Jeepman's wife

Defintely A Trip -
Or at minimum, a hell of a ride.....

First and foremost, stay positive, surround yourself with positive people (Faith, Family & Friends).

One thing that my wife did was to start an email group list for my status....it was always good to hear from family and friends and to keep them updated on my progress.

It's definitely devasting, and hard to believe something like this can happen,especially when you're not a smoker...been there too.

It's tough, but you can get through it...one thing that I feel, if you have to get cancer, now is the best time ever between technology and doctor education.

One of my favorite phrases during treatment, "Other than having cancer, I'm in perfect health"...

Thoughts and Prayers,
John

Hi there, I am a caregiver
Hi there, I am a caregiver as well. My husband(40) was diagnosed about 8 weeks ago with stage IV SCC, right lymphnode, unknown primary. He is having his second round of chemo on Monday. This board is the best! I have gotten so much support, advice, and information from reading people's stories on here. Just wanted to let you know that there is someone that is very new to this as well and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband.

Goalie said:

Caregivers and Caringbridge
Hi, I just wrote an excruciatingly long piece about my experience as a patient on your husband's post but wanted to add a couple of things here.

First, join and post on Caregivers. It is a great place to really vent, the one place you can just say that you can't take it any more and be understood and forgiven. I have an agreement with my wife, Dr Mary, that that is her space and I don't visit.

Second, start a Caringbridge site and post often. We did this since I have family all over and a lot of teammates spread all over. I play in national tournaments and we have lived overseas as well. We have had over 1500 check-ins on our site which is dougiebaker. We tried in the beginning to keep people up by email but keeping these lists straight is impossible.

Third, take a deep breath because this will be the hardest thing you have ever done. But it is doable. Your husband will make it and your part is absolutely critical.

Doug

Jeepman can do it !!
Hi there and welcome.
I will tell you the role of caregiver is to take notes, be positive, and be a 2nd set of ears at all dr's appointments. Of course love is a given too.
Jeepman will do well through this, but he'll have side effects which will need your help. Read my post on your husbands site for more information.
Hike up your pants and get mad at cancer. Your here to fight with Jeepman to beat this terrible desease. He will beat it, trust me on this. That should be your first thought as you start, that this is beatable. We've got folks here from one month post treatment to 15+ years that you may hear from. Just be the best help you can be and come here for support when needed. We're here to help you through this.....
all the best, Steve

warriorspirit said:

email group
thanks....did not even think about the e-mail group...that is an awesome idea. Michael and I have found ourselves calling and texting people individually. That will save alot of time (which is very precious as we have found out).

Prayers,
Elsa

Time
It does save a lot of time initially...then you just reply individually with those that respond with something more than well wishes...

Best,
John

Hi Michael's wife, I too
Hi Michael's wife, I too am a caregiver. I have been posting here for 6 months and I didn't even know that their was a site for caregivers. Michael is in good physical health and he should tolerate treatment better than most. The treatment causes a lot of side effects. The chemotherapy can cause nausea, diarrhea and low platelet counts and other side effects. Hopefully with Mike's health he will breeze though it though. The radiation effects your tastebuds and my wife Connie could not find any food that taste good after 2-3 weeks of radiation. It also causes dry mouth as her saliva glands slowed down and you will need to keep plenty of water in the fridge. As for as radiation treatments she would take a couple of valium to relax because the mask does cause some claustiphobia. The radiation also causes a lot of fatigue and he will sleep a lot, I find this to be a lonely time. Connie due to her loss of appetite had to get a feeding tube installed, she got it a month after radiation started and it has been her only source of nutrition for the last 2 months. A lot of cancer patients tough it out somehow and Mike may or may not need one. The only reason I mention this is we did not want to go this route but after Connie quit eating orally we had to change our minds. Mike will need nutrition so if at some point in treatment, he cannot eat then you & he might consider this alternative. Remember when treatment is over it will take time for his appetite to get back to normal. Everyone is different and hopefully everything will go ok for Mike, he does have age and good physical condition going for him. Connie is 5 weeks out of treatment and she is slowly improving everyday. A chemo nurse gave us some good advice during her 1st chemo treatment she said " just take everything one day at a time " I want you to know we will keep Michael in our prayers and wish you both nothing but the best. Your friends, Homer & Connie