| Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 1 Member | OP Member Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 1 | From the little I have read, this forum seems to be filled with so much information. I am so happy this is available for patients and families. I look forward to learning from those of you who have walked through this journey before me to be the best support for my husband. I know I'm still in the denial stage and it hasn't really hit me yet. I'm overwhelmed and look forward to hearing from you.
Kimberly R.N. | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 | Kimberly,
Welcome to OCF. There is a tremendous amount of practical experiences here, all available for you to research and ask questions when not clear. Virtually all of us here are cancer survivors or caretakers so we have been there/seen that for sure.
Please fill out your signature with the details you have so we can understand and help you better.
Don
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 | Hi Kimberly - Welcome to the family. It's a big one with lots of very supportive brothers and sisters to help you and your loved one on this journey. We have all been in your shoes and stood where you stand, so we know what you are going through. Even being an RN, I'm sure you are still terrified right now. Saying that it's normal for you to feel this way I'm sure doesn't help in the least.
It's really your lack of knowledge that has you the most terrified. That's where we come in. The personal side, the information about other people who share your same diagnosis you will find here on the forum. The technical or medical knowledge side you will learn from reading the pages on the OCF website. It's a steep learning curve for new members, but it will get you out of that terrified phase better than anything else. Ending the terrified phase is what will allow you to start sleeping again. So, get busy reading. The next few weeks will be busy for you and your husband. You have a lot to learn in a short period of time.
Last piece of advice for today, try to get your husband to join the forum also. That person to person contact will help him along his journey just as much as it will help you.
take care, write when you need information or just need to talk.
Tony
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
| | | | 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 | Hi there.... welcome... if you have questions feel free to ask. Everyone here has been there... either as a patient or caregiver. So there is a mass of experience and information available. hugs...
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: Apr 2013 Posts: 319 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 319 | Hi Kimberly,
Welcome here, I hope you read what Tony (n74tg) said about fear, he's absolutely correct, both in his analysis and his recommendations. Tony "get's it!"
He's also speaking truth when he says how good an idea it would be for your husband to join himself, you two are a team and both players need to be up to date on the current game-plan.
Also, seeing others who have walked the same path before you, and reading what they have to say will go a long way to helping your husband keep things in perspective.
Learning that you have cancer is not a happy thing, but it's not the end of the world either. Life extracts a toll for each of us for our passage through it, no one escapes the toll, we all just pay in different currencies. Cancer is just one of those tolls, and from that perspective, really just another day...
My intro: http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbt...3644#Post16364409/09 - Dx OC Stg IV 10/09 - Chemo/3 Cisplatin, 40 rad 11/09 - PET CLEAN 07/11 - Dx Stage IV C. (Liver) 06/12 - PET CLEAN 09/12 - PET Dist Met (Liver) 04/13 - PET CLEAN 06/13 - PET Dist Met (Liver + 1 lymph node) 10/13 - PET - Xeloda ineffective 11/13 - Liver packed w/ SIRI-Spheres 02/14 - PET - Siri-Spheres effective, 4cm tumor in lymph-node 03/15 - Begin 15 Rads 03/24 - Final Rad! Woot! 7/27/14 Bart passed away. RIP!
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Kimberly, welcome to OCF. You have found the very best place for info and support. As a caregiver you have a difficult job. Dont worry, we will help you with everything. Just remember, always make some time for yourself too.
Best wishes! ChristineSCC 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 | | |
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