Katrina:

Im about the same age as you. Im, 44 soon I will be 45 in Oct. Im sorry to hear the hard times you have been thru. It good you have some help, with friends and your parents. At least your son is old enough to be a help to you. My left cheek is really bad and the top of my mouth both have cancer, at this point its spread to almost connect the 2 spots thats why I needed to have 3 teeth removed. I havent been able to smile for a few months, and I cant even laugh anymore or my cheek will split. Yesterday when I had the teeth removed, it was instant relief. I didnt realize thats what most of my pain had been coming from. I did have the PEG tube and port both put in on Monday. Why this is done usually on outpatient is beyond me. I got the port to save my veins, I wasnt offered the pic line. The port is right above my heart, so in cars I must ride with a big bed pillow and pray to god we dont get in an accident and the air bag goes off. My chauffer is my 17 year old son who thinks my little neon is a dragster. Im still sore and have a little bleeding around the PEG tube. Monday is when all the real fun begins. I start my 7 weeks of radiation and chemo 3 times. I get it once every couple weeks, so its a bigger dose of cisplatin. I already had my hearing test and know what Im in for. I know this can cause alot of problems also with hand tremors and dizziness, Ive done alot of research, I also know its what kills this type of cancer the best. I dont wnat to go thru this, but I will and I will win and be better than before because now I can say I have fought the toughest battle and won. You can stand tall and say you are a role model for anyone who has doubts they can succeed. Be proud, I cant wait to be where you are....on the road back !!!!