1 year on

A real milestone Steve. Well done you. You’re about 7 weeks behind me with the RT and I can appreciate everything you say. I’ve never had an ‘all-clear’ - no 1-year scan either - but am assured it’s likely to have gone.  But you’re right, it can mess with your head and you do get good days, bad days and anxious days. By the end of some days (yesterday was one) my throat and neck still feel as though someone let off a hand grenade in there. I think that’s just the way it’s going to be, for a while longer at least. 

Hi Steve. Like Mark says....a year is a real milestone and well done. Sometimes it's still two steps forward and one back and fear of recurrence is still common especially around check up times. I never had a scan after my post treatment PET/CT but I am now three years out of RT and according to my surgeon cured as far as he is concerned, although I remain on oncology checks till five years and maybe longer. What we suffer is a form of PTSD. There is no doubt about it. Have read of this article by Psychologist Dr Peter Harvey. It explains really well how so many of us feel. After The Treatment Finishes....Then What?

Hi Steve , MarkEL and Dani , I know a bit about this LOL . I finished my treatment end of Jan last year and boy oh boy has that been a roller coaster. Strange things happen that we just have to deal with and get on with. I try and steam every day or two and walk a few miles most days which I really think helps both physically and definitely mentally. Try  is my advice . All the Best Regards Minmax

Hi Steve. Remember your posts in the early days. I’m 3.5 years post treatment I’ve never had another scan since my end of treatment pet Ct scan.  I see e n t every 6 months so 3 more of those and oncologist once a year so 2 of those. In a way it’s still early for you we all had those one step forward 2 steps back days.For me it took 3 years for my power naps to cease. Just keep on powering through,you’ll get there. 
Hazel 

Hi Min good to hear from you just look how far you’ve come in this last year. Onwards and upwards 

Hazel x

Minmax said:

Hi Steve , MarkEL and Dani , I know a bit about this LOL . I finished my treatment end of Jan last year and boy oh boy has that been a roller coaster

Hi Mark. I remember your early posts. Cancer seems like the end of the world to all of us. You’ve done brilliantly 

Hi Steve.

Good to hear you're experiencing some good days and that you scan result ws clear.

Like most people I totally understand that you never quite know how you'll be from one day to the next.  Over time I'm sure you'll begin to find you're having more good days than bad.  You also learn to pace yourself.  If I'm having a bad day I can now just accept it for what it is and slow down.  I also have to remember not to get over enthusiastic when eating as it's easy to end up with a mouth and tongue full of sores, cuts and bruises.

Do read the article by Peter Harvey - I'm sure you'll find it helpful.

Take care of yourself and all the best in your continued recovery.

Linda x

Hi Dani and Hazel  and anyone else .Thank You so much for your help and support through this rough time. All the Best Regards Minmax 

Steve

Well done on making one year.  A good reason to celebrate especially with the CT results showing all clear.

I think most of us understand the issues of one day it feels normal, the next is very different.  I guess it is just our new life and over time we get more used to the changes and it is easier to accept them.  That is certainly what I've found over the last 2 1/2 years.  Onwards, and forever upwards!  Looking forward to your 2 year progress report.

You’re very welcome. You have been an exemplary patient