Hi Shauneen, and thank you for coming back. Thank you also for writing frankly about depression. I think it's far more prevalent in general, and especially among oral cancer patients, than anyone realizes. I started an anti-depressant during treatment myself. There is a lot of pressure to act brave, wear a positive attitude, etc. that I think makes it hard for some to even acknowledge the possibility of depression, let alone thier own inner turmoil.

I'm glad that you've found a measure of peace and clarity, even if you had to wrest it from this terrible "cancer dance." And while I never knew Charm, I've stumbled upon his posts and gotten a taste of his wit and character. I sense your wit and character too, and hope you will stick around here and share it with us.

Hugs,
Lynn


53
T3N2aM0 HPV+
5/26/13 discovered painless superball-sized lymph node in neck
6/26/13 DX SCC R palatine tonsil
7/16/13 TORS tonsillectomy & selective ND, mets to 2 nodes
9/3/13 Cisplatin and rads begin, tolerated 1.5 of 3 planned chemo doses
10/16/13 Treatment ends
Dec 13 Ulcer appears at surgery site
Jan 17 Biopsy -- no cancer!
Feb 17 CT/PET Scan lights up tonsil bed & nasal cavity, docs say probably inflammation, don't panic, rescan when ulcer subsides