#4493 12-14-2004 07:50 AM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 162 Gold Member (100+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 162 | Hi Guys. Sorry I've been incommunicado for a while. A very big thanks to those who have written to me to check on me. My life is mostly chaos at the moment and my feelings are still percolating, so expressing them is difficult. But let me bring you up to date.
I went in for a pandenoscopy December 1st as a result of the docs and the radiologist spotting an area of suspicion/fullness of approx. 1.2cm near the original tumor site. The procedure was a lot rougher on me this time than it was the first time I went through it. I went back for the biopsy results on December 7th and was handed the only thing I asked for Christmas: a negative result. The doc walked in, shook my hand and said all three samples were negative. YeeHaaa!
In the midst of all this I have become unemployed and have been scambling to try and find a new job -and- get a part time business off the ground in the hopes it may become full time. Add to that the fact that I'm a part time dad and finding a girl friend takes time too and........well, there just never seems to be enough time to get everything done, so my life is a bit of a mess.
It's a mess, but at least I have my life back and even though it's a mess, at this point it couldn't be any other way. Life is good!
Some of you know that for sanity's sake you have to take a break from this board from time to time. That in addition to trying to deal with my own problems in my own way, esspecially with the recurrence scare, I just didn't have the spare capacity. I'm hoping that after I get through the Festivus Season, I'll have more time to spend around here.
Happy Holidays to you all.
Love, Brett
Base of Tongue SCC. Stage IV, T1N2bM0. Diagnosed 25 July 2003.
Treated with 6 weeks induction chemo -- Taxol & Carboplatin once a week followed with 30 fractions IMRT, 10 fields per fraction over 6 more weeks. Recurrence October 2005.
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#4494 12-14-2004 08:04 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Brett-
Welcome back and congratulations on the great news!! Certainly do understand the need to step back and get a grip on the realities of life. Just know that your cyber family cares about our fellow survivor and will put you on my prayer list for that new job! A toast to a better 2005! - Kris
SCC Stage IV left tonsil neck disection 3/02 radiation finished 6/02 chemo finished 9/02
Stage 2A left breast cancer 3/09, chemo and radiation, finished treatment 2/7/10 -Stage 2 right beast cancer 10/14 chemo and radiation
Every day is still a gift :-)
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#4495 12-14-2004 01:49 PM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Hi Brett,
Awesome news, I'm glad Santa gave you what you asked for.
Take care,
Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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#4496 12-14-2004 03:59 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Great news Brett, What a nice xmas present for all of us. Yes I know about trying to stay away from the board for awhile. I find myself alloting time each morning and afternoon to visit this site. Just too much time for me. Time I want to spend helping people to know :WE ARE HERE" early detection is the key to raising the survival rates. Brian is sending out brochures about the foundation with donation envelopes to help OCF. We are just getting started and hope to ease the burden on our leader Brian Please email him and he can send some to you. Every little bit helps. Again Very happy about your news, Love Ya, 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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#4497 12-14-2004 05:35 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Brett,
What great news! Did you by chance see the request for someone to do a news story on a television station in Victoria? You are one of the closest to the area I know. Maybe even get a little extra plug about your business or looking for a job thing.
Have a great and well-deserved Holiday.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#4498 12-14-2004 07:08 PM | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 104 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 104 | Hi Brett,
Congratulations on the wonderful news. I most certainly remember trying to restart all of the areas of my life that had been put into stasis during the big ordeal. I am confident in your abilities to be equal to the task, especially after what you have been through. Have a fantastic Holiday season.
Peace
Jack
..........
Dx 1/15/97 SCC rt. tonsil met to rt lymph node Stg IV,
Srgry 1/23/97 tonsillectomy & mod radical neck dissection,
Radiation 35 trtmnts both sides | | |
#4499 12-15-2004 11:11 AM | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi Brett,
That is great news. Hope you land a new job that you love real soon. Trying to juggle so many pieces of your life all at once and retain your sanity is going to be a real challenge. Don't let it overwhlem you.
Take a deep breath and have a very happy holiday.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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#4500 12-15-2004 12:52 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 | Brett
With a new year coming maybe you will get a new lease on life, we will keep fingers crossed that you stay healthy and meet that special someone too.
Congrats on your great test results.
Love
Marica
Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
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#4501 12-16-2004 04:33 AM | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2 Member | | Member
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2 | Brett---thanks for sharing your great news! I know losing your job is hard, but it's wonderful you're got something in the pipeline with your own business going--not many people can do that. As for your children, they're blessed to have you and hopefully in the midst of all the madness and uncertainties, you'll be able to find that one person who can be your anchor in the sea of emotions that this disease exposes. May 2005 bring you peace of mind, love, luck, laughter, and great health! Love, Rebecca | | |
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