you've got some story here! you're amazing to have gone through all of this AND graduated AND played rugby meanwhile! and you are such a wise person for taking things with such a great attitude! and it is great that you and your parents have been so vigilant about your symptoms. i am in total agreement with what you said about people knowing their own body best. my sister knew of her recurrence way before her doctor finally decided to do a biopsy. so stay alert to what's happening in and around you.

i'm wondering what, if anything, is next in your treatment plan?

be well.

Kim,
I so enjoyed reading your story (although I hate the fact that you had to go through such an ordeal). I don't know what your major was, but you are a great writer and storyteller.Perhaps, that is where your future lies. It sounds like you have handled everything with such patience, grace, and a wonderful attitude. I am sorry that this would happen to anyone, but especially someone so young as yourself. You are wise beyond your years. Stay well.

Danny G.

Dear Rugbykim717, Let me add my welcome. Also, sorry you need to even know this site exists. It sounds like you have been through the mill. Hopefully, this last round of treatments will have gotten it all. Can't give you much help at this point other than to pray for your recovery and total cure of the cancer. I had similar treatment except for the tongue as you, as we all have, so we all have empathy for your situation. I had my neck dissection the day before you had yours, on May 4, so we do have some in common. Hang in there and the healing process will get going and things will improve. Just for my curiosity, were any of the hospitals you were treated at cancer centers? They generally do a better job and are much more compassionate about this disease than regular medical facilities.

Kim,

My, what a story. I am really sorry you have had to go through so much. I get so angry when I hear about insurance companies determining the care we need. I have a few of those stories but none of my angst was created by the insurance companies. My first insurance company (you can call it insurance company "A" since you like the alphabet game ) even assigned a patient advocate to me to ask any questions about treatment, cancer, issues in the family, etc. since I was dealing with cancer. She didn't answer questions very fast and I am not sure how thorough her research abilities were but I still thought it was a great concept.

I hope you are well on your way to recovering from the treatment and surgeries. I pray for His grace, peace and continued healing for you. May your blessings be many!

My brother's birthday is May 5 and at 51 I asked him if he knew what Cinco de Mayo was and he didn't. I just assumed everybody did.

Great to have you here.

Ed

Dear Kim,

I'm so sorry to hear what you've had to go through, especially at 23 years of age. Welcome to this site -- as you've already discovered, there are tremendous resources here, and lots of people who can relate to at least some of the aspects of your experience.

I hope your course of treatment will knock out the cancer for good. Please stay in touch and let us know how you're progressing.

Cathy

Dear Kim..with your personality and determination
you are going to give this disease a good old fashioned ....ass whoopin'.... Rugby no less ! ...bless you..
Marica

Kim,

Wow! You, like all of us, are an amazing person. I've decided that this club of ours simply requires an extremely nasty initiation.

The rest of our members are a very caring and wonderful bunch. To the extent you need to utilize us for knowledge or support, we will be there for you.

Sabrina

Hey RugbyKim:
You are right between my boys in age. It has been a very hard road with my husband having tongue cancer and neck tumor. I cannot imagine my boys getting it as young as you are. I am amazed at your stamina playing rugby in the middle of all of this. I will be praying for you and your family as you recover. My God bless you!
Debbie

Rugby Kim,
Quite an ordeal! I read your story word for word and it was gripping . (I had thought I was young dealing with this stuff having started at age 34.) We have in common the fact that you had just finished school when you were diagnosed. I had also just finished school, started a new job, and bought my first house. I have Laryngeal ca but can still relate to many of the things you have just gone thru. I am 41 now.

You have a beautiful attitude.

It makes me very angry to think of the doctor calling your parents first. That's kind of like getting an additional slap in the face. I mean, I love my parents dearly but I was very happy to exercise my right to understand what it meant for me to have this situation before breaking the news to them . Clearly that was an invasion of your privacy. I only hope that it hasn't caused any animosity between you and your mom since it was the doctor who messed up. It is wonderful that your parents are there to support you. You may find yourself falling into different roles with your family. Even though this is ultimately your own individual experience I hope that you do not find yourself feeling alone. As you are finding out this site here can be a great source of information and moral support. I believe that one of the gifts that this disease has supplied for me (there's a few ) is the opportunity to get very close with my family. You have experienced allot in a short amount of time and the strength that you have gained from this experience will prove to be invaluable to you as you move forward day by day.

I find that my life is sweeter now, even vivified. I also appreciate just about everything most of the time. Yes, ...even the pain I sometimes have because that means I'm still alive. It also means that I can still be here for my 17yr old daughter.

I will be holding you up in prayer daily!
Much Love, Light, Laughter, and Healing,
Candle

Kim,

I forgot to mention that even though your doctor was wrong telling your mother and not you, it is understandable since your mother called the doctor to ask about pain pills. Technically, the doctor broke our new laws (HIPA) by discussing your case with anyone other than who you specifically indicated in writing on the HIPA forms. If you put her on the forms as being okay to discuss your medical information, the doctor only showed poor judgement. Did you mother already know this doctor?

Anyway, I hope your day is all you want it to be!

Ed