Hi folks, havent been on board for some time,(family circumstances) but had to write & tell you our news.
In August, my lovely Husband Brian ,went for his 5th year assessment. After a good feel around his neck & the usual heart stopping "tube down nose", his Oncologist pronounced,"well Brian, thats it, you're fine, we dont need to see you again".Then, after a pause "Remember our door is always open if you need us"
Brian couldnt believe that was that & is just now looking forward to a life without clinics.
His journey began in May 2004, when he discovered a lump in his neck & he was referred for an Ultrasound, followed by an ENT consultation, 2 Fine needle biopsies (both -ve) & a Tonsil biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis of SCC R Tonsil. A CAT scan followed & the next day he met his Oncologist, a lovely lady who explained she would take 6 months of his life but at the end of it, he would be better. He was to have 3 sessions of Chemotherapy with 33 sessions of Radiotherapy. A Peg tube was to be inserted prior to a R) Neck disection.
Meanwhile, the ENT Consultant was arranging his admission & I heard him tell his secretary "He neednt come in untill the afternoon,"He's a well man !". 6 days later the Ops were completed, during which one of his teeth was broken & he woke up spitting it out. He had 3 further teeth removed prior to Radiotherapy.Then followed, Mould room, Simulator & Hospital admission for first Chemo/Radiotherapy. Mucositis set in on 10th day & he commenced Morphia which his Oncologist topped up as needed to keep him pain free.He lost his voice for the duration of his treatment.He began to be very sick, the tube feed didnt agree with him & he was admitted to hospital & the 2nd Chemo. was delayed but the RT carried on. After the second chemo was given, he again had to be admitted to hospital, this time being kept in for the 3 weeks till treatment finished. Back home, we began to realise improvement came slowely. He fought against the tube feeding not realising he was losing weight all the time.His Oncologist supported us throughout & has continued to do so.
So where are we now?
He is 3 stone less & determined to stay that way.
Lack of saliva= risk of Caries=3 monthly Dental/Hygiene checks.
Frequent Thrush infections, now under control by Antibiotics.
Continued pain in R) shoulder with referred pain to L)
Continuing Mucus, especially in the morning, relieved with Mucodeine.
Loss of taste: his appetite is good & he can eat everything but cant get the sweet taste back.
Its been a hard 5 yrs, but we are grateful he's alive & grateful to our NHS for all the treatment he has had.

Hi Fran

Congratulations to you and Brian--it must have felt like an early Christmas present.

Julia

Absolutely fabulous news, Fran. AND it's great to hear from you as well.
Hope we can catch up soon
Love
Deborah

Hi Fran and Brian,

Well done - that's fantastic news.

It's so important for updates like yours and gives me hope.

I got another clear today - phew! Next one in January 2010 but will try and put that into the back of my mind.

All the best.

Ken

With such dreadful news lately, your post is just what the doctor ordered. Congratulations to both of you! I hope to be around when you're celebrating the tenth anniversary.

Take care,

Mimi (1 year, 8 monrha)

Thanks for your good wishes,Brians really touched that people care so much. We both feel that life has begun again.
Today I reduced the medicines chest once more
we started off with a storage box full, & its now down to a shoebox. Thats progress.
Congrats. on your clear exam. Kenny, onwards & upwards.
I hope we will all be celebrating our 10th anniversaries Mimi,that will be some party.
I'll write soon Debbie, good to hear from you
For any "Oldies" starting out on this journey, Brian wants you to know he was 70 yrs old when he started treatment. Best wishes to all, Fran & Brian.

Well done Brian and Fran. Always good to hear positive news.

Best wishes to all

Chris

hi fran and brian
what heartwarming news for the rest of us,i can't wait for that day to come as i am now 3 years out since diagnosis.at first you don't think you will ever feel normal again but when you look back you can see just how far you have come.so pleased for you both.love shirl xxx

Brilliant news! You must be over the moon! Congratulations and all the very best!

Tony

thank you fran and brian ,and to all survivors who publish their birthdays it really does me good to see good news for a change,well done