Hi Bell,

I am relieved to hear your news although I sense that you are quite anxious about having to wait so long for the biopsy to see if the most recent treatment has worked. Wouldn't a pet scan tell them anything?

I currently share your anxieties and am not at all convinced by the wait and see approach our doctors are taking to Chaz's monitoring and possible future treatment. It seems that most patients presenting with Chaz's staging of tonsil cancer are offered a much higher chemo dose and/or a neck dissection to increase regional control of the disease - usually before RT. At the moment I am looking at getting a second opinion but its all so difficult because Chaz doesnt want to entertain the thought that he hasnt been offered the best option. But I can't leave it alone as most studies seem to suggest that radical neck dissections increase survival rates and intuitively I assume the earlier the ND, the more likelihood of control.

Anyway good wishes to you both and I hope that Paul's pain is not too unbearable. Its so hard seeing someone one loves in pain and distress.

Cathy

Hello Cathy ,I understand you worry also ,I think the problem is where the the cancer was in situ ,and that determines the treatment .Scans become complicated after RT as it leaves scar tissue which can confuse diagnosis.Pauls original tumour was in a place that could be seen with scope but second time round was an area of cells picked up deep beneath accidently because of an operation done to remove scar tissue so biopsied as he was under anaesthetic as they were working around this area to remove scar tissue and reposition septum.This particualr area has now had another set of 30 RT so more scar tissue and still healing so scans would not be helpful really .

Clinical diagnosis seesm to be the way at the moment and if that presents symptoms then they will do biopsy earlier ,that is why I am worried about increase in face and head pain but will see how the next few weeks go with new pain medication, we are back on xmas eve .

Like Chaz ,Paul is not in a hurry to hear any bad news and wants to just get on with life as pain free as possible at moment .

It is difficult Cathy. Hope Chaz is feeling good and healing well .

Bell.

Hi Bell,

How has Paul been this week? Are you doing ok? We haven't had a bad week although I think Chaz was a bit gutted that having had some taste recovery earlier in the week, everything tasted foul yesterday. I gather thats par for the course and would imagine specific mixes of food will alter tastes anyway... He had a fortijuice for the first time in months and although he could taste the apple it burned his mouth and then even water was back to tasting like muddy sea water.

Anyway hope you are well.
Best wishes,

Cathy