5 Year STGIII Tonsil Cancer ~ Clean and Clear...

Skiffin16
Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Even though I'm struglling from the Whipple....

 

I just want to ofer encouragement for my fellow survivors, care givers and those battling...

 

I have officially hit the five year post treatment mark... Clean and clear...

 

So even though you may be going through hell, been there, or just starting this journey.... It does get better for a lot of us.

 

It breaks my heart for the few that don't make it or have many long term effects. But for me concerning cancer, life is good... Hell actually life is great.

 

Keep fighting...

 

Through this battle with the Whipple, I have learned a new term... NEGU

I'll introduce it to you...

 

NEGU = Never Ever Give Up

 

Best,

John

Comments

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #2
    Congrats!

    5 years! Wow, that's quite a milestone. It's an inspiration for sure. I'm sorry you're struggling with recovery from surgery but you're a tough guy and if you can officially beat cancer (5 years means no more cancer doc follow ups right?), you can take on a guy who biggest claim to fame was squeezing toilet paper... (obscure reference alert).

    Positive thoughts and prayers

    "T"

     

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #3

    John it says a lot about you that you send this message of encouragement to others whilst battling back to full health after surgery. Im 2 weeks and three days post treatment. I managed a 50 mile charity bike ride yesterday followed by a couple of beers. I was a bit tired towards the end and I thought of you and all the other great people here , too numerous to mention, who have offered me help and advice. It spurred me on up the hill to the finish. Get well soon my friend and the best to your other half, regards, Gary.

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    5 and clean

    Good things do happen to good people Congratulations to you both

     

    Tim Hondo

  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #5
    What a milestone

    John, that is great news. Sorry you had to endure the severity of the Whipple surgery, but looking at the big picture, you came out way ahead.

    Best

    Mike

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #6
    John, 5 years is

    John, 5 years is outstanding!!!  I can't wait to hit 5 yrs, i think i'll have myself a party.  praying for you to recover from the surgery.  congrats on 5 yrs, i'm doing a really happy dance for you!

    God bless you,

    dj

  • Jan Trinks
    Jan Trinks Member Posts: 477
    #7
    Way to Go

    John:

     

    Congrats on 5 year mark and I love your new term - Never Ever Give Up!  Don't know if you're a basketball fan or not, but when Jimmy Valvano who coach NC State was diagnosed with cancer that's what he said when he started his foundation for cancer research.  Never Give Up; and then added Never Ever Give Up!  You just can't; it's the only thing that gets you thru sometimes and miracles do still happen!  Good luck on continued recovery and it's so good seeing you back on here.  God Bless!

     

    Jan (Basketcase)

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #8
    debbiejeanne said:

    John, 5 years is

    John, 5 years is outstanding!!!  I can't wait to hit 5 yrs, i think i'll have myself a party.  praying for you to recover from the surgery.  congrats on 5 yrs, i'm doing a really happy dance for you!

    God bless you,

    dj

    5 years

    Now that calls for a party! You deserved some good news and I am so happy you received it!

  • CajunEagle
    CajunEagle Member Posts: 408
    #9
    Me too

     

    I'm also five years completed treatment for stage IV left tonsil and have the go ahead by all the oncology staff to live another 34 years (I'm 66).  Rad onco-man even used the "cure" word, then comes right back and tells me the tale of a guy who develops it again after 20 years.  Told him what a great way to ruin a guys arousal Laughing.  One of them still wants me to see her every 6 months for the nose scope thingy.....Chemo guys says once a year for blood work, etc......and Rad-man says once a year because he likes sticking his fingers down my throat and getting to make payments for the BMW.  They said if I'm a good boy they'd let me have a little more saliva back, and feelings in my hands and feet that they have locked up in the safety deposit box behind the Tomo therapy machine.  But seriously, I'm not sure if it's been a long 5 years or not.  The first two after all that chemo and radiation were rough re-learning to talk and swallow.  Life has changed somewhat dramatically, but I'm really loving it every day.  I'm doing things I never dreamed of doing 6 years ago.  Retired from teaching.  Wife obtaining a great job which paid off everything.  Doing lots of traveling.  Volunteering at Cancer Support Center....and just having less stress and more patience.  It definately is "do-able", but never ever want to do it again.

    Larry

  • cureitall66
    cureitall66 Member Posts: 913
    #10
    Yah Baby.... 5 years!!!!

    Now....if we could just catch up to you! We're 19 months out from tx, even though the dx was Aug 2012 (2yrs).  Guess they count the months/years after tx is over... The "no" scans, only chest xrays is still hard for me to swallow, but Kreg is ok with it. I have seen others most recently mention that they don't get many scans anymore, and some have mentioned the regular chest xrays.  Wondering if this is becoming a protocol or if it's just the "teaching" hospitals that are doing this (he went to U of Michigan)?  Either way, we are accepting it and enjoying life day to day and praying we get to the 5 yr mark just as you! Laughing

    ~C

     

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #11
    WOOHOO!!!

    5 years is awesome!!  Congrats!

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #12
    Whoo Hoo John!!

    You made the 5 year mark!!  WOW!  Now if we can get you over the Whipple surgery.  Sending prayers your way.

    p

  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    #13
    congrats

    great news...you are an incredible guy...thanks for all your comments through the years!   Ann

  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #14
    Wahooooo

    Great news..wonderful anniversary

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #15
    NEGU back at you!

    John,

    Such a sweet sound “5 years and all is clear”, congratulations!

    Send me your recipe for sliced peaches and fried fish, you are doing something right.

    Keep moving forward my friend,

    Matt

  • michdjp
    michdjp Member Posts: 220
    #16
    Congrats

    On the 5 year mark! Sorry for your troubles now but your definitly a tough one and I love the new saying! October will be 3 years for dad!!! . Continued healing to you and your family

    all my best 

    michelle

  • catfish_58
    catfish_58 Member Posts: 138 Member
    #17
    Clean And Clear

    I hope your doing well today John,Was just thinking that you may be getting lots of high water lately in your area,Since your not out there catching all the fish and keeping the water lavel down a bit (lol),Just kiddin' hurry and get well soon,Glad to hear about your 5 year mark hoping you see more and more of them,Take care Chris

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #18
    Five and counting

    So encouraging.  Thank you so much for your support over the years.  Hopefully you are getting stronger each day.

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #19
    GREAT NEWS

    I could not be happier for you. Now to get that whipple inline. I know you can do it.

    May God continue to bless you and your family for many years.

     

    Debbie

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