Doesn't seem like much...

wmc
wmc Member Posts: 1,804
edited February 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I know it might seem like much to anyone, but if you're stage 3 emphysema and a neck breather it is.  I blew up a balloon today. Kinda felt like a little kid at Christmas. Thats all just had to share..Laughing

wmc

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    blow one up for me

    wmc,

    It is a “big deal” in H&N circles.

    Like:

    Eating real food, being able to taste again.

    Going somewhere without a water bottle, not having to sip water every 10 minutes/

    Being able to swallow, talk, breathe, cough, sneeze normally.

    Enjoying the new-normal.

    While your situation is different than mine, I now have more compassion and a better understanding on the path(s) we each must follow.

    Matt

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    BIG DEAL!!!!

    I agree with Matt.  It is a big deal to blow up a balloon, or blow out candles or spit!  I can't do any of these things along with whistle.

  • j4mie
    j4mie Member Posts: 218
    I think...

    That's wonderful, and it is a BIG deal! Congrats! Cool

    Jamie

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    wmc, that is GREAT!!  I would

    wmc, that is GREAT!!  I would give anything if I could just blow my nose again.  I can't blow out a candle, whistle, or anything else so I really appreciate all you can do, u r my hero.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • josh r.
    josh r. Member Posts: 264 Member
    Stop the presses!

    Hi wmc,

    As your friends above have stated this IS headline news! We all celebrate with you. Listen to your breathing and heart beat. josh r.

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    Everything is a BIG deal....

    From eating something solid..........................to blowing up balloons!!  YEAH wmc!!!

    p

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    What Size Balloon...

    LOL, just teasing..., that's great...

    Like others, milestones to us are totally different than what "normal" people believe...

    Always Abi-Normal,

    John

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    Big Deal

    WMC, fantastic news!  Next step is blowing up a bunch of balloons for a party to celebrate!   Big step and great news...

     

    Keith

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    CivilMatt said:

    blow one up for me

    wmc,

    It is a “big deal” in H&N circles.

    Like:

    Eating real food, being able to taste again.

    Going somewhere without a water bottle, not having to sip water every 10 minutes/

    Being able to swallow, talk, breathe, cough, sneeze normally.

    Enjoying the new-normal.

    While your situation is different than mine, I now have more compassion and a better understanding on the path(s) we each must follow.

    Matt

    Thank you CivilMatt

    Thank you Matt for all your kind words. Some days I also feel sad as I read how hard it is for everyone to have to go through radiation and chemo and I was lucky and didn't have to. Like you said we all have similar but differant roads to go. I am having some problems when I eat and caugh then gag then loose  all of what I just ate. I just try to dwell on the good days and everyone here has helped in ways they don't even know.

    Thank you all 

    Bill

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804

    wmc, that is GREAT!!  I would

    wmc, that is GREAT!!  I would give anything if I could just blow my nose again.  I can't blow out a candle, whistle, or anything else so I really appreciate all you can do, u r my hero.

    God bless you,

    dj

    DJ

    I'm sorry. With a TEP you can blow your nose. It's not great but it helps when the backpressure shoots food the wrong way and it goes up. Once in awhile I put a tube in my stoma and the other end in my mouth..... and I can breathe through my nose..  It looks nuts and I don't let my family see it, but it lets me remember what it was like. It helps me fight the battle. 

    Thanks for being there.

    Bill

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804

    Everything is a BIG deal....

    From eating something solid..........................to blowing up balloons!!  YEAH wmc!!!

    p

    Thanks Phrannie

    It's funny what I took for granted and "Normal" last year means so much to me now to beable to do. Next week I am going to the beach and see if I can walk on the sand. The ristance of the sand has keeped me from doing it because of my emphysema. Not I think I might be able to because of breathing through my neck I get more air. If I can't it's OK too. I will have to use oxygen to do that then I will. The fight is keeping me going.

    Thank you so much.

    Bill

     

    PS:  Thank you all for your support in my fight as a Cancer suvisior and Laryngectomy.  Your all GREAT

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    Skiffin16 said:

    What Size Balloon...

    LOL, just teasing..., that's great...

    Like others, milestones to us are totally different than what "normal" people believe...

    Always Abi-Normal,

    John

    It was 12" blown to 8"

    It was a 12" blown to 8" and I did it the first time just to see if I could. Then on a video for my Brother, then at work for a coworker for their Birthday. They though it was special as well. It said Happy Birthday.

    I see life differant now but I think better, I enjoy every day more than I did before the cancer. It' just good to be alive and have such great support.

    Thanks

    wmc

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    wmc said:

    It was 12" blown to 8"

    It was a 12" blown to 8" and I did it the first time just to see if I could. Then on a video for my Brother, then at work for a coworker for their Birthday. They though it was special as well. It said Happy Birthday.

    I see life differant now but I think better, I enjoy every day more than I did before the cancer. It' just good to be alive and have such great support.

    Thanks

    wmc

    Yes it is a big deal

    I can finally blow out a candle but don't know if a ballon will ever be a possibility again.