Mouth Cancer

Hi John, that's great news.

Ray. 

Hi. Diet? Moderation in everything is my motto. I avoid ultra processed food largely and cook most stuff from scratch. Alcohol is limited to the odd beer or wine never spirits. 
Recurrence really depends on how advanced your cancer was and whether it was HPV positive. Positive oropharyngeal cancer has a better long term outlook. But these are all statistics based on past data. We are all unique. 
Cancer free at a year is good. Two years and you’re likely safe 

I take very good care of my teeth. So that’s thorough cleaning morning and night, brushing with Duraphat toothpaste and a fluoride varnish every three months 

I try to stay fit

Nothing else I can do except maybe stop worrying about stuff outside my control. Easier said than done, I know. 
Oh and congrats by the way 

Hi John 

Brilliant news

Tonsil cancer Chemoradio finished June 2023

The thoughts of recurrence stay with us but lessen over time...

My PET/CT scan in Sept 2023 was clear ...booked a nice hotel break for the following month, started playing Golf again a soon as my PEG tube was removed...swimming was back on the menu....concentrated on eating more...maybe not healthier as I was still trying to pack the calories in.

Peter

Firstly, congratulations.. but, there's no doubt about it, life after treatment is 'different'.. as for myself, I've knocked my love of bourbon and the odd Old Fashioned on the head... I occasionally have the odd 0% beer. I don't smoke, but if I did I'd kick them into touch as well..

Dry mouth has taken away my liking of sweet things like cake... just too much trouble to enjoy..

But, I still enjoy my trips to London and Paris... and I appreciate the little things more than I used to.. 

Unknown said:

The thoughts of recurrence stay with us but lessen over time...

this is true, but I've always been looking over my shoulder for Mr. C due to my family history of cancers..

So, just enjoy everything that you can.. you've made it through the bad times, and that is something to celebrate.

Hi John

You have the go-ahead to resume your life.  That is really good.  Well done!

My advice is try to live a fulfilling lifestyle.  Try to exercise - walking is good - and kick the bad habits e.g. smoking.  Keep weight at a sensible level etc.

I still like a drink but the very nature of the treatment means I have changed my drinking style to match what my throat will allow me.  The same with food.  I find fatty/greasy foods easier to swallow than others.  Lots of gravy.  Pasta is my go to as are chocolate eclairs.  Cream, custard etc with puds. 

Having discussed this with my dietitian and doctor their advice is enjoy life and do what makes you comfortable and happy.  Most things are probably not going kill you or lead to a bad quality of life in the time that most of us have left (most H&N cancer survivors are in "later years"), but not enjoying life will!

As others have said there is a low probability of reoccurrence with HPV+ cancers, especially after the first year.  Easy to say, but hard to do...  take it from my experience try not to worry about it, but highlight any concerns you may have to your clinical team and. once again, enjoy life!

Hi John. That's great news, congratulations. I  would say don't take life for granted. Don't put off the things that you want to do, get on and enjoy them now. Take that trip, take up that hobby that you have been thinking about. Don't break the bank doing it as you still have a long life to live so will still need the funds just don't put things off.

I have taken up this mantra and am so glad I have. I have had some great trips, tried out a few different hobbies and discarded some, started lap swimming, taken up volunteering, try to eat a balanced diet.

No one knows about a recurrence so put your trust in your medical team as you will be having regular checkups and let them worry about that. It gets easier as time goes by. Don't waste your life in needless worry.

Lyn

Hi great news. I have a motto or 2. One life just live it and I do I enjoy my extended trips abroad riding my bike walking chilling. I don’t drink or smoke I ate healthy before and still do but I like my chocolate as others have said look after your oral health care. Dry mouth can play havoc if we’re not careful with our teeth. I see dentist every 3 months and have a fluoride varnish. 
my other motto is  why worry over something I’ve no control over. 
im 6.5 years post treatment living a fab life. 
hugs 

Hazel