New Cancer patient
have an enlarged lymph node. I have Squamous Cell Carcinoma. They do not know where the primary tumor is.
I have two children, full time job and am a bit afraid of the changes headed my way. I have to survive. I cannot leave my children and husband. I am determined to survive this to the best of my ability.
It sounds like the next six months are going to be tough.
I have enjoyed reading all the posts and will let you know how things go once it starts.
Crazy Mom
Comments
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Welcome to the site
Mom, Crazy--we get that way from our children! Sorry to be meeting you here but this site is great for support and information. You are right, it will not be fun for the next few months but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Try to enjoy your family during the holidays. Call in the troops. Your husband will be busy being a caregiver and a mom! He will do fine. I know kids at that age are busy, find other parents that can help with rides to activities or maybe just schedule playdates during the long cold winter days. Be honest with your kids, not easy, but they need to know. Do you have grandparents that might be able to help? Sweet has a superthread that pops up weekly, do not post on that site. The information will help you be prepared. I did not find this site until after my first treatment, wish I knew about it sooner.0 -
Hi Mom
I too go to MD Anderson and will tell you, you are in good hands there. Yes it is going to get a little tough but you like many will be a survivor. I had NPC Cancer three times and I am still alive to tell other there is Hope. Try to stay calm and listen to what your doctors have to tell you, ask as many questions as you need they are there to help you and they know what you are going through.
I am glad that you found CSN and I welcome you to our family.
Hondo0 -
One the best things
Hi there,
This site has been a great sounding board as well as a great source of info. My hubby is 9 weeks out of treatment for neck cancer with occult primary. One of the best things we did was get an extra 15 lbs on him to start with. SO, eat, eat eat. Enjoy the most fattening, delightful foods you can get your hands on.
He also did not have a feeding tube (aka peg), which forced him to eat, therefore, he now has no issues with swallowing. He survived on high calorie, high protein vanilla shakes.
Stay in touch here, there is a lot of support and when something comes up that your doctor has never heard of, you can probably find someone here that has experienced it.
Talk with you again soon,
Tammy0 -
Welcome
We all share in this with you. One thing is for certain, you have to get through all this one step at a time. All of you will have your plates pretty full for awhile, but the process is survivable. You will find lots of helpful suggestions from the people here. Keep coming back!
Best wishes to you and your family.
Pat0 -
Welcome
Hi CM,
Welcome to the group, you will find folks in all stages of their journey. I found out in late June I had rt tonsil cancer, prinary site. Had tonsil removed, started chemo on 8-8-2011, and now in radation..easy not always, doable yes. Keep a positive attitude, even on the feeling down days.
Blessings & Light
Linda0 -
Wecome and tomorrowosmotar said:Welcome
Hi CM,
Welcome to the group, you will find folks in all stages of their journey. I found out in late June I had rt tonsil cancer, prinary site. Had tonsil removed, started chemo on 8-8-2011, and now in radation..easy not always, doable yes. Keep a positive attitude, even on the feeling down days.
Blessings & Light
Linda
Hi and welcome. These are earth shattering times for you. Think out past a year from today. Get up right now and go make a mark on your calendar. 12 months from now you will be going down the hill and each step will be getting a little easier. Right foot in front of left. You're one step closer and you will come out the other end.0 -
Crazy mom
Hi there. Sorry you have need of our little group, but you will find a lot of great support and tons of info. Here is a link to the superthread if you'd like to book mark this copy. It's also always on the first page of the board.
HNC SUPERTHREAD0 -
Welcome --- I guess
Hate you had to find us but glad you did. You are in for a fight but one you can win. Hang in there with us and never be afraid to ask questions or just to vent when the frustrations set in. I'm a long term survivor and treatments have gotten better over the years but your cancer is curable. You are in good (actually great) hands at MD Anderson.
Take care,
Denny0 -
Welcome Aboard
Hi Crazy Mom:
Welcome to this wonderful site and good luck with tests and treatment. You will find the people here absolutely beyond words to describe! I am so thankful I stumbled upon this site 2+ years ago. Everybody here is so great and comforting and you will soon find it's like you've known them for years. Will be praying for you and your family and keep that great attitude up! God Bless!
Jan (Basketcase)0 -
So sorry you are going
So sorry you are going through this at such a young age. You have found the right place. My best recommendtion is to be sure someone goes to your doctors appointments with you to take notes and ask questions. My husbands standard line became, "I don't know, ask my wife." You will be focusing on fighting the battle, let someone else deal with insurance, housework, meals, etc. Your husband might want to get his own sign on here. I am my husbands caretaker and this board has helped me more than I can list here.
One thing we learned too late that will be important to you, since you have children, is to be careful a week or more fter chemo because it stays in your systom nd can be absorbed by others. Think urine, kissing, etc. I designated a bathroom for my husband only and the grand children hugged only, no kisses
He was on the PEG so utensels and dishes were not a problem and water was bottled. I think it was Hondo who said he had his wife sleep in another room for a week following each chemo.
Prayiing for mild to no side effects for you and strength for your caretakers.
Debbie0 -
CraZy
You'll do fine, you're tough...you have to be tough raising your kids...(and hubby).
I was STGIII Tonsil Cancer plus a lymphnode...2 1/2 years ago, sixteen weeks of chemo, and 35 rads sessions, clean and clear.
It's tough, but doable, you can make it, many have, many will, you're one.
Read up on Dawn's SuperThread, a lot of very good information, posts and links on there.
SuperThread
Thoughts & Prayers,
John0 -
Crazy momSkiffin16 said:CraZy
You'll do fine, you're tough...you have to be tough raising your kids...(and hubby).
I was STGIII Tonsil Cancer plus a lymphnode...2 1/2 years ago, sixteen weeks of chemo, and 35 rads sessions, clean and clear.
It's tough, but doable, you can make it, many have, many will, you're one.
Read up on Dawn's SuperThread, a lot of very good information, posts and links on there.
SuperThread
Thoughts & Prayers,
John
I agree with John, you'll do fine. We all thought the same thing as you, "what will happen and can I handle it" Well we all did and you will too!!!!
You'll need a good care giver, husband or other family to help with the kids I think. You'll be very run down and hard to give to kids when you feel so tired. So ask for help, it will help you and you can give back after this is all a memory...Let others help, it makes them feel good too!!
Just come back here for advice and good thoughts when you need them....you can beat this, remember that and always stay positive. It's hard but find something positive every day to make you feel good...sunshine, laughing at kids, etc. you'll do fine, just remember it is a marathon, not a sprint. It will take time to get this cured and get back to your good life, but the treatment works and all of us here are proof of that.
I know some have setbacks, but all are fighters and will find a way to the cure. Like you we just know we have too......
all the best,
Steve0 -
Just Remember .... It's a Marathon, Not a Racehawk711 said:Crazy mom
I agree with John, you'll do fine. We all thought the same thing as you, "what will happen and can I handle it" Well we all did and you will too!!!!
You'll need a good care giver, husband or other family to help with the kids I think. You'll be very run down and hard to give to kids when you feel so tired. So ask for help, it will help you and you can give back after this is all a memory...Let others help, it makes them feel good too!!
Just come back here for advice and good thoughts when you need them....you can beat this, remember that and always stay positive. It's hard but find something positive every day to make you feel good...sunshine, laughing at kids, etc. you'll do fine, just remember it is a marathon, not a sprint. It will take time to get this cured and get back to your good life, but the treatment works and all of us here are proof of that.
I know some have setbacks, but all are fighters and will find a way to the cure. Like you we just know we have too......
all the best,
Steve
Excellent advice.......0 -
ThanksgivingSkiffin16 said:Just Remember .... It's a Marathon, Not a Race
Excellent advice.......
Thanks everyone for all the advice. My family are all going to help and have said and wrote the sweetest things. We are going to Galveston for Thanksgiving...beach house on the beach, as Christmas may be difficult. Just reading all of your notes has made me feel better. I will write when it all starts.0 -
SheltiesJan Trinks said:Welcome Aboard
Hi Crazy Mom:
Welcome to this wonderful site and good luck with tests and treatment. You will find the people here absolutely beyond words to describe! I am so thankful I stumbled upon this site 2+ years ago. Everybody here is so great and comforting and you will soon find it's like you've known them for years. Will be praying for you and your family and keep that great attitude up! God Bless!
Jan (Basketcase)
We have a sheltie too! Thanks and I will write again when it starts in a couple of weeks.0 -
You have the
I can certainly read in your post you have the fight needed to kick backside of cancer. I see also the best is having a positive mental attitude. Sounds like you have a wonder family of caregivers to help you along the way. Please do not be afraid to accept any and all help.
Welcome to a wonderful site with amazingly crazy informative, caring and supportive survivors, you will fit right in
john0 -
Same thingfisrpotpe said:You have the
I can certainly read in your post you have the fight needed to kick backside of cancer. I see also the best is having a positive mental attitude. Sounds like you have a wonder family of caregivers to help you along the way. Please do not be afraid to accept any and all help.
Welcome to a wonderful site with amazingly crazy informative, caring and supportive survivors, you will fit right in
john
I was diagnosed with he same thing as you. SCC with unknown primary 2 years ago. I had 2 lymph nodes affected. I had the surgery and underwent 5 weeks of radation. They told me I didn't need chemo. I did do 2 rounds of erbutux as recommended by my oncolgist, i guess that is considered chemo. I am doing well today. It is a rough road but you will see the other side of it. Hang tough.0
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