1.5 years after treatment for throat cancer

Merry Christmas! I haven't made a video in quite some time, so I decided to put together a Christmas present of sorts in the form of this uodate. Let's catch up on my recovery and what's going on in my life now as we prepare to move into 2020. Please visit my new website letskillfred dot com when you have a chance. Thank you!
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Jeff Johnson is a broadcaster, journalist and itinerant humorist who shares his story and the lessons he’s learned as a physically disabled, Autistic cancer survivor.
Visit Jeff's blog or let him know if you'd be interested in having him speak to your group or organization at: backtoyoujeff.com.

[@mindimartian9821]

I am glad to find your video. I am 1 year and 1 month post treatment for throat cancer. I had 7 weeks of radiations and 7 chemos. I have a great attitude, but like you, I am tired all the time. I can only move around for about 10 minutes then I have to sit down because my heart is racing. I also have an issue with swallowing, and I "get tired" of eating after about 6 bites. I have lock jaw (trismus) so trying to take a bite out of a burger is out of the question. I CAN taste sweetness, which is a newly developed taste. I am also getting better with hot spices. My voice is back and it's pretty strong. Thanks for sharing this video and reminding all of us that it is a journey!!!!

[@ppsayl1235]

Jeff, you are my inspiration for overcoming adversity. I've been following your progress for 4 years now. Best wishes.

[@catherinebell6798]

I wish I had found you sooner came across your videos today..I'm 8 months post treatment stage 3 throat cancer tumor was a size of a grape up against my voice box..made it threw treatment 7 weeks radiation 7 chemo treatments..I found recovery is harder then the treatment but after watching your videos I feel much better .I have learned alot from you..understanding this whole process...

[@overcomingjeff]

Catherine Bell - I'm glad you found my videos helpful. If you have questions, feel free to ask. Just know that it DOES get better. Your patience is being / will be tested. But life after throat cancer can be very livable with a positive attitude. Praying for you!

[@JeffreyBrock]

I'm 2 months cancer free from voicebox cancer. 28 rads. 🙏🎗🎗🎗

[@richardharris3423]

That's good to hear. How are you doing now? Were you able to get your voice back?

[@keithcitizen4855]

Congratulations

[@tiredofthebullcrap9382]

It would good to hear from you.been following you since i found out i had throat cancer in march.Getting ready for my 2nd pet scan this morning.finished my treatment plan may 14th this year.so far ive had to have pace maker and trach put in.i have tingling in my finger tips(drives me nuts) i still have issue with tasting salt and anything tomato based.it taste like metal.ive gained all my weight back and then some from all the steroids for throat swelling from radation.glad you are doing well.i used a few of your suggestions that worked for you during treatment.they worked.ill check out your website while waiting on scan dye to get in my system.take care.

[@nadirdherani]

Thank you for making this video. It will help me now while I’m going through treatment for mouth jaw bone cancer. God Bless you and your family.

[@overcomingjeff]

I’m so sorry that you’re having to endure this. My prayers are with you, your loved ones, and those caring for you. If you have questions, please ask. I’ll do my best to answer, as will others here who have also finished treatments.

[@nadirdherani]

@@overcomingjeff If I have any questions I will meanwhile please remember me in your prayers. By the way I’m in Toronto Canada and my name is Nadir. Please keep up the good work. Thank you and God bless you

[@mrs.p.studge4349]

Hi! So glad to "see" you. I was concerned because I've been keeping an eye on your news KZbin channel and hadn't seen on the activity or activity here. I'm so glad Fred is still dead and that you're doing well. So this is a little long... I first saw your videos back in May, I think, of 2019. That was when a large white patch formed on the back of my throat. Soon after, the skin/tissue in the back of my throat folded over that white patch. Prior to the white patch I had a growing lump in my throat. The patch is right where the lump is (by the jaw as it curves). If I push on the lump then I can actually push the patch outward, if that makes sense. I went and sought help because of your videos. I kept pushing because of you!!! Thank you!! So far I've seen 3 ENTs, none have pulled back the skin to look at the patch which now has a lot of red veins and spots (what I can see of it). No biopsy. 1st doc told me to quit being sensitive and ignore the pain. 2nd doc dxed salivary gland stones because of the submandibular gland swelling. Although he was in the same practice as the first doctor and the first doctor put his foot down and said no that was not the diagnosis. Diagnosis was fibromyalgia. Yes honest to gosh. 3rd ENT said salivary gland stones and to massage for 4-6 weeks, if not better then he would prescribe nortriptyline. Sm glad is so swollen it's pushing on nerves. He doesn't know what the patch is and is guessing weak throat wall from tonsillectomy 15 years ago. Needless to say no help there. This Tuesday 1/7/20 I'm going to my dentist. I've been running a fever for a month. Pretty anemic now. Fatigue is horrible. I never said anything on my other comments because I wanted to offer encouragement instead of focusing on me. Although this video really made me want to tell you my story. It made me want to tell you how your videos keep me pushing to find an answer. I'm going to your website right now. Thank you for everything and I will continue to follow you. Bless your heart.

[@overcomingjeff]

Wow! First of all, thank you so much for your kind words. They mean the world to me. Now, let's talk about YOU. I've got a lot to say, so pour your favorite beverage and here we go. DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT a medical professional and cannot give you any kind of medical advice. But I CAN tell you what I would do if I was in your situation, based on what you've told me. 1. To the doctor who said, "quit being sensitive and ignore the pain." Hey, doc ... YOU'RE FIRED! Any doctor who tells you to ignore ongoing pain is a (my wife told me not to put that word in print). In all seriousness, I would tell the practice manager that, that particular doctor is no longer allowed to see me or be involved in my care. If they balk at that, at all, say, "Or, I can call the State Medical Board and see how they feel about it?" 2. If I was in your position and had two diagnoses from two ENTs that both say salivary gland stones but won't treat it more aggressively, I would ask for hard copies of my records (they are required to provide those, but you may have to follow some official process), and go to another practice with those records. There is absolutely no reason for you to be disregarded in this manner. Even if you have to travel to a nearby town, you need to be seen by someone not affiliated with that practice. 3. As much as you can within the bounds of your personality and personal comfort, PLEASE remember that you are the employer and the doctors are your employees. Many doctors are great people. Some think their blank doesn't stink. Others have a serious god complex. The fact that they know their money comes from the insurance company not from you CAN make matters worse. It doesn't matter. You're the patient, therefore, you're the boss. They are there to offer their OPINIONS and ADVICE, and YOU make the decisions. Once you make those decisions, they can only do what YOU give them permission to do. Don't be afraid to verbally flex your muscles if you need to. (I have a friend who, after his second heart attack and open heart surgery, fired the surgeon and got a restraining order against him so that the cardiologist couldn't even come in my friend's room. That's extreme, but this doctor was the god of all god complexes, so ...) 4. PLEASE don't ever be afraid to post anything, make comments, or ask questions on my videos. I appreciate you wanting to be encouraging, I REALLY do. But it also encourages me to know that people are being helped. Maybe someone else has the answer to your question when I'm clueless (which seems to be more and more often, the older I get, LOL). Again, I'm not a doctor and I'm not going to play one on social media. But I will absolutely tell you what I would do give the information you have available. Then - just like you would with your doctor - you make the decisions. I'll be over here in your corner praying for you! Thanks, again, for taking the time to write. Please check back in and let everyone know how you're doing . You're also welcome to join my Facebook group called Let's Kill FRED, if you haven't already. There's a LOT more information there. Blessings!

[@mrs.p.studge4349]

@@overcomingjeff Thanks for your reply! Yes, I fired him in a way, I quietly walked away and went to another ENT. I did tell him that he was very dismissive and I disagreed with his diagnosis. IF this turns out to be cancer then I'll be filing a report on his behavior. He was so focused on my previous diagnosis of fibromyalgia. I see my dentist this week and all I can do is pray. I seriously want to take my dentists' hands and ask him to pray with me before he and I talk. Although that may make him uncomfortable but at this point I'm relying on faith to get a diagnosis. Yes, definitely, doctors work for us. They forget that. I have a great primary care doctor and when I asked her for a third opinion she said, "In all my years of being a doctor I have learned that a patient knows their own body and I have no problem sending you to another ENT." That's how a doctor should be. She's awesome! The 3rd ENT, not so awesome. Anyway, this is all so overwhelming. I feel very isolated because I don't want to tell anyone close to me that I feel that it's cancer. I don't want to worry them needlessly. Question: Did you have any fevers? Long term low grade fever for me now has become a regular fever for the past week. I also noticed a change in the white patch this week. It has gotten bigger. Again, thank you for your reply. I will definitely find your page on Facebook. Real name is Shelly Harper. P. Studge is from my husband's favorite book "Breakfast of Champions". LOL thus Mrs. P. Studge. Have a good day and many blessings and prayers.

[@overcomingjeff]

Mrs. P. Studge - good information and thankful for your PCP. I had what we thought were recurring sinus and ear infections for three years before my tumor was found. That included intermittent low-grade fever, but not regularly. Don't think too much about cancer until and unless you get a positive biopsy, which of course I pray never happens!

[@mrs.p.studge4349]

@@overcomingjeff Ok thanks! For me it's salivary gland stones and infection. Yes intermittent low grade fever, now regular fever. Yep, staying positive and informed. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

[@karlhans6678]

There's so many incompetent doctors and specialists! I too can't find one that can diagnose the cause of my throat problem.

[@halgrunwell301]

Thank you for the video I'm a few months into a p16 squamous cell base of tongue and tonsil diagnosis. It's horrifying and life-changing but your video help me gain some hope and insight into what's coming up. Thank you for sharing this I appreciate it and I'm glad to see that you got through it.

[@overcomingjeff]

Praying for you and everyone involved in your treatment and recovery, Hal. You can do this!

[@grunwellh]

Thank you for the wonderful videos from someone who's just starting this adventure.

[@overcomingjeff]

Thanks for writing, Hal. I’m very thankful you’re finding them useful, though I wish you didn’t need them. If you’d like to join the Facebook group “Let’s Kill FRED” there’s more information there. I’m also happy to answer non-medical questions as I’m able. Praying for you, your loved ones, and everyone involved in your care.

[@KirkFromTexas]

Hi Jeff. Thank you for posting these videos. It really helps a lot. How long of time was it between when your tumor was first discovered and your first chemo radiation treatment? My tumor was found on May 30th and I start my first treatment tomorrow (June 26th). Is that quick or slow?

[@overcomingjeff]

Hey, Kirk! Sorry you're having to go through this, but glad the videos are helpful. Starting treatment in less than a month is average to quick. My tumor was discovered in early March and I started treatment in late May. But mine was delayed three times while my radiation oncologist tweaked my treatment plan. I'm praying for you, you're loved ones and everyone involved in your care!

[@KirkFromTexas]

@@overcomingjeff Thank you very much, Jeff. Glad you made it through and are cancer free. All the best.

[@gokulsrini4008]

Thank you