Doesn't seem like much...

wmc
wmc Member Posts: 1,804
edited February 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I know it might seem like much to anyone, but if you're stage 3 emphysema and a neck breather it is.  I blew up a balloon today. Kinda felt like a little kid at Christmas. Thats all just had to share..Laughing

wmc

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    blow one up for me

    wmc,

    It is a “big deal” in H&N circles.

    Like:

    Eating real food, being able to taste again.

    Going somewhere without a water bottle, not having to sip water every 10 minutes/

    Being able to swallow, talk, breathe, cough, sneeze normally.

    Enjoying the new-normal.

    While your situation is different than mine, I now have more compassion and a better understanding on the path(s) we each must follow.

    Matt

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #3
    BIG DEAL!!!!

    I agree with Matt.  It is a big deal to blow up a balloon, or blow out candles or spit!  I can't do any of these things along with whistle.

  • j4mie
    j4mie Member Posts: 218
    #4
    I think...

    That's wonderful, and it is a BIG deal! Congrats! Cool

    Jamie

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #5
    wmc, that is GREAT!!  I would

    wmc, that is GREAT!!  I would give anything if I could just blow my nose again.  I can't blow out a candle, whistle, or anything else so I really appreciate all you can do, u r my hero.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • josh r.
    josh r. Member Posts: 264 Member
    #6
    Stop the presses!

    Hi wmc,

    As your friends above have stated this IS headline news! We all celebrate with you. Listen to your breathing and heart beat. josh r.

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #7
    Everything is a BIG deal....

    From eating something solid..........................to blowing up balloons!!  YEAH wmc!!!

    p

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    What Size Balloon...

    LOL, just teasing..., that's great...

    Like others, milestones to us are totally different than what "normal" people believe...

    Always Abi-Normal,

    John

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #9
    Big Deal

    WMC, fantastic news!  Next step is blowing up a bunch of balloons for a party to celebrate!   Big step and great news...

     

    Keith

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #10
    CivilMatt said:

    blow one up for me

    wmc,

    It is a “big deal” in H&N circles.

    Like:

    Eating real food, being able to taste again.

    Going somewhere without a water bottle, not having to sip water every 10 minutes/

    Being able to swallow, talk, breathe, cough, sneeze normally.

    Enjoying the new-normal.

    While your situation is different than mine, I now have more compassion and a better understanding on the path(s) we each must follow.

    Matt

    Thank you CivilMatt

    Thank you Matt for all your kind words. Some days I also feel sad as I read how hard it is for everyone to have to go through radiation and chemo and I was lucky and didn't have to. Like you said we all have similar but differant roads to go. I am having some problems when I eat and caugh then gag then loose  all of what I just ate. I just try to dwell on the good days and everyone here has helped in ways they don't even know.

    Thank you all 

    Bill

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #11
    debbiejeanne said:

    wmc, that is GREAT!!  I would

    wmc, that is GREAT!!  I would give anything if I could just blow my nose again.  I can't blow out a candle, whistle, or anything else so I really appreciate all you can do, u r my hero.

    God bless you,

    dj

    DJ

    I'm sorry. With a TEP you can blow your nose. It's not great but it helps when the backpressure shoots food the wrong way and it goes up. Once in awhile I put a tube in my stoma and the other end in my mouth..... and I can breathe through my nose..  It looks nuts and I don't let my family see it, but it lets me remember what it was like. It helps me fight the battle. 

    Thanks for being there.

    Bill

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #12
    phrannie51 said:

    Everything is a BIG deal....

    From eating something solid..........................to blowing up balloons!!  YEAH wmc!!!

    p

    Thanks Phrannie

    It's funny what I took for granted and "Normal" last year means so much to me now to beable to do. Next week I am going to the beach and see if I can walk on the sand. The ristance of the sand has keeped me from doing it because of my emphysema. Not I think I might be able to because of breathing through my neck I get more air. If I can't it's OK too. I will have to use oxygen to do that then I will. The fight is keeping me going.

    Thank you so much.

    Bill

     

    PS:  Thank you all for your support in my fight as a Cancer suvisior and Laryngectomy.  Your all GREAT

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #13
    Skiffin16 said:

    What Size Balloon...

    LOL, just teasing..., that's great...

    Like others, milestones to us are totally different than what "normal" people believe...

    Always Abi-Normal,

    John

    It was 12" blown to 8"

    It was a 12" blown to 8" and I did it the first time just to see if I could. Then on a video for my Brother, then at work for a coworker for their Birthday. They though it was special as well. It said Happy Birthday.

    I see life differant now but I think better, I enjoy every day more than I did before the cancer. It' just good to be alive and have such great support.

    Thanks

    wmc

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #14
    wmc said:

    It was 12" blown to 8"

    It was a 12" blown to 8" and I did it the first time just to see if I could. Then on a video for my Brother, then at work for a coworker for their Birthday. They though it was special as well. It said Happy Birthday.

    I see life differant now but I think better, I enjoy every day more than I did before the cancer. It' just good to be alive and have such great support.

    Thanks

    wmc

    Yes it is a big deal

    I can finally blow out a candle but don't know if a ballon will ever be a possibility again. 

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