Rebel, Lisa.

First, let me say that you are among people that can relate to what you both are going through right now.

I don't know of anyone that "needs" this experience or even asked for it, but it's the hand that we've been dealt so we have to learn how to play it.

I want you both to read some of the posts of these survivors, my heros, and understand that some of them have been in deeper waters and have been dealt more difficult hands. This isn't a contest, but it helped me to understand and cope with the fact that not only was I not alone, I wasn't traveling the hardest path and I could draw on them for support, understanding and inspiration. I've read some of the posts of those who eventually lost their battle and realized how fortunate I've been.

I know what it is to be young and have my face taken from me, the ability to eat most things, speak. I know what it is to lose the life that I had before cancer. I am disfigured, I lossed my career, I live with pain, my teeth are falling out of my head, my body has been broken in so many ways...yet I love my life. I live with the side effects of treatment and surgery everyday. I'm stared at when I go anywhere due to my disfigurement, however I wear my scars with pride. I'm a survivor.


I'm alive, I get to enjoy my children and the love of my life. I used what happened to me as fuel to go after my dreams and goals. I've faced death, most people diagnosed similar to me die, I almost did, so now I live life, every moment to the fullest. I'm building a future for my kids and if I go leave my wife with security and something to be proud of me for.

A book that helped me and gave me the quote in my signature is "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. It's about a Jewish Physchiatrist that lived through the death camps of WWII. It gave me a different perspective, that and reading the stories and relating to the others that contribute to these boards.

Keep your chin up, it does get better.

Eric