#1153 05-20-2003 09:05 PM | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 29 Contributing Member (25+ posts) |  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 29 | Rosie I hope Heather can fight this awful thing that has took over your life and hers I worry about you and how you are coping with all the things you are feeling. I really hope you take care of yourself because I have kept up with her story as well as yours and it gives me inner strength as a caregiver to my husband everytime I read one of your messages. Heather is a brave strong girl and so are you. Thank you for your inspiration you give to me as well as everyone that reads your messages. Cancer seems to take hold and disrupts a whole family at one time. I really do not understand how it can change everything and everybody it touches. You are in my prayers and so is Heather and the family.
bobbie jensen
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#1185 05-13-2003 09:42 AM | | Anonymous Unregistered | | Anonymous Unregistered
| Thank you for taking the time to update us all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dinah | | |
#1186 05-13-2003 09:51 AM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 41 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 41 | Rosie-
It was extremely nice of you to think of us and updating the board when you are going through so much! I wish one of us lived closer to give you a break from the hospital and the issues you are coping with on a daily basis. My thoughts and my prayers are with you, Heather, her daughter and husband on a daily basis. Warmest wishes for a recovery that allows her come home and be with her family!!! | | |
#1187 05-13-2003 12:56 PM | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 | Rosie,
I am sorry that Heather and you have been having such a rough time. I have read your posts over these past few months and it just seems that Heather has always gotten the worst of it compared to most of us here. You are a wonderful, caring mother, as well as an obviously caring person to others here, and I know that we are all pulling for you and Heather and your family.
Danny G.
Stage IV Base of Tongue SCC
Diagnosed July 1, 2002, chemo and radiation treatments completed beginning of Sept/02.
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#1188 05-13-2003 09:58 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 189 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 189 | Dear Rosie,
I promise not to tell you what a great Mom and caregiver you are, but I will tell you this.
You are not alone.
I've watched my aunt go through the final stages of life. I won't pretend they are easy. It's the hardest thing I've ever gone through. I understand totally what you are seeing and experiencing with nobody in the world to stop it!
She was taken from us at 56. Went to the grocery store and died of sudden cardiac arrest trying to buy dinner for the family.
We never saw it coming at all. I think that was the worst.
Talk to your daughter. Let her know that you are proud of her and that it is ok to go on to the next world.
She needs to know that. My aunt hung on for two weeks in a coma before we gave her that.
Hope is what we live on from the minute we get this diagnosis. For some of this, this works. For others, hope isn't enough, and we're faced with saying good-bye to our loved ones.
God bless you, but you seem destined to have to say goodbye to your daughter. I'm humbled....I don't know how I could do that.
I promised not to say how good you are, but I will say how proud I would be to have you for a Mom. And I know that Heather knows this too.
Mandi
Husband diagnosed with stage III tonsil and floor of mouth cancer in August 2002. Three rounds of chemo/42 RAD treatments. Upper right lung lobectomy in March 2003. (Benign)
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#1189 05-14-2003 03:52 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 188 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 188 | Rose........My thoughts are with you and Heather during this difficult time. Thank you for the update. Sincerely, Donna
SCC first time 1989, with a diagnoses of 'cancer in situ' removed lesion, no other treatments.
SCC recurrence 1997 of tongue and floor of the mouth. Stage III /IV Hemmiglossectomy (removed over 60% of tongue/ floor of the mouth), free flap, modified neck, RAD and Chemo(cisplatin, 5fu) simutainously.
Cancer free 6, yes, six, years!
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#1190 05-17-2003 05:18 AM | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 | Hi guys, I know it has only been a few days since I posted the pessimistic update and maybe now I am being prematurely optimistic, but I just couldn't wait to tell you. We think we are seeing signs that the chemo is starting to work for Heather! Her trismus has improved. 6 weeks ago, her teeth were locked so tight she could hardly get an ice chip between them. Now, I can get my finger between! We are hopeful that this means the tumor is shrinking and relieving the pressure on the jaw muscles. Keeping hope alive! Sunshine and rainbows may still be ahead for her.  Keeping you all close in my thoughts. Rainbows & hugs,  Rosie P.S. Heather will be having an MRI done within the next couple days to try to determine what is happening to the tumors. Will let you know the results.
Was primary caregiver to my daughter Heather who had stage IV base of tongue SCC w/ primary recurrence. Original diagnosis August 21st, 2002. Primary recurrence March 18th, 2003. Died October 6th, 2003.
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#1191 05-17-2003 08:33 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 | Rosie, I am sure you are correct that something is happening with the tumor -- like shrinking -- because from all I have read, trismus simply does not abate like that. I am doing a happy dance for you and Heather, because this sounds like some really good news. You have many friends here and I know I can speak for each of them when I say we are pulling for Heather.
Joanna | | |
#1192 05-17-2003 08:49 AM | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 235 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 235 | That's great to hear Rosie! I hope and pray that the chemo is working...and better days will be ahead for Heather now and in the years to come. This is an encouraging sign...and so needed for both of you! God bless you both and let us know the results of her MRI. Take care.
DonnaJean
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#1193 05-18-2003 03:08 AM | Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 95 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 95 | Rosie
I think about you and heather frequently . So awesome to hear something good. My continued prayers for all of you.
Diane | | |
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