Hi from Chefdaddy

Chefdaddy
Chefdaddy Member Posts: 170
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi guys and gals.

I'm sorry for not posting for such a very long time, like everyone else here, my health has made several changes and reversals but I am now finally stabilizing and doing much better.

My son, daughter, brother and myself were sent to Disneyland by the Make-A-Wish Foundation and we all had a wonderful time. It was there that I was able to finally get the first soft foods down. I have even put back 15 of the 90 pounds I had lost in the hospital.

The Make-A-Wish staff did an outstanding job in providing for us and making everything so very special for my sons adventure. I was extremely weak, but with my brothers help by pushing my sons wheelchair all over Disneyland we all did well.

OH YES, GOOD NEWS!!! My sons doctors recently took him off the liver transplant waiting list, as he has gone from my being told by the doctors that "he has two months to live" to a dramatic turn-around!

Over the last several weeks my good and faithful friend Hondo has checked in on me and in doing so he has relayed to me your ongoing concerns for me and my kids. Thank you ALL!

I tried several times to post something to you but every attempt was stopped by something, most frequently by being too weak. It's amazing to me that in gaining back just 15 pounds has made a dramatic change in my energy level and how I feel. I no longer fall asleep every few minutes.

I will try to reconnect with everyone that helped me through those very very dark times.
Though they (doctors) had me drugged up to the point of being pretty much incoherent most of the time during those months in the hospital, I very much remember receiving phone calls and for the first time hearing the voices of so many of you that had taken time out to call and encourage me. THANK YOU! You have no idea what that did for me.

Thank you my friends
Mike

Comments

  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #2
    wonderful to hear from you
    Mike,
    I'm very glad you're on the mend. Good to hear the Disney trip went so well. Lots of folks were interested in how you're doing, and appreciated Hondo and Sweet's updates - everyone understood that you had a lot going on. Keep doing well.

    Just as the bad luck kept coming in waves during treatment, now it seems the good fortune is coming - very happy for your family to hear that your son's health has turned around. Your family has an awful lot to celebrate now.
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #3
    Welcome back
    It's so nice to finally hear from you again and especially all of the good news. I'm so happy that your family was able to make the trip to Disneyland but much happier to hear that your son has made such a dramatic turn around. Praying that his health continues to improve.

    Hope you continue to have success in gaining weight and having your strength return.

    Stay well,
    Glenna
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    #4
    Glenna M said:

    Welcome back
    It's so nice to finally hear from you again and especially all of the good news. I'm so happy that your family was able to make the trip to Disneyland but much happier to hear that your son has made such a dramatic turn around. Praying that his health continues to improve.

    Hope you continue to have success in gaining weight and having your strength return.

    Stay well,
    Glenna

    So glad to hear from you and
    So glad to hear from you and that things are going well!
    Stacey
  • Fire34
    Fire34 Member Posts: 365
    #5
    staceya said:

    So glad to hear from you and
    So glad to hear from you and that things are going well!
    Stacey

    Glad You are Gettiing Better
    Mike
    Glad you are feeling better and things are working out. Especially the good news your son has heard. Keep up a positive attiude and with our prayers things will ge even better
    Wishes & prayers
    Dave
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #6
    Fire34 said:

    Glad You are Gettiing Better
    Mike
    Glad you are feeling better and things are working out. Especially the good news your son has heard. Keep up a positive attiude and with our prayers things will ge even better
    Wishes & prayers
    Dave

    Let me introduce myself...
    Hi Mike,
    I am Kim, caretaker to Mark (SCC left tonsil HPV+, almost 3 months post treatment). I came on the boards in April 2010, and only knew of you via threads posted by Hondo. I have followed your most recent journey through those postings.
    Welcome back to the boards. Nice to hear from you. Good for all of us to see how things can take that turn for the better.
    My best to you and your family as you journey forward,
    Kim
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #7
    Kimba1505 said:

    Let me introduce myself...
    Hi Mike,
    I am Kim, caretaker to Mark (SCC left tonsil HPV+, almost 3 months post treatment). I came on the boards in April 2010, and only knew of you via threads posted by Hondo. I have followed your most recent journey through those postings.
    Welcome back to the boards. Nice to hear from you. Good for all of us to see how things can take that turn for the better.
    My best to you and your family as you journey forward,
    Kim

    So glad you are feeling
    So glad you are feeling better. Don't be a stranger. :)

    <3
    sweet
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #8
    sweetblood22 said:

    So glad you are feeling
    So glad you are feeling better. Don't be a stranger. :)

    <3
    sweet</p>

    Welcome back
    Gald to see you are doing better. Hang in there.

    Denny
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    Hi brother Mike
    Just glad to see you posting again
  • delnative
    delnative Member Posts: 450 Member
    #10
    Hondo said:

    Hi brother Mike
    Just glad to see you posting again

    Wow!
    What wonderful news, both that you're doing better and that your son has made such a remarkable turnaround.
    You just made my day.

    --Jim in Delaware
  • wifeforlife
    wifeforlife Member Posts: 189
    #11
    delnative said:

    Wow!
    What wonderful news, both that you're doing better and that your son has made such a remarkable turnaround.
    You just made my day.

    --Jim in Delaware

    better
    so glad you and your family are making progress!
  • micktissue
    micktissue Member Posts: 430
    #12
    Hi Mike
    It's good to have you back Mike and to know you are still living an amazing, inspirational life.

    Best,

    Mick
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #13
    Great News
    Great to see you are back....

    Awesome news, both you and the kids. Disney does an excellent job. When I volunteered for a local Arts in Medicine function, they gave eveyone a free Disney Day. It was awesome, special recognition and buttons, goodies....too cool.

    Glad to see you having more energy...

    I'm looking forward to the first annual Tampa Bay CSN Fishing Expo with you, Hondo, myself and whomever else we can round up, LOL....fishing has been great lately.

    Best,
    John
  • Pumakitty
    Pumakitty Member Posts: 652
    #14
    Happy to hear from you
    I am so happy to hear all of your good news. Please keep in touch and enjoy your children.

    Kathy
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #15
    Welcome back Mike
    So ggod to hear from you Mike and that things are imporving all aorund for you and the kids.

    Scam
  • Chefdaddy
    Chefdaddy Member Posts: 170
    #16
    Scambuster said:

    Welcome back Mike
    So ggod to hear from you Mike and that things are imporving all aorund for you and the kids.

    Scam

    Hi everyone
    Hi guys,

    Sorry for being slow to respond AGAIN!
    I apparently picked up a bug while at the dentist/denturist office and I now have a nasty infection in my gums and jaw. I can't close my mouth from the swelling of the gums.

    The dentist wanted to see me to determine if my mouth was in better shape to undergo the surgery
    to have the upper and lower jawbones resurfaced so that I can be re-fitted for another set of dentures. The first set has never worked because of all of the jagged sharp pieces of jawbone sticking out everywhere.
    He's refereed me back to the Oral Surgeons for the surgery and to also see if they will place 8 studs (4 in the upper jaw and 4 in the lower jaw) for "snap in" dentures while they are doing the other procedure.

    I know it won't be a fun for a few weeks during the healing process, but I'm so very tired of just "LOOKING" at food and being so weak. Regaining weight has been very slow. However, so far I've gained back about 16lbs. and my kids have been calling me "fatso" lol

    Thank you all for your never-ending friendship
    Mike
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    #17
    Chefdaddy said:

    Hi everyone
    Hi guys,

    Sorry for being slow to respond AGAIN!
    I apparently picked up a bug while at the dentist/denturist office and I now have a nasty infection in my gums and jaw. I can't close my mouth from the swelling of the gums.

    The dentist wanted to see me to determine if my mouth was in better shape to undergo the surgery
    to have the upper and lower jawbones resurfaced so that I can be re-fitted for another set of dentures. The first set has never worked because of all of the jagged sharp pieces of jawbone sticking out everywhere.
    He's refereed me back to the Oral Surgeons for the surgery and to also see if they will place 8 studs (4 in the upper jaw and 4 in the lower jaw) for "snap in" dentures while they are doing the other procedure.

    I know it won't be a fun for a few weeks during the healing process, but I'm so very tired of just "LOOKING" at food and being so weak. Regaining weight has been very slow. However, so far I've gained back about 16lbs. and my kids have been calling me "fatso" lol

    Thank you all for your never-ending friendship
    Mike

    Glad to hear from you! Good
    Glad to hear from you! Good luck with the procedure.
    You remain in my prayers and I look forward to your continued healing.
    Stacey
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #18
    staceya said:

    Glad to hear from you! Good
    Glad to hear from you! Good luck with the procedure.
    You remain in my prayers and I look forward to your continued healing.
    Stacey

    Hi Mike!
    Thanks for checking in. I'm sorry to hear about your infection. I hope that will be cleared up soon so that you are finally able to get good dentures. Congrats on the 16 lbs! I'm still hovering at 99 lbs. :)

    Hugs,

    Sweets

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