1. < Head & Neck Cancer

Reoccurrences

Posted by ijones98280 @ijones98280, 4 days ago

Can anyone speak to their experience with reoccurrences? THINKING that there are non-rad options that are successful, but just trying to get an idea of options. I currently don’t have a reoccurrence, but am headed in for my 6 month check next week. Thank you in advance for any experience or thoughts as this is probably a well written about subject.

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ijones98280 | @ijones98280 | 4 days ago

I would also be interested to hear about re-radiation if anyone has experience with this.

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Mentor
William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | 3 days ago

Hi IJones,
If I recall you were staged at T1N1. Now you are coming up on a six month check and likely the worry and angst is keeping you on edge. I can honestly tell you I know of no one at your initial stage level who had reoccurrence within the first five years, let alone the first six months, and I have known quite a few patients. Stage 3 or 4 is an entirely different conversation.
I can also attest to knowing no patient who wasn’t on edge concerning the six-month check, years 1,2,3,4 and finally the five year check. And this is followed by the thousands of thoughts our brains try to convince us that practically every ailment, every oddity, every twinge is the reoccurrence of the cancer. For me it has been 24 years. I will let you know when that reoccurrence feeling finally goes away.
At my five year check my oncologist told me congratulations as now I was considered to have the same odds of having cancer as the general population, to which I responded “Great.” “That’s where I was when I got cancer!” Much to his dismay.
It’s normal to feel the way you do. I as well would be interested to hear of anyone who was re-radiated soon after stage 1 SCC P16+. In the meantime, would you let me know how your six-months check went and how you are doing with the overall recovery?
Good healing and of course “Courage.”

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1 reply
ijones98280 | @ijones98280 | 3 days ago
In reply to @hrhwilliam "Hi IJones, If I recall you were staged at T1N1. Now you are coming up on..." + (show)
@hrhwilliam

Hi IJones,
If I recall you were staged at T1N1. Now you are coming up on a six month check and likely the worry and angst is keeping you on edge. I can honestly tell you I know of no one at your initial stage level who had reoccurrence within the first five years, let alone the first six months, and I have known quite a few patients. Stage 3 or 4 is an entirely different conversation.
I can also attest to knowing no patient who wasn’t on edge concerning the six-month check, years 1,2,3,4 and finally the five year check. And this is followed by the thousands of thoughts our brains try to convince us that practically every ailment, every oddity, every twinge is the reoccurrence of the cancer. For me it has been 24 years. I will let you know when that reoccurrence feeling finally goes away.
At my five year check my oncologist told me congratulations as now I was considered to have the same odds of having cancer as the general population, to which I responded “Great.” “That’s where I was when I got cancer!” Much to his dismay.
It’s normal to feel the way you do. I as well would be interested to hear of anyone who was re-radiated soon after stage 1 SCC P16+. In the meantime, would you let me know how your six-months check went and how you are doing with the overall recovery?
Good healing and of course “Courage.”

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Thank you William. Absolutely it is the upcoming check up that is causing me to be edgy. Really appreciate your thoughts and input.

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Jody aka mojo244 | @mojo244 | 2 days ago

I know it’s a difficult time but try not to stress awaiting your upcoming checkup. Cancer thrives on stress and sugar so do your best to not feed it.
Wishing you clear results,
MOJO

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