| | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 | Hello everyone!
It's been far too long since I've posted much of anything. In some ways that's bad; it means I haven't been contributing much. Trying to be more of a "glass half full" person, I'm choosing to look at my lack of time on the web as a good thing personally. It doesn't mean I care less than I used to...more to the point I've been too busy living.
I am coming up on the fourth anniversary of my diagnosis (May 1, 2006) and life is pretty wonderful. Like most of you, I still battle the everyday residual effects of the battle with the Beast...dry mouth, swallowing issues fibrosis in my neck from post surgical scarring, lymphedema. BUT, in spite of those things, I enjoy each day for what it is, a gift I didn't think I would have.
Much has changed in the past couple of years, mostly for the good. although not without sadness.
We have lost others that we love to the disease; my Dad, my father-in-law, an Uncle, an Aunt and a cousin. We have gained a son-in-law, a huge plus. I have gone from walking with a cane to limping without most of the time. I got back into motorcycle riding a couple of years ago, and bought myself a Harley last summer.
After watching our good friend Jerry decide to retire, I started thinking more and more about that over the past six months..36 years in the aviation business, or ANY business for that matter is long enough. Life is too short, there are too many roads to travel and too many experiences not to be denied.
The big question in my mind was how healthy am I, really? I "feel" good, but who knows for sure?
I spent quite a bit of time in the past month trying to find out. A physical, bloodwork, CT, x-rays, ECG...the full meal deal. After all of the tests were done, my Doctor asked me why I was still working.
that scared me initially; I thought he'd found something wrong. Quite the contrary...everything was not only fine, it was much better than he had expected. Good news...Very good news.
So...I've decided. July 2nd will be the day that I embark on the next phase of my life, retired.
It's not going to mean going to bed early and getting up late, with naps in between. I have an amazing opportunity coming in October.
For those of you that followed my journey in 2006/2007, you'll recall I am extremely fortunate to have an oral surgeon in my family. He was instrumental in some of the reconstructive work that I needed follwoing surgery, with implants, dentures, etc. He is also a great humanitarian, having undertaken self funded trips every year for the past 15 to severely disadvantaged parts of the world bringing dental care to folks too isolated and poor to even hit the radar of groups like Doctors without Borders.
Jungle dental care...finding remote villages in a variety of countries and going there for a week or two, and trying to make a difference in their lives.
I have no dental skills to contribute, however I am an enthusiastic amateur photographer, and I will be bringing these "skills" to the table as part of his next trip, this time to the jungle and mountains of the Honduran/Nicarauguan border.
We will spend about a week trekking into the area from El Progresso, two weeks visiting several villages and then another trekking back out.
I CAN'T WAIT!!!
So many of the things I did not believe I would survive to experience, are here...I am truly "living the dream"
I promise I will start posting more frequently, since I will have a bit more free time on my hands.
Does that sound "giddy with excitment"? It does, doesn't it? Positively giddy. I'm OK with that....
SCC left mandible TIVN0M0 40% of jaw removed, rebuilt using fibula, titanium and tissue from forearm.June 06. 30 IMRT Aug.-Oct. 06
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | wow, thank you so much for sharing, to me it's very inspirational and much appreciated!
Have a fun trip and continue living the dream!
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: Aug 2005 Posts: 307 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 307 | Hi Dragon,
I remember you! How wonderful that you get to embark on a new and exciting phase in life! Plus what an impact you and your oral surgery family member will have on others. I'm sure that will be very rewarding. I can sense the excitement in your post....it's very inspiring. Keep us posted on your adventures. For those of us that have to keep working (not that I'm complaining)...we can live vicariously through you!
All the best,
Shelley
Caregiver to husband Ron. Throat Cancer. Finished 35 radiation treatments on 11/21/04. 8/2/11 small lesion on lower gum, laser Procedure to remove. 3/6/12 Doc. removed another lesion on outside of his neck. Did a skin graft from his chest to replace the skin on his neck. Went to Heaven on 6/24/12.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 | Hey Dragon,
Watch out for yourself in those Jungles. I do most of my work in those very places. I'm sure your BIL will take good care of you just remember that the thing most likely to get you in the jungle is a disease, so make sure you take all the shots and anti whatever pills you need.
A stun gun is a must for the avid jungle explorer. I carry one every time I go, Little known fact: a 10,000 volt DC shock of less then 1/10 th of a second will break the protein chain of almost any blood born toxin. In other words, you zap yourself when bit by almost any critter, wasp, spider, snake whatever. Most hunters I know in Texas carry them because they neutralize rattlesnake (pi viper) bites. I use mine mostly for spider and mosquito bites.
Kelly
Male
48, SCC (Soft Palet) Rt.,
Stage 1, T3n0m0,
Dx, 8-09, Start IMRT 35 9-2-09 end 10-21-09
04-20-10 NED
8-11 recurrence, node rt. neck N2b
10-11 33 IMRT w/chemo wkly
3-12-12 PET - residual cancer
4-12 5 treatments with Cyberknife & Erbitux
6-19-12 Pet scan CLEAR
12-3-12 PET - CLEAR
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | WOW, Dragan. That sounds so exciting. Be certain to take lots of pictures for all the rest of us to enjoy.
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 | As you know, I have been privy to your decision making through FB and I am thrilled that you are going to do it.
BTW, I don't go to bed earlier, but I do have to admit that I do sleep later most days.
One day soon after I retired, my wife asked me what I was going to do that day. I thought for a while and said, "Nothing". She said, "That's what you did yesterday. So I told her, "Well, I never finished."
That is truly a wonderful thing that the two of you do and I look forward to seeing some of the photographs. However, I must admit that your skills as a photographer make me very jealous.
I know you're counting the days, hours and minutes, but it will be here before you know it.
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"
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Dragan, it sems you are going to have a new life and one that I and most of the others envy. Good luck on your trip and post some of the pics for us and make us jealous of your journey.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Wayne
Back when I first joined OCF, I remember reading your post about going to Cameroon in West Africa in the spring of 2009 with your BIL and thinking Wow. Glad you have been enjoying life and now I am thinking Double Wow ! Have a safe trip. ( I wonder how TSA would be on packing that stun gun Kelly suggested)
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: May 2008 Posts: 357 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 | Hi, Dragan -
You are proof that life is measured by not how long we live, but by how well we live. Life is too precious to let it slip by. Good luck on your new journey. Wow & double wow!
Marlene
Marginal mandibulectomy 6/17/08 resulted in DX of Stage I SCC - gingiva (3 mm) right mandible, buccal side. Clear margins. Occasional social drinker. Smoked last cigarette in 1979. Clear pet: 12/08; 7/20/09. Yay!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 8 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: 8 | Dragan, its been a long time. I loved reading your update, except about those you have lost. Im sorry to see so many family members lost in such a short time. You are such an inspiration to be going into the jungles to help those less fortunate!!!! Congrats on your good health and your upcoming retirement. Please dont stay away so long. I cant wait to hear your uplifting stories that you will bring back from your trips. Be well 
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 | | |
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