| | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | The last two months have been horrendous. One of our closest friends was in the hospital and then rehab for 6 weeks. A missed diagnosis led to a burst appendix and she almost died. Fortunately, thanks to modern medicine she is home and her physical and occupational therapy is slowly bringing her around. At the same time, Jeff, who many of you know was my dental partner for 37 years, was in the same hospital for dehydration and kidney failure and too, almost died. His multiple myeloma (blood cancer) which he has had for 8 1/2 years, is winning the battle. Watching him fade away, is such a terrible thing to see. He can now hardly walk, is in terrible pain and is basically confined to his easy chair, except for doctor visits. Has anyone ever mentioned that CANCER SUCKS"?
During all of this time, since early May, we have been preparing to move. It sure was a lot easier 32 years ago when we moved into our present home. Being much younger and having accumulated much less junk accounts for it having been easier.
In 2 days the movers are coming. We were supposed to have the new house a week before moving out of the old one, but due to a major screw-up, we won't be moving in until possibly the 11th. Our possesions will go into storage now and we will be "sleeping around". It's kind of sick, but I'm actually looking forward to my laproscopic knee surgery on the 17th, so I can get a little rest.
I feel very guilty having dropped out of sight for so long and will be out of touch for a few more weeks, as we try to get things unpacked. I thought retirement was supposed to be a time to relax!
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Jerry,
I assume "things" can only get better now, lets hope so. I for one have missed your contributions but take care of business and that knee and come back when you can.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 939 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 939 | Jerry...its called transitions...a normal part of life but still stressful.
We moved to Florida in Labor Day, 2006. That summer we sold an airplane, repaired, cleaned and sold a rental house, helped son repair, totally paint and move to his new house, had son's wedding, bought a house in Florida, sold our Texas home and moved. Yikes, it was very stressful and tiring. Little did we know that in just a few months we would face Bill's OC diagnosis and the major economic downturn here in Florida.
Retirement...what retirement?? We feel your pain!
Deb
Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!
Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Jerry, with your get up and go getem attitude, even you need a break at times. I'm sorry for the worry your friends caused but mother nature keeps things out of our control. I wish them both well and understand the need a break even if it's for knee replacement. My lifelong buddy was scheduked for a heart stent and when they did the tests, they discovered that he is full of cancer thru out his system. After all of this moving and getting this place in shape, I need a room too. LOL Need a roomamte??
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 794 | Hey Jerry,
I have been thinking about you, figured you were busy with your move.
I am glad your friend is recovering, hopefully she will do so quickly.
I am so sorry to learn this about Jeff...I think I told you I just saw him a short time ago and was so amazed at how well he looked. It hurts so much to know that he is in pain and is probably acutely aware of what all is happening. I can't imagine what you must be feeling, as his friend, it must be kind of surreal. How is his family? I will keep them all in my thoughts and prayers. So unfair, and you are right, cancer does suck!
Do you think it would be ok for me to send him a card? If so, where should I send it?
Hope you and Marilyn are holding up ok, sounds exhausting. I wish you peace, and send you strength and love through all of this with Jeff. Let me know if I can do anything to help.
Love, Donna
Stay strong Jeff.
Donna
CG to Mom, dx 4/25/07 with tongue cancer,T3N0,tx began 7/6/07, 31 tx's of IMRT, 8 cycles of Erbitux. Brachytherapy, surgery, left neck dissection and temp trach placed all on 9/17/07, trach removed 10/17/07. ORN of jaw, late effect of radiation symptoms. **lost my beautiful mother on 5/5/11.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 | I have missed you too Jerry and after reading all you have been and are still going through can understand whey you have not been posting here and on FB. Absolutely no need to feel guilty.
Hope you do get to enjoy that retirement in the not too distant future.
Love
Gabriele
History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.
1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | I'm so sorry about Jeff. Cancer does indeed SUCK! Everyone here sure as hell knows that. It really must be so sad for you to have to see him like that. Try to remember to take good care of your own health during this high-stress time.
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Jerry, sorry to hear Jeff isnt the best right now. I know he has been thru such a long battle and you have been right by his side. Wish that move of your was over. Bet you cant wait til you are all settled in your new home. It sure has drug on for a long time. Im sure your new home will be just as beautiful as your last one. Hope you arent in too much pain with the knee. Best of luck with the surgery and hope you have a quick recovery. You gotta get well before the snow starts falling  Ive missed you my friend, and I hope to see you posting more after everything has settled down.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | Sorry about your friend Jeff. Yes, cancer does suck. I have been MIA as well. May be MIA for awhile as we are getting rid of the internet. School starts Monday and I have a crazy schedule. Anyway thanks for the update.
Angelia
31 at Dx.
DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth,
T1NOMO, T2N1M0
TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09
PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement
PEG/PORT: 11/09
TX end: 02/01/10
PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear
PEG Out: 06/21/10
Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis
HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN
Baby girl born 11-30-12
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 | Hi, Jerry -
Well, your plate has been full. I thought you were already enjoying your new house - too bad about the screw-up. I dread the thought of moving, but I'll be going through that in 2 years. I hope I can discipline myself to get rid of stuff well in advance.
I'm so sorry about your former partner. He is blessed to have you for a friend.
Good luck with your surgery.
Marlene
Marginal mandibulectomy 6/17/08 resulted in DX of Stage I SCC - gingiva (3 mm) right mandible, buccal side. Clear margins. Occasional social drinker. Smoked last cigarette in 1979. Clear pet: 12/08; 7/20/09. Yay!
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