#70431 02-23-2008 10:42 AM | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP  "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 | Hi all you wonderful people!!
I thought I would hopefully inspire a few people who care to read on. As I write this post I have tears in my eyes. Not for me but, for the efforts of all the wonderful people who have and continue to support me. We so often forget about those who have dedicated themselves to helping us, cancer patients/survivors/caregivers. (Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Staff, Family, Friends, Colleagues, Neighbors, and strangers)
I am alive due to the efforts of people like Brian Hill, Petey, Brenda etc., who gave themselves to help others. I know all of these marvelous people will reap the rewards in the here and beyond.
I will be 39 tomorrow. I will celebrate by remembering all the beautiful people who have left this life as a result of cancer. Most memorably and respectfully, my infant bother Matthew, my cousin Mark, my uncle Ted and all those for whom I have mourned over my short life. I will also look into my 11 year old sons eyes and thank God for his blessings. Ten years and a few months ago I held my 1 month old son in my arms as I was taken to the operating room, not sure what the future had in store. Today, I am alive healthy and happy ( the Doctors are happy too, even though my original prognosis was not at all good), tomorrow and everyday I promise to love my son and be thankful for all who have helped me, and I commit to myself to help others on this ardious journey. Keep the faith and stay the course!! I hope to continue to be of service to anyone who will listen.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful community.
Mike
Dentist since 1995, 12 year Cancer Survivor, Father, Husband, Thankful to so many who supported me on my journey so far, and more than happy to comfort a friend.
Live, Laugh, Love & Learn.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | What a wonderful post, Dr. Mike. Congratulations on 10 years!!! What a fantastic blessing . . .
You share a birthday with our son. We will be going down to his university tomorrow to take him and his girlfriend out to lunch for his birthday (and hers, actually, which was 4 days ago). It has been almost a year since my "official" diagnosis, though the process was already underway.
We indeed should be grateful for all of those who contribute here, at our doctors' offices, and throughout the community. I have completed the registration and orientation process to begin volunteering on the Head & Neck Cancer Unit at the CCC here. I will be visiting patients and their families, and my wife will join me soon. Anything I can do to give back for the miracle I have been given so far.
Enjoy your birthday, enjoy your family, and enjoy another day cancer free. COongratulations, Mike!!!
Jeff
SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007
T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa
Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007
39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07
Complete response to treatment so far!!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 | Thank You Jeff!!
Bravo for giving back to those who are wandering into our reality!!
Cheers my friend.
Mike
Dentist since 1995, 12 year Cancer Survivor, Father, Husband, Thankful to so many who supported me on my journey so far, and more than happy to comfort a friend.
Live, Laugh, Love & Learn.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 | Happy birthday Mike,
You are also one of the inspiring givers on this forum. May you enjoy many, many long and fulfilling years in continued good health together with generations of your family.
Malka
SCC stage II Partial mandibulectomy w. neck dissection- July 2005. Renal cancer w. partial nephrectomy-Jan 2004. Breast cancer discovered in routine mammogram. Successful lumpectomy, sentinal nodes clear, RT only-2008 Reconstruction of mandible w fibula free flap-Jan 09. TORS removal of begnin pappiloma from esophagus-2010. Masectomy,rt breast 2013.
Support OCF
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Mike, your post has me with tears in my eyes. You have supported and given me advice as well as many others in the forums. I wish you another 50 yrs of posting and good health. My prayers go with you..
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 | So sweet and so true. Happy Birthday and Happy New Day.
49 years young 9/2007 Squamous Cell Carcinoma 33 rad treatments. One year later, 9/17/2008 50 years old through the Grace of God. last check up all clear. Living life as it comes to me.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Hey Mike,
I'm away from the forum for 2 days and you go and have a birthday behind my back. Real nice.
Well, since I missed it, I hope you had a great day. Actually, I just know that you did.
Happy belated Birthday.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 510 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 510 | A belated, yet sincere, Happy Birthday to you!
Lois & Buzz in NC
CG to 77 y/o hubby;SCC Alveolar Ridge; Wake Forest Baptist Hosp surgery: 07/19/07; bi mod radical resection/jaw replacement;
T2 N2-B M0 Stage IV-A
28 IMRT +
6 Paclitaxel/Carboplatin
Getting stronger every day!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 735 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 735 | Happy Belated Birthday MIKE !! And what a wonderful way to celebrate !
Sharlee
35 year old Female Non smoker, very occasional alcohol ..Scc T1N0M0,partial glossectomy and left neck disection ,2/9/07 No rad deemed ness. 4/16 tonsillectomy ..Trimengenial Neuralga due to surgery
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 26 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 26 | Happy Birthday Mike and congratulations on 10 years!! Having recently jointed 'the club', I look forward to posting my 10 year anniversary when you are posting your 20 year anniversary. Thank you for the hope and inspiration you give to all of us. Congratualtions!
08/24/07 Dx at age 44 never smoker, occasional drink
T1N0M0 G2
09/06/07 partial glossectomy(rt),neck disection (rt) 32 nodes clear
12/05/07 35 RTx w/boost, 63 GY, finished
12/28/09 PET/CT all clear!!
12/19/11 check-up, all clear - 4 years cancer-free now !!
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