And so my Journey Begins . . .

My team (EnT/Onco/Radio) said no surgery as morbitity rates were the same for surgery/nonsurgery. I believe the survival rate is 92.5% for what we had/have. They treated my whole neck, left and right to be safe. More on left than right as yours will be. I really liked my Radiologist and trusted him.

Chemo - My hearing went a little wonky during treatment but it's fine now though I am sensitive to loud noises. They sent me to an audiologist for a base line test but have not sent me for a follow up so far. Also a little neuropathy in my feet that is going away now. LuvTN sent me the fasting info, with links, as he fasted during his chemo. I believe he was doing the weekly chemo and still managed to fast. Contact him as he stood out to me as really doing his research.

Big thing is stay proactive, ahead of the curve. Start putting on weight. Start doing your jaw and neck stretches. I was big on a baking soda/salt rinse for myself when everything started. Lotions for the neck once radiation starts. It's all in my timeline what I did. This board helped me develop my plan for before/during/after. A lot of good people and resources here.

So a few more ENT visits under my belt. ENT very happy and says everything is normal normal. My sense of taste is just about all the way back and maybe has changed a little. Saliva is getting better and better except at night if I sleep on my back, then it's desert mouth and some snoring. Jan 2024 visit with my Oncologist still scheduled and that's when I'll get my blood work done. Went to see a good heart doctor to see how that's going. Once he heard that I had had radiation he also ordered a ULTRASOUND CAROTID BILATERAL of the neck and results were good so looks like radiation had no effect on that. The ECHOCARDIOGRAM just showed some age and genetics problems "sinuses of Valsalva appears dilated slightly". So as of now, short term, looks like I came through this with flying colors, knock on wood . . . .

Had the trifecta visits last week. Primary dr, EnT, and Oncologist. Primary dr happy. EnT says I'm doing remarkable (knock on wood), and Oncologist says blood work looks good. I think she still a little sore I didn't get a PEG tube put in. So on with life I guess . . .