Dave,

Don't be too hard on yourself or your mom. Much of the stuff patients and caregivers go through after such a traumatic period is different in every situation and for every person. Just remember that you both did what you needed to do at the time. You were great in all you did and especially with both of you having to deal with your father's issues and ultimate passing. I remember well how tough things were for you.

I read some of my file at the doctor's office today looking for something and saw and the glorious remarks about how well I cared for my teeth and mouth and how horrible it would be to not follow through with repair work after radiation with big bolded letters saying "LIFE OR DEATH" and I was stunned when the insurance company said it was only cosmetic and they would not pay a penny. I fought for two years to cover the back teeth that were pulled out pre-treatment, even though it was only a few hundred bucks. I am now preparing for the battle to finish this last piece of business!

Hang in there, if you don't fight, they win without effort.

Greetings from me, by the way,

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