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Hello, I'm 14 months post-treatment for throat cancer. So far my checkups [...]

Posted by bethh @bethh, Oct 4, 2015

Hello, I'm 14 months post-treatment for throat cancer. So far my checkups have been clear, but this week I saw the dentist and he said, "What's that?" He saw a small swelling on my tongue and insisted I have it checked. So I'm seeing my Ear Nose Throat doctor on Wednesday. The thing is, I'm terrified that my cancer has returned. I'm still struggling with side-effects from the last treatment - walking difficulties, eating problems. I'm trying to hold it all together and continue on with my life, but I just don't know what I'd do if I was faced with another round of chemo/radiation/surgery. I went through a terrible depression. And I worry about my husband and whether or not he could handle going through all of that again. I wish the dentist hadn't even found the spot. I sound like a wimp. Help.

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@mzsadie

So sorry to hear what you have been through. My husband has been going through it for the last year. When they did his surgery it was in his soft palate and they ended up closing off his nose. So he had to back track just got to being able to learn to eat soft food then wham, tube down his now for three weeks and NPO the whole time sips of water only. Finally got it out and they are fighting him on taking out the feeding tube. As they now want ro take out his thyroid. He has goiters on it they found them in the Cts BEFORE his surgery. He is going to let them test it. But don't know if he will do the surgery. I think only the person going through what you have been through know when you have had enough. But never loose faith in family. I support what my hubby wishes.are not the doctors. Hope everything turns out prayers from this end. Good luck<br />
Kathy<br />
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Any time Beth, we all need an ear. If just to vent. Have a blessed day<br />
Kat

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@mzsadie

So sorry to hear what you have been through. My husband has been going through it for the last year. When they did his surgery it was in his soft palate and they ended up closing off his nose. So he had to back track just got to being able to learn to eat soft food then wham, tube down his now for three weeks and NPO the whole time sips of water only. Finally got it out and they are fighting him on taking out the feeding tube. As they now want ro take out his thyroid. He has goiters on it they found them in the Cts BEFORE his surgery. He is going to let them test it. But don't know if he will do the surgery. I think only the person going through what you have been through know when you have had enough. But never loose faith in family. I support what my hubby wishes.are not the doctors. Hope everything turns out prayers from this end. Good luck<br />
Kathy<br />
<br />

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<br />
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please know there are thousandsof us out here. all pulling for each other and our loved ones<br />
<br />

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Beth- I just took my last radiation treatment yesterday for Laryngeal Cancer. I had 33 treatments. My husband had said on a couple different occasions it would be,nice if I didnt have to do the last two (my neck was raw, peeling, and very painful.) I told him no because I would always wonder if it would come back. From what Ive read about survivors, we will likely always have concerns about our cancer coming back. I am praying they find nothing of the spot and your mind is put at ease. Thinking of you.- Barb

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@bikerbarbi

Beth- I just took my last radiation treatment yesterday for Laryngeal Cancer. I had 33 treatments. My husband had said on a couple different occasions it would be,nice if I didnt have to do the last two (my neck was raw, peeling, and very painful.) I told him no because I would always wonder if it would come back. From what Ive read about survivors, we will likely always have concerns about our cancer coming back. I am praying they find nothing of the spot and your mind is put at ease. Thinking of you.- Barb

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Hi Barb, thank you for writing. And good for you finishing off your treatment. Did you have a cage for your head to secure it in place for the treatments? I hope your neck gets better soon. I used an aloe cream and that helped me. I still peeled, like after a bad sunburn. Did you get any mouth ulcers? I thought those the most painful of all the issues associated with these kinds of cancers. I expect you’re right, that we all, all of us cancer survivors, have the worry that cancer will return. Thank you for your good wishes. I am very moved by the responses I’ve had from people that I don’t even know. I do feel less alone and I do feel a little better. It really can feel so isolating and I must remember that I need to reach out when I’m feeling alone. Thinking of you, too, and remembering the others who wish me well. <br />
Beth

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here is another reply that is very general and lets her know we are out there willing to help.we got some of our winter things and met the tenant. she is very very nice. she is 65 and had most of her mid section operated on for ulcers but works out at the gym 4 times a week. she constantly needs iron transfusions. recently her iron was almost depleted and the doctor said he did not know how she managed to get out of bed but she said she really did not notice it and still went to the gym. he said that gave her enough oxygen to keep going.i am trying something new when i start coughing. i get on the bed and do 10 pushups and it stops. yaaaahif you want intrigue follow the volkswagon scandal. if we made it up no one would believe it. love lotusland<br />
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I saw my ENT doctor today and he told me that there's nothing wrong with my tongue and that my throat cancer had not come back. He told me he was glad to give me good news and I was certainly glad to hear it. Although my dentist meant well, it was a huge worry for me when he told me, "You need a biopsy." I believed him. Perhaps better safe than sorry, but it has been a stressful week as I waited to see my doctor. I guess that this worry of a recurrence, as many of you have said, will always be with me. Thank you again for your support and well wishes.
Beth

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@bethh

I saw my ENT doctor today and he told me that there's nothing wrong with my tongue and that my throat cancer had not come back. He told me he was glad to give me good news and I was certainly glad to hear it. Although my dentist meant well, it was a huge worry for me when he told me, "You need a biopsy." I believed him. Perhaps better safe than sorry, but it has been a stressful week as I waited to see my doctor. I guess that this worry of a recurrence, as many of you have said, will always be with me. Thank you again for your support and well wishes.
Beth

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Super news!<br />
<br />

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@bethh

I saw my ENT doctor today and he told me that there's nothing wrong with my tongue and that my throat cancer had not come back. He told me he was glad to give me good news and I was certainly glad to hear it. Although my dentist meant well, it was a huge worry for me when he told me, "You need a biopsy." I believed him. Perhaps better safe than sorry, but it has been a stressful week as I waited to see my doctor. I guess that this worry of a recurrence, as many of you have said, will always be with me. Thank you again for your support and well wishes.
Beth

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<br />
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such good news Beth. happy to hear that<br />
<br />
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@bethh

I saw my ENT doctor today and he told me that there's nothing wrong with my tongue and that my throat cancer had not come back. He told me he was glad to give me good news and I was certainly glad to hear it. Although my dentist meant well, it was a huge worry for me when he told me, "You need a biopsy." I believed him. Perhaps better safe than sorry, but it has been a stressful week as I waited to see my doctor. I guess that this worry of a recurrence, as many of you have said, will always be with me. Thank you again for your support and well wishes.
Beth

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Very happy to hear, Beth! Yes, the Dr really should've known better than to incite that kind of fear. I'm sure it wasn't intentional but, you ARE a cancer survivor, for goodness sakes! This cancer stuff really is an emotional roller coaster. I pray this stuff is all behind you.

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@bethh

I saw my ENT doctor today and he told me that there's nothing wrong with my tongue and that my throat cancer had not come back. He told me he was glad to give me good news and I was certainly glad to hear it. Although my dentist meant well, it was a huge worry for me when he told me, "You need a biopsy." I believed him. Perhaps better safe than sorry, but it has been a stressful week as I waited to see my doctor. I guess that this worry of a recurrence, as many of you have said, will always be with me. Thank you again for your support and well wishes.
Beth

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Thats great I am so happy for you.....<br />
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<br />
*Seth Solomon*<br />
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sethbsolomon@gmail.com<br />
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​<br />

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