Rita,

Currently, my lifestyle habits had been forced upon me. Liquids, liquids and more liquids! Of course, I just finished tx November 4th and I have a long slow road to recovery. Since my diagnosis I haven't really thought of a lifestyle change but I have gotten away from cooking and tend to get back to cooking some fabulous family recipe's! I haven't thought of changing my life but I have thought about appreciating life more that I have to stop worrying about others. I have always loved great food and I can't wait to explore those tastes again. I never did anything too much--I was not a typical person for OC...a very casual drinker, non-smoker and very good oral hygiene. After my OC, I have realized that I am the fourth person in my family with OC/neck cancer...the fourth. I assume we have a weak gene in there somewhere. I am not going to limit myself...But, am I going to smoke a cigar? No. Am I going to have a beer or glass of wine? Maybe...Am I going to have a drink a week? No....I am going to go back to my life and try to appreciate it more...One can do everything right in life but things happen. There are no guarantees in life.

When something happens in life whether it's good or bad...embrace it, learn from it and then pass it on to others in a meaningful way.