The MRI results are that there is no evidence of residual or recurrent neoplasm (da tumor). There is some post-treatment changes with thickening of soft tissues at the level of the hypopharynx and vocal cords. I am going to physical therapy for this to relearn how to swallow - seems my muscles have forgotten how to do this. The PET Scan results indicate no abnormal hypermetabolic activity in the right side of the neck which means the old cancer site is no more!
Soooooooo in laymans terms, the cancer that I had is no longer present and there is no indication of any more. I will see my surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist on 3 month rotation basis with the surgeon and radiation guys falling off to 6 months then a year and the medical oncologist staying close to me for the next 5 years. Hoooorah! - Will you look at that, all it took was just a scalpel, some poison and a bit o radiation.
Although my friend is no longer with me, he has left me with many reminders of his stay that will be a part me for the rest of my life. All of this came to me the day of my PET scan, after they had injected me with the radioactive glucose, left me in the room with the lights down low on a recliner, all relaxed to allow for maximum distribution throughout my body - I began to cry.
For me, the tears were a cleansing of sorts because even though I had not gotten the test results back, I knew I was clean. I knew that because of your prayers and your thoughts and chauffuers to radiation and conversations with me and emails and FB and everything else that went on in the last few months were the basis, the foundation for making this result happen. Although I shed a tear to sear in my memory each and every thing that you did for me, I can never repay what you have gave but will most certainly, not ever forget. My journey continues sans my little friend......