Ready for the Fight?
Comments
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YES!
Not a fun fight but good to still be here. I will be celebrating a birthday next week, I have almost 4 year old twin grandsons that I love to be with, I have a new grandbaby on the way (my daughter is pregnant). Don't wish cancer on anyone but not ready to not be here either, too much to live for.0 -
Not fight?
I (and I think everyone else on this site) can understand your worries about what you are likely facing in the future, but to be blunt--a decision not to fight the Beast is a decision to die. In my mind,that's no decision at all. If you don't fight, you'll eventually die from cancer--so the real decision is how are you going to take on this fight?
Is the fight worth it? Of course it is! Even though many of us face a "new normal" in our lives after cancer, we still get to do almost everything we could before, and that is surely "worth it." And let me tell you a secret that all of us know now--taking on the fight and surviving cancer adds something very special to your life and gives you a perspective that can't be found any other way. So, even though it won't be easy, don't run from the fight--embrace it. Get all the support you can from family, friends, and US--and when you've won you'll look back and wonder why you even asked that question.
Mike0 -
gets you either way
I too think not fighting is not the way to go. you get in a situation were you can't turn back easily, if at all. But to be the devils advocate, it will hurt(physically, mentally etc)as much to fight it as it will to let it take it's course. head and neck cancers are very beatable(even curable)but you have to fight to get that outcome. problems associated with treatment are well handled and not as bad as your mind keeps telling you. its time for you to attack and win. zaac230 -
Time to Fight........
I agree / to not fight is to give up/ I do have a great wife and family and know the support is there, I already feel stronger just reading the replies. I know from what I read you may have to do a little dying to LIVE. I guess I will follow as best I can the rule of the "Present" yesterday has gone and tommorrow is not assured enjoy today, and deal with tommorrow when it comes. Thank you for your replies.0 -
Yes..Ready for the Fight!!
You need to have positive thoughts, support from loved ones and many prayers. It is a difficult journey, but you can do it. Never ever give up!! It helped me to talk about it and keep a blog. Receiving the uplifting words from others in their comments really was needed and made such a difference. It will also make you stronger seeking for that support. Many prayers for you that you continue to look for support and never ever give up!
Fran~0 -
Thank you for your prayers,
Thank you for your prayers, I do not know what the future holds, but I get peace from knowing Im not alone, Family, My Faith, and this Forum should help me make this journey, I often thank God for my memory, because I look back at many obsticles in my life that I did not think there was a way thru but yet he got me thru it..... We dont always see him coming but we sure see when he goes by. God is Good.0 -
Yes fight.
Ya, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 base of tongue cancer, with metastises to multiple lymph nodes on both sides of the neck, one of which was larger than 3 cm in size. That's a pretty daunting diagnosis. Eeeek. Yes fight. Yes kick cancer's ****. Even if it's just on principle, without any real hope of survival, fight like hell. But, in this case, and even with my diagnosis, I was told I had a 95% likelihood of CURE. Not just remission, but cure. I'm now almost two years out from end of treatment, and still no signs of disease.
What you have is very survivable. You CAN do this. Treatment sucks. But, dying from head/neck cancer (or any cancer) is a truly horrible way to go, especially when you don't have to. I know. A friend of mine opted not to get treated. Took about three years, but it took her in the end.
For me, it's hard to understand the "not sure" part.
Deb0 -
I'm glad you asked this question.....
I, too...am at the beginning of this ride for life...and you aren't alone in wondering if it's worth it. I have had to remind my (conciously)that my thinking right now is a least a little skewed (if not a LOT skewed). The emotional roller coaster ride before the battle gets started does a number on my head.
If you hadn't asked this question, I would have missed out on all the great reasons to not go "there" in my thinking.
Mike...I LOVE what you said about getting a new perspective after getting thru the battle...seeing the world from a different peephole...those words hit something deep in me...thank you.
p0 -
thank you!ditto1 said:Thank you for your prayers,
Thank you for your prayers, I do not know what the future holds, but I get peace from knowing Im not alone, Family, My Faith, and this Forum should help me make this journey, I often thank God for my memory, because I look back at many obsticles in my life that I did not think there was a way thru but yet he got me thru it..... We dont always see him coming but we sure see when he goes by. God is Good.
Thank you for seeking help at this forum and continue to do that. You sound strong and have good thoughts to help you get through this. Yes, God is good!
Fran~0 -
Good Questionphrannie51 said:I'm glad you asked this question.....
I, too...am at the beginning of this ride for life...and you aren't alone in wondering if it's worth it. I have had to remind my (conciously)that my thinking right now is a least a little skewed (if not a LOT skewed). The emotional roller coaster ride before the battle gets started does a number on my head.
If you hadn't asked this question, I would have missed out on all the great reasons to not go "there" in my thinking.
Mike...I LOVE what you said about getting a new perspective after getting thru the battle...seeing the world from a different peephole...those words hit something deep in me...thank you.
p
I'm sure the thought might have passed my brain but I can't say I remember it. Have you not noticed that the majority of oral cancers are beat? It is a very treatable disease and one you will fight I'm sure.
To not fight, well, you'll end up suffering probably worse pain than if you did. Either way you are in for a bit of uncomfortable living. It can range from six months to a year of treatment, maybe more. In the end it will be gone and you'll be the winner.
As of today I have two radiation zaps left to go. It took six months of my life on hold to get to this point. Stress? Yes. Pain? Yes. Suffering spouse? Yes. Regrets? NO! By this next summer I'll be on the North Fork of the South Platte River in Colorado with my fly rod in hand enjoying the beauty of the Rockies and looking forward to a fresh fish dinner.
Fight, fight, fight.
Tommy0 -
I realize a milliontommyodavey said:Good Question
I'm sure the thought might have passed my brain but I can't say I remember it. Have you not noticed that the majority of oral cancers are beat? It is a very treatable disease and one you will fight I'm sure.
To not fight, well, you'll end up suffering probably worse pain than if you did. Either way you are in for a bit of uncomfortable living. It can range from six months to a year of treatment, maybe more. In the end it will be gone and you'll be the winner.
As of today I have two radiation zaps left to go. It took six months of my life on hold to get to this point. Stress? Yes. Pain? Yes. Suffering spouse? Yes. Regrets? NO! By this next summer I'll be on the North Fork of the South Platte River in Colorado with my fly rod in hand enjoying the beauty of the Rockies and looking forward to a fresh fish dinner.
Fight, fight, fight.
Tommy
I realize a million responses will not change what I must go thru, BUT just the few responses I have had today to my question has given me hope. I cannot thank you all enough for basically telling me its time to "KICK A LITTLE CANCER BUTT". I know it won't be easy but it is what it is. Will likely know in the next week or two what path the Doctors will want me to take. But these forums have given me both a bit of what I can expect and the will to face it. God Bless all of you.0 -
Escape
There will be times when you will want to escape the pain and the discomfort. Hope you will find a way to get relief, even if the relief is temporary. When I was undergoing radiation, I found that it did not hurt if I did not swallow. So I spit my saliva into a tissue. But after a couple of hours of relief, it was time to face the pain and get some nutrition down. I gained 8 pounds during radiation.
The reason to live comes from little things. In Seattle, it's seeing the sun. It's sometimes hard to remember the warmth of the sun, when you are stuck all day in a medical center. But the sun will be there, even in Seattle, when you get a break in the treatments. It will be there when the treatments are over.0 -
TO MY NEW FRIENDSToBeGolden said:Escape
There will be times when you will want to escape the pain and the discomfort. Hope you will find a way to get relief, even if the relief is temporary. When I was undergoing radiation, I found that it did not hurt if I did not swallow. So I spit my saliva into a tissue. But after a couple of hours of relief, it was time to face the pain and get some nutrition down. I gained 8 pounds during radiation.
The reason to live comes from little things. In Seattle, it's seeing the sun. It's sometimes hard to remember the warmth of the sun, when you are stuck all day in a medical center. But the sun will be there, even in Seattle, when you get a break in the treatments. It will be there when the treatments are over.
Good morning to all, I say to my new friends because thats just the way I feel this morning, that I have joined a community where no one was looking to be, but is truely a community that I need at this time in my LIFE. You are right TBG the Sun sure looks good this morning. Hope every one has a good day. Thanks for being there......0 -
I feel the same way , Ditto...ditto1 said:TO MY NEW FRIENDS
Good morning to all, I say to my new friends because thats just the way I feel this morning, that I have joined a community where no one was looking to be, but is truely a community that I need at this time in my LIFE. You are right TBG the Sun sure looks good this morning. Hope every one has a good day. Thanks for being there......
I open this forum first thing every morning when I get up to get a "power dose" of inspiration...even if nobody has posted yet, I reread the posts that are here, and get re-energized. I'm so grateful I found this board the day they told me I had cancer...and I'm glad you did too.
p
The sun is shining here, too!!
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Secret #2phrannie51 said:I'm glad you asked this question.....
I, too...am at the beginning of this ride for life...and you aren't alone in wondering if it's worth it. I have had to remind my (conciously)that my thinking right now is a least a little skewed (if not a LOT skewed). The emotional roller coaster ride before the battle gets started does a number on my head.
If you hadn't asked this question, I would have missed out on all the great reasons to not go "there" in my thinking.
Mike...I LOVE what you said about getting a new perspective after getting thru the battle...seeing the world from a different peephole...those words hit something deep in me...thank you.
p
Head and neck cancer is VERY survivable. 5-year survival rates are now around 80%. The secret is that your real battle in the immediate future is with the effects of radiation and/or chemo, not your cancer. So, I would advise you to find out everything you can about your upcoming treatments and get your support in place for your course of treatment.
Mike0 -
Some people have had a more
Some people have had a more difficult time than others but it is not that bad in all cases. I honestly only had a few weeks where my throat was sore and it was hard to eat solid food, especially spicy food for me this was late in the rt and a couple of weeks post rads. Bland soups (homemade without sodium and other spices), creamy ones were very good and for a couple of weeks I took a pain killer in the evening. Even if you are one of the people who take it harder there are drugs to get you through and a PEG if you cannot eat. My energy level was less but not a lot less but I did take a nap on the days I had chemo and rt. Now it is just a matter of getting used to a subdued taste of food, still good just not as good as before but this too will improve over time. It is so much better if you maintain a positive attitude. Hang in there.
John0 -
Hell Yes
when i was told 16 plus years ago I had a 16 year old and 14 year old. All i wanted to do was see them thru high school. now both have 6 year degree's from college, both married, both have children, I am a grandpa three times.
Hell yes it is worth it. When you give up is when cancer takes you down. Don't ever, ever, ever give up.
Welcome to your family of friends and supporters.
Fight the Fight! God is great!
john0 -
Welcome Ditto...
For me, not fighting was never considered..., I'm going out kicking and screaming.
We are all different and have different levels of pain, endurance and recovery. Some say that they could never get through certain aspects of treatment without this that or other..that certain things saved their life.
To me whether some people realize it or not, you have a powerful will to live and survive. You'll do whatever it takes, though some of that might even be subconsciously.
For me, I had very little pain considering at the time, and actually most of the time now, it's just as before cancer for the most part. Sure, I have a few battle scars, part of aging. I just look at them as what defines me, it's who I am.
Some have had it worse than I, at my worst, I had 6 - 7 weeks of a very raw throat. Nothing that a little pain meds and liquid nutrition didn't handle.
I was STGIII SCC Tonsils and a lymphnode, HPV+. That was over three years ago as for x and nearly three for Tx ending.
I have regained all taste, most saliva, not on any meds other than for acid reflux occasionally and all blood work is within normal ranges.
So not to fight....I would never consider not fighting...
Thoughts and Prayers,
John0 -
DittoSkiffin16 said:Welcome Ditto...
For me, not fighting was never considered..., I'm going out kicking and screaming.
We are all different and have different levels of pain, endurance and recovery. Some say that they could never get through certain aspects of treatment without this that or other..that certain things saved their life.
To me whether some people realize it or not, you have a powerful will to live and survive. You'll do whatever it takes, though some of that might even be subconsciously.
For me, I had very little pain considering at the time, and actually most of the time now, it's just as before cancer for the most part. Sure, I have a few battle scars, part of aging. I just look at them as what defines me, it's who I am.
Some have had it worse than I, at my worst, I had 6 - 7 weeks of a very raw throat. Nothing that a little pain meds and liquid nutrition didn't handle.
I was STGIII SCC Tonsils and a lymphnode, HPV+. That was over three years ago as for x and nearly three for Tx ending.
I have regained all taste, most saliva, not on any meds other than for acid reflux occasionally and all blood work is within normal ranges.
So not to fight....I would never consider not fighting...
Thoughts and Prayers,
John
What John said.
This is 2012. For me, back in 08-09, my only real concern was about disfiguring surgery, and if that was going to be involved. But that was before I was aware of what year it was, and how far the H&N C field had progressed. And, yes, it was that disfiguring thing (Google) that gave me cause to ask the same question you are. But once my ENT explained things to me- the fight began, and I'm about a week away from my 3-year anniversary for the end of treatment. And, tx to me, now, was just a journey down a bit of rough road, just like what's ahead of you, now, will someday be to you. This is 2012, and we all survive H&N treatment- so get used to it! And,
Believe
kcass0 -
Listen to Kent...Kent Cass said:Ditto
What John said.
This is 2012. For me, back in 08-09, my only real concern was about disfiguring surgery, and if that was going to be involved. But that was before I was aware of what year it was, and how far the H&N C field had progressed. And, yes, it was that disfiguring thing (Google) that gave me cause to ask the same question you are. But once my ENT explained things to me- the fight began, and I'm about a week away from my 3-year anniversary for the end of treatment. And, tx to me, now, was just a journey down a bit of rough road, just like what's ahead of you, now, will someday be to you. This is 2012, and we all survive H&N treatment- so get used to it! And,
Believe
kcass
I reread his posts over and over and over...!!
p0
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