#78652 08-13-2008 04:22 PM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 | I have a very close relative who is an oral surgeon (he's the man that gave me back the ability to chew after surgery by performing implant surgery several times)
Not only is he a superb medical practitioner, he is also a selfless human being, having gone once or twice every year for many years to one impoverished nation or another, going out into the bush and small villages and treating people with no access to dental care, all at his own expense.
The trip he plans for spring of 2009 is to Cameroon, West Africa. Two weeks in the villages of NE Cameroon; Desert for the most part, and very poor.
Why am I stoked about this? He's asked me to consider coming along with him to photograph the experience, and since this is also a learning trip (he normally takes along a number of newly minted dentists and hygenists), to also do a couple of talks to varied audiences about oral cancer.
I am enormously excited by this possibility. If everything falls into place, I fully expect this will be truly a life-changing experience for me. In one sense I'm truly afraid of what I'll see...there is also a much bigger part of me that wants to be able to "pay forward" some of the gifts I've been given during my journey with the Beast.
As things progress and develop, I'll keep all of my friends at OCF posted
Wayne
SCC left mandible TIVN0M0 40% of jaw removed, rebuilt using fibula, titanium and tissue from forearm.June 06. 30 IMRT Aug.-Oct. 06
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Wayne,
I am so excited for you. What a great opportunity and he couldn't have picked a better photographer for the job. How many cameras are going to bring?
I bet the villagers will enjoy a ride on your Segway.
Looking forward to hearing all about it and I hope you can share some of the pictures as well as your experiences.
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: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Wayne,
That's great. You get to travel to Africa all expenses paid to talk about OC and I have to drive myself to Moffitt without even a free lunch to be their Guest speaker.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | I am torn between being very excited for you, being somewhat envious, or wondering what website you will post your wonderful pictures to! I can hardly wait for you to go!! You will do wonderfully.
Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 | Thanks everyone! I am really excited by this possibility. Jerry, I plan on taking my S5 Pro and a mess of lenses, my S9000 as a back up and a point and shoot as an "if all else fails" backup.
I'm told the weather in the area we're going to be in is 110 on average, very low humidity, and very dusty....I guess what one would expect for desert. We'll see how the cameras, and the cameraman stand up to it.
Having seen some photos from his past trips, I believe this is going to be one of those profound experiences that will stay with me for the rest of my life. These folks have less than nothing; no electricity, very limited safe water, and literally live in grass huts and forage for food. I'm going to try to come up with a plan to be able to contribute something to the trip that will be meaningful for these people after we leave; solar powered lighting systems, portable water purification systems, etc. Hopefully there is something out there that fits the bill
Wayne
SCC left mandible TIVN0M0 40% of jaw removed, rebuilt using fibula, titanium and tissue from forearm.June 06. 30 IMRT Aug.-Oct. 06
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | Promises to be a fantastic experience!!! Waiting to see the pictures! ;-)
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!!
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