| | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 151 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 151 | I joined in February and am just shocked at how many recurrences there have been in the last month and how many have lost the battle to this disease just lately. Time is precious for all of us and especailly those who are part of the great forum.
Husband diagnosed Oct '11 Cancer of the vocal cord Nov '11 removed right vocal cord. Neck Dissection, cancer in one node, .2, very small & contained) Jan '12 Radiation and Cisplatin, 6 doses. June '12 & Dec '12 clear Pet scan. April '13 Celebrating 1 year cancer free since treatment ended.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | We do what we can while we can. One thing that this experience should make everyone realize is that we are not guaranteed tomorrow much less our next breath. Live your life to the fullest no matter what and find others to help you through it. If OCF has done anything for me, it's done that by giving me access to others who can relate to where I've been and help me realize what I want to do with whatever time I have left.
Strength in numbers y'all.
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Eric - For someone so young, you always have words of wisdom to share and provide hope for others. There have been many recurrences but there have also been many successes and many avenues of hope. OCF has helped me to realize the importance of living life to the fullest, appreciating every moment. Everything else is "small stuff".
Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | I agree with living life to the fullest and enjoying each day. None of us know what the future holds. When I get asked what Kris's prognosis is I reply with "What's yours?" Who knows?
But, It certainly is no joy belonging to the reoccurrence club. It takes the wind out of ones sails and leaves you floundering and gasping for breath , again.
I have learnt from this site though that one can get through another round of treatment. You can pick yourself up and start again, ever hopeful, still with trepidation.
And yes, everything else is "small stuff".
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 | I like to believe that people often do not find this site until a recurrence happens, which is why so many people on this site have had recurrences. This might be extremely naive of me, but that's what I keep telling myself  Just have to keep praying every day and hoping for the best!
Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis
HPV-, no risk factors
T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated
Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection
30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin)
1/13/12 last day of treatment
Diagnosed October 2011
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Thanks Anne-Marie, I read a lot of Dear Abby
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | WEll said Eric and Amen to you.
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Last year on July 4th I talked to my son on the phone. A few hours later he laid in a Hospital dying because of some 17 yr old idiot on a cell phone sending pics.ngest Bicentennial Chairman in the US in 1976 at the age of 14. THis sure let me know 1st hand hs no guarantees for any of us.
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Typos galor. Jim was the youngest bicentennial Chairman in the US at 14 yrs of age and died on his biggest day as a kid. Sorry I make so many typos
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
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