hi,

i'm just getting started with this group. My background is 53 yr old male who found cancer in jaw hinge soft tissue and throat during summer of 2001... Stage 4. Radiation and chemo treatment during Aug-Oct 01. Then, nothing seen is CT's or MRI's, so no surgery. Eating tube for 16 months, gone 2 months ago. As of Jan 02, I couldn't eat or drink anything, so have been in eating school for 10 months. Now eat soft foods and can hydrate, so tube is gone. Energy level was low, but gradually improves.

I like biking and kayaking... live in mid-Atlantic region and plan to kayak/bike during my Christmas-New Years break.

Glad to be here and chat with you,
Happy New Year 2k3
larryb

Welcome, Larry! Glad to hear you are improving. We need to hear that kind of news! With your experience, I am sure you will be able to answer questions for those just beginning their journeys.

Joanna

Larry,

Welcome to OCF...we look forward to hearing your input to members as they post...And it's especially good that you are doing so well now.
Seems you have really worked at coming back and regaining your strength. That is an inspiration to those that feel drained and can't do the things we might want.

Glad to have you join us.
Take care,
Dinah

Hi:
Just signed in tonight. My history is a head/neck survivor. I am a 51 year old male. I was diagnosed with laryngeal/pharyngeal cancer in the 1st stage. Underwent 40 radiation only treatments. First part was once a day and second part of my treatments were twice a day. Finished treatments July 31st of 2002. Energy level is slowly returning, was told could take up to 9 to 12 months to return to normal. Have experienced some narrowing of my airway, as a result of the radiation. Toughest part of recovery so far is the emotional/psychological part. Employer terminated employment due to the cancer and extent of treatment and recovery. All is going pretty well.

Hi Larry I am a caregiver to my husband that has Cancer of the Oral cavity and is in the Lymphnodes at a stage 4. He finished treatment in the latter part of September and is still losing weight and tired all the time. What I wanted to reply on is your employment, I think you need to go in to the labor laws in your state I do not think he can terminate you on those conditions that is discriminating against a disease that you have. I will look up the laws in your state but I know there is a claus that was passed into law about letting an employee go for that reason. Let me look it up and I will get back to you. Hang in there things will look better I am sure. Take care of yourself. Bobbie Jensen

Hi JDeereMan,

I agree with Bobbie. The first thing I thought when I read about your employment situation was that it might be illegal to do that. I would certainly check it out if you haven't already done so.

Good luck,
Rosemary