what CivillMatt is up to

This is excellent news, Matt, as I know your wife agrees.  You'll recall that my dear husband went through a lot with surgery, chemo, and radiation for tongue cancer which metastisized to neck.  He developed new cancer on tongue which required laser ablation and didn't properly heal.  In any event, it's been almost  two years since the major treatments ended, and, for the last six months or so, things have FINALLY gotten on the right track.  His tongue has healed, leukoplakia is stable, and all CAT scans and check-ups are good.  We are seeing the doctor at longer intervals.  He's got a lot of mucus at night, but his swallowing is good, salivary function is good, and taste is maybe 85% back to normal.  Worst remnant is neuropathy in feet which may be getting worse rather than better, and his neck is still pretty sore.  It took a long time for his good cheer to revive..but iI can see it's still there!  He enjoys ice cream very much.  Best wishes to all H & N survivors and the ones who care for them.   

Matt,

Thanks for the detailed update and happy to hear about the checkup. Hairy tounge, really? That's a new side effect of treatment for this club. My mind conjures up a werewolf. lol

don

ProustLover said:

Future Prognosis: BRIGHT!

This is excellent news, Matt, as I know your wife agrees.  You'll recall that my dear husband went through a lot with surgery, chemo, and radiation for tongue cancer which metastisized to neck.  He developed new cancer on tongue which required laser ablation and didn't properly heal.  In any event, it's been almost  two years since the major treatments ended, and, for the last six months or so, things have FINALLY gotten on the right track.  His tongue has healed, leukoplakia is stable, and all CAT scans and check-ups are good.  We are seeing the doctor at longer intervals.  He's got a lot of mucus at night, but his swallowing is good, salivary function is good, and taste is maybe 85% back to normal.  Worst remnant is neuropathy in feet which may be getting worse rather than better, and his neck is still pretty sore.  It took a long time for his good cheer to revive..but iI can see it's still there!  He enjoys ice cream very much.  Best wishes to all H & N survivors and the ones who care for them.   

That neuopathy in the feet really stinks.  I have it in the hands, too, just not as bad.  Gabapentin helps in general, but doesn't do much for the feet.

CivilMatt said:

try this on

ERomanO,

H&N members have discussed the appearance of this tongue condition before in the forum but, this was the first time I my ENT mention it.  I think it looks sort of like  wet suede leather. After my appointment, I adjusted my thinking about this condition to reflect more closely with what my doctor said, Which is everything is  normal to what happened to me and do not worry about each of these items..  There is a lot to learn and get used to after H&N cancer.

Another doctor  which  is my doctor (GP) made an interesting comment (recently)about my constant dry mouth , my sometimes (everyday) over abundance of saliva and the fact that I have been drinking at least 10 glasses of water every day for the last 8 years. He said “I appear to be dehydrated’.. I think he is correct, that us how I feel, like I am dehydrated.it is much too late tonight to noddle on that one so I won’t.

Also, I tried to send you a NED card , but it got complicated and I soon forgot.  Happy forever NED to you,

Matt

But you might as well wait until end of May.  That will be my official 2 year checkup.  If I am NED then I may pop open a bottle of champgne, then pour it down the drain because I don't really drink alcohol any more.  But that pop sound might be worth it.

I bought one of those Brita filter pitchers and have noticed that I refill that thing several times a day, so that's a lot of glasses.  I don't think it's becase I feel that dehydrated, just thirsty... or maybe it's just replaced my urge to have a beer in the evening.  Tere are several bottles that that been in my fridge since Christmas because of what I said above.

My ENT shows me the scope video at each checkup.  So far it all looks very normal.  But who knows what it'll be like 6 more years down the road.  If that hair is at the BOT then I don't imagine it feels like anything... and if that's the case then it's no big deal, right.  I think ability to awallow and fibrosis of the neck would be more important [potential] issues.

Matt, thanks for sharing your update with us.  So happy to hear your health is improving and 8 years to the good is really great. It gives me hope and praying for us all to be NED and ailment, ache and pain free.  God Bless 

ERomanO said:

Thanks for the NED wishes!

But you might as well wait until end of May.  That will be my official 2 year checkup.  If I am NED then I may pop open a bottle of champgne, then pour it down the drain because I don't really drink alcohol any more.  But that pop sound might be worth it.

I bought one of those Brita filter pitchers and have noticed that I refill that thing several times a day, so that's a lot of glasses.  I don't think it's becase I feel that dehydrated, just thirsty... or maybe it's just replaced my urge to have a beer in the evening.  Tere are several bottles that that been in my fridge since Christmas because of what I said above.

My ENT shows me the scope video at each checkup.  So far it all looks very normal.  But who knows what it'll be like 6 more years down the road.  If that hair is at the BOT then I don't imagine it feels like anything... and if that's the case then it's no big deal, right.  I think ability to awallow and fibrosis of the neck would be more important [potential] issues.

Once crossing the two year milestone, statically this ordeal is etched in your rear view mirror.