Had my one year [13 months] checkup with my Onc Doctor/surgen

wmc
wmc Member Posts: 1,804
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Had my one year [13 months] checkup with my Onc Doctor/surgen. Went very well and don't have to go back for six months now. Started my day and got up to get ready at 7:30 am. Got the car pack and started the 215 mile drive at 9:45am. Had a quick bite on the road and got there by 2:45 for my 3:00pm appointment. Called back to the room before 3pm and waited, and waited, and waited to see my doctor. [He's running a little late, thats normal] Saw the doctor at 5:30 for 20 min. then got out of the office at 10 before six pm. Walked to the underground parking and started back home in the evening rush hour traffic. Made two 10 min.stops to eat and use restrooms and got back home at 10:50pm. Made the round trip [430 miles]in 13 hours and 20 minutes. But got a good checkup and it's NED. I have to thank my wonderful wife for going and keeping me company.

Bill  Central Cal Oct 2013  Stanford

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    Whoo Hoo Bill!!!

    Congrats on the NED!  Love those words the most of any in the English language.

    Man, that is a long drive....makes me glad I just have to drive up the hill...check in, and be home in an hour.

    p

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #3
    congrats!

    Hey Bill,

    Congrats on the clear report. Long day for sure. I'm sure you are thankful you are healthy and well to make such a journey on your own. Just curious, are you scheduled for any other follow up checks or scans on a more frequent basis? Thanks Don

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #4
    What a Beautiful day for you

    And I thought Chicago rush hour traffic was a PITA. Seems it always rains and I can only find parking at the roof top on scheduled checkup days. A good result makes it a great day for you, Congrats!! 

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #5
    Long day

    Long day, but good news.  I go back tomorrow, hopefully a plan.  That parking structure is getting very full, need to follow people that are leaving their appointments to find a parking place.

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #6
    KTeacher said:

    Long day

    Long day, but good news.  I go back tomorrow, hopefully a plan.  That parking structure is getting very full, need to follow people that are leaving their appointments to find a parking place.

    brilliant

    Made up for you mate . You'd struggle to drive that far without hitting water here!

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #7
    donfoo said:

    congrats!

    Hey Bill,

    Congrats on the clear report. Long day for sure. I'm sure you are thankful you are healthy and well to make such a journey on your own. Just curious, are you scheduled for any other follow up checks or scans on a more frequent basis? Thanks Don

    Thanks Don

    I had to be seen every two months the first year, then it go to every six months. The surgery got it all when they removed my larnyx and I didn't even need RAD or any chemo. I was very lucky. I will still see my local ENT who is evry good and "if" he see's anything questionable it back to Stanford.  My SLP is in Stanford as well and will see her in about three months for my TEP prosthesis to be changed. Also seen by my two other local Dr's. Pulmonary and Internal Dr.

    At this time there is no PET or CT scans on the horizon. I do think my pulmonary doctor will have one done in a few months, but I did have a standard X-ray of my lungs. Have to have that once a year as routine.

    It's funny, I knew it would be NED but you do listen to every word spoken and how it was used in the sentience.

    Bill Oct 2013

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #8
    Guzzle said:

    brilliant

    Made up for you mate . You'd struggle to drive that far without hitting water here!

    Thank you all for the kind words and support....

    I want and need to thank you all for the support you have given me, which helped me go through this and never felt I was ever alone. Being able to talk to and with persons that really do understand and have been there really helped.

    Thank you !

    Bill

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #9
    430 miles, where do you live?

    Bill,

    Good new travels at the speed of traffic, congratulations!

    Best,

    Matt

  • Katie10485
    Katie10485 Member Posts: 41
    #10
    Congrats!

    Wow that's a long day but glad it was filled with good news!!

  • Sonja.K
    Sonja.K Member Posts: 80 Member
    #11
    Katie10485 said:

    Congrats!

    Wow that's a long day but glad it was filled with good news!!

    Great to hear

    Great to hear your good news

    Sonja

  • Goyca
    Goyca Member Posts: 220
    #12
    Yeeeyy happy for u Bill. I

    Yeeeyy happy for u Bill. I pray u will keep on hearing good news always.

     

    enjoy life:))

     

    Goyca.

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #13
    CivilMatt said:

    430 miles, where do you live?

    Bill,

    Good new travels at the speed of traffic, congratulations!

    Best,

    Matt

    That was for the round trip.....

    I'm in Visalia which is below Sequoia National Parks in the centrial vally of California. Just about half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco to the north. I don't mind the drive, yet it does make for a long day. Most of the time this last year I did the drive alone and it's not a bad drive. When my wife could go that made it nicer but I still do the driving. I have figured out not to set up my appointments on Thursday as that is when the tumor board meets, so he is always running late. Now I will see him on Mondays and get out on time.

    Bill

     

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #14
    Hi Bill

     

    All we can do is to say I am glad to be home safe with Mr Ned. It sucks sometimes having to wait so long to see our doctors, but then if we only knew how our doctors must run around everyday visiting and checking up on us. They have a very tight schedule to make and most of them start at 5am in the morning and work till 7 or 8 at night; I know I would not like being a doctor. Very glad to hear the good report

     

    Tim Hondo

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #15
    bill, congratulations on both

    bill, congratulations on both the NED and surviving the long doctor visit/trip!!  I'm 2.5 yrs out and still have to see my ent every 4 months!  i think we'll talk during my next visit.  here's to your wife for making the long trip with you, what a sport!  again, congrats on the NED, that is the most wonderful news.  i hope you did a happy dance, i just did, yahhhhhhhhooooooooooo.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #16
    Hondo said:

    Hi Bill

     

    All we can do is to say I am glad to be home safe with Mr Ned. It sucks sometimes having to wait so long to see our doctors, but then if we only knew how our doctors must run around everyday visiting and checking up on us. They have a very tight schedule to make and most of them start at 5am in the morning and work till 7 or 8 at night; I know I would not like being a doctor. Very glad to hear the good report

     

    Tim Hondo

    That is so true Tim.

    I know when I go up there to see him it will be a late day more times then not. But I have to consider that he only see patients on Monday, and Thursday it only from 1:00 pm on. Thursdays is when the tumor boardmeets so If they are running late on Thursday, it is because they are seeing someone who really needs themmore than I do at that time. I still remember my day at the tumor board. Now if I am having a problem I'm seen right a way. If it just a follow up and no problems he gets to me as soon as he can and I get scoped  and a complete check up. His other days are for surgery and teaching. He has very long days, and still helpsso many people. My research payed off when I found him and wanted him for my surgeon and doctor. For that I can wait a little. 

    Bill

  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    #17
    Congrats

    Congrats on makeing the trip and on being NED....lots to be thanksful for....so many of us are so lucky to survive...glad you are making it   Ann

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