#6678 01-15-2006 10:34 AM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Hi Everyone,
I haven't had as much time as usual to visit the boards and I miss the contact, so wanted to say a quick hello. Finally some down time after the Holidays!
I had my two and a half year after treatment check up on Friday the 13th, of all days, and I was told all is well. My doctors are very pleased with how my mouth looks and my overall general health. I have a chest Xray on Monday and that will complete my exam and my yearly Xray.
The biggest issues I deal with at this time after treatment are the the condition of my teeth. We have tried everything to no avail and they keep deteriorating. So, implants are scheduled for the last week of January and I'm scared and excited at the same time. I was told to expect close to a year before I begin to eat pretty close to normal. I will have full implants on the bottom but we have decided to restore my upper teeth rather then lose them at my young age. I consider it an emotional benefit as the thought of them pulling all my teeth was REALLY keeping me up at night!
What I have recognized the past 6 months is that my life has now moved beyond my cancer. It was a long process but it happened and I'm a better and stronger person for it. My marriage, my family, all of my relationships are stronger and deeper then before and I feel I have something "up" on everyone else around me. The blessings that have fallen on my family since my diagnosis are remarkable and kind of bitter sweet, as I used to spend alot of time wondering why all this couldn't have happened while I was my "old self" to appreciate it all?? The business my husband and I started in 2004 has tripled in size as has our income, allowing us for the first time to financially help our children more and to help others around us that are struggling. I only thought I was a good mother until I was faced with the reality and fear of leaving my children motherless. Now I'm a mother on a level that my friends envy, as the relationship I have with my girls is on a level that and event like cancer helps us get to. We took our whole family (7 daughters, three grandaughters and a few friends) skiing for a week during the Christmas Holidays and to be that physical again and not have everyone hovering over me (well, other then my husband, who just can't seem to help himself. He took my skis hostage after I fell for probably the 10th time.) was AWESOME!! I went skiing for the first time, was horrible, but I loved the snow tubing and the horseback riding. I even put on a bathing suit for the first time in a few years. I have the same physical stamina that I had before my cancer and it felt like a new breath of life had been breathed into me. I have some issues with the leg that they took the bone from but I have learned to accommodate for that, as I have learned to adjust to my neck being very stiff on my disection side and with the dry mouth issues. We have my thyroid pretty well straight now which has enabled me to get close to my normal weight, although I still have a few extra pounds that I have decided to keep as I look healthier.
The week I returned from Massanutten I went to Florida with the high school team I coach for a competition and spent five days there, one of them an all day trip to Island of Adventure, and had a blast. My lips took a beating from the change in weather and climate but they're healing up now.
For anyone just embarking on this long road of cancer, do yourself a favor and turn the tables on it, use it and take from it. Don't let it become who you are, don't let it define you. We all have a spell of doing that but don't get caught up in it. I wish I had never had to deal with cancer and I will forever miss the security of my old life. But, now that I'm forced to deal with it it has given me a freedom that I didn't have before. Something like this has a way of loosening up the inhibitions, which can be a good thing!!
Hope all is well with everyone on this board, all the ones that helped me get to the point I am today and all the others that are behind me in their recovery..........Bless all of you.
Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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#6679 01-15-2006 12:39 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 | Aww Minnie ,
What a wonderful post. I am o glad to hear things are so good with you and you have moved on with the rest of your life.
You have been a wonderful inspiration on the board and I wish you the best of everything.
Marica
Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
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#6680 01-15-2006 12:54 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Hi Minnie, Glad to hear from you again, been wondering where you were hiding  I ditto with Marica's post, and I'm sooo pleased everything is going well for you and your family. Cheers! Tizz 
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
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#6681 01-15-2006 01:55 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Minnie.............thanks soooooo much for that post.....I have been thinking of you and wondering how you were doing....sounds like you are doing just fine! God Bless, you are in my thoughts and prayers! Love, 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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#6682 01-15-2006 03:31 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Minni, Happy Many More New Years  Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
:
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#6683 01-16-2006 03:54 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 | Good reports are always great news, Minni.
God bless you..
Darrell
Stage 3, T3,N1,M0,SCC, Base of Tongue. No Surgery, Radiationx39, Chemo, Taxol & Carboplatin Weekly 8 Treatments 2004. Age 60. Recurrence 2/06, SCC, Chest & Neck (Sub clavean), Remission 8/06. Recurrence SCC 12/10/06 Chest.
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#6684 01-16-2006 06:05 AM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 | Minnie, you made me tear up! DITTO!!! I'm coming up on 2 years since dx, 2/11/04. My life has taken similar turns & am damn glad to be here! I'm in the best physical shape I've been in for 20 years. My love life is strong with my wife of 17 1/2 years. My 3 daughters are growing up to be wonderful people, 15, 12 & 10. Our finances are solid & income is great. We live, love & laugh as much as possible. Our lives are very full. We are also planning a weekend up to the slopes in 2 weeks. Erik
dx 2/11/04 scca bot T3 IU 2B MO poorly differentiated, margins ok, 3/16 modest, jaw split, over half of tongue removed, free flap from left forearm - finished chemo & rad treatment 5/20/04
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#6685 01-17-2006 04:15 AM | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 20 Member | | Member
Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 20 | Minnie,
So good to hear you are doing so well! I want you to know how much all of your support meant to my mom and me over the last months as she went through her surgery and treatments. She is doing very well, and I'm getting ready to post an update. I just wanted you to know our prayers will be with you at the end of the month when you get your implants. Keep us posted on your progress, and we look forward to seeing your beautiful new smile!! (Though your smile now is very beautiful, too- and it definitely comes from the heart!)
Thanks again for being such a great encourager!
Laura | | |
#6686 01-18-2006 05:05 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Minnie,
...or "mamaminnie" as I know/knew you! I am delighted to hear you are doing so well. I, too, am going through some fun times with the teeth and hoping some miracle falls in my path so I can save what is left.
Live life large!!
God bless you and your family.
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
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#6687 01-20-2006 12:24 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Minnie,
It's so great to read your upbeat story. You are an inspiration to all with your fortitude and attitude.
I just returned from 6 days in Aspen on Tuesday and my skis, boots and luggage just arrived today (Friday). The skiing was great and I know how great the physical activity can make you feel.
If there are any questions I can help you with regarding the planned dentistry, don't hesitate to ask.
Erik, ski safe and watch out for the hotdogs.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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