Funny I should find this forum a couple of days after my final follow up. It is now 5 years since my op. (partial glossectomy, neck dissection and forearm flap) I think thats the technical terms but not 100% sure! Wish I had had the forum 5 years ago when I thought I wasnt going to see the new millennium.
Even though I had my last checkup I elected to have annual follow up. Sometimes you just cant let go of your security blanket.

I am a survivor!!

Congratulations Brett. You must be feeling on top of thye world. I had my five year check-up in January, all elated and hopeful, but unfortunately didn't get the all-clear. Nothing they could define but not wholly happy ith the look of my throat area so I am back to monrthly again.
I didn't have such a lot to go through as you five years ago, though, although for me it was pretty bad. Ot was laryngeal cancer and I had the full amount possivble pf radotherapy which hasleft me with scarring which still makes it impossible to eat properly, and my immune sustem embraces every bug going.
But like you, I hpe, I am a survivor. OIt's quite ironic realy that you have just found this site. Wish I had five years ago. Not thna\t it would have happened because I just had my deat old Amstrad then!
See you around. Ishbel

Hello Brett, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is a milestone. I do hope that you celebrated this day. We are all so happy for you.....those of us that have made the 5 year mark and those that are trying there best to get there..Always Vicki Lynn

Thanks for your comments. It seems looking though the posts on the forum that a lot of people had a far worse time than me even though it was hell at the time.
I thought id share this with you: while in hospital my wife brought me in a cd player and some of my cds. One of which was Fumbling towards ecstasy by Sarah MacLachlan. Words that had meant nothing to me before suddenly shouted out of the earphones and a greta weight left me as well as many tears.
See what you think:

All the fear has left me now
I'm not frightened anymore.
It's my heart that pounds beneath my flesh.
it's my mouth that pushes out this breath

and if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
and if I feel a rage I won't deny it.
I won't fear love.

Companion to our demons
they will dance and we will play.
With chairs candles and clothes
making darkness in the day.
It will be easy to look in or out
upstream or down
without a thought

and if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
and if I feel a rage I won't deny it.
I won't fear love.

Peace in the struggle to find peace.
Comfort on the way to comfort

and if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
and if I feel a rage I won't deny it
I won't fear love.
I won't fear love.
I won't fear love...


These words mean such a lot to me now. Its difficult for me to listen to or read the words now without welling up.
What do you think?

Beautiful words, Brett. Loo forward to hearing the music. Will do just that manana at HMV. Won't forget the name Sarah MacLachlan----my maternal grandmother's name.
She died back in 1938, a young woman, with throat problems/ Nobody said the C word then...60 years later my mother died with oesophagical cancer.
Let's hope Ishbel departs with a delicate Victorian fading away on handembroidered pillows. Not yet though please, Jane Austen!

Brett, I love this. Thank you for sharing this tender precious moment with all of us...Always Vicki