| | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) |  "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 531 | Eric! OMG you are killin me here! where r the cookies? omg! lol
CG to Ron
Out of Pain 4/3/13
4/12-lung and under chin growth no treatment
1/13/12 lung biopsy
6/11 recur 6/30 resection #2 Clear margins
Clear 12/10
Surg 5/13/10 neck dis/nodes part gloss/flap R thigh all teeth out
RAD 30 8/10
DX 4/2/10 "Oral Cavity" T3NOMO
12/28/07 Non Hodg Lymph remission 7/08
passed away 4.3.15, RIP Ron, you are greatly missed
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | EEK! Indeed, if you weren't paranoid you would probably not be from this planet. I fainted when the ENT gave me the intial Dx. Fear comes with the territory. As Eric recommended, there is some great chemical help for that. I personally took Zanax all throughout treatment for anxiety.
It'll get better though, I don't think about cancer all of the time anymore.
Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | Yep...I took Lexapro to deal with all the stress. That was after I had a panic attack in the board room at work in front of some higher ups...lol I know how to make people remember me!!
Suzanne
***********
T1 SCC on right side of tongue
Age 31...27 when diagnosed
4 partial glossectomies
No chemo or radiation
Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear
Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011
Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10
It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | I'm generally up beat - it's just I'll get a case of the whatifs now and then and I have to stop myself! It's so diverse here - there are people who have been stage 4 go though treatment and walk away - and then there are those who are stage one - one lymph node involved and pass away within a year - it's scary!!! it's just so bizarre - I'm sure it has to do with the agressivemeness of the cancer and how it is treated but - it's still scary at times!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | I agree Cheryl..cancer is scary, no doubt
Suzanne
***********
T1 SCC on right side of tongue
Age 31...27 when diagnosed
4 partial glossectomies
No chemo or radiation
Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear
Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011
Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10
It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Cheryl...life is scary. All cancer should do is open up your eyes to the fact that you are NOT gauranteed tomorrow. People die everyday from so many little things that we don't even think about.
To me, it just reinforced the miracle that life is and how precious my time is. I know how fortunate I am, I "got" the fact that every medical professional to look at me or my chart had the "he's a goner" look and tone when they dealt with me. The person I am, that just made me want to prove them wrong.
Personally, I don't fear death. What I fear is not accomplishing the things in life I've set out to do before I pass on. I'm motivated to do as much as I can with the time I have left. I use music, books, quotes and others to keep me sharp and focused...motivated to do more. If I had to, and sometimes I do, I'll use chemical assistance to help me out. One of the things I've really enjoyed is the Brilliant Quotes App for my Android phone. The Fear & Death catagory has awesome quotes from Mark Twain to Ghandi to help put life in perspective.
Anyway, keep your chin up.
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: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 | Eric, you are so right. I don't really fear death, I just don't want to miss anything! But Cheryl, if we were't paranoid in our situation, it wouldn't be normal.
Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Thanks everyone you are all amazingly giving and Eric - you are an inspiration.
I agree - people die sailynjust crossing the road and this has made me appreciate everything and eberyone I have in my life - that much more...
Take care and many blessings to you all.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | Here is a story...and it's true...
My cousin knows a woman who went through extensive cancer treatment for breast cancer. She went to the doctor for a follow up after chemo and radiation were completed and she got the all clear. She walked out of the office..crossed the street and was hit by a bus. So..you really NEVER know. Not to be depressing but I often think of this when I'm feeling down. We are just more aware that life is not forever and appreciate it more than others.
Suzanne
***********
T1 SCC on right side of tongue
Age 31...27 when diagnosed
4 partial glossectomies
No chemo or radiation
Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear
Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011
Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10
It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Maybe all these people crossing the road, should cross at the corner crosswalk. JMO
Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
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