#75715 06-15-2008 10:53 AM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | Just got back from a week long Alaska cruise with wife, son, his girlfriend, in laws, brother & sister -in -law, wife's aunt & uncle, and 2 family friends. A relatively modest group of 12 this time around.
My wife and her brother conspired to make this a "Heroes Cruise -- 2008" -- honoring the four of us who are cancer survivors (me, my mother-in-law (lymphoma), wife's uncle (colon), and 1 of the famly friends (prostate). Had T-Shirts saying Heroes Cruise 2008 on the front and "Do you know a Hero?" on the back. The local CCC has a big "Heroes" celebration for survivors every year, hence the inspiration. The cruise ship also had a 5K Walk for the Cure for Breast Cancer, which we all did (as we did in January)
A good time was had by all, and we got to raise some money and awareness for cancer, including Head & Neck cancer, as we were continually asked about our matching shirts.
Things continue to go well for me. Still battle the dry mouth, and the collateral shoulder & neck nerve damage/fibrosis pretty significant. One of the women on the cruise is a physical therapist, and she ran me through some tests showing pretty significant loss of motion and weakness in my trapezius and related areas. Starting an exercise regimen, so we will see how that works.
Alaska is gorgeous, as always, but have to admit it is good to be back in the warm weather. I did find a great Tilley's hat in Skagway that gives me the necessary sun protection, and actually fits me! (I wear size 8 -- big head, but nothing in it . . . )
Good to be back! Jeff SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007 T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007 39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07 Complete response to treatment so far!!
| | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Hi Jeff and welcome home.Glad you had such a great time.I got my OCF teeshirt last week and will wear it with pride.
love liz
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007 Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Welcome back Jeff,
Sounds like a great vacation. You accomplished so much besides R & R. Raising awareness, raised money, picked up some hints on therapy and got a Tilley hat. What more could you ask for? I'll bet you ate a lot, too.
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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