Rita,

That was one of the worst things I had to deal with when I was Dx'ed since I had devoted my entire adult life to exercise and eating what I was told was healthy. My weight never deviated more than 5 pounds up or down since high school. If I read something was good for you, I started eating it and like wise if I read something was now bad for you, I stopped eating it. I was a casual smoker in high school even though I was on the wrestling team but I stopped all together in college where I also wrestled. I was at best a casual drinker after college. So when I was told I had Stage IV cancer from tobacco I flipped out. I was embarrassed to tell any of my employees or even friends since I preached daily about the benefits of exercise, good food habits, not smoking, etc. I was like look at me, I'm 58 or whatever and I ride my bike 100 miles a week, never been sick, blah, blah, blah and then I'm told yeah that's OK BUT you have a 60% of dying!!! That's why I felt vindicated when I tested positive for HPV.


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.