Silver linings

Actually as Matt has said, more than likely you're going to get the majority if not all of your saliva, and taste back. In the big picture at a few months, you're far from seeing the final results on both.

As for silver linings, and seeing the positive of cancer....

In many ways, I'm a better person from having cancer than before.

Many of us lose sight of who and what is truely important in our lives. Sometimes it takes an awakening such as cancer and the possibility of dying, and then surviving to make you realize.

What was once thought to be important, now not as much. What once was neglected, thought little about, or just plain taken for granted..., now is huge and most important.

Best,

John

The mantra I heard here from the very beginning is "Everyone is Different". That statement has, above all else, been the truest of all.

Cancer in any form is a nasty disease. How we are affected as patients, survivors, caregivers and family members varies as much as the weather does day to day, week to week and month to month.

Are there positives or "silver linings" to this? It depends on how you look at it. In my opinion, when you face death on an intimate level as many of us have, we are bound to have some profound changes in our lives. How we recover and adapt to life after cancer affects us as well. It depends on our attitude. After all, "Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we handle it" *Charles Swindoll*

Personally, having faced my demise several times in the last 6 years, I have a greater appreciation for the simple things in life. Material "things" don't mean much and haven't for some time. I avoid 'Drama" and those that thrive on it like the plague. From a physical standpoint, like you Cadharose, my weight loss has had some benefits. Having a propencity for high cholesterol and triglycerides, my weight loss has brought those levels to normal for the first time since... well... ever! Even at the peak of my physical fitness, there were never this good. However, the sacrifices were many and while it bodes well for my cardio vascular health, I can think of much better ways to get there than cancer I assure you!  

At three months out of treatment (I'm going on 5 months), you're still in the infantile stages of recovery. The truth is, it will take a year or more before we really know what our new normal, or "abi-normal" is. I'm very encouraged so far as the last month or so has shown some drastic improvements in all aspects. I still struggle with certain things but it's to be expected. While frustrating at times, I take solace in knowing things will improve and the very fact that I'm alive is a blessing words cannot describe.

One only need look at the posts by the newcomers and those that have been fighting recurrences and complications to see how fortunate some of us are (raising my hand).  

Continue to be pro-active in your recovery. Swallowing exercises, jaw exercises, and general exercise will only aid and speed up the recovery process. I myself am guilty of not being as active as I should be but as I recover and my energy level improves, I'm finding my new normal and the drive and incentive to return to it.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

fishmanpa said:

Everyone's Different

The mantra I heard here from the very beginning is "Everyone is Different". That statement has, above all else, been the truest of all.

Cancer in any form is a nasty disease. How we are affected as patients, survivors, caregivers and family members varies as much as the weather does day to day, week to week and month to month.

Are there positives or "silver linings" to this? It depends on how you look at it. In my opinion, when you face death on an intimate level as many of us have, we are bound to have some profound changes in our lives. How we recover and adapt to life after cancer affects us as well. It depends on our attitude. After all, "Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we handle it" *Charles Swindoll*

Personally, having faced my demise several times in the last 6 years, I have a greater appreciation for the simple things in life. Material "things" don't mean much and haven't for some time. I avoid 'Drama" and those that thrive on it like the plague. From a physical standpoint, like you Cadharose, my weight loss has had some benefits. Having a propencity for high cholesterol and triglycerides, my weight loss has brought those levels to normal for the first time since... well... ever! Even at the peak of my physical fitness, there were never this good. However, the sacrifices were many and while it bodes well for my cardio vascular health, I can think of much better ways to get there than cancer I assure you!  

At three months out of treatment (I'm going on 5 months), you're still in the infantile stages of recovery. The truth is, it will take a year or more before we really know what our new normal, or "abi-normal" is. I'm very encouraged so far as the last month or so has shown some drastic improvements in all aspects. I still struggle with certain things but it's to be expected. While frustrating at times, I take solace in knowing things will improve and the very fact that I'm alive is a blessing words cannot describe.

One only need look at the posts by the newcomers and those that have been fighting recurrences and complications to see how fortunate some of us are (raising my hand).  

Continue to be pro-active in your recovery. Swallowing exercises, jaw exercises, and general exercise will only aid and speed up the recovery process. I myself am guilty of not being as active as I should be but as I recover and my energy level improves, I'm finding my new normal and the drive and incentive to return to it.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

10% of the Fishermen, catch 90% of the Fish...

I have been trying to get back to 180lbs for the last 5 years and don’t look like it will happen anytime soon. Before C I was 230lbs after C I went down to 140lbs, I am now just almost holding at 160lbs and can blow away in a strong win. You are right it did what no other weight loss program could every do but man it was expensive.

Actually I see a lot of other blessings from having C, one is all the people I got to know here on CSN and how we all have become a family caring and supporting each other. I have also been blessed by getting to know my Lord and savior better and having to learn from Him everyday life anew. I have met many of others who were in fear when they heard the word cancer and have been able to help them pass the fear.

I have lost my voice and ability to swallow but have found even in this a blessing. I can’t preach anymore but can write my sermons and post them on the internet, what satan has done to be a curse God had turned into a blessing again.    

You are so right sometime we all need to stop and look because behind every problem there is also a Silver Lining  

God Bless

Hondo

I suppose, there have been unintended positives from the battle with C, and some that aren't as nice.  I too lost the weight that I couldn't seem to lose, down 40 lbs.  I saw a long time business acquaintance in January who remarked that I looked so good and what was my secret diet.  I replied "hospital food and chemo".  Needless to say she was quite taken aback and I decided that it was not the right thing to say, but I did lose the weight, high cost, not just in dollars either.  I used to take a blood pressure medication, with the weight loss I no longer need it. 

On the down side, I seem to be so much more sensitive to the cold.  Even with the very hot summer weather, I had no problems with an overly warm bedroom, there were even some nights that I needed a blanket, even though it was 75 in my room. 

Still, I'm doing okay, I can eat just about anything, I still need to keep a water bottle handy, and have continuing soreness in my neck from the two dissections, but life goes on (oh bladee oh bladaa...)

Scan coming up this Monday. On the one hand I'm ever hopeful that it will come back clear, on the other hand I am greatly afraid that they might find something new. 

Peter

yensid683 said:

Lemonade from lemons...

I suppose, there have been unintended positives from the battle with C, and some that aren't as nice.  I too lost the weight that I couldn't seem to lose, down 40 lbs.  I saw a long time business acquaintance in January who remarked that I looked so good and what was my secret diet.  I replied "hospital food and chemo".  Needless to say she was quite taken aback and I decided that it was not the right thing to say, but I did lose the weight, high cost, not just in dollars either.  I used to take a blood pressure medication, with the weight loss I no longer need it. 

On the down side, I seem to be so much more sensitive to the cold.  Even with the very hot summer weather, I had no problems with an overly warm bedroom, there were even some nights that I needed a blanket, even though it was 75 in my room. 

Still, I'm doing okay, I can eat just about anything, I still need to keep a water bottle handy, and have continuing soreness in my neck from the two dissections, but life goes on (oh bladee oh bladaa...)

Scan coming up this Monday. On the one hand I'm ever hopeful that it will come back clear, on the other hand I am greatly afraid that they might find something new. 

Peter

That feeling cold all the time is pretty common. I sure felt that way for some time but still not 100% normal, as it is still summer in Calif and I still wear long jean pants all the time. I can finally feel comfortable in short sleeve shirts. Early summer I would still don a winter jacket due to freezing all the time. It passes.

Try to manage the anxiety and you'll be good for Monday.

sounds like you were telling the story of my life ! I have lost almost

 90 pounds and I feel exactly the same way . I want my taste and salava back but I sure dont want those 90 pounds back ! I do feel so much better !! I too have been able to get off my Blood Pressure medicine and Don I live in South Texas and I have not been hot all Summer and I am loving that ! I have slept with a blanket all Summer. Lol It has been 11 months and I did give my old clothes away so I better not gain it back ! I've always heard if you keep it off for a year you won't gain it back . Sure hope that is true !