#34141 07-02-2005 09:31 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | hi everyone
I've not posted much lately, two reasons. firstly my surgery with the ENT didn't go as expected, They couldn't laser as there was no scar tissue in the trachea, just a narrowing giving me 30% less air than I should have and the only way to fix this is by resection of my trachea, a procedure that sounds pretty major to me.
Secondly my Mum has just been DX with stage 3 inoperable oesophagus cancer, they have put in a stent so she can eat soft food, but it's only 4 months since my Dad died and they had been married almost 60 years and I'm not sure she is ready for a fight with radiotherapy and chemo, I know she is 80 years old but she is bright as a button and supported me all through my ops, looked after me and my blind husband, so she put all of us first and now she is so ill, she has lost at least 44lb and I think only the morphine is keeping her going.
Just needed to vent and explain my limited posts
What a s###ty mess
Sunshine... love and hugs
Helen
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#34142 07-02-2005 09:47 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Life isn't fair Helen. Sorry to hear about your Mom. I don't know if I would go thru surgery, chemo and radiation at 80 years old. It's tough enough at 55.
Hoping all turns out well with you.
Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#34143 07-02-2005 09:57 AM | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 191 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 191 | So sorry to hear of your sad news, Helen. You aren't the only one suffering, as my best friend for the past decade suddenly died this week, at age 40. Like your mother, she was my number one supporter through all of this cancer business and the loss of her has been quite palpable.
Despite my grief, I keep pushing myself to make progress, as I know she wouldn't want me going down the deep hole again. Several months ago she verbally kicked my butt to get out of my "angry place" and find more of my own self again.
All I can say is that 2005 isn't going to be my favorite year on this planet. I'm hoping all the bad stuff is behind me now.
My hand is in yours, and I hope we both have better times ahead of us.
Jen | | |
#34144 07-02-2005 12:22 PM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 497 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: May 2005 Posts: 497 | I will light a candle in prayer for you and your mom as well Helen. Life can be so hard sometimes. One day we will find out why some lives are harder than other ones. I hope you keep coming in here so we can all have hugs. You are loved.
May God be with you,
Barbara~
[i]"The artist, a traveler on this earth, leaves behind imperishable traces of his being." -Fran
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#34145 07-02-2005 02:51 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Helen, You and your Mum will be in my prayers also. Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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#34146 07-02-2005 02:58 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 | Dear Helen,
I'm so sorry to hear about all of the sh*t you've been going through. You've been through so much and I want you to know that you're in my thoughts. I'm sending you a giant hug across the pond.
All my best,
Dave
Mom's caregvr. DDS failed to dx 01/03. Dx Stg IV SCC 05/03. Induct. chemo, IMRT, 5FU, H, Iressa, Neck disect, radiation. Dad's caregvr. Dx 01/04 Ext. Stg SCLC. Mets to liver/bone 08/04. Died 11/12/04. Mom tongue CA dx 06/13, hemiglossectomy (80% removed) 08/13. Clean margins and nodes, but PNI. 6/15/15: Tongue CA at base of remnant tongue. Declined further tx; hospice.
Died 10/13/15. What a long and difficult journey.
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#34147 07-02-2005 05:50 PM | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 20 Member | | Member
Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 20 | Helen, to quote my students, sometimes life "just sucks", but people are here for you. Good wishes coming your way from this side of the globe. | | |
#34148 07-02-2005 07:02 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Hi Helen,
As the other Aussie "oceanangel" qouted, "life sucks" ...very damn true at times.
To quote someone who is so strong: "...Sunshine, love and hugs"... from me also, and if you were here in "Down Under", I'd get you the nicest red available.
Tizz
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
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#34149 07-03-2005 03:21 AM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 68 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 68 | I keep asking myself what I did to deserve all of this. There is no answer. Try to stay positive. (easier said than done)
You and your mother will be in my prayers.
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma-intermediate grade. Removed 3/05. Additional surgery to get clean margins and selective neck dissection 4/05. 30 lymph nodes removed. All clear!!
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#34150 07-03-2005 05:05 AM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | Helen, I'm so sorry about how things are going. Your mom sounds like such a fighter going through surgery chemo and rad at age 80. Life really does just suck at times and there is very little else to say except you are in my best and warmest thoughts, hoping you can find the light where it still shines.
nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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