Ken,

I just wanted to take a moment to raise my glass to you! I am glad to hear things are going so much better for you. As I look back on the past year and a few months, I realize that most of my memories are the small successess and the masses of incredible people I have met through this journey, most of them right here in my living room.

I also wanted to let you know that although I still struggle with salad dressings, I have been pounding down the Thai stuff, Mexican food, etc., since August (less than one year post op). I had one bad experience when I pickled some Jalapenos this year (for the first time). My son grew one plant it it flourished. I think maybe the massive quantities of rain this past year helped them grow more hair but these are the hottest I have ever eaten in my life. (I used to grow about 6-8 different kinds of peppers each year so I am qualified to assess these, of course! laugh ) Anyway, when I first sampled one to see how good they turned out, I marveled at the incredible taste they had as I rushed to the bathroom to get some Miracle Mouthwash to deaden the pain eek .

I loved the picture you posted (or linked to, as it were). Welcome to the neighborhood and shall we all take a brief moment to tip our glass in a ceremonial sake toast to LIFE!!

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