#5163 03-17-2005 01:53 PM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 663 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | OP  "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 663 | You know how sometimes our days are so up and down. This new "C" life that I am trying to come to grips with leads me to discover things I might never have before.
I met a survivor today and her story amazed me. I have actually known her for 7 weeks now. She works at the hospital in the radiation oncology dept.
She had tonsil cancer when she was 19. She had neck dissections on both sides and radiation treatments. She even showed me her scars.
She is now 62 years old and she looks great. I don't know why we even got into the conversation today or how it came up, but it was one of those moments when you realize that there is always a chance and you get that reminder when you need it the most.
Cindy
Caregiver to ex-husband Harry. Dx 12/10/04 SCC stg 3, BOT with 2 nodes left side. No surg/chemo x4 /rad.x37(rad comp. 03/29/05)Cisplatin/5FU(comp. 05/07/05)-T1N2M0-(cancer free 06/14/05)-(12/10/06) 2 yr. Survivor!!!
| | |
#5164 03-17-2005 03:25 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 | WOW Cindy,
What a great post!
My husband had almost the same dignoses as yours, and the thought of anything happening to him scares the stuff out of me.
This is JUST what I needed to hear today.
I hope things are going better for you and Harry, maybe this will help take away some of the fears you have been having.
Personally, this makes ME feel better about giving Pete Hell when I think he needs it ...lol.
Take Care
Marica
Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
| | |
#5165 03-17-2005 04:56 PM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Hi Cindy,
I'm glad you shared this with us and it's WONDERFUL to hear you so positive and upbeat. Keep up the good work.
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.
| | |
#5166 03-18-2005 02:06 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 156 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 156 | Cindy,
That's a great post - how wonderful that you met this woman and shared it with us.
Sabrina | | |
#5167 03-18-2005 02:30 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Cindy, thanks so very much for sharing that post with us. Always good to hear about a long time survivor. Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
| | |
#5168 03-18-2005 04:24 AM | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 218 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: May 2004 Posts: 218 | Cindy,
That is an uplifting post.
I am struggling with trying to purchase a boat. I really want to as I grew up on lake Michigan but I dont want to saddle my wife with trying to sell a boat if my cancer comes back. It really has me torn. After reading your post I feel somewhat at ease. But 19yo wow. I'll bet she wasnt a life long smoker like me though.
Great story though. Take it easy.
Robert
SCC 1.6cm Right Tonsil 10/3/03, 1 Node 3cm, T1N2AM0, Tonsil Removed, Selective Neck Disection, 4 Wks Induction Chemo (Taxol,Cisplatin), 8 Weeks Chemo/Radiation (5FU,Hydroxyurea,Iressa), IMRT x 40, Treatment Complete 2/13/04.
41 Years Old At Diagnosis
| | |
#5169 03-18-2005 05:05 AM | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 155 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 155 | Cindy
Thanks for this story. There is nothing more uplifting than hearing about long term survivors. I am also happy you sound better. I noted you participating in a little humor on another post and now sharing this experience.
You rock!
Denise
Caregiver Husband Bob SCC tongue t2nomo Partial Glosectomy/neck disection 6/04 rad ending 9/23/04
Osteoradio-necrosis of the Mandible (ONJ) DX 6/09 Surgery 7/2/09 mandible resection/ several teeth extracted/ neck dissection NO FLAP and aggressive antibiotic therapy.
| | |
#5170 03-18-2005 06:47 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Cindy-
Thanks for sharing the survivor story. I too struggle with future purchases. My husband is looking forward to retirement in 8 years, moving to a warmer climate, looking for property. It is easy to get depressed and hard to build up hope for the long term. That kind of story give us all a kick in the butt!! I shall live to cry at my grandchildren's weddings!! - 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 :-)
| | |
#5171 03-18-2005 10:14 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | I remember thinking long and hard about purchases after my treatment ended. For awhile, I even hesitated to buy any new clothes :rolleyes: because I thought they would probably outlast me! Also, my car lease was up right around the time of my surgery, and I was entering into a new one wondering how much use I would get from that car.
As time passed, though, I realized it was time to move on and try to live a normal life -- after all, none of us knows whether we have one more day or 50 more years here. My husband and I are now in the midst of our second major home improvement project since cancer (which we started planning for over a year ago -- it will take several more months to be finished). I guess it goes without saying that I got over the thing about not buying new clothes -- and I've had 5 cars after that one I was so concerned about leasing!
I guess the point is, we do need to make reasonable plans for the long-term, recognizing that we may or may not be around to see them all the way through. That should hold true for anyone, but I think cancer survivors may just be more acutely aware of the downside than many other people.
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
| | |
#5172 03-20-2005 02:09 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 | Gee, I remember refinancing the house and buying a good car for Susan and now I am still wondering how to pay for it all  ! I believe signing up for 8 months of classes was my realization that time was now an event that faced forward instead of succumbing to the battle at hand. It was great to see someone that is a 43 year survivor (or hear about it). I hope you encouraged her to come join the neighborhood so we can marvel and hopefully learn some details of her incredible journey. Now, I sure hate to bring up the whole spiritual realm of life but I can't help it. It is no secret that I am a devout Christian. I won't try to lean anyone in any particular direction but if this offends anyone, I apologize in advance. Studies have shown that when someone faces adversity beit recovery from addiction or being someone or with someone facing this horrible disease, having a spiritual foundation will always improve your attitude and resolve to battole. Cindy, if you look at the events that have happened in your life with this stranger being placed in your life at exactly the time you needed it, your spiritual beliefs whether they be any known religions or even a metaphysical spirituality, take this example and let it be a very clear message from your God, your universe or whatever you believe that this message of hope and tomorrow is directed to you. I read your other post that puzzled me from a perspective of who would have dropped this confusion into your life that already has a big question mark? Relieve this experience with the longest know survivor and let these thoughts permeate your soul. The battle will soon become a process of survival and the turmoil will lessen. Thank your for the very wonderful and uplifting post!! It was exactly what I needed when I read it today. 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
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,265 Posts197,179 Members13,363 | | Most Online1,788
Jan 23rd, 2025 | | |
|
