Thankyou so much for your reply. It does give us both hope to hear you are 21 years post treatment, wow! That is amazing. So glad for you. My husband is now 15 months post treatment. So the physical effects of the mouth ulcers etc are now totally gone. He has some taste although he says some foods taste different and some textures he finds difficult. But he is eating pretty well most things although small amounts. He lost over 20 kgs and has yet to gain  any weight back.  ‘The main problem he has now has been a deep depression and anxiety, also chronic fatigue. He has tried for over 12 months to return to his previous job as a diesel mechanic but has been unable to manage it. It is very heavy work. He is now almost 62 so that alone is a factor anyway I feel. His employer has been very supportive, trying to find him alternative work. But so far it hasn’t been successful. He is not a computer minded person, finds it hard enough to use a smart phone! So he struggled with the computer based role they gave him. Anyway, I keep reminding him he is ALIVE and to embrace life, he has a second chance.  ‘He will most likely need to take early retirement.  I will show him your reply. I’m sure it will give home hope.  Thankyou again and stay well in these crazy COVID times.  ‘He is seeing a psychologist as well  ... View more

Hi Alan,   thanks for  your comment. It’s nice to hear you are 10 years post treatment. Wow that gives me some hope, as there is that thought in the back of your mind always of reoccurrence. Brian isn’t coping at times with the effects  of treatment, extreme fatigue, pins and needles in his feet, he has yet to regain any weight. He also had bad anxiety and depression which has improved with medication. It has definitely changed him, he’s still adjusting to his new normal. Wishing you continued good health.  Julie Aldridge  ... View more

Hi Andrew, So sorry to hear about your re occurrence of cancer......that’s not the news anyone wants to hear. My husband was the one with tonsil cancer, diagnosed the same time as you last August 2019. Boy was that a shock, doesn’t drink or smoke but it was the HPV type. They were unable to operate due to the location of the tumours. Left tonsil and 4 lymph nodes. One was pressing on the jugular vein. So only option was  to have radiotherapy and chemo.  It’s a rough road that’s for sure, I joined this forum in the middle of his treatment to help me better understand what he was going through. He wouldn’t join himself but I wish he would. He would not feel so alone. He ended up having a peg put in which I would recommend If you do need it. Without it he wouldn’t be here as he was totally unable to tolerate any food and only some liquids from 3 weeks into treatment. He lost 20 kilos still and wasn’t a big bloke to start with. His PET scan was all clear. So fingers crossed so far so good. Hope you have a good outcome. You will find lots of support from others here.  ... View more

Hey Sheryn,    so sorry to hear of your fathers reoccurrence of cancer. That’s not what you want to hear after going through all that treatment. My husband had the same cancer last year, finishing his treatment 1st November 2019. So far, so good for him. He has extreme fatigue, depression and anxiety and although initially going back to work in February, he lasted a month and has been off work since. He is due to go back Monday 1st June part time. He is eating a lot better  But has not regained any of the weight he lost. About 18kg.  I have no answers for you but know how you must be feeling. It is in the back of my mind every day.....what if? This forum really helped me when he was going through his treatment. He won’t join it himself but I wish he would. I think it would help him but I pass on some of what I read and he’s happy to listen.  Take care of yourself. I hope you find the answers you need.  Julie     ... View more

Hi Shane,    I'm so sorry to hear. That's the worst news especially amid the world in free fall with Coronavirus. I have followed your story since my husband started his journey in August 2019. Your positive attitude to life kept me going through the worst of his treatment. Thinking of you and your family as you face the next chapter of your journey.  Please keep us posted when you feel you can.  Julie ... View more

Joe,  Thanks so much for your reply, yes that all sounds familiar and great advice. I've been trying to encourage him to join the forum but baby steps, at least he lets me read out the replies and also some of the other posts.  He didn't want to know about it before. I think he felt he could only deal with what he was going through without hearing others struggles.  So you have your 2nd bout of cancer? Is that right? Not what anyone wants.  Glad you have your wife to help you through. She sounds a sweetheart.    ... View more

Thanks so much for your reply.  it is indeed good news yet life is not without its challenges still.  I managed to convince him to get out of the house today and go to the movies. Something we haven’t done for a long while.  He could choose, no chick flicks!  That went ok, but after the movie it was dinner time and the anxiety began.  He’s at a loss to know what to try to eat as it’s still difficult. He has a fear of eating in public in case he chokes or vomits. He then feels guilty we can’t eat out  as he thinks he’s holding me back.  We came home and I made dinner, had to vitamize his, he was a bit upset and thinks I don’t understand what he’s going through. I’m trying to..... ... View more

Hi Shane, congratulations on finishing your treatment. Hoping for good news for you when you have your follow up scans.  Hubby finished his treatment for head and neck cancer 3 weeks this Friday. The first two weeks post treatment were horrendous for him, constant vomiting, gagging, on the mucous etc. slightly better this week but still happens at times. Feeding tube was removed today so that’s a step in the right direction but think it will be quite some time before he can have more than liquid drinks.  He has scans 12th Dec, results 17th so fingers crossed. It was very similar to your cancer, tonsil and multiple lymph nodes. HPV.  anyway best wishes again.  Julie ... View more

And congratulations on beating this beast of a disease. Wishing you continue(if different) good health.  ... View more