| | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 476 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | OP  Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 476 | Christmas Eve last year is when John went to the doctor for a non-painful lump that popped up in his neck a week prior. He had no other symptoms - no pain in his throat, tongue, no voice changes - nothing. This visit to our family doctor is what got the ball rolling on "our" journey with oral cancer. Thank God John's doctor didn't take a "wait and see" approach but ordered blood work, a CT Scan and a follow-up with the ENT. January 9th is the day we got the diagnosis of cancer.
What a year this has been. I thank God that John is cancer free and marched through treatments with a courage and resolve that I don't know that I could have. There were many days where I as his caregiver cried in my car and wondered if we would get through this. It is such a helpless feeling to watch someone you love more than anything go through such brutal treatments. There was a month where John could no longer talk without throwing up because of the debilatating mucus and the pain. I had to sleep in our spare bedroom so I could get up every day at 5:45am so I could go to work to provide the insurance for us. John owns his own business and was unable to work for over a month. They were truly some of the most lonely days of my life. BUT....he got through it without ever complaining and life is GOOD. He still doesn't have his "mouth feel" or 100% of his taste back but he has re-gained 10 of the 30 lbs. he lost and is doing GREAT!
I feel so blessed to be the wife of this amazing man who I love more than anything. It's weird, even though this year has been the most difficult of my life, it has brought John and I even closer and definitely deepened our love for each other.
For everyone out there currently in treatment - you will get through this and there are brighter days ahead.
Thank you to each and everyone of you for your continued support and information. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Wanda (47) caregiver to husband John (56) age at diag.(2009)
1-13-09 diagnosed Stage IV BOT SCC (HPV+)
2-12-09 PEG placed, 7-6-09 removed
Cisplatin 7 weeks, 7 weeks (35) IMRT
4-15-09 - treatment completed
8-09,12-09-CT Scans clear, 4-10,6-11-PET Scans clear
4-2013 - HBO (30 dives) tooth extraction
10-2019 - tooth extraction, HBO (10 dives)
11-2019 - Left lateral tongue SCC - Stage 2
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 93 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 93 | Slim,
It is the hardest fight we have ever been in and has made us so much stronger in our resolve to be together.
I bless every Christmas, heck every day, we still have him in our lives. It sure makes the little things so much easier to laugh away.
It is nice to hear how others make it through........
Wishing you and yours continued good health.
Merry Christmas
Margaret
caregiver to husband
right tonsil stage 3
35 IMRT TX completed 1/5/2007
PET Scan clear 3/07
biopsy 9/07 clear
1st yr PET scan 12/18/07 clear
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 | Wanda,
I am so happy for you and John. His recovery and the strength of your love for each other are the positive things we all love to read about. There is so much emotion when you reach a milestone and look back at how difficult the whole process was. It is amazing what we are capable of doing when things get tough. All my best for a Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
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: 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 | Wanda What a difference a year makes. Wishing you and John a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year 
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: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 | your story is an inspiration to me. so glad to hear John is doing better, and u as well. have a Merry Christmas!
teresa
Teresa
-----------
CG to ANDY. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)
T2N2cMxG4 stage 4. 43 @ dx 8/31/09
tx 9/21/09-11/06/09 cispatin/docetaxel/5-FU X3
PORT 9/9/09, PEG 12/07/09
35 IMRT-1/wk carbo 11/30/09-2/3/10
tx stopped due to complications
IMRT BOOST 3/08-3/12/10
PET 4/12/10 CLEAR!
PEG out 4/14/10
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