 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | The Debster,
I also didn't find this treasure until post Tx. I also had to go to the ER 3 times and spent a couple of days in the hospital post Tx so been there done that and I feel for you.
It's all up hill from here and your recovery can take every bit of 2 years so you ain't finished yet. I saw my BIGGEST taste and saliva improvement 14 months post Tx and even saw a slight improvement at 24 months. The first year is the most difficult but once you cross into that 2nd year it's pretty much smooth sailing.
Glad you want to "give back". 5 years ago, I started a free oral cancer screening which has now morphed into a free cancer screening day where we screen for skin, oral and prostrate. Next year promises to be even bigger.
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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