Happy New Year - Just checking in to say hello :)

NJShore
NJShore Member Posts: 429 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hello Dear Old Friends...

(ok, not old, old, - but we've been around over a year now, and yes somedays we do feel old :)

Dan, my husband was diagnosed in Oct 2012, with Stage 4 Tonsil Cancer and it had metatisized to his limp nodes, all on the left side. We really wondered if we would be together this year for the holidays - and thankfully we were. So far all subsequent testing has come out very successful and we are ever so greatful. It was the people here on the board that got me as his caretaker through each and every day - the people I still think about on a daily basis and smile and say prayers for them and the support they continue to keep giving to those who took our seats on the treatment bus. The icing on the cake was my own surgery for my Thyroid was within a week of Dan getting his picc line removed after months of TPN, I had pappilary cancer diagnosis and now am happy friends with levothryroxine, and doing great as well :) 

Our only real complaint now is that Dan has little if any saliva and therefore has trouble sleeping for more than three hours at a time -- if he's lucky. Lets just say some days he not going to win Mr. Congeniality, but fortunately he gets it -- and does his best. I will take that any day as my biggest problem.

What everyone has, is, or is going to go through, it tremendous - it is life altering, oftentimes in good ways too. Never give up hope, try your hardest, it's all you can do. And never forget those who walked down the road with you.. or sat on the bus with you.. and never say never. For when you look up after the long haul, you will still see them there - smiling back :)  Thank you Matt.. and all.. I miss you guys!

 

Hugs Kari

 

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    happy new year

    Kari,

    So nice to hear from you, it is a never ending adventure.

    I have used Xylimelts with good luck for temporary relief from dry mouth.  I pop in 1 or 2 at bedtime and sleep most of the night (drooling on my pillowcase).

    I am glad they are watching your Thyroid, we cannot be too careful.

    Matt

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #3
    Hello Kari !

    Thanks for popping in !  I too think of you and Dan often.  Happy New Year to you both.  Keep on keeping on, and it was wonderful to hear from you !  Hugs sent !  Katie

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
    Old...

    Hmmmph...

    Well I guess Matt does look a little aged, LOL

    Sorry about your own battles, just makes you even more "family" than you had in mind I guess.... Welcome.

    As for your hubs sleep patterns, welcome to the club.. I  think many of us are lucky to get more than a few hours sleep at a time... Unless with the aid of mothers little helper...

    Good to hear from you all..

    John

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #5
    Skiffin16 said:

    Old...

    Hmmmph...

    Well I guess Matt does look a little aged, LOL

    Sorry about your own battles, just makes you even more "family" than you had in mind I guess.... Welcome.

    As for your hubs sleep patterns, welcome to the club.. I  think many of us are lucky to get more than a few hours sleep at a time... Unless with the aid of mothers little helper...

    Good to hear from you all..

    John

    Kari

    Happy New year and more good news to come. I recently found that when my mouth gets extremely dry a teaspoon of Magic Mouthwash helps. Worth a try....

    Candi

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #6
    hey, Kari, so glad you

    hey, Kari, so glad you stopped in.  i hope dan finds relief for the dry mouth.  prayers that you and dan have a happy and healthy new year!

    God bless you,

    dj

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #7
    thanks

    Kari,

    Always nice to hear from past graduates and know they are doing well. We all come away with some dents and scratches so that is par for the course. Glad you are both doing well and enjoying that remodeled abode. I could not belive all the balls you were juggling at the same time, quite a wonder woman!

    Don

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #8
    Thank you for the update, Kari....

    It's so good to hear from everybody who has passed through these doors and back to their regular lives.  I'm delighted to hear that things are returning to normal....or abi-normal, at least.  You guys did good!!! Laughing 

    p

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #9
    Happy New Year to you too.

    Happy New Year to you too. Jim continues to fight the cancer and we too are greatful for being able to spend the holidays together. Thank you for the update. Praying you both have many New Years together.

    Debbie

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