#76343 07-01-2008 06:14 AM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | OP "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 | It's early in my neck of the woods. A beautiful, sunny morning, Canada Day, and I'm about to hobble out to the motorcycle and go for an early morning ride to re-apply the bugs to my teeth. It occurred to me yesterday evening that July 1, 2008 was going to be a special day. Never before, and never again will we EVER get to experience July 1, 2008. NEVER This is a one time event. What happens today will never again occur...that makes today a very special day, and we are all incredibly lucky to be here to experience the incredible opportunity that exists to make it a completely unique day in history. Wait a minute..........those same things apply to EVERY day. Each day is unique in history. It will never again be repeated. Why not make today a unique one in history, and a unique one in your own personal history? Despite all that we've gone through, all that we're going through, all that we may have to go through in times to come, TODAY is unique and special. I plan on living today as though it is the most unique, one-of-a kind day in my life, and it is. Enjoy the day and live it fully, be it a Holiday where you live, or not. You'll never see another one like it! Wayne
SCC left mandible TIVN0M0 40% of jaw removed, rebuilt using fibula, titanium and tissue from forearm.June 06. 30 IMRT Aug.-Oct. 06
| | | | 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 | You Canadians are weird!! LOL
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: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | Very true, Wayne!! Happy Canada Day!! Also, for us non-Canadian, but voracious hockey fans, it is Free Agent Signing Day in the NHL! Never again will this precise set of GM's get to spend the precise number of millions of dollars on exactly these players. ;-) 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!!
| | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Hey Wayne,
Happy Canada Day and thanks for sharing your insightful thoughts.
Today was a special day for me as well. I realized that this will be the last July 1st that I will be working as I have decided to retire on June 26th, 2009. So as I go through the next year (as well as the rest of my life), I will remember what you have posted here and keep reminding myself how special each and every day is.
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"
| | | | 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 | Good for you Jerry. I wish I was in a Countdown Mode. I want to retire but my 10 year younger wife wants to work and wants me to work another 9 years. This damn economy isn't helping my argument any as we are heavily invested in Fl R/E.
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 2006 Posts: 446 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | OP "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 | Good for you, Jerry! I remember you mentioning that was part of your plan, and I'm really glad that things have firmed up more you. I know you look forward to every day, as do we all. I am REALLY looking forward to seeing some photos of YOU on the Great Wall.......soon! Wayne
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: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Glad to see the retirement news Jerry. It's a hard life to beat but could be better. Well everything is great no matter what. I'm alive and still kickin like all of us are .
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 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Wayne,
Didn't mean to hijack your thread here.
Thanks you guys for your good wishes. It was an easy decision after 38 years of looking in people's mouths. I think that having had a bout of OC has made me a better person and given me a direction for the future. Advocating for more dentists and hygienists to do what they should already be doing. Early detection.
David,
Maybe your wife will let you off the hook in 5 or 6 years, instead of 10. Start your negotiations now.
Jim,
With all the work you do around your house, retirement doesn't fit into your life.
Wayne, you will have to wait for those pictures in 2 years as my wife plans on teaching for one more year after I retire. So it looks like 2010 wil be the year to see China.
Jerry
PS Today was another beautiful day.
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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