Today is Mark's Birthday!!!

I came on the boards today after the longest break I have ever taken. Today is Mark's birthday, and neither of us could remember what we were doing on August 3rd 2010 because Mark was in the initial weeks following treatment. I thought some old posts would refresh my memory of what was happening at this time last year...they did..."post treatment funk" was the state we were in. Glad we cannot not remember it.
For those of you who do not know us, Mark was diagnosed SCC Stage IV of the left tonsil, HPV+. He had tonsil and surrounding area removed followed by radical neck disection, rads and chemo. He went through the process in a pretty straight forward manner and here we are a year later.
We celebrate life every day... the backhanded gift cancer gives.
My best to everyone here!!!!
Love Love Love,
Kim
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Comments

  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    Happy Birthday
    Mark...and best wishes to both of you as you continue celebrating life!
  • RayTodd
    RayTodd Member Posts: 187
    happy birthday
    From someone just starting on the climb all the way from Australia
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    RayTodd said:

    happy birthday
    From someone just starting on the climb all the way from Australia

    Happy Birthday!
    Best wishes to Mark & you also Kimba!I am happy to hear you are both doing so well.
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    RayTodd said:

    happy birthday
    From someone just starting on the climb all the way from Australia

    Happy Birthday!
    Best wishes to Mark & you also Kimba!I am happy to hear you are both doing so well.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Post Treatment Funk
    Happy Birthday......

    You guys have went from "Post Treatment Funk", to "Post Treatment FUN"....

    Best,
    John
  • CLRRN
    CLRRN Member Posts: 127
    HBD
    Hi Kim!!!!

    Nice to hear all is well and a big Happy Birthday goes out to Mark. Mike celebrated his BD on 25Jun. We were just 8 days out of treatment last year this time and vaguely recall the celebration (or lack of cake!!).

    I'm sure you will catch up on here but I'll update you...Mike had his 3rd clean PET on 14Jul (13mo post treatment). All is good on our end. Jessica is back to school in a few weeks for her junior year in college and happy to report that she has changed her major 6 times!!! But after attending Survivors Day at the hospital, she officially decided nursing was the path for her!!! Nothing like making a mom proud by following in my footsteps!!

    Miss ya but glad all is well!!!

    Chris/Mike
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    Happy Birthday
    It was right around now last year that we found out that Doug had cancer (same as Mark, but right tonsil and the neck dissection came after rads and chemo).

    I hope that birthday cake tastes sweet - Doug's last birthday (early November) arrived a few days after his second chemo and was the beginning of the month-without-eating (a time I'd like to forget). I think this one coming up should be better.

    My birthdays were better timed (late September) - last year, he put off beginning treatment a week so we could go to Rochester and I could watch him win the Hockey Senior Olympics for my birthday. We'll be back up there at the same time this year - I do hope he'll win again, but am happy just to be able to see him play.

    Glad to see you post again - you were one of many inspirations to us in the dark times; again, Happy Birthday Mark!
  • hawk711
    hawk711 Member Posts: 566
    DrMary said:

    Happy Birthday
    It was right around now last year that we found out that Doug had cancer (same as Mark, but right tonsil and the neck dissection came after rads and chemo).

    I hope that birthday cake tastes sweet - Doug's last birthday (early November) arrived a few days after his second chemo and was the beginning of the month-without-eating (a time I'd like to forget). I think this one coming up should be better.

    My birthdays were better timed (late September) - last year, he put off beginning treatment a week so we could go to Rochester and I could watch him win the Hockey Senior Olympics for my birthday. We'll be back up there at the same time this year - I do hope he'll win again, but am happy just to be able to see him play.

    Glad to see you post again - you were one of many inspirations to us in the dark times; again, Happy Birthday Mark!

    Happy Birthday Mark
    And many many more to you Bro.....

    Take good care of him Kim.....

    Steve
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    hawk711 said:

    Happy Birthday Mark
    And many many more to you Bro.....

    Take good care of him Kim.....

    Steve

    .

    .
  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    So glad that you posted
    So glad that you posted, I have been wondering how you were both doing. After those pictures at the beach... glad to hear things are going well. Happy Birthday to both of you. Love adding up each new number.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Hi Mark
    I too just want to wish you a very happy B-day

    Hondo
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    Hondo said:

    Hi Mark
    I too just want to wish you a very happy B-day

    Hondo

    Mark
    Great to hear of this, Kim, and hope you and Mark celebrate many more as the awesome team you two are. For all w/C, completing another year of life is bigtime. Celebrate.

    kcass
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    Kent Cass said:

    Mark
    Great to hear of this, Kim, and hope you and Mark celebrate many more as the awesome team you two are. For all w/C, completing another year of life is bigtime. Celebrate.

    kcass

    Thank you all...
    ...for the well wishes. Mark's birthday has definitely taken on a bigger meaning. It is not just the celebration of the day of his birth, more importantly it has become a celebration and recognition of every day of life! Huge!
    Kim
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    A VERY HAPPY BITHDAY INDEED
    Hi Kim, was wondering were you two have been lately. Good to hear Mark is doing well and enjoy the special day.

    Keep us posted on his progress.

    Enjoy your Summer.

    Best!!

    Mike
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    Fun
    it's always fun to make it to the birthday following post treatment recovery. Please pass on Happy Birthday wishes.

    I also believe we survivors have a second and new birthday, that being the day we are told "you have cancer". The day you start your survivorship and new normal.

    Congrats on the wonderful progress to a long long survivorship.

    Take time as the lead caregiver to celebrate carrying mark to this achievement. He could not have done it without you!

    John
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    hawk711 said:

    Happy Birthday Mark
    And many many more to you Bro.....

    Take good care of him Kim.....

    Steve

    Long time no see! :)
    Was thinking about you guys a couple weeks ago.


    ___i i i i i i ____
    + * + * + * + * + * +
    } happy birthday! {
    }____MARK ____ {
    + * + * + * + * + * +

    Happy Birthday Cake! This one is zero calories. :)
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    Happy Birthday Mark!!
    Missed it by a day but love to read of anyone on this board getting a year older. Here's to many more.

    AB
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member

    Happy Birthday Mark!!
    Missed it by a day but love to read of anyone on this board getting a year older. Here's to many more.

    AB

    So sure
    It was a great birthday!
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    KareGiver said:

    So sure
    It was a great birthday!

    Happy B-Day Mark!
    Hey, I think I remember you two! Great to see ya posting Kimba. Send my best to Mark and keep enjoying life (I know I am)!!

    As always, positive thoughts headed your way!!

    Greg
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    Belated Wishes
    Missed it. Hope you two had a great time. And hope you celebrate many many more together.
    Really like your new pic.