| | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | OP  "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 | I was in the ICU of the Foothills hospital in Calgary, Alberta. At this moment, 5 years ago I was being resuscitated following a heart attack.
The heart attack was caused by respiratory arrest. The respiratory arrest was the result of having spent the previous 17 hours on anaesthetic, undergoing surgery for advanced cancer.
Going in, I was told I had less than a 15% chance of surviving 18 months. I had been diagnosed a month earlier with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma in my left jaw.
They told me that I would lose part of my jaw; hopefully not all the way to the TMJ, since if that happened, they could not rebuild the jaw. Instead, they would have simply transplanted thigh muscle to restore the "appearance" of having a jaw, although my days of eating solid anything would have been over.
I was terrified...I'd really considered saying "screw it", getting on the bike and go for one last, fast ride. My wife and kids were the only thing that stopped me.
17 hours of surgery...they removed 40% of my jaw, took the entire fibula from my left leg and used it to rebuild the jaw. A big chunk of my left arm became the inside of my mouth, since that all had to be removed because of the cancer.
Skin grafts from both legs to fill all the holes in, a tracheostomy to breathe, drains everywhere, plus an incision needing 40 stitches on my foot to remove the burnt tissue caused by carelessly propping an electro-cauterizer on my foot, and then activating it accidentally.
Then the heart attack, a coma for 11 days in ICU followed by another two weeks in hospital. 8 weeks later, I started radiation and chemo for three months....FAR, FAR worse than the surgery.
A year later and against my Doctor's advice, I returned to work. It was tough for the first six months, but eventually got easier. I regained my sense of taste " sort of"; My life, and our life was completely re-calibrated to the "new normal"...way too many trips to the Doctor, way too many "scares" with a lump, or a bump.
Choking on everything I tried to eat...living off of liquid nutrition drinks for half of my calories ever since.
Sounds pretty shitty, huh? But you know what? I WON!!! I beat that sonofabitch CANCER. We took FAR more away from cancer than it took away from us. I learned to appreciate the little things a lot more, to do what we wanted to do, when we got the urge; no more " we'll do that in a couple of years".
It hasn't been a cakewalk, but it could have been much much worse. A surgery earlier this spring set me back a bit, and I have another to look forward to later on this year when they replace my TMJ due to arthritis. It won't be fun, but I know I can do it
I retired last year on MY terms, not cancer's. I'm starting a new job tomorrow because I want to...I'm getting bored with sitting around. I have a whole new appreciation for my wife, my life, my kids and sometime the middle of next month, my first Grandchild.
Our son is getting married July 1st to a terrific girl. I'll be there with my dancing shoes on.
Life is DAMNED good...DAMNED good.
SCC left mandible TIVN0M0 40% of jaw removed, rebuilt using fibula, titanium and tissue from forearm.June 06. 30 IMRT Aug.-Oct. 06
| | | | | 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 | Hi Wayne! Your path to the 5 year mark is certainly a long one. You went thru heck and back!!! Congrats on hitting the 5 year milestone. I love reading about your appreciation of everything good in your life. May your future be even better than what your life is today. Stay well!!!!
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: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | God bless - not only are you a miracle you are an inspiration !!! that is fantastic.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | 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 | Wayne,
Nice to hear from you again and kinda a coincidence as 5 years ago June 6 I was told that I had SCC and a 60% chance of living the next 5 years.
You obviously had the rougher time but it's nice to realize we got the better of this beast at least for now.
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: Aug 2005 Posts: 307 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 307 | Wow Wayne, you've been through the ringer that's for sure. I love your attitude!!! Congratulations on kicking Cancer's Butt!!
All the best,
Shelley
Caregiver to husband Ron. Throat Cancer. Finished 35 radiation treatments on 11/21/04. 8/2/11 small lesion on lower gum, laser Procedure to remove. 3/6/12 Doc. removed another lesion on outside of his neck. Did a skin graft from his chest to replace the skin on his neck. Went to Heaven on 6/24/12.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) |  "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | What a wonderful inspirational account you have!! Congrats on 5 years. You do have a fabulous attitude and we can all learn from your fortitude! Enjoy your new grandchild Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 | You sent chills on my arms!!! Love your sense of life, you are an inspiration! Congrats on 5 years and many more to come!
Dx 3/27/09 @ 28 years old with High Grade MEC T4N2M0
Elizabeth, 33, mother of 3 girls (4,7, &8yrs old)
3 rds of chemo(Carbo/Taxol)
Rt Mandibulectomy, rt fibular flap,& rt ND with trach, picc,& g-tube.
30 rds of rads with weekly cisplatin
SCANS ALL CLEAR!
OCF Regional Coordinator of San Antonio Walk
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | What a wonderful and inspiring account of how dramatically things can turn around even when life is at its blackest and you think there is no way out of the assault on our bodies and emotions, there really is hope and there is life - a life that can be even better and filled with new experiences, new life and new loves! Thanks for being such an inspiration to all of us! And for telling us about it!
Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 939 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 939 | Wow..and congrats on that first grandbaby (a love that you won't believe possible). Your experience will help those here that feel hopeless and help them see that even with dire predictions, anything is possible.
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 2009 Posts: 875 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 | Your saga with "the beast" is marvelous - I guess you showed it a thing or two. Congratulations, and know that by sharing your story with us, you inspire us and give us hope. May your life be filled with happiness and joy, especially with the grandbaby. How wonderful.
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 | | |
| Forums23 Topics18,170 Posts196,930 Members13,105 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
