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2-1/2 Years And Counting!
Most of the long-time regulars here on BT3Central are aware that a little less than three years ago, I was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer of the oropharynx (base of tongue). I spent the summer of 2003 taking chemotherapy and radiation, and then another four months recovering from the side effects of those treatments.
On Monday, two days ago, I went to see my medical oncologist and my surgeon for yet another of my regular checkups, now occurring at six month intervals. I'm very happy to report that everything continues to look great, and that both docs were extremely pleased with the way things are going. I don't yet have the results of my blood tests (primarily to check thyroid function) but the main thing is that the endoscopy and physical exam both signalled, "All clear."
These appointments came at the 2-1/2 year point, which means I'm now halfway through my five year post-treatment "surveillance" period with no indications of a cancer recurrence. In the words of a great man I much admire: YABBA DABBA DOOOO!!!!
But as the much-publicized death of Dana Reeve reminds us, not all cancer stories have a happy ending. I have not forgotten that more than 1.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, or that one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes. There is, clearly, still much work to be done in our collective ongoing fight against cancer.
I will continue to do what I can to help with that fight, and as always, I will LIVESTRONG.
On Monday, two days ago, I went to see my medical oncologist and my surgeon for yet another of my regular checkups, now occurring at six month intervals. I'm very happy to report that everything continues to look great, and that both docs were extremely pleased with the way things are going. I don't yet have the results of my blood tests (primarily to check thyroid function) but the main thing is that the endoscopy and physical exam both signalled, "All clear."
These appointments came at the 2-1/2 year point, which means I'm now halfway through my five year post-treatment "surveillance" period with no indications of a cancer recurrence. In the words of a great man I much admire: YABBA DABBA DOOOO!!!!
But as the much-publicized death of Dana Reeve reminds us, not all cancer stories have a happy ending. I have not forgotten that more than 1.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, or that one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes. There is, clearly, still much work to be done in our collective ongoing fight against cancer.
I will continue to do what I can to help with that fight, and as always, I will LIVESTRONG.
(Takes more than an avatar and a sig line for some people. 
)
Turaj (in Toronto) 
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