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Joined: Nov 2013
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A little something to consider. About 2 weeks ago I started feeling some burning iny chest doing strenuous things. Not always; just every now and then. One night I woke up from a dead sleep with more chest nurn that would subside when i stood up. When I laid Dow it burned again. Not taking any chances I called my daughter who is a cardiac nurse. She drove me to ER wher e a full battery of tests where run. No problems were found but a cardiac stress test was recomennded. Stres test revealed some minor arterial blockage. an angiogram was scheduled. The nurse explained the fairly simple, safe procedure with less then 1% chance of a complication. It was scheduled for last Wednesday and would be done outpatient and would take 30-40 mi tues. we started with a sedative similar to a colonoscopy. I woke up to about a dozen people including paremadics working to save my life. Apparently the doctor severely dissected a main cardiac artery and I was bleeding to death before there eyes. They shocked me 3 seperate times while trying to stop or at least slow the arterial bleed. They called flight for life and I was flown to a trauma center in Las Vegas about 45 minutes away .they did an emergency bypass to save my life. One thing different they had a tremdously difficult time trying to intubate me due to my throat narrowing and trismus. Doc said he was just about ready to give up but finally got the tube in. lots of blanks in my memory bank especially from helicopter to waking up in icu many hours later. With Time to reflect since.. No matter what with OC as unpleasant as it is, there is always time to reflect on and appreciate the people you love and the things you appreciate along with the negative parts. If you should pass without warning there is no time to tell your family ang friends how much you truly loved sharing this speck of time on this planet with them. So here is your chance. Give your loved one a big hug and tell them how much you love them while you still can. Merry Christmas to all who appreciate it and happy holidays if you prefer. Tomo.


discovered a golf ball in my neck St.Paddy's day 2010.
Dx stage 4a left tonsil ca may 2010 at 50
non smoker, moderate beer drinker
HPV-16 pos.
tosillectomy
9 weeks Cisplatin
35 rads
nov.2010 PET NED
2011 2x PET NED
2012 2x PET Ned
3/13 Pet NED
SEptember 2013 Pet uh-OH.questionable and anxious
follow up pet, yup, its back.
mets to sub clavivular and mediasteinum nodes
biopsy positive scc.
trying to figure out next step
my imaginary friends think I am crazy.
Joined: Oct 2013
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Wow Tom - I don't even know how to respond to such a bizarre set of events. Like you, cancer made me think about my life and try to do a better job of telling my loved ones what they mean to me. But, also like you, I always had the element of time on my side as even if cancer causes my death, it won't be today or tomorrow.

And then something like this comes along and upends all our best laid plans. Without a doubt, the most important thing for any of us to say right now is thank goodness you are still with us. Thank goodness Life Flight was available and close enough by to be of assistance. Thank goodness the right doctors and nurses were available in Las Vegas at the minute they were needed. Thank goodness that doctor tried one more time to get the breathing tube down your throat.

So we have things to be thankful for too. Maybe the best Christmas present I bestow this year is to be able to tell you ... Merry Christmas, and you to be able to hear it.

Tony

P.S. I think I might change cardiologists.

Last edited by n74tg; 12-23-2013 12:26 PM.

Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)

09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0.
11/13 start rads, no chemo
12/13 taste gone, dry mouth,
02/14 hair slowly returning
05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps.
01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter.
12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good

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Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
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Tom! What a terrible ordeal you have been thru!!! You must have been terrified when you woke up to chaos.

After such a horrifying experience it really gives you a fresh outlook on what is top priority in life. Im so sorry you went thru everything you did in the past week. You are so right, say things today as not one of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. My son and I were having a conversation about this just last evening. After what he witnessed in 2009 with my complications and extended hospital stay, it took him years before he could go into a hospital with me without feeling anxious.

You are one lucky man, Tom! Luckily your daughter was right there and knew what to do to help you. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season spending and many, many more.



Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 34
Contributing Member (25+ posts)
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Posts: 34
Hey Tony, I think my cardiologist might trade me out when HE gets MY bill. Haha. One Important thing of note. The doctor that saved my life told me that the only reason I lived long enough to get to him was like you I am a workout warrior. Averaging (4) 5 mile walks, 2000 push-ups, 2000 Ab reps and 3 gym sessions a week.it paid off. Trying to balance bad genetics cardiowise. Have a wonderful holiday and more importantly many,many more.also thanks for the support and words of encouragement you give everyone.


discovered a golf ball in my neck St.Paddy's day 2010.
Dx stage 4a left tonsil ca may 2010 at 50
non smoker, moderate beer drinker
HPV-16 pos.
tosillectomy
9 weeks Cisplatin
35 rads
nov.2010 PET NED
2011 2x PET NED
2012 2x PET Ned
3/13 Pet NED
SEptember 2013 Pet uh-OH.questionable and anxious
follow up pet, yup, its back.
mets to sub clavivular and mediasteinum nodes
biopsy positive scc.
trying to figure out next step
my imaginary friends think I am crazy.
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 421
Likes: 1
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Posts: 421
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I understand this 100% When I had my first heart attack, I went out. I was in the ER and in distress. I started getting tunnel vision and it was an "Oh Shit" moment is all. I was thinking "Oh shit... this isn't good". Next thing I remember was waking up with an oxygen mask on and tubes everywhere. Apparently I went into AFIB and they hit me with the paddles to stabilize me.

Your adventure reminds me of that. There's no life flashing before your eyes or drifting off peacefully or seeing yourself from above... it's an "Oh Shit" moment.

So yes... tell your loved ones you love them and appreciate every day as a gift. Remember "Eat. Drink. Enjoy the work you do. Be thankful for the blessings God gives you in this life Live. Love and seek out the things that bring your heart joy. The rest doesn't matter. It's like chasing the wind" King Solomon.

Glad you're doing Ok Tom... Merry Christmas and a healthy, Happy New Year!

Positive thoughts

"T"


57
Cardiac bypass 11/07
Cardiac stents 10/2012
Dx'd 11/30/2012 Tx N2b MO Stage IV HPV+
Palatine Tonsillectomy/Biopsies 12-21-12
Selective Neck Dissection/Lingual Tonsillectomy/biopsies TORS 2/7/13
Emergency Surgery/Bleeding 2/18/13
3/13/2013 30rads/6chemo
Finished Tx 4/24/13
NED Since
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Tom, what and ordeal! Glad you made it to tell us all about it, and thankful for your daughter and the medical teams that saved your life. Truly a time to reflect, and enjoy the holidays with loved ones.


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






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Posts: 8,311
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Posts: 8,311
Someone was on your side!


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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That's certainly one way to take your mind off of cancer Tom! What an ordeal and what an amazing story. I think the hardest part of this after treatment process is understanding the exercise part. It's not possible for everyone to do the same amount but activity and range of motion does a world of good.

Glad you made it through that.

Ed


SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,406
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Tom, an amazing story. I'm just very very glad you're able to write about it. You surely speak the truth!


David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,552
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Posts: 3,552
It certainly wasn't your time!


Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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