#13029 11-29-2007 10:35 AM | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Following an accident at work 6 years ago,i have suffered from mobility issues that have left me registered disabled,and i havent worked since.In 2005 i went to college full time for a year and did a business diploma,and also various IT certificates.The ultimate goal for me,was to get a job in medical administration,where i could use my hospital training and my new computer skills.
All this was put on hold following Robins diagnosis and the ensuing months,then for weeks i had no desire to do anything except sit and wallow in self pity wondering what if any future i had to look forward to.
I still feel like that as far as my own future is concerned,but at last i have made some positive moves regarding my future contribution to society.
If i lived to be two hundred i could never repay the People who cared for Robin in the last 21 days of his life,and the hospices in the Uk are nearly all charity funded with only a small percentage of the money required to keep them functioning coming from the health service.They rely totally on fundraising,donations and legacies,and are staffed by a small number of salaried employees and an incredible amount of of volunteers.(1,000 on the books of Robs hospice)Without these people the hospices would cease to be,and most of them are giving there time and expertise for no renumeration,as the only way they know of giving something back,and saying thankyou.
Last week i rang St Michaels Hospice in Harrogate and asked about volunteering,they sent me lots of forms which i filled in,and yesterday i had an interview with the human resources department.
When i come back from the middle east in January i will take up my new post as assistant to the press and communications officer.They would like me to set up and administer a Data Base relating to all press and communications matters,and then maintain it.
WOW !!!! i hope i can do it. I will put my best effort in to doing a good job,but its scary.Moving back in to the real world is a terrifying prospect,and i suppose not that surprising that i am doing it within an environment i have become so familiar with.
Who knows maybe one day in the not too distant future i may feel able to move out of the world of cancer that still seems to consume me so totally.
Sunday evening i will attend the Christmas"Light up a life" carol service in the grounds of the hospice.I have bought a light to go on the Christmas tree in Robins name at his own hospice and also one at St Michaels ,his brother and daughter and frinds are going to the same service at the Hampshire hospice on the same day.
It should be a magical service,and will be my only participation in any Christmas celebration.
What could be better.To illuminate a shining light as a beacon of hope to all the people in the world fighting disease and despair,and to celebrate the life of those who didnt make it.
I wish you all peace and joy over Christmas,and will think of you all while i am overseas.(just two weeks til i leave)and as the lights on the tree are lit i will say a prayer for fallen friends we have lost this terrible year and for the continued recovery and survival of so many of you who have loved ,supported and prayed for us in our hour of need.
my deepest love and respect
liz
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
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#13030 11-29-2007 11:03 AM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | What a great gift for the holidays!! I will think of you and your family, and all of those lights of hope!
Jeff
SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007
T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa
Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007
39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07
Complete response to treatment so far!!
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#13031 11-29-2007 11:05 AM | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 735 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 735 | LIZ
HOW EXCITING !! And I have NO DOUBT you will be wonderful at what you do !!! I think you will feel better as well to , to get out and be busy !! I am soo happy for you !!!
Shar
Sharlee
35 year old Female Non smoker, very occasional alcohol ..Scc T1N0M0,partial glossectomy and left neck disection ,2/9/07 No rad deemed ness. 4/16 tonsillectomy ..Trimengenial Neuralga due to surgery
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#13032 11-29-2007 11:07 AM | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 632 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 632 | Oh Liz--well done!
You are truly awesome and I'm sure St. Michael's will be a better place for you being there!
Business and IT aside, you have so much understanding and compassion, and being such a strong person, you will be able to do this well.
It may also give you another perspective on cancer as you see how many people, of all ages, it affects and the different ways they deal with it.
Your work will also be of practical benefit to so many people for so many years to come!
You will have all the usual fears we all have before 'starting something new'--but YOU CAN DO THIS!
Once again--SO well done!
Love Bren x
Brenda in UK--Diagnosis 30/5/07--undifferentiated carcinoma in right jawbone and muscles. Stage 4
6/7/07--new diagnosis primary is in lung. Finished 4cycles of palliative carboplatin/gemcitabine
therapy September 07
Now dying to live!
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#13033 11-29-2007 01:12 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Liz,
That's wondeful news. Thanks for sharing.
Have a safe and wonderful trip. Where will you be going?
Happy Holidays.
Jerry
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"
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#13034 11-29-2007 02:32 PM | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 510 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 510 | Liz: Hooray for you! This is most exciting! Surely you will be the greatest Data Base Administrator ever and an invaluable asset to the Hospice. What a great start for the New Year...I just know that 2008 will be YOUR year to shine....
Congrats and love to you....
Lois & Buzz
CG to 77 y/o hubby;SCC Alveolar Ridge; Wake Forest Baptist Hosp surgery: 07/19/07; bi mod radical resection/jaw replacement;
T2 N2-B M0 Stage IV-A
28 IMRT +
6 Paclitaxel/Carboplatin
Getting stronger every day!
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#13035 11-29-2007 03:04 PM | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 166 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 166 | Liz, congrats!! It looks like your luck may be finally beginning to change. I hope you have a great time in the Middle East and come back and set the world on fire. Merry Christmas. 
Bill B. Dx 10-16-06 Stage 4 T2N2bM0 SCC Left Tonsil,3 nodes. 1st tx 11-28-06, last tx 1-8-07. 3x Cisplatlin, 5fu pump, and Doxetaxel. Modified neck dissection,20 Nodes removed, all clear 02-21-07. HPV+,33 IMRT start 3-22-07 70GY,Completed 05-04-07 | | |
#13036 11-29-2007 03:18 PM | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 | Liz, I'm so proud of you. What a wonderful and rewarding use of your time and talents!
Margaret
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C/G: Husband, 48 (at time of dx)
Dx 5/18/07 SCC, BOT, lymph node involvement. T1N2BM0. (Stage 4a, G2/3)
Tx 6/18 - 8/3/07, IMRT x 33 Cisplatin x3 (stopped after 1st dose due to hearing issues). Weekly Erbitux started 6/27/07 completed 8/6/07.
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#13037 11-29-2007 08:25 PM | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | OP "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Thank you all so much.  Jerry i am going to Abu Dhabi about 40 miles from Dubai.My brother works for a construction company who are building a new city in the sea!! he relocated with his family about three months ago,and the company have bought him a villa in a complex that has a pool,private beach and gym,so if i cant get this damn weight off and get fit while i am there i never will lol.The ambient temprature is about 80 degrees at the moment,so it will be like being on our wonderful island for a whole month.Only thing missing will be Dr Mike.!!!! I'll raise a glass to you all on christmas morning,which of course is just a normal working day out there. love liz
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
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#13038 12-02-2007 12:39 PM | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 16 Member | | Member
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 16 | Liz,
Well done, it will be the making of you you have so much talent in life sciences this is perfect for you. I am so proud!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alan | | |
#13039 12-02-2007 03:04 PM | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 735 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 735 | Liz
This may sound like a stupid question ...but did you say in the Sea ? and mean Like in the sea as in underwater ?? Yea sometimes I am not so bright and wanted to clarify that . That sounds really neat though . And the weather sounds PERFECT !!!!!! Although I may miss snow for xmas ..some year I would like to try HOt and or tropical !!! I hope you enjoy the time spent with your brother ..Lord knows you need the vacation !! I will be thinking of you and be jealous !!!! Of the climate you get to enjoy and the POOL !!!
Shar
Sharlee
35 year old Female Non smoker, very occasional alcohol ..Scc T1N0M0,partial glossectomy and left neck disection ,2/9/07 No rad deemed ness. 4/16 tonsillectomy ..Trimengenial Neuralga due to surgery
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#13040 12-02-2007 04:14 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Liz,
Have a great and safe trip. I'm jealous!!!!
Jerry
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"
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#13041 12-02-2007 05:44 PM | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | OP "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Hi Shar
reclaiming land from the sea was a practice used in Dubai to build their famous glass spinacre styled hotel,and also the palm tree complex of houses and apartments.The whole area is surrounded by a series of little islands .Malcolm's firm is building an entire city of houses,hotels,shops,a marina,and leisure facilities.The piece of land he is working on at the moment ,on ariel photograph,looks like a huge upturned saucer in the sea!!!!
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
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#13042 12-03-2007 06:39 AM | 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 Liz,
A trip to a real island for a month sounds like what your tortured body and mind need right now, especially over the holidays. I hope you have a wonderful time. Robin would want you to enjoy it.
And a NEW job too for when you come back. That's great news. It sounds exciting and interesting.
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
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