| | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 218 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: May 2004 Posts: 218 | 7 Years Out.
Man o man its hard to believe 7 years ago I was literally at the lowest point of my life.
My wife was pregnent with our 5th child and I I was diagnosed with stage 4 Tonsil cancer.
My goal at the time was to make it to his birth. I just saw him march off to 1st grade last week. He is 6. He will remember me! Even if its not that clear. No matter what, if it came back today, he will remember me. My biggest fear was I wouldnt live long enough for that.
OCF was one of the biggest reasons I made it through. There was always someone to talk me off the ledge.
Back then all I wanted was to talk to a long term survivor as you just didnt see a lot of them.
Well, looks like I am a long term survivor now!!!!!!!
Still have dry mouth. Still have neck pain. Still lack the ability to taste certain foods. All in all a small price to pay.
Thanks to all for their love and support.
Prayers to all who didnt make it through (Marci, Danny Boy, Sam).
Hope, prayer, family. Every day is still a gift.
Love
Robert, Christine, Alison, Bob, Tommy, Billy, and Scotty Hamilton
Last edited by Robr; 09-14-2010 08:55 AM.
SCC 1.6cm Right Tonsil 10/3/03, 1 Node 3cm, T1N2AM0, Tonsil Removed, Selective Neck Disection, 4 Wks Induction Chemo (Taxol,Cisplatin), 8 Weeks Chemo/Radiation (5FU,Hydroxyurea,Iressa), IMRT x 40, Treatment Complete 2/13/04.
41 Years Old At Diagnosis
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 83 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 83 | Always great to hear about someone getting through. Hope you get to see him graduate from college too 
Stage 4b BOT and node on right of throat. did 38 trips of TOMO PEG tube,Cysplatin,Taxotere & 5fu 1st 4th and 7th week, changed to Erbitux for the last 4 weeks. 1st PETS since end of TX..CLEAR 6mos out and 2 nodes are hot. Bilateral neck dissection on 10/31/08. Clear Scan 3/31/09 & 8/02/2010
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 | Hello Robert and family:
SEVEN YEARS! How wonderful. That is something all of us would like to be able to write about. Congratulations. I know the side effects are disappointing, but heck, they're a lot better than the alternative, right? I hate my side effects and they never go away or get better, but am thankful to be alive, and I know you are from your letter. You enjoy your family and celebrate those 7 years - that is marvelous!
julieann
Julieann Nov 2007 SCC on right tonsil following tonsillectomy. Was smoker, QUIT. (Stage IV T2 N2b) 7 weeks radiation one day/wk chemo (carboplatin and 5-FU). Allergic to Taxol; PEG in, lost 30 lbs. TX completed January 2008. PEG out mid- 2008. PET/CT 1/17/2011;2/3/12 NEGATIVE for cancer | | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 | Great deal -- Congratulations Robr !
Here's to many more !
Kevin
18 YEAR SURVIVOR
SCC Tongue (T3N0M0) diag 06/2006.
No evidence of disease 2010
Another PET 12-2014 pre-HBO, still N.E.D.
�Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. It matters that you don't just give up.�
Stephen Hawking | | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi Robert,
Good to hear from you and glad you are doing well. Ok, you now made 1st grade, your next goal is his college graduation.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 | Yea! You give all of us hope!
Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.
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