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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 157
Nate82 Offline OP
Senior Member (100+ posts)
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 157
Even though it all feels like a flash, and I am trying to ease back into some sort of normalcy I am finding it troubling. Besides family, I feel at times I am looked at as if I should not still be here. People get the shocked look on their face and even some give off the vibe as if I only had the flu. I read it best here on the forum a few short months ago. A survivor said there is a downside to being just that, your obligations to back and work for the dickhead boss, paying off loans or a childs weddings, and just the sad reality that people suck!

We are I guess, a pretty cool club...Only we understand eachother and can give that head nod of " you kick-ass! " as others look at us like were contagious. I try to not look back but the sad statistics and numbers bother me so much some times. Like hey, you did it this time, but now can ya make it 5 years? Can you make it another scan all clear? Crazy ass world we live in, just having a very insightful day I guess.....Love all you guys!


SCC left lateral tongue, left neck dissection. 2 nodes positive. 3 All Clear then ITS BACK 8/23/11 Shows 1cm in tongue in CT SCAN, Radial Free Arm Flap with Radical Neck Dissection 9/20/11 , All Nodes Negative, But Tongue Tumor Poorly Differentiated. Awaiting next step in treatment on 10/5/11... RIP Nate 7/28/12
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 618
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
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"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 618
Nate,

Life gets back to nnormal, just slowly. At your point in treatment I was in a severe depression. I have no Idea where it came from but i described it to a friend as not being suicidal but just not wanting to be awake. I just wanted to wake up 6 months down the road in much better shape.

Having said that life is great for me now and I love every minute of it.

Hang in there


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: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,264
Likes: 5
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
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"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,264
Likes: 5
Love your quote it's very true s- healer I know said the same thing to me today...


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: Sep 2010
Posts: 179
"OCF Down Under"
Senior Member (100+ posts)
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"OCF Down Under"
Senior Member (100+ posts)

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 179
Hi Nate,

I too was pretty depressed when i was at your stage of recovery. Slowly my depression got better, and now i have a pretty happy and good life! Ive adjusted to my life to suit my new normal. I've even have gone out a few times till 3am!! There was a time when i thought that would never happen. I've had a few scares along the way but fear is something i've accepted that comes with being a cancer patient. Hang in there buddy, its a slow process but you will feel better!! You have come such a long way already and it can only get better and better.

Hugs Minh


35 Yrs old
03/10 SCC T1-T2
Partial Glossectemy end March - margins not clear enough.
While waiting for resection - cancer returned,2 new cancerous lumps
Re-section End May & flap from cheek attatched. Margins clear.
Mid June - 4 teeth out
Mid July -32 Rads and 3 Cisplatin
6th Sept 10 Finished Treatment!!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,412
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
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Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,412
Nate, I too was depressed and still am. I am on antidepressants, and boy can i tell a difference when I do not take them. As far as normalcy, you are not alone. I think it is a struggle we all have. I know for one, I have it and often wonder if that pain is something or if I will make it another few weks without having to call my Drs. It seems like I am calling them all the time about one thing or another. I say all that to say you are not alone in how you are feeling. Yes, we are our own little club, and do have an understanding of the emotions. I have been told it gets easier, I am just waiting for that to happen.


Angelia
31 at Dx.
DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth,
T1NOMO, T2N1M0
TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09
PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement
PEG/PORT: 11/09
TX end: 02/01/10
PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear
PEG Out: 06/21/10
Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis
HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN
Baby girl born 11-30-12
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,260
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
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Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,260
Hell Nate, I speak to people I have known for 50 or more years and they act like I'm some weirdo or stranger. We do cause a lot of confusion but you get used to it and laugh after so many of the. " Who The Hell Are You". I find it hard to get upset when this happens.


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: May 2011
Posts: 13
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 13
Hello Nate, I had an awful time after my treatment. I felt as if I was sent home to die. I was afraid to be alone, and I started having panick attacks. I stayed with various family members until I had to go home, I had a 17 year old to take care of. My 17 year old slept in the livingroom with me for over 3 months because of my fear of being alone. I followed my parents around so I wouldn't be alone. I am on antideppressants and valium. I am also in therapy for the past year or so. We have all been through hell and back! Everything past and present just came crashing down on me. I am a very strong person and I have no shame in dealing with this. Therapy has been the best thing for me. You too will get better, you have been dealt a very bad card. I wish you luck and I am always here if you need to talk privately or openly. I am new to this forum, yet I can tell you these people are the most caring and I feel as if I have a new family!! Finally, I have people who understand me and what I"m going through!!!!


I was 42 when diagnose two years ago, smoker, light alcohol use, partial gossectomy, left neck dissection, peg, 7-09 IMRT, no chemo deemed nesseccary, 3-2011 HBO.

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