HPV Throat Cancer – 4 Year Update

This week – specifically May 4th marks the 4 year anniversary of when I had my throat/neck surgery back in 2018 as a result of being diagnosed with HPV Throat Cancer. If you want to start the journey from the beginning, read these blog posts.

I had my follow up CT scan this week and happy to say all went well! Woo Hoo! I remembered to drink a lot of water before the visit so the needle for the dye went into my arm much easier. The doc says I have 2 more scans in the next year and then I’ll hit the milestone 5 year mark. If all goes well, I’ll then be seeing him on an annual, or as needed basis, rather than every 6 months.

So what’s been going on since my last update a year and a half ago?!? Here’s the latest…

Rituals & Follow Ups

My ritual for follow up visits is still the same. I visualize and journal about the positive outcome and continue to work on my mindset. This is on the daily anyway regardless of an upcoming scan but it definitely helps! I listen to comedians – laughter is the best medicine! I started with George Lopez, then moved on to Sebastian Maniscalco and currently my fave is Jim Gafigan. Is it a wonder?!? Can totally relate to his paleness jokes. 🙂

I still prefer to go on my own. I have to be in a certain energy and headspace without distractions. My husband drives me in and drops me off.

I’m very selective with what I wear on the day of the scan. It goes back to what I visualize and what I see myself wearing. I get that this may sound crazy but it’s all centered around how I want to feel. When the journey started I wore a specific black sweater on each visit but now black doesn’t really resonate with me. I don’t want to jinx anything so I still pack it in my bag and just carry it with me. More craziness, I know!

After my scan I head to Wholefoods for a bagel, bottle of water and blueberries and then I go a few blocks away to Blick Art and buy some new art supplies as a way to celebrate my great report. These things are a MUST in my routine!

This time my appointment was just before my weekly Clubhouse room so as soon as my visit was over I headed across the street to the park to do my room there.

What’s The Same and What Has Changed

Same

• My diet is pretty much still the same – still no red meat, hardly any sugar or processed food and barely any dairy. I really like smoked gouda vegan cheese now. It’s my new norm since I don’t really eat cheese anymore except once in a while grated parm. Mozzarella is totally out which means I haven’t had a real slice of pizza in years! What a waste living in NYC with the best pizza ever! Sometimes I make homemade pizza and only use a sprinkling of grated parm. I’ve gotten used to it.
• Mindset work is still on the daily through journaling and reading and listening to inspirational books and audios.
• Still paying medical bills

Changed

• My weight continues to fluctuate. I’m kind of in the middle of where I was pre and post surgery. Still trying to make my way back to the weight I was right after my surgery where I lost 11 pounds. I felt most comfortable at that weight.
• I cough more easily when eating or speaking too much so I have to be mindful of taking smaller bites, eating slower and having water with me when I’m eating something dry.
• I have a new health issue that I’m dealing with now that affects so many things but especially food. Since August 2021 I’ve had chronic urticaria which is a fancy way of saying a chronic rash and hives. Waaay too much to get into with this post so I’ll do a follow up series about that sometime soon.

If you have any questions about any of this, feel free to ask!