Hi Nigel,

Welcome to the OCF. I look forward to reading your posts as in 2 days I am so impressed with your recovery.

Although I was lucky enough to avoid surgery and radiation, I did go through many of the emotional and physical things that you and others have and are going through.

I laughed to myself every time someone said to me that I sounded great, when I knew that my speech was terrible.

It was difficult for me to accept help as I had always been a very strong and independent person. Having gone through my first major surgery at the age of 59, I soon learned how to accept help. When my wife was at work, my friends drove me to appointments, sat with me while I slept and kept telling me how great I looked and sounded. (Liars, all of them, but great friends).

I lost 15 pounds not eating for 10 days and have kept off 10 of them, now 5 months and 2 days post surgery. This is a good thing for me.

My wife recently asked me if I think about my experience with cancer often. I think she was quite surprised when I said, "yes, everyday and sometimes several times a day." I believe that this scary and life transforming experience makes one a better person, as Lisa has so aptly stated.

Take the praise and run with it. You deserve it. All of us survivors, do.

Jerry