18 Month Check Up

Tanager75
Tanager75 Member Posts: 89 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
The doctor was very pleased with my progress. He wants me to come back in 6 months. He says that will be about it for appointments (he looks so happy to see me). I still have some side effects but feel very blessed with the new normal. I have been out cross country skiing, out with our friends and working on my house. I can't remember much about the treatment and the next 8 months. I left a supervisor position and took one with less stress. I'm rambling and just want to let everyone know I still read this site everyother day, keep you all in my thoughts and prayers, and thank my higher power that my spouse found this site for me.

Peace to you all,

mark

Comments

  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #2
    Sounds Good
    Mark,
    Congrats on graduating to six month appointments. Good to hear that both you and the doctor feel you're doing well. Interesting to read that you left your old job for a lower-stress position - I'm thinking about changing occupations to reduce stress (but worry about the inevitable reduction in income that will come with it). Keep doing well.
  • BrianKrashpad
    BrianKrashpad Member Posts: 188
    #3
    Yay!
    Congrats on the good news! Spouses are indeed wonderful things, glad yours helped you to come here.

    Be well!
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
    Congrats
    Congrats on your progess and achievements....

    Best,
    John
  • stevenl
    stevenl Member Posts: 587
    #5
    Skiffin16 said:

    Congrats
    Congrats on your progess and achievements....

    Best,
    John

    Stress
    Hi Mark,

    Amen to less stress!!! Wishing continued good health and life for you.

    Best, Steve
  • JUDYV5
    JUDYV5 Member Posts: 392
    #6
    Great News
    Thank you for telling us about your great progress. It is amazing how memories of bad experiences begin to fog over time while good one tend to intensify.
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #7
    AWESOME NEWS
    That is great news. I have my first scan in february. Good to read about people doing so well.

    Take care

    Mike
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    Hi Mark

    Life is still good even after Cancer, so glad to hear your good report
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #9
    Hondo said:

    Hi Mark

    Life is still good even after Cancer, so glad to hear your good report

    back in six months
    Hi Mark and congrats! I was wondering, did it take you 18 months to get on a six month rotation, were you doing every four months prior? I'm having my 12 month scans next week and was wondering if they couldn't put me on a six month rotation as the constant scanning is concerning me with the radiation exposure? ( Yes I know I already had tons of radiation (39) treatments, but does anyone else worry about too much scanning?
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #10
    Woo Hoo!!!
    Wonderful news!!! I was put on a 6 month schedule for my scans after my first year but was told I would be having scans for 5 years post treatment. So happy that you are doing so well and now have a less stressful job.

    Stay well,
    Glenna
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #11
    Super News
    Congrats Mark on a wonderful follow up with you Doctor.

    Time to celebrate.

    John
  • JUDYV5
    JUDYV5 Member Posts: 392
    #12
    ratface said:

    back in six months
    Hi Mark and congrats! I was wondering, did it take you 18 months to get on a six month rotation, were you doing every four months prior? I'm having my 12 month scans next week and was wondering if they couldn't put me on a six month rotation as the constant scanning is concerning me with the radiation exposure? ( Yes I know I already had tons of radiation (39) treatments, but does anyone else worry about too much scanning?

    Too much scanning
    I have not had a scan since July. I finished in June. They don't plan on doing one until April. I asked why and they told me that they did not feel it was necessary. They also told me that I would not have a pet scan unless the ct-scan showed anything. I think they are cautious about the amount of radiation I am exposed to.
  • mixleader
    mixleader Member Posts: 267 Member
    #13
    Good Check Up
    Hi, Mark. It's great to hear of another success story. I am happy for your progress. I also am seeking a lower-stress job since I am having more trouble handling the many problems that I have to cope with in a day. It sounds like you, like myself, has a wonderful spouse to help with this enormous issue. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have such a wife by my side. Best of luck in the future.

    Roger
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #14
    mixleader said:

    Good Check Up
    Hi, Mark. It's great to hear of another success story. I am happy for your progress. I also am seeking a lower-stress job since I am having more trouble handling the many problems that I have to cope with in a day. It sounds like you, like myself, has a wonderful spouse to help with this enormous issue. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have such a wife by my side. Best of luck in the future.

    Roger

    Happy dance
    Great news, Mark! Congrats.
  • Tanager75
    Tanager75 Member Posts: 89 Member
    #15
    ratface said:

    back in six months
    Hi Mark and congrats! I was wondering, did it take you 18 months to get on a six month rotation, were you doing every four months prior? I'm having my 12 month scans next week and was wondering if they couldn't put me on a six month rotation as the constant scanning is concerning me with the radiation exposure? ( Yes I know I already had tons of radiation (39) treatments, but does anyone else worry about too much scanning?

    Follup Rotation
    Hi Rat,

    I was being seen every 3 months. After the last visit, he told me to come back in 4 months (with Holidays ect it was 5). He said to come back in 6 months just this visit. I got hit hard by the cisplaten and radiation during the treatment. The visit before this one I was still tired and that worried him some. I could see what needed to be done but could not get off the couch to do it. I put all my energy into my job (paycheck!). I only had one PET scan done at 6 months. Mine was stage 3-4ish right tonsil, 2 nodes, undifferentiated SCC. My doctor said, at the point I started treatment, stages and stats really didn’t matter as the treatment would be the same. I have trusted this team from the start and trust the 6 month followup recommendation. He says my throat does not look like it ever had radiation and if all goes well I won't be seeing him but 2 more times.

    Don't know that the info is helpful but it does indicate some of the differences we all have in disease and with the treating doctors.

    Thank you all for the positive thoughts. My spouse created a network that had many people thinking of me and putting out positive energy. I see so many warriors on this site. My journey has been difficult but I don't have to look far to count my blessings.

    Mark
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #16
    sweetblood22 said:

    Happy dance
    Great news, Mark! Congrats.

    Mark
    Wonderfull new's Congratulation's!

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