Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to stop by and say hello to my family here at CSN. I haven't been posting much lately, I know. I could say that I've been busy and I have... but I think losing my mom to lung cancer in August hit me a bit harder than I'd anticipated. I've still been visiting every couple days, happy to see the old-timers doing well and some new folks getting great advice (as always).

I'm spending Thanksgiving this year in Iowa with my boyfriend and his mom, who lost both her husband and mother in 2013. It's been a rough year all around, but I'm genuinely thankful to be here and healthy. I had a hot spot in the nasopharynx on my last PET scan earlier this year, but based on the position, size and symmetry, my ENT was pretty sure it wasn't cancer. I was scoped again a couple weeks ago and he said there's still swelling there, but he's still pretty certain that it's nothing. Everything else looked good. I'll probably have a follow-up PET in a couple months, but it was great to hear that there's no visible sign of disease.

For the new folks, just know that life does get better and even back to something pretty close to normal. I'm about a year and a half out from the end of treatments. I have about 75% of my taste back, and a decent amount of saliva. I still need water with almost every bite of food, but that's a small price to pay for more time. It may seem endless when you're in the middle of it, but you'll finish treatments soon enough and start healing (emotionally and physically).

So happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope it finds everyone warm and cozy with family and friends.

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    Happy Thanksgiving

    Laralyn,

    Nice to hear from you.  You  did have a stressful year, I hope the coming year is peaceful for you.

    I share the same discomforts as you do, but I am happy to have more time.  Dinner today was a 3 glasses of water event, even though I can get down multiple bites with each sip (it used to be one-to-one).

    Keep getting better,

    Matt

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Hi Laralyn

     

    This year has been hard for a lot of us, gust glad we are still here and thankful for all that God has done.  

     

    God Bless

    Tim Hondo

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    Good to hear from you. It's

    Good to hear from you. It's been a rough year I agree, but I am thankful Jimis still here and many of our CSN friends. Jim is unable to eat anything but he enjoyed being with family for the day. You are in my prayers for comfort missing your mother and for continued good health.

    Blessings,

    Debbie

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    laralyn, i'm so sorry to hear

    laralyn, i'm so sorry to hear that ur mom passed.  i hupe u find comfort n the fond memories you have of her.  i pray u continue to do well.  thanks for cking in.

    God bless you.

    dj

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    Hi sweetie!!!

    I'm so glad you gave us an update....my bus mates are always close to the top of my mind, and I think of you often. 

    Glad to hear things are still going good for you, in the HNC department and your hotspot has been downgraded to "swelling"....you always handle things so much better than I ever did.....I go from 0 to 60 in a flash, and stay there till I get the all clear.....that was a long wait for your downgrade!!!

    This next year will be the hardest after losing your mom....every holiday, every anniversary brings pain....it never goes away, but it does get better.

    HUGS!!!

    p

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Many More...

    Thoughts and Prayers for many more ThanksGivings in your..., I mean all of our futures...

    John