"Hey, that's good to know, do you do kid's birthday partys too"?

GregP_WN

What I asked the radiation oncologist today after he got done telling me about the possible carotid artery getting too thin and possibly blowing in two from radiation on my neck for the third time in a lifetime causing me to bleed out. Also, he said the other side effects might be loss of all swallowing and possible failure of the radiation to work since it would have to be restricted to certain areas of my neck. It would also make healing more difficult in the future if I did have to have surgery from a recurrence. He had a way with the delivery of "good news".

They are going to look at my old radiation records to be sure, but it looks like there won't be any radiation or chemo with this one, surgery only. Unless they see something amazing on the previous records. So, I'm expecting surgery. Still......I don't have a date or a definitive answer yet, but I feel like I know.

Bug

Sigh. Hang in there, friend.

Kp2018

I'm so sorry there wasn't more positive news. At least your team is exploring every option, if that's any comfort. My heart goes out to you during this period of waiting and uncertainty.

beachbum5817

Greg, it is good that they are going to look back at your old scans, but I wish they had done it before your visit, so you wouldn't be left hanging. Hopefully, you won't have to wait much longer to have a plan in place. Take care.

JaneA

Hurry up and wait. But at least, they have and are looking at all of your options. Many of us who have had pelvic radiation are probably in the same situation if we have a local recurrence too. But that doesn't make this any easier for you.

Whitey61

Best wishes for the next fight Greg

Teachertina

I’m hoping they will find the absolute best option for you. It’s good that they are looking hard and not just throwing something at you to try. Stay positive like you always do and keep us posted!

alivenwell

Is he speaking from experience or general knowledge? I'd party anyway for the new year. I agree. He needs to review everything that can be done with minimal damage and stress. Can they put something like a stent in there to keep it open/strong? They do that to hearts.

alivenwell

Are you a candidate for immunotherapy?

meyati

Greg, I'm so sorry, but I'd rather to fully hear things, than have a doctor hide things from me. These are possible outcomes that might not happen.

I was told pretty much the same things--a possible 5 years max with full treatment, probably would need a feeding stent, and so on. I trusted the doctor that answered my questions and listened to me. I had the added option of spending a year or more at MD Anderson in Houston, lying there with half of my face removed. I knew about the tongue swallowing, throat stretching, the painful act of dressings being pulled off of my brain twice a day. I didn't go to Houston.

My heart goes out to you- I do know how scary it was, and my family really was in a sort of denial about all of this.

GregP_WN

Thanks Meyati

GregP_WN

Alivenwell, not yet.

Carool

Greg, I’m so sorry that there’s no way to avoid the laryngectomy (I read your blog post). My heart goes out to you. I hope your recovery goes well.

LiveWithCancer

So sorry, Greg My heart hurts for you and Donna

GregP_WN

I've lost track of what new developments I have posted about. So far all radiation and chemo options are out, looks like surgery only and that's set for the 28th. I have an appointment next week to talk to my oncologist/surgeon for a pre-op meeting, followed by a meeting with speech pathology to talk about how I will go about learning to speak again and how to care for the hole in my throat, stoma. My lesion in my neck is progressing as I sit and wait. I have symptoms that are increasing in frequency and grade. Some sharp pains every now and then that weren't there before and the same "choking me" symptom I've had for months is getting worse. I still have 3 weeks to go, it just amazes me that it's not considered a "rush" thing. But, they aren't looking at it from my point of view. Going somewhere else is out of the question and would only prolong the whole thing more anyway, so I'll sit somewhat quietly and wait.

I guess in one way it doesn't matter how much longer it takes because everything inside my threat is coming out, except my esophagus, and it's getting a remodeling job done on it.

Bug

I suspect it goes without saying - and that I speak for everyone here - that we will all be waiting anxiously to see a post from you just as soon as you feel up to it after surgery.