Hi Tammy(one of the interns who visited my husband was from New Zealand, she was a ray of sunshine, always smiling and so pretty)

I read what you went through to my husband and it gave him some confidence. I know my question was difficult to answer but my husband was so confused from all the worst case scenarios that the radiologist warn him about at two separate visits. You gave me hope and courage to tell my husband that we needed to focus on survival right now and that I knew he would do his best to manage any difficulties and that I would always be strong for the two of us.

Hi Don( I travelled along San Francisco bay in the summer of 2003, I was there with a friend visiting art galleries. The sun, the water, even the people sparkled brightly, it was almost too much to take in)

You braved my difficult if not somewhat existential question, and one thing I know is that my husband is a fighter, he wants at all cost to be with me. Somehow you helped us gain some perspective by breaking it into different phases of life and loss. He had his second treatment yesterday even though he still woke up last night filled by fear of the unknown and too many possibilities. Today he has gained conviction and decided to go through the radiation with a kick ass attitude. He told me not to worry, that he may be scared but that that too would pass.

Much love, Sophie


husband 61@diagnosis painter
6/9/13 Exophylic invasive SCC IV(ext.gingivobuccal) 3cm+ mandibular/lytic/erosion, jugular/node9mmshort-axis
17/9/13 Dx(moderately aggressive)
24/10/13 left madiblectomy, mod radical neck disct, leg flap, NGtube
2/01/14 (30 tx)rads 60gy
N2b (2nodes under jaw) (rem. in tiny nerves) (rem. 30 nodes)
Clear margin, close 2mm inner cheek
15/05/14 cellulitis
3/12/14 Chest CT Clear
27/02/15 cellulitis
8/6/15 cellulitis
10/6/15 Osteomyelitis