Follow-Up with Surgeon
Shannon had a follow-up appointment and exam with his surgeon yesterday. He used a scope to examine Shannon’s throat as well as did a manual exam of the lymph nodes in Shannon’s neck. I’m very happy to say it was all clear again. No sign of anything in the throat or in the lymph nodes. The surgeon was very pleased with the results of the last PET scan and with that and the exam says that Shannon is still all clear. He also said that if this continues like this for 5 years then they will consider Shannon cured. That is what we are shooting for and I know he’s going to make it.
Our other good news is that we took a little trip to Texas to visit Shannon’s family and spend Father’s Day with his Dad and the rest of the family. It is hard to get a large family together all at the same time but it happened for Father’s Day and we had a wonderful time. Shannon did excellent with everything. We took some little side trips to see different things and take some pictures and visited with some old friends. It was a trip we have been wanting to make for some time and at some points wondered if we’d ever be able to do. It feels like such an accomplishment. Taking a trip requires eating in different restaurants. Eating can be a challenge for someone who has had radiation to his neck but Shannon did wonderfully. He was able to eat more than he has been before. We even ate in a few Mexican food restaurants and he was even able to sample the salsa. Amazing and wonderful!
Shannon will have a follow-up with his chemo oncologist in August and another with the surgeon in October and then another with the radiation oncologist in December. This first year they want more follow-ups to be sure the cancer stays gone. There will be yearly PET scans and fewer follow-ups after that but they will still keep a close eye on things for the 5 years. We are both keeping very positive and will continue to pray that Shannon will have his cure. In the meantime we will enjoy every minute of every day because each one is a gift.
Hello,
Thanks for your reply to my post on ACS. I go back every so often to see what is new. To tell you the truth, I had already checked this site and thought it was very informative and well presented. Very resourceful and lots of interesting links.
I am doing well and soon will go for a follow up. It is a long process and one must be patient, strong and remain positive throughout the ordeal.
I am convinced that everything will go well for Shannon.
He is one lucky guy to have someone like you by his side.
I wish you both all the best and take good care.
Big hug,
Paula
Comment by Paula — July 30, 2007 @ 10:38 pm
Lillian & Shannon,
I just discovered you website and have begun reading your story. I was diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal Cancer on May 4, 2007. I too had Cisplatin and IMRT radiation for 7 weeks. I am in recovery now and just started back to work full time this week.
What I’m struggling with now is the dry mouth side effect. I’m curious if you got any of your salivary gland functions back? If so, how long after treatment. I finished radiation treatment the first week in July. I’d really appreciate it if you can share your experience with dry mouth. My email is **edited out for safety**.
Thank you!
Joe
Comment by Joe — October 3, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
Hi,
First of all, thank you so much for documenting your experience with Shannon and his cancer, reading it has given me a picture of what could happen to my dear friend Steven…he has been diagnosed with unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma. He had a lump removed from the left side of his neck which had 2 malignant lymph nodes in it. They have been unable to find the primary site and have decided to use 33 sessions of radiation (to entire nasal and throat area) and 3 sessions of chemo – seems to be the standard. Steven lives alone, but is an otherwise healthy (and overweight) 54 year old. The med. oncologist and the rad. oncologist disagree about the necessity of a feeding tube (and, of course, Steven doesn’t want one). The med. onc. says he should put one in now, the red. onc. says he should try to avoid one…what do you think? it sounds like your husband avoided the feeding tube (but he had you, taking wonderful care of him – Steven will have lots of close friends, but not a spouse).
Thanks so much for your help, and I hope things are continuing so well!
Irene
Comment by Irene — November 25, 2007 @ 9:07 am