| | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Christmas time in the UK has brought Snow,Ice travel disruption,very pretty scenery,and the end to another year.
I have not been on the boards much of late as i am fighting my own demons and i know that is so selfish,but the time has come for me to deal with my grief which is destroying my life and i have been referred to a wonderful counsellor at hospice in leeds who is helping me but advised me to step back from my oral cancer work until she thinks i am a bit further forward.
Bottom line is i am all cared out,but that doesn't mean that i am not following the progress and struggles of everyone of my family here especially my tiger Jim,christine,eric,donna,gabe,wendy,jerry,paula,dianne,charm and everyone else.You are all in good hands with our new administator David and that i know is a comfort to you all.
So it just remains for me to wish you all a safe and peaceful christmas and a successful New Year .
Brian and Gary god bless and thanks for everything you do on our behalf.
Love and hugs
Liz
ps See you on the Island
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 453 "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 453 | Just so you know your ocf family here loves you very much. If stepping back is what you need then by all means you do what you have too. You have been here so much for all of us and I just want you to know we support you in whatever you need to do to make you smile again.
Have a safe, happy christmas Liz.
Love
Wendy xx
Wife to Steve 43. DX 5 May 09. T4N2MO SCC tongue, floor of mouth, lymph nodes & jaw bone
No surgery
Teeth removed 06/07/2009
radiation 13/07/2009 x 7wks
chemo 15/07/2009 x 3 Cisplatin
last TX 28/08/2009
25/11/2009 PET-lymph node activity.
08/01/2010 CT Scan-ALL CLEAR
03/03/2010-Peg removed
01/2013 left side of Jaw removed and replaced with pectoral flap.
23/12/2020 scan show lesion in tongue
01/2021 SCC stage 3 base of tongue diagnosed
01/03/2021 chemotherapy started.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Liz
While we will miss you, I am so glad that you are finally going to take care of yourself. I have been worried about you, especially in this Holiday season because of all you went through with Rob.
I agree with your Counselor about taking a breather from oral cancer and that includes this board. Trust me that no one here would begrudge you a new life even if does not include OCF.
It's time that you start being a caregiver to yourself. That is NOT SELFISH, it's just common sense.
Even across the pond, we continue to share: I had 24 inches or 61 centimeters of snow in my driveway and no plow on my hilly cul-de-sac for three days (City of Alexandria VA is perhaps the most incompetent snow removal government on the entire East Coast) and have had to cancel two therapy sessions for being snow bound. Still very pretty to see the trees festooned with white and the elaborate curves of snow on the railings and fences.
May the PEACE & LOVE of this Season be yours once again. I wish you Godspeed on your new journey.
Charm
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | It would be very difficult to say anything meaningful after Charm's eloquent and heartfelt wishes for you. All I can say is "ditto". I wish you the very best of everything life has to offer. I hope 2010 is the start of a joyous spirit in your heart.
Donna
(and thanks for being there for me!)
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 | Liz,
The kindest thing you can do for others is to take care of yourself first. Thank you for the support you have offered to me and I hope the New Year brings you the peace you seek.
Anita
Anita (68)
CG to husband, Clark, 79,
DX SCC 11/07, T4N0Mx, PEG 1/08, RAD, post rad infection 3/08,
HBOT 40 dives, ORN, Surg 11/09 mandibulectomy w/fibular graft.
Plastic Surg 4/10, 12/10, 3/11, 10/11, 4/12, 10/12. All PETS clear,
PEG out 1/11. 6/11 non union jaw fracture
Fractured jaw w/surgery 7/14
Aspiration pneumonia 7/21, 10/22
PEG 7/21
Botox injections
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | In time your care jar will refill itself but you need to listen to that expert and take care of numero uno first and that is you.
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.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Liz,
Take the very best care of yourself. Its good that you have first admitted to yourself that you needed a helping hand, even better you took the steps to go.
Now Im being selfish, I will miss you here. So many others will too. We will miss your wit and sensibility. You are so wise and kind. I will miss your welcoming posts to all the new people. Thats the Cookie we all grew to love. Your caring is in there, its just on break for a while.
Make the most of your holidays. Be kind to yourself.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Liz,
The strength you show everyday and the courage you showed through Rob's ordeal is an example for all to follow. I'm glad that you are looking within and dealing with the mental and emotional scars that I couldn't imagine having to deal with.
My hope is that despite your loss, you live life as it was meant to be...a gift. Give yourself that gift this holiday season Liz, you deserve it my dear.
Thank you for your patience with me and for your understanding. On a selfish note, I will miss you very much. Good luck and all hope that you embrace the gift that life is.
Eric
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Liz,
I am so glad you have found a counselor that you feel will be able to help you get your life back on track. If stepping back is what you need, then do it. We want you to be happy again. We will all miss your posts, but you know we are all only an email away. Thanks for all you have given to this forum and I'll be waiting on the island when you return. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Near Year.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Liz,
You don't have a selfish bone in your body. I'm sure everyone has stepped away from the forum at one time or another. It is so difficult at times to deal with so much sadness.
Take care of yourself and I know you will be back when all is well.
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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