I cannot believe this forum has been going since 2002 and I never knew.
I'm Joan and have been a survivor or my favorite term is Thriver since 1988. I was diagnosis on 4/7/1989 and finished treatment in July of that year. I was on a VA study for the NCI at the University of Birmingham Hospital for inoperatable cancers of the Larynx. I learned later that I was one of 11 women on the study. My motto is "Guineas pigs get cured first".
I have a great deal of experience but all of it was over 20 years ago and now I'm dealing with living this long after cancer. There are always issues but all in all life is wonderful.
Since treatment I have had 3 carotid Artery endorectomies and 3 stents placed in my subclavian arteries on both sides. I am 60 now (I was 38 when I was diagnosed)and my throat is beginning to not work so well.
On the positive side - since treatment I have gotten sober and maintained sobriety for 21 years, gotten a Master's degree in Social Work, have opened my private practice 14 years ago, live on a gorgous beach with a wonderful guy in Florida.
I look forward to participating in the forum, learning when I can and helping when possible. I feel it is important to give back what I have been given.
Joan, its great to have you join our forum!!!! Congats on being a long term 'thriver'
Hello Joan. It is really great to hear about how you have thrived all these years. I'm only 2 years out and still struggle to get a feeling of normal life and hoping that it will continue to get normaler ;o).
Thanks, Patty for the warm welcome.
Thanks for the welcome, David.
As for normal life - normal is an objective term. What is normal to me is probably, no not probably, is not what it was before I had the cancer but it is a new normal. I deal with what happens on a day to day basis and enjoy the gift of life I have been given.
I have issues that I deal with, as well as people around me deal with and that is just how it is. I spoke briefly about the consequences of this cancer but did not go into detail but there are consequences of having cancer for everyone who has cancer.
We are so fortunate that we have so much more knowledge now then we did even when I had cancer. When I as diagnosed they were going to remove most of my throat and leave me with a hole to speak throught with as microphone. That did not appeal to me at 38 years old.
They, my doctors, gave me to opportunity to be a part of the study,this was the study that was done to see if chemo and radiation was as effective as surgury. So I got to keep my voice, such as it is, I've been told my voice is sexy. Yeah.
But you are probably aware of the consequences, no sense of smell, taste, lost a great deal of hearing, scar tissue in veins and arteries but I maintain close contact with my doctors, new ones now that I live in Florida, and most improtant do not do the behaviors that I did that gave me this cancer, drink and smoke.
Stay with it - it does get easier and you will also have a new normal - for me my new normal is better then the old normal.
Welcome Joan. So good to see such a long term survivor.
Welcome, Joan -
Your story is wonderful, Joan!
My dad had Cancer of the Larynx in the mid 1970s - heavy smoker & drinker - and had his larynx removed. He had rad. prior to surgery to shrink the tumor. I discussed his case with docs at Sloan Kettering, but they tole me there was no other treatment - that was the protocol.
He learned esophageal speech and was a Thriver, also, despite losing his voice.
He developed inoperable lung cancer in 1986 and passed away in 1987 from either a stroke or heart attack, perhaps due to chemo. (my stepmother said docs weren't sure, & she didn't get an autopsy.)
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on being a Thriver.
Marlene
Nice to see someone on here that has made it past 12 years. Gives me a bit more hope. I am glad you have made it this far and are on here to speak to some of us new comers. I am only 5 months post surgery and almost 2 months post radiation. I am hoping where I am at is not going to be my new "normal" cuz it's still difficult, more so then I would like it to be, and I am hoping I am still healing and will get at least a bit better.
It's nice to hear from one of the first and that you have made it so far and can talk about it. Welcome to the boards.
Thanks for the welcome, Susan, It's great to be seen.
Sorry to hear about your loss,Marlene. Yes, that was the protocol I was told as well. But glad to hear that your Dad was a Thriver, Cancer is a life alterting experience.
Thanks for the welcome, bethers0808, as I mentions in my post for David. At 5 months you are very new, give it time, things will settle down afther a while and you will learn how to deal with what comes. You have been given a the giftof life today, enjoy it. Stay in touch with this forum and talk about what you are feeling. There might be a cancer support group at your hospital if so join it. They are a great help.