| | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 123 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 123 | Tomorrow will be 1 year since Ken passed away. A year ago we were at Foxwoods for him to play poker one last time before his scheduled surgery. It was a such a nice day in the wake of the uncertainty we were facing. That night I posted "beginning of the hardest week ever" on Facebook. Little did I know it would be the beginning of the hardest year/lifetime. A year ago I never would have imagined making it to today. Our daughter Morgan gets me through - being able to see Ken through her helps to heal a little bit of my broken heart every day.
I thank all of you for your love and support since we joined when Ken was diagnosed. You were so helpful to him and continue to be to me as I go through this journey.
For those of you who have recently lost someone you will get through it. It won't be fun and the pain and sadness never go away but knowing they are watching over us helps to face each day. Oral cancer patients are some of the bravest people I have ever known and if I can have a little of that, I will get through!
Jill..CG to Ken, age 43,mom of 1yr old girl.
DIAG:12/9/10 SCC BOT T4N0M0 HPV+
START:1/3/11 IMRT dailyX35 and 7 chemo
END:2/23/11 PEG IN:1/15/11 Out:4/26/11
CT/MRI 4/25/11-marked improvement CT 6/11 new spots
BX 6/23-cancer present
Total Glossectomy sched 7/20/11
7/19/11 Ken's suffering ended
| | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 114 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 114 | I know the first year is the worst. You have done so well, facing such a huge loss and taking care of your adorable little girl, Ken would be proud. I wish you happy memories tomorrow, and a peace that will ease the pain and warm your heart. Thinking of you...
Amy CG to mom Janet - diag w/ early SCC 8/11-surg w/ rad neck dissect & graft from arm/thigh 9/11-evid in nodes tx 6 wks rads (5/wk) w/cistplatin (1/wk for 6 wks) began 11/11-wk or 2 break 12/11 due to severe side effects-done 1/12- 3/23/12 mets to liver lung bone-hospice 4/7/12-lost fight 4/22/12
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Jill,
it's hard to believe it's been a year my friend. Life is such a crazy journey filled with moments of love, and pain. I don't believe that you can really understand one without the other though and that's the toughest part for me to grasp. I know one thing, I couldn't get through without support and the love of those that can relate and for that I thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us Jill...helping others is what has helped me cope.
Love you my dear friend...keep on putting one foot in front of the other and surround yourself with those that remind you of how good life is despite all that you've gone through.
Love and Hugs
Eric
Last edited by EricS; 07-18-2012 11:25 AM.
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: Jul 2010 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 531 | Wow already a year, I remember the posting from you, it took my breath away that it happened so fast and the day before his surgery was simply...beyond words. Congrats, kiss your baby girl and hug her real hard and I'm sure Ken will feel it and you will feel Ken!
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: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | I'm thinking of you Jill.
Actually have thought of you and Ken a lot this past year.
I think you are a remarkable woman.
Lots of hugs to you and your precious daughter,
Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | Jill,
You know I have been thinking of you and Morgan. For as long as I live, I will never forget how we met. But, I hope someday we can use this common bond for something far better. See you a the walk, my friend!
Love,
Kerri
37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11)
SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors)
L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg
T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo
Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-)
Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx.
Various scans since rx ended are NED!
Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH.
44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!
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