I feel that marking progress in our cancer treatment and the subsequent living with cancer is important. As they have never found my primary and thus treated it I feel that I can't celebrate completing treatment as the watchful waiting still goes on - as it does for so many of us.
A year ago today I was told that, after the first biopsy was clear, the second more invasive biopsy of my lymph nodes determined cancer with HPV markers - probably tongue and tonsils. Thus I've decided to mark my progress towards the 5 and 10 year survival points as my Diagnosis Day; D-Day.
As a Group our survival statistics are good, but we are a small group so there will always be significant variation in those figures. Some of you in the Group are on the wrongs side of the positive figures and my heart breaks for you; hoping that you come through your treatment and can live a wholesome life.
On this day I can reflect and be grateful to the NHS for the excellent treatment I have received.
A special mention goes to everyone who contributes to this site to help all those who are affected by head and neck cancers; not just patients, but friends and family. That help has made a large, and very positive, difference to me. Thank you!
A number of people have posted recently on their anniversaries and I do think it helps give positivity to those who are just starting their journeys that this cancer is survivable. The treatment is tough and sometimes the long term effects do have an impact on your quality of life, but hopefully the end result is acceptable.
Onwards and upwards to my second D-Day!
Well done Peter. Thanks for posting your encouragement. A CUP must be even more of a challenge to live with than the rest of us with a definitive diagnosis.
Needless to say you have grasped the nettle and simply got on with it.
I celebrate my 2 years in late January. I had a dot tattoo for my radiotherapy and now nobody will remove it for me so my celebration will be to have it incorporated into a tattoo of a honey bee.
Roll on the years quickly but not quickly. What a strange situation to be in.... wishing the years away?
We have much to be grateful for and even in these trying times our NHS is largely doing us proud.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Awe thanks for this lovely post, Peter, yes we should mark these milestones, mine milestone was on the 5th when i reach twelve years, the first 6 were bumpy at times but the second six have been very good but i never take my eye of the ball. The NHS saved my life many times over and have nothing but praise for the Drs, consultants, nurses, etc who achieve great results. Wishing you well with your continued recovery, best wishes,take care .
Chris
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
Hi Peter,
Such a great post. Thank you & congratulations on your milestone too.
I’m on my 3rd round of head & neck cancer but still here to tell the tale and I’m enjoying life. It’s different to my old life but we learn very quickly to adapt.
This forum & other groups on the Macmillan site has been invaluable to me and I’m truly grateful to you all for supporting me when I was starting out in 2014 and so scared of the unknown & the continued support I get today. You can off load your deepest feelings to people that know exactly what you’re going through without burdening family & friends. Life is for living,making the most of what we have and being thankful to our wonderful NHS.
Fi 
