| | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Good for you, jklamert! Sounds like you are in "fight" mode and taking care of business! Information and education is very empowering. Your signature line looks great. You can add more info after surgery or whatever else you want to add. On the day of surgery it really helps to have someone else go with you. On my son's surgery day, my daughter and a nurse-friend of mine came with me and the surgery took several hours. Afterwards, the ENT came and talked with the three of us in a smaller room adjacent to the surgery waiting room. Having others there really helped me to think about the positives and remember what the doctor said. My daughter and friend also had questions that the doctor answered which I hadn't thought of. The more you know about what's happening, the better you will feel about being in control and helping your husband to stay positive, too.
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: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | The unfortunate part of this whole experience is that you will become an expert in coping.
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.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246 Likes: 1 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246 Likes: 1 | David,
Your response about becoming an expert in coping made me think - yes, unfortunetly, we have this unwanted opportunity to become coping experts.
On the other hand, it's a goal worth keeping in mind. Trying to turn anxiety into a focus for improved coping.
Not sure I am expressing this quite right, but when I read it, it struck me as very important. In the past I've mentioned, you never know when a particular response might help someone else.
Thank you,
Laottie
CG to husband, dx @ age 65, nonsmoker/social drinker. Dx 5/08 SCC Stage IV, BOT T1N2aM0. 33 IMRT - completed 9/12/08. Induction Chemo (Cisplatin, Taxotere & 5FU), plus concurrent Cisplatin.
1/09 PEG removed; 5/09 neg PET/CT; 5/10 PET/CT NED
Dental extraction & HBOT 2013; ORN 2014; Debridement/Tissue Transfer & HBOT 2016
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 286 "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 286 | Just remember JK, its a marathon not a sprint. This is the longest roller coaster you have ever been on. Keep your expectations in check and don't be too frustrated if the progress seems to bog down. Keep talking to the doctors and nurses, ask them all your questions, you'll find it empowering to understand why things happen and how you can make the treatment and recovery go smoothly.
Of course don't forget we're here for the long haul, so if there's anything you need to know or to vent, we're here.
Cheers, Dave (OzMojo) 19Feb2014 Diagnosed T2N2bM0 P16+ve SCC Tonsil. 31Mar2014 2 Cisplatin, 70gy over 7 weeks (completed 16May2014) 11August2014 PET/CT clear. 17July2019 5 years NED.
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