 and like you said I seen a lot of friends come in and move on to other things in there life, showing that there is life after cancer. A few of us stay back to give help and support to newbie’s who come on this site, I am not sure why it is just something we love to do, helping others become survivors.

     

    Tim Hondo

  • 6Cyn
    6Cyn Member Posts: 29
    #21
    Great News!

    Congrats on your excellent health and outlook on life. My husband is six months out and doing great. He also lost 30 plus pounds and has gained back 10. Thanks for sharing your good news. So happy for you.

     

    Cynthia

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