Recurrence

Hi Tilly mint. Sorry you’ve found yourself on here snd you’ve a reoccurrence all these years later. Hopefully immunotherapy may help you there a few on here thst are having that at moment. Hopefully some eil pop on later. Let us know how you get on when you have your next consultation. 
Hazel x

Hi Tilly Mint

I am so sorry to hear about your cancer recurrence. After 16 years you would think that you would be in the clear. However if the cancer has been caught early I hope your medical team can come up with a treatment strategy to help knock the cancer on the head again.

I had a mandibulectomy and neck dissection in 2013 followed by radiotherapy and then had another cancer occur on the other side of my mouth in 2019 resulting in a maxillectomy, neck dissection and more radiotherapy.

I was like you and did not think there could be another cancer 6 years after my first one and so it was a bit of a shock. However my medical team were fantastic and helped me every step of the way.

After my treatment for the cancer in 2013 I just wanted to get on with my life and leave it all behind me as quickly as possible. However the second time hit me harder emotionally and that is when I found the support from this forum really made a difference.

You are thinking the worst case scenario at the moment but hang in there as you haven’t heard from your medical team yet how they can help you.

Hope you hear positive news from them soon.

Sending positive thoughts your way

Lyn

Thanks so much Sophie, wouldn't wish such a late reoccurrence on anyone but it does help to know that others have had a similar experience. 

Immunotherapy has been mentioned and the fact that my initial radiotherapy was 16 yrs ago may mean that they can offer me a second go.

Much appreciated, I'll keep in touch xxx

Thank you so much Hazel it's really good to be here amongst people who can give support and share experiences. I will definitely look out for others who have had or are having immunotherapy. 

Just hoping that there is a treatment optiin available for me. I was so lucky last time, can't believe it has returned after such a long time.

Next appointment is on the 19th Oct, I'll keep you informed.

Thanks again xx

Trish xxx

Hi Trish nom problem if you type immunotherapy in the search bar it shoujd bring up some posts. Will tag one of ladies little-fihopefully she will pop on. 
Hazel xx your cancer last time was it squamous cell cancer ? Mine was but also caused by the h p v 16 + virus 

Thanks and yes squamous cell hpv+ 

Xxx

Hi Trish

There has been a lot of progress made in the area of cancer treatment over the last 16 years. I know that in the 6 years between my cancers the radiotherapy treatment had changed. They were able to target the cancer on the other side of my mouth  a lot more accurately where before it had been targeted more generally. Consequently my mouth was not as badly affected as the first time although it was still tough.

There are lots of positive reports for immunotherapy so that sounds like a real option.

Good luck for Oct 19^th  I’ll be thinking of you.

Lyn

Hi Tilly mint

I was going to say exactly the same as Lyn!  Treatments have moved on tremendously so hopefully you'll have some good options.

All the best for the 19th.

Linda x

Thank you so much for that Lynn, even a tiny glimmer of light seems like a life line to me at the .moment. unfortunately I am a nurse so, as they say a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.

I did a lot of reading around it yesterday and got myself in a pickle, I've managed to keep it together until then but I suddenly felt so scared. 

I'm trying to protect everyone around me so it's really beneficial to be able to talk to all of you on here and feel all that support without worrying about upsetting my loved ones.

Got my big positive pants back on today so onwards and upwards.

Thank you so much for your message, so much appreciated xx

Hi Trisha we’ve all got the big knickers out from time to time. Just trust your team as you well know our n h s is the best. 
Hazel d