← Return to Your tips for recovery after 35 radiation treatments for tonsil cancer

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@robpara, I always get excited when a lurker comes out from behind the screen to share. It's helpful, informative and kind posts like yours that helps other lurkers to have to confidence to post if they have a question they're afraid to ask or a part of their story or health issue they'd like to share.

And, as you posts indicates, until people are ready to post or may never post, we can make lurkers feel welcome, informed and included through reading.

Thank you for posting your treatment journey.

I can understand missing the care team and the assurance of eyes and knowledgeable professionals around you. How often will you return for follow-up? Or will follow-up be done locally?

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Replies to "@robpara, I always get excited when a lurker comes out from behind the screen to share...."

@colleenyoung All my follow up is local here in Scottsdale. I’m fortunate to live only 15 minutes away.

I assume I will repeat the PET scans for the normal intervals - my next is 12 months. The Mayo team has told me that there is no concern for any remaining disease based on my recent scans and also for recurring disease. I don’t think I can ask for any more assurance since no one can give 100%.

The one point I was reminded of is that most of what we read on-line is questions and issues. Not all the success stories are posted. So if you’re new to this discussion, keep this in mind.

I can also track my progress based on how my beard is filling back in. I don’t grow mine out - but I can tell by the need to shave. I started with a loss of hair on the left lower back of my head and left and right front area just below my jaw line.

The hair in the back took about 6 months to return to normal. A few months later, my right side (front side) filled in. Last to fill in will be the left side which received more treatment. I’m told the body prioritizes hair growth last - not sure if this is right. But it seems to line up with what I feel elsewhere.

Just in the last few weeks I feel like a little more saliva production has returned, but not even near 50% yet.

And yes, as hard as it is to hear (I hated hearing it), you have to vary all the taste inputs even if it taste like nothing. Been there. Done that. Only exception is spicy.

I recall complaining that ice cream tasted like hand lotion. It was awful. Today, still not sweet, but I can taste flavors - malt especially.