| | Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 45 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 45 | I cried when I ready many of your posts...thank you. When my Mom died of Liver cancer in 2003 it was quick but she was ready. I told her she was the first one in our family that could teach us all about death,dignity,courage , teach grandchildren and great grandchildren that its a natural process. She did a tremendous job even though I know she was scared. She set an example to us all. Would she be proud of me now.....I didn't think so. Her cancer was terminal...my outcome is still cloudy but there is hope.
They gave me some steriods and I continued radiation after a few day break. I just got home from hospital today after insertion of a G tube.Also I just got the pain patch.I was hoping I could muscle through without the G tube and all the pain meds. I cannot. I surrendered to the fact that whatever I need to do with all the help available to get through this I will finish.
I am now the senior member of my family its it is time I assume that role like my Mom did.
In my darkest time I had no place to turn but here....I new you would understand..
How could anyone know unless we've walked in the same shoes...Thank you all and God Bless. I will keep you posted. L Steve Hurlock
SCC of larynx,2/1/2011 surgery 16 times to remove papilloma on vocal cords,started TOMO rad treatment 4/11.2011 T2N0M0 possible invasion onto cartilage tissue Cancer back 6/2012. Polyp removed Came back spindle cell carcenoma 6/22/12
| | | | | 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 | Steve,
I am thrilled with your decision to carry on. Where there is life there is indeed hope.
Yes life changes and there are hurdles and challenges along the way, But life is indeed still worth living, worth fighting for. I, for one , am pleased that you now feel the same.
Don't try to be a hero through treatments. Be kind to yourself and take everything offered to make it easier on yourself.
Have a wonderful Christmas time with your family. Bask in their love. Look forward to a meaningful life that is well worth living.
Merry Christmas,
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: Oct 2012 Posts: 143 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 143 | Steve,
Whatever your final decision is I will be praying for you. There is inspirational quote that I read and would like to share it with you.
Cancer is so limited.
It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot destroy peace,
It cannot kill friendship,
It cannot suppress memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul,
It cannot steal eternal life,
It cannot conquer the Spirit.
~ Author Unknown
God bless in your journey and we are all here for you.
Joyce March 1940 to January 2014
A wife, a mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
She fought oral cancer from late 2009 to Early 2014.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 | I'm glad you took the necessary time off to find the help that was needed, and decided to continue with your treatments.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 | Steve,
I know that you have just made a very hard decision but a very brave one. Please keep us posted on your progress. You have a bunch of folks pulling for you here at OCF.
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 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: 7 | Steve, we are always here to help you with info, advice and moral support. Never forget that you can lean on us when you need to vent or have questions.
Ive gone thru heck and credit the great members of the forum along with my Brian Hill and my doctors for encouraging me and helping me to see the bigger picture. Without these people I would have quit before I even tried and wouldnt be here today. That was over 3 years ago and now Im leading a very productive life helping others like yourself.
Always in your corner!!!!
Best wishes with everything!!!
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: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 | Yay Steve! I got chills as I read your update. Have been thinking about you and your decision and I'm so glad you have decided to persevere. It is hard, but worth the effort.
I love that we, as a team, helped you make the decision by being available. Thank you Brian Hill!!! Once again, the site has proven to be a wonderful place.
Blessings for Christmas Steve,
Kathy
Kathy wife/caregiver to:
Kevin age:53
Dx 7/15/11
HPV16+ SCC Stage IV BOT/R
Non smoker, casual drinker
7/27/11 Cistplatin, taxotere,5FU 2/3week sessions, followed by IMRT 125cgy x 60 (2x daily) w/Erbitux weekly. Last rad 10/26/11. Last Erbitux 10/27/11
PEG placed 9/1/11 Removed 11/8/11
Clear PET 10/12 and 10/13 and ct in 6/14
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Hugs Steve - you're amazing - you will get through it
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: Feb 2011 Posts: 117 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 117 | Steve
I am so happy with your decision to keep on fighting. Took a lot of courage to make the decision to keep going. You are stronger than you know and you can do this. We are all here for you so lean on us as much as necessary. We all take care of each other.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas. Enjoy this time with your family and friends.
DX 12/6/10 of T3 SCC Tongue.
Surgery 1/3/11 was hemigloss & forearm free flap, midline mandibulectomy, Neck Disection-All nodes clear.
Ended rads 5/11/11. Taste buds back to about 80%. PEG removed 4/5/12, experimenting eating real food again. If I can do this, so can you !! Stay Strong.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Oh Steve - I am so go glad to hear of your decision to keep going. Ever since your original post, and the sadness I felt - I just couldn't find the words to say something that could try to help you through it. I knew it had to be your decision and I wanted SO much for you to stay with us. There truly are angels here on earth and I am so grateful for all the ones we have here at OCF who helped you at a time you most needed them. Please stay close and let us know how you are doing every step of the way.
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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