New to CSN - long term surivivor

RJC-still-vertical
RJC-still-vertical Member Posts: 14
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I'm new to CSN, but am an old acquaintance of squamous cell of the head and neck, mine was actually found at the base of the tongue over twenty years ago (June 1991). I've lived longer than was expected from my treatments at the time and have found that the complications from my chemotherapy and radiation treatments have impacted me more than the initial bout of cancer did back in the early 90's. Through the years I've adjusted and learned how to manage the different limitations from those complications and found that the limitation from the complications are as tasking at times as the initial treatments ever were, but that being positive and looking for alternatives, not dwelling on circumstances, and through acceptance of those things I can not control even these new issues are manageable. Life goes on, I'm still in it and will continue to maintain my optimism and adjust so that I continue to stay grass side up.

In that aspect I'm hoping to help others as they progress from treatment to survivor for the long term.

Ron

Comments

  • braziliangirl82
    braziliangirl82 Member Posts: 42
    #2
    Amazing
    Great to see a long term survivor sending us this great message. Thanks a lot for this time. Can i ask which stage were you? Thanks again :)
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #3
    1991
    Still vertical, is always good! I hope I am around for 20 years. Yes, the side effects, they suck. I never anticipated on dealing with all this stuff. I just had no idea. I thought I'd be the same. Notsomuch. :)

    Welcome, Ron.
  • robinleigh
    robinleigh Member Posts: 297
    #4
    sweetblood22 said:

    1991
    Still vertical, is always good! I hope I am around for 20 years. Yes, the side effects, they suck. I never anticipated on dealing with all this stuff. I just had no idea. I thought I'd be the same. Notsomuch. :)

    Welcome, Ron.

    You guys have a new normal
    And we caregivers have a new normal with you. It is so supportivevto know that you are not alone and that everyone here goes through various changes and adjustments and we can empathize with each other. The side effects are no fun, but to still be here is well worth it. Not ready to lose any of you!
    Hoping that 2012 is a great year of recover all!
  • sumarah8
    sumarah8 Member Posts: 32
    #5
    Welcome to the board, you
    Welcome to the board, you are an inspiration to us, that there is still a life after cancer, sometimes I feel so hopeless but because there are a lot of survivors here, then I know I can defeat this big "c".
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #6
    twenty plus
    congrats on being 20 plus years a survivor and welcome. love your attitude and look forward to many of your posts with information and support for another 20 plus

    john
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #7
    Welcome, Ron!
    How wonderful to hear from a long-term survivor! I'm only 20 months out from stage-4 base of tongue SCC, and I fully intend to become a 20+ year survivor myself. I look forward to learning more about your challenges and accomplishments. Do tell.

    Deb
  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #8
    WOW!
    Thank you for posting and welcome. I appreciate your being willing to share, sometimes get strange looks when something comes up, hard to explain some of the things that I am going through, just glad to be here and going through them.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #9
    Welcome
    Glad to see another old timer here...there seem to be more and more..Long Term Survivors....

    STGIII SCC Tonsils and a lymphnode..HPV+ Jan2009.

    Not a survivor as long as you, but working on it....

    Best,
    John
  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    #10
    long term survival
    Thanks for posting. Those of us who are new appreciate it. I hope I am around in 20 years. I feel that I have a more realistic view of what is to come after the radiation and have tried to prepare myself and family because of the posts of long term survivors. The Chemo has been easy. I have two more weeks then radiation. It sounds like life will never be the same after radiation, but it is better than the alternative. Thank you for you positive attitude.

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