| | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 381 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | OP  "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 381 | Today is 7 months from my release from the hospital after surgery. To be honest, I didn't think I would still be spending time on this forum, but I am finding that this is the one place I can feel that people truly understand the mind set.
I have been thinking a lot about my future, and my past, especially after hearing about Charm.
I am exceedingly grateful that my treatment was as limited as it was (at least for now). I won't lie and say that thoughts of recurrence don't play a part in my life. It doesn't control my life, but it is always there in the back of my mind, like an insidious little spider just waiting to pop into the forefront.
I am forever changed by this experience. In some ways for the better. I am more thoughtful towards others who are going through their own issues (regardless of what they are). I take more time to tell my friends and family how much I love them. I appreciate my life in a way that really can't be understood unless you have actually faced your own mortality. In all those ways I am better. I will, however, always feel just a little apart from those closest to me, and for that reason, I am so thankful for this forum, and the support it provides.
I just wanted to share that with everyone, and let you all know that even if I don't post, I am here and reading up on you all, and I think of you all often, taking strength from yours, and hopefully, once in a while, sending a little bit back.
Tina
Diag: Aug. 13/12
T3N0M0
50% + glossectomy and bilateral radical neck dissection, removal of nodes zones I - V
Surgery October 11/12
Chemo/rad on hold due to clear margins and nodes
Sept 21/13 clear CT with anomaly thought to be the artery, being watched closely.
Dec 16/13 - anomaly confirmed artery, all clear
nickname: "get 'r done"
Plans: kick cancer's butt
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | So nice of you to check in with us, Tina. I'm glad things are going well for you. My life has changed, too - in all the ways you mentioned because of my son's survival and the support we received here. I don't post as often, either but I see so many other wonderful survivors and caregivers helping each other, sharing their compassion and knowledge and hope. And when we lose someone as special as Charm, we share our tears, too. I still miss him so much.
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: Oct 2008 Posts: 251 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 251 | Tina,
So glad you are doing well. I don't think "thoughts of recurrence" will ever go away, but they do diminish over time.
Things are indeed changed forever for us all. But you and I can be grateful, that for now [insert"thoughts of recurrence" here] we have been spared the burn and poison portions of the gruesome treatment.
My best to you.
Catherine
2mm tumor excised 09/23/2008 (floor of mouth)
SCC (superficially invasive, well-differentiated)
Stage 1, T1N0M0
01/2009 and 01/2010 - PET/CT clear
Four and 1/2 years - NED!
"Detection can be easy, treatment is not!"
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 |
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 | Hi Tina,
I think of you often when I am on the forums. Wondered how you were doing. I'm glad you checked in.
Kevin and I were just talking about this the other day. We don't obsess about it, but it's always there lurking...I know we are all in the same boat. Luckily we all seem to keep busy and I think that makes life much easier to handle.
Good to hear from you,
Kathy
Kathy wife/caregiver to:
Kevin age:53
Dx 7/15/11
HPV16+ SCC Stage IV BOT/R
Non smoker, casual drinker
7/27/11 Cistplatin, taxotere,5FU 2/3week sessions, followed by IMRT 125cgy x 60 (2x daily) w/Erbitux weekly. Last rad 10/26/11. Last Erbitux 10/27/11
PEG placed 9/1/11 Removed 11/8/11
Clear PET 10/12 and 10/13 and ct in 6/14
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Hugs! a victory for you is a victory for all of us.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 381 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 381 | Well, like the signature line says...kickin' ass, taking names, and kickin' them again just for good measure.
Tina
Diag: Aug. 13/12
T3N0M0
50% + glossectomy and bilateral radical neck dissection, removal of nodes zones I - V
Surgery October 11/12
Chemo/rad on hold due to clear margins and nodes
Sept 21/13 clear CT with anomaly thought to be the artery, being watched closely.
Dec 16/13 - anomaly confirmed artery, all clear
nickname: "get 'r done"
Plans: kick cancer's butt
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 381 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 381 | By the way, hit the milestone of 40 years young a few weeks ago...went to Vegas, yep, did it up right.
Tina
Diag: Aug. 13/12
T3N0M0
50% + glossectomy and bilateral radical neck dissection, removal of nodes zones I - V
Surgery October 11/12
Chemo/rad on hold due to clear margins and nodes
Sept 21/13 clear CT with anomaly thought to be the artery, being watched closely.
Dec 16/13 - anomaly confirmed artery, all clear
nickname: "get 'r done"
Plans: kick cancer's butt
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 | I had my 40th in Vegas too! A few years ago though....
Kathy wife/caregiver to:
Kevin age:53
Dx 7/15/11
HPV16+ SCC Stage IV BOT/R
Non smoker, casual drinker
7/27/11 Cistplatin, taxotere,5FU 2/3week sessions, followed by IMRT 125cgy x 60 (2x daily) w/Erbitux weekly. Last rad 10/26/11. Last Erbitux 10/27/11
PEG placed 9/1/11 Removed 11/8/11
Clear PET 10/12 and 10/13 and ct in 6/14
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 145 "OCF Down Under" Senior Member (100+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 145 | Great to hear you are doing well Tina and striving!
6/8/12: Wife 33y/o with no risk dx with Stage IVa SCC L of Tongue(T4aN2bM0)
3/9/12: Induced birth @ 36 weeks - Baby Hunter!
11/9/12: OP - 3/4 Partial Gloss, Radical ND & Tongue Rec.
24/10/12: 33xRad + 7xChemo
7/12/12: Tx complete
21/3/13 & 21/6/13: NED
24/7/13: SCC in Lungs - OP: Lobectomy (VATS)
29/1/14 passed away
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