I know that almost everyone on the board is here either as a caregiver, survivor or lurker and mostly everyone goes right to the forum. This is normal, as this is one of the main fuctions of the OCF website.

What so many don't realize is that the breadth and depth of this site is almost endless. As a dentist I have found more information here than I was ever taught in dental school. I also check the Oral Cancer in the News section (via RSS feed) every few days, as this is another important section for me.


After reading one of the threads this morning, it became obvious to me that many members have never read Brian's story. I think it's important for all to read so here is a link. It is a must read for all.
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/about/brianhill.htm

Jerry

Thanks for the link Jerry. I've read Brian's story a couple of times before, and just re-read it again. It certainly hits home, on a wide variety of areas. Sometimes we do need to look back at road we've travelled to see how far we've come.
Wayne

Jerry,
I have read it in the past and Kudos to you for reminding all of us as to why this site exists. Your story and many others are worth a read as well.
I have said many times that I have furthered my knowledge and information from what I have learned on this site.
Cheers,
Mike

Just a note, the writer for the LA Times that wrote that got my staging wrong, it was 4 not 3. Bilateral cervical mets always toss you into 4.

Brian I could always be a bouncer for you for all the popular media but, I've discovered that you are already tough enough! I could remind the L.A. Times to get there facts straight if you felt it was necessary.
Duhhhh, U.. want I should hurt E'm ...Boss?
Mike

Brian, where were you in Vietnam? My husband Rich was in Lai Khe, in 1968-69, near the city of Long Binh, after spending time first in Fire Support Base Rita, near the "Fishhook" at the Cambodian border. He was with the Big Red One.....the First Infantry Division. He was a young medical officer, who treated Col. XXXX Rogers when he was wounded in a battle at Rita in which 12 were killed and 25 wounded. PBS featured Col. Rogers in a documentary, and it showed the battle that night. It doesn't show my husband, but I obtained the tape, because it is a real-life film of the battle for which my husband was awarded a medal for valor. We've only watched it once.

I was there in the year of the big Tet, and the year after. I was with the First Medical Battalion, First Marine Division. (Busting mine to save yours...) I spent time in the bush near a little piece of hell called An Hoa with the 5th Marine Regiment, and we covered a place code named the Arizona Territory. I spent more time in helicopters than I care to remember, flying into LZ's and hilltops with no names, and to this day, while a person with an obsessional love of flying antique and aerobatic planes, will not not get into a helicopter. I spent time in other areas, as Marine units did not take and hold. I have an equally obsessive love for my Marines. I also spent time in the rear with the First Hospital Company in DaNang, and got my first dose of dental doing dental ID's on KIA's in graves registration there. I think I can chart teeth faster than any dentist having done so many. We didn't cross paths with the Army much, though I spent a bit of time with ROK (Korean) Marines, who left nothing alive when they went through an area. (Rules of engagement? What rules?). Vietnam was 40 years ago and yesterday at the same time. I went as a 19 year old and grew up fast.

I don't discuss my time there much, nor the things that I saw or did. It's one of those you had to be there kinda things. I sent all my commendations etc. to NIxon (at the time a very radical thing to do) shortly after my return to the world, and became a voice against the war. I am against this one too, and am not fond of those who got us into this mess with no military experience of their own. You want to bring this thing to a conclusion quickly start sending politician's sons and daughters to fight in it.....

Jerry:

Thanks for posting this. I have read it before and think everyone who visits OCF should read this.