Hi New to the board - 04-28-2007 10:02 PM
My name is Randy from New Hampshire and just found out i have tonsile cancer. having surgey May 8th. Married 5 kids from 18 to 2
Re: Hi New to the board - 04-28-2007 10:10 PM
hello Randy
Welcome to the club no one wants to belong to. You will find alot of answers and an amzing amount of support. I had cancer on my tongue , but I just had my tonsils removed 2 weeks ago and I have to be honest and tell you it suxed, but it is managable. I didnt have any RAD or Chemo so those questions i cant answer , as far as surgical questions I can answer any about a partail glossectomy , Modified radical neck diseection or tonisilectomy . I know you probably have a million things going on in your head and that is normal. Any quesions dont hestitate to ask I am sure some one here can answer. I am also a mom of five 6-13. Not an easy thing to go through by any means ..but we all make it through .What hospital are you going to ? Is it a Comprehensive Cancer Center? Please ask us anything we are all here to help and listen !
Shar
Welcome to the club no one wants to belong to. You will find alot of answers and an amzing amount of support. I had cancer on my tongue , but I just had my tonsils removed 2 weeks ago and I have to be honest and tell you it suxed, but it is managable. I didnt have any RAD or Chemo so those questions i cant answer , as far as surgical questions I can answer any about a partail glossectomy , Modified radical neck diseection or tonisilectomy . I know you probably have a million things going on in your head and that is normal. Any quesions dont hestitate to ask I am sure some one here can answer. I am also a mom of five 6-13. Not an easy thing to go through by any means ..but we all make it through .What hospital are you going to ? Is it a Comprehensive Cancer Center? Please ask us anything we are all here to help and listen !
Shar
Re: Hi New to the board - 04-28-2007 11:22 PM
Hey, Randy, It's a real Bummer that you have to deal with this! So what do you want to ask? What do you need in the way of support? What does your wife [or significant other]need help with [other than managing 5 kids- managing a 2 yr. old counts for 3 kids] Please let us know more about you so we can get on board here. We are here to help. Amy in the Ozarks
Re: Hi New to the board - 04-29-2007 12:05 AM
Welcome Randy
Ditto what Shar and Amy wrote. We have two search engines here, at the top & bottom of each page. Read the faq at the top of the page. It will help you understand this outstanding forum. In the general board forum there is a topic titled "to all you newbys". This may also be helpful. Are you schedualed for radiation treatments after surgery? Surf the site and different forums to familiarize yourself. You could not have picked a better forum. The people here are "The Best"! Try not to worry too much. You are not alone here. We all help each other through our journey. Sincerely, Petey
Ditto what Shar and Amy wrote. We have two search engines here, at the top & bottom of each page. Read the faq at the top of the page. It will help you understand this outstanding forum. In the general board forum there is a topic titled "to all you newbys". This may also be helpful. Are you schedualed for radiation treatments after surgery? Surf the site and different forums to familiarize yourself. You could not have picked a better forum. The people here are "The Best"! Try not to worry too much. You are not alone here. We all help each other through our journey. Sincerely, Petey
Re: Hi New to the board - 04-29-2007 05:30 AM
Hi Randy - So glad you found this site. There is a tremendous amount of support, information and compassion here. Keep in touch and let us know what's happening.
Re: Hi New to the board - 04-29-2007 11:54 AM
Hi Randy,
New Hampshire is one of my favorite states, I spent my first 28 years in Maine and many great vacations in the White Mountains.
You have a houseful of kids, as did I, when I was diagnosed. My youngest was 9 and I have seven children total. Keep in mind that, surprisingly, the older ones take it the hardest and spend the most amount of time worrying on it as they are more mature and know how dangerous a position we are in. Just be simple and honest with the younger ones, keep life as much the same as possible, and they will get through just fine. I spent FAR to much time worrying about my kids during my treatment. If I had it to do over again, I would have put a little more attention on myself I think!
The biggest piece of advice I can give you right now, that I didn't have the benefit of because I found this board after my treatment, is that you are going to feel very sick and very weak for awhile, this isn't a fleeting type of thing. This will alter your life forever. Begin accepting the fact that your life has changed and will never be the same again. With that said...........you are on a path to getting well AND finding a new life that will have an edge to it that your old life didn't have and you'll learn to appreciate that and be happy for it.
Are you going to Boston for treatment? They have some of the best facilities there. Let us know your actual diagnosis, staging, treatment proposed, etc.
Minnie
New Hampshire is one of my favorite states, I spent my first 28 years in Maine and many great vacations in the White Mountains.
You have a houseful of kids, as did I, when I was diagnosed. My youngest was 9 and I have seven children total. Keep in mind that, surprisingly, the older ones take it the hardest and spend the most amount of time worrying on it as they are more mature and know how dangerous a position we are in. Just be simple and honest with the younger ones, keep life as much the same as possible, and they will get through just fine. I spent FAR to much time worrying about my kids during my treatment. If I had it to do over again, I would have put a little more attention on myself I think!
The biggest piece of advice I can give you right now, that I didn't have the benefit of because I found this board after my treatment, is that you are going to feel very sick and very weak for awhile, this isn't a fleeting type of thing. This will alter your life forever. Begin accepting the fact that your life has changed and will never be the same again. With that said...........you are on a path to getting well AND finding a new life that will have an edge to it that your old life didn't have and you'll learn to appreciate that and be happy for it.
Are you going to Boston for treatment? They have some of the best facilities there. Let us know your actual diagnosis, staging, treatment proposed, etc.
Minnie
Re: Hi New to the board - 04-29-2007 12:47 PM
Hi Randy, and welcome. I spend a lot of time in Bedford and Manchester ( I'm a Segway dealer) and love the area.
You're just starting on your journey, and have a million questions, and just as many fears. This is the place to get answers and empathy.
We've all done this journey, and are happy to help in any way that you need. Talk is cheap, though...let us prove it to you.
Wayne
You're just starting on your journey, and have a million questions, and just as many fears. This is the place to get answers and empathy.
We've all done this journey, and are happy to help in any way that you need. Talk is cheap, though...let us prove it to you.
Wayne
Re: Hi New to the board - 04-29-2007 07:01 PM
Welcome Randy
You have found the best site for support and practical advice during your treatment. I am 4 years from end of treatment for late stage tonsil cancer and am doing very well.
Follow your doc's advice, think positively and try to laugh with your medical carers and family - I wish you all the best on your journey.
Love and light from Helen
You have found the best site for support and practical advice during your treatment. I am 4 years from end of treatment for late stage tonsil cancer and am doing very well.
Follow your doc's advice, think positively and try to laugh with your medical carers and family - I wish you all the best on your journey.
Love and light from Helen