#51821 12-25-2006 09:02 PM | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 23 Member | OP Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 23 | Last christmas was very diferent in our family. My 42 year old husband had just been diagnosed with stage 4 tonsil cancer. Our world changed without warning. A non-smoker and non drinker for over 10 years my husband was strong and healthy. I will never forget leaving the ent office after the fine needle biopsy and my husband saying" well no matter what I am sure it is not cancer" We went to eat that day, I could not even speak to order, I knew it was cancer. I had seen the ent's face when he had examined my husband, and I knew. For the next 6 months our world revolved around medication and MD visits. We found out his cancer was HPV positive and I rejoiced. Later after treatment we went to Johns Hopkins to see about the HPV trial and during the interview the question of fertility came up. we have 1 son ,but have never ruled out having other children. We were told in Baltimore that with the type of chemo that my husband received fertility would be unlikely. We were sad to hear that news, I kicked myself for not having him store sperm. Well, we returned home and that Monday I received a call from my lifetime friend and she asked us to adopt her 2 nieces ages 2, and 3 . We discussed it for about a second and said yes. The girls have been in our home 3 months, I started to cry today when I thought about where we were last year at this time. My husband plays hard with these girls daily, I think they have been his greatest medicine. Some may say this was a risky move after all we have been through this year, but we saw this a true sign from above "when God closes a door he opens a window" We love children so much, our house is always full of kids, and the thought of being told that we could only parent 1 was hard. This Christmas we had santa come, dolls, and magic. We will continue to take one day, month, year at a time and hope for the best, but this has showed us how quickly all of our well made plans can change, sometimes for this worse and sometimes for the better. I know some of you out there are just starting you journey with this beast, and I hope that this post will encourage you. I found great comfort in this site after dx, I was on daily. Merry Christmas to all .
NANCY
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#51822 12-26-2006 03:29 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Nancy, thank you for sharing that with us, God Bless, Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10 ---update passed away 8-27-11---
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#51823 12-26-2006 04:29 AM | 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 | Now that's a good Christmas story which cheered me up.
Thanks
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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#51824 12-26-2006 07:19 AM | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 325 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 325 | Thank you for letting us share the beauty of your family's Christmas. Happy Holidays!
Andrea
SCC L lat tongue,Dx 9/15/05 T1N0MX L MND and L lateral hemiglossectomy 10/03/05. Recurrence 11/15/06 2nd surgery 12/04/06 hemiglossectomy 3rd surgery 01/15/07 tonsillectomy Radiation 01/25/07 to 03/08/07 3-D/CRT X 30
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#51825 12-26-2006 02:38 PM | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 248 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 248 | Nancy, what a powerful story. I am so proud of you for being assertive and reaching out and making decisions based on what makes you happy, and not basing your decisions on what ifs. Today, that is my biggest regret- I didn't coach my kids teams because I might die, I didn't meet new people because I might die,etc. etc. Well where the hell were you Nancy 9 yrs ago when I really neede this advice. I don't think you lose to cancer when you die from it, you lose when you are alive and let it dictate your life decisions. Thank you Nancy for such a wonderful message. P.S. For those suffering or going thru tx it does dictate your life and in no way am I referencing you. Mark D.
Mark D. Stage 3 Nasopharynx dx10/99 T2N3M0 40xrad 2x Cisplatin 5FU. acute leuk 1998.
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#51826 12-28-2006 06:10 AM | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 72 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 72 | Nancy - What a wonderful post. You remind all of us to see what we have instead of always looking for what we do not have. Congratulations on your two new daughters - they are so blessed to be in such a loving home. They will learn all about patience, committment, love, hard work and family - all because of cancer. Blessings come to you when you least expect them.
Have a joyous and blessed new year! Carol R.
Carol R - caregiver to hubby Ken. Stage 4, SCC, BOT. 6/05 dx, 9/25/05 last tx, 5/06 stroke. Four years cancer free! Still taking things 1 day at a time.
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