Hi Cathy - welcome to the family. That you are entering a new chapter in your life is an understatement; it will be full of change and result in a new normal for the rest of your life. That doesn't mean it's all bad. There are actually positive things that come from it too. For instance, in some people it allows us to lose the weight we needed to but were never able too. That is a dangerous phrase to say at this point in your journey because from your doctors and nurses perspective and similarly from most members of this forum family, weight loss during treatment is a bad thing and every effort should be made to not lose weight. I agree with that philosophy, but that most of us lose some weight during treatment is I think pretty common. The trick is to not lose too much weight, and losing too much weight is a definite possibility. Still, now that treatment for me is over I very much like the look of the new me (about 40 lbs lighter). I consider my weight loss to be a definite positive outcome from my cancer journey.

Another area of positive outcome is it will definitely make you think about your mortality, something you may not have done prior to cancer (I hadn't). It made me rethink what is truly important in life and to take steps to better communicate care and love for friends and family. As I write this to you I realize I still haven't done enough in that area and need to do more.

Lastly, I consider my meeting and getting to know this family to be a real positive that came from my experience with cancer. Of course, had we not had cancer we would have never looked for or joined such a group. But now that we have we get to see first hand what a group of really caring people this family is; people who will take the time to help you through a rough spot in your journey. They did it for me, a lot, at a time when I really needed it. It's one of the main reasons I stuck around after treatment was completed, so I can help the new members who follow me.

So, on those days when you feel a little down or depressed at this horrible thing that has entered your life, take a minute to realize it isn't all bad. Some of it is actually pretty good.

Again, welcome to the family.

Tony






Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)

09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0.
11/13 start rads, no chemo
12/13 taste gone, dry mouth,
02/14 hair slowly returning
05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps.
01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter.
12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good