| | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 167 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 167 | Hi All!
I completed treatment 5 weeks ago and wanted to give you an update. I decided to post in "Currently in Tx" because when I was a newbie that was the forum I scoured night and day. I now see that as I read I focused much more on the many potential negatives and scared myself more than necessary.
I want to reinforce what others have said many times, treatment effects us all differently. Treatment was, of course, very difficult but I think my preparation for the worst worked against me at times. I tried to take it one step at a time but found that there were times that I was just waiting for the worst to happen next.
I am fortunate that the worst didn't happen. I made it through treatment and started feeling better just days after chemo and radiation stopped. I found great amazement that I felt my body getting better and stronger every day. I am currently walking 3 -4 miles per day (my dogs are so happy about that), doing yoga and meditation (highly recommend both for saving sanity), I haven't used my PEG in over a week and am scheduled to have it and my port out tomorrow (yay- that will help me feel even more like myself again!), weight is stable, speech is good (requires some increased effort but I know that the effort I put forth now with my speech will result in less and less of a struggle over time), and I am drinking half my calories and eating the other half as my tongue continues to strengthen and increase mobility.
I am amazed to report that I truly feel great -I guess I'm amazed because I didn't believe it was possible to feel this good so soon after treatment. I know others are not as fortunate and my intent here is not to pour salt in those wounds. My intent is to give a glimmer of hope to those going through treatment that life can come back even when you feel like it won't! I am returning to work next week - much more quickly than I ever anticipated!
Life is good! Hang in there! One of the David's posted on one of my posts "Courage, courage, courage" - that became my mantra as I found myself giving in to the misery that can be a part of the treatment process.
I wish you all the very best and thank those who encouraged me during my darkest times!
Jennifer (39)
02/10 SCCa Tongue & Base, HPV-
03/10 Partial Glossectomy & ND 11/10 Revision due to additional nodes 12/20-2/2/11 IMRT & concommitant chemo 2/11 PEG in 3/11 PEG out
Back at work and feeling good 03/24/11!
12/20/11 - 9 month f/u PET/CT - all clear!
| | | | | 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 | Jen, congrats on the port and peg removal tomorrow! It sounds like your recovery is really moving along quickly. Your exercising and watching your nutrition Im sure has played a big role in this. You should be proud of yourself! Your courage got you thru the rough times and now you are an inspiration to others. Way to go!!!
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: Jun 2010 Posts: 87 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 87 | Jennifer,
So glad to hear how wonderful you are doing!!! Your story is a great encouragement to others!
Susan
Susan
Age 51, married with four kids age 11-18, 9/1/2010, Bx: high grade mucoepidermoid CA left sublingual gland.
10/8/2010, wide excision left floor of mouth, modified radical node dissection left neck.
T1N0M0. IMRT started 11/22.
Never smoked, light social drinker
Also happen to be ICU RN
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 167 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 167 | Thank you Christine and Susan! I know that I am more fortunate than most and am very grateful for that!
PEG and port successfully removed yesterday - so nice to be back to my "original parts"
Jennifer (39)
02/10 SCCa Tongue & Base, HPV-
03/10 Partial Glossectomy & ND 11/10 Revision due to additional nodes 12/20-2/2/11 IMRT & concommitant chemo 2/11 PEG in 3/11 PEG out
Back at work and feeling good 03/24/11!
12/20/11 - 9 month f/u PET/CT - all clear!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Fantastic - I am so happy for you!! Yoga and exercise really helps!
It's great to see someone who has come out of this so well! Take care!
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
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