Thank God

CherieLW
CherieLW Member Posts: 472
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Debbie got ahold of me and mentioned that Shawn was asking about me (I replied to your thread btw), but I wanted to just let everyone know I'm continously praying for you and thinking of you all although I've been a "no show" for a few months now.  I'm still so greatful for all the advice I received while going through one of the scariest times of my life.  Thank God that although it was a scary time, my dad and my family all found the strength to pull through it!  

Update on my pops: It has been just over a year. Dad is improving, but as with most of you going through it- it is a slow progress.  At first he was quite depressed, scared, and not eating much or at all.  He struggled with the eating part for about 8 months, then slowly began to eat breakfast and a snack here and there- while taking ensure the rest of the time.  I'm so glad to say that dad just had his peg tube removed a few weeks ago and it has healed nicely.  He had the peg for probably a year. Dad did lose a lot of weight, but managed to stay busy most of the time while going through treatment and post treatment.  There was one time I saw him down and out and that was recently.  He got a strep infection in his blood (scared us!) and was hospitalized for a week with IV antibiotics.  That was such a scare!  I'm so blessed that he is still around and his sense of humor is coming back in full throttle! I enjoy fishing with him and all the laughs we share on almost a daily basis.  They moved last September into a different house and dad has a little pond out back.  It's just such a nice, relaxing piece of property.  I'm so proud of him! He met a guy not long ago that would help push my dad into eating more...he went through a similar cancer- but did it alone.  Can you imagine?!  I think his strength inspired my dad to push himself even more!  In the grand scheme...cancer sucks and it's not fun to go through it as a family member- but all the newbie's, please hang in there and stay positive! Everyone on here, I thank you for all your support again!

Praying for all of you!


Cherie

Comments

  • Grandmax4
    Grandmax4 Member Posts: 723
    #2
    Happy

    to hear your "Pops" is doing so well, I followed his & your, journey and it's always nice to have a happy ending. A year out is not so long when you think of all he went through..I am coming up on 3 years in November and still have a few minor problems..mainly mucus..but, I will deal with it...take care and be happy, life is too short to be anything but

     

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #3
    cherie, thanks for stopping

    cherie, thanks for stopping in.  so glad pops is doing well.  i always love hearing that someone is able to start eating again.  that is such a big deal.  little did we know....lol.  tell pops we say hi and i am very glad he still has a sense of humor.  i pray you, pops and the family will fully enjoy life and all it has to offer.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #4
    Glad your Dad is doing good.

    Glad to hear you father is doing good. What worked for me after surgery, and I was on liquid only. Cream of Chicken soup, I always was given chicken soup or broth but I can'y have the noodles. I tried cream of chicken which is on the list for liquid diet. I found uot it has twice the cal. that plan chicken noodle, 300cal per can so I ate 4 cans a day and had milkshakes. You get a lot of cal. in milk shakes. You get 580 in a med. and 770 in the large from McDonalds and I would guess everyones about the same. I still have to eat slow but I was able to gain the weight I lost. I was 150 before I got sick and dropped down to 126 at surgery. I could not really swallow anything the weeks before the surgery. I never had RAD or chemo, but somehow I lost so much of my tast.  We'll add you and your Dad to my prayer list.

    Bill

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #5
    Grandmax4 said:

    Happy

    to hear your "Pops" is doing so well, I followed his & your, journey and it's always nice to have a happy ending. A year out is not so long when you think of all he went through..I am coming up on 3 years in November and still have a few minor problems..mainly mucus..but, I will deal with it...take care and be happy, life is too short to be anything but

     

    Thx Grandma! I have thought

    Thx Grandma! I have thought of you, hoping you're doing well.  I feel like I've missed out!  And you are right, life's too short to be anything but happy!  Praying for you and that things improve.  Dad does struggle with saliva and mucus, but all in all... he is really a tough guy.  

     

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #6
    debbiejeanne said:

    cherie, thanks for stopping

    cherie, thanks for stopping in.  so glad pops is doing well.  i always love hearing that someone is able to start eating again.  that is such a big deal.  little did we know....lol.  tell pops we say hi and i am very glad he still has a sense of humor.  i pray you, pops and the family will fully enjoy life and all it has to offer.

    God bless you,

    dj

    Thanks Debbie!  I am so

    Thanks Debbie!  I am so blessed that my dad is looking up.  He's so strong, just as you are and the rest of this lovely group of ppl! Praying for you always! 

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #7
    wmc said:

    Glad your Dad is doing good.

    Glad to hear you father is doing good. What worked for me after surgery, and I was on liquid only. Cream of Chicken soup, I always was given chicken soup or broth but I can'y have the noodles. I tried cream of chicken which is on the list for liquid diet. I found uot it has twice the cal. that plan chicken noodle, 300cal per can so I ate 4 cans a day and had milkshakes. You get a lot of cal. in milk shakes. You get 580 in a med. and 770 in the large from McDonalds and I would guess everyones about the same. I still have to eat slow but I was able to gain the weight I lost. I was 150 before I got sick and dropped down to 126 at surgery. I could not really swallow anything the weeks before the surgery. I never had RAD or chemo, but somehow I lost so much of my tast.  We'll add you and your Dad to my prayer list.

    Bill

    Thanks Bill, I'll be praying

    Thanks Bill, I'll be praying for you as well.  We tried dad with creamy soups, but he couldn't do it.  :(  He was reliant on the peg for about 8v months, besides sipping water. Glad you didn't have to endure that treatment!  Did doc say how you lost taste?  Surgery perhaps? 

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    Hi Cherie

    Glad to hear your Dad is doing so well, keep up your good work of taking care of him. My daughter may never know just how much I love her because of all she has done and continues to do for me. She has been a blessing in my life and her strength has helped me in many ways just like your strength is helping your Dad. God bless to all of you who are caretakers.

     

    Tim Hondo

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #9
    Hondo said:

    Hi Cherie

    Glad to hear your Dad is doing so well, keep up your good work of taking care of him. My daughter may never know just how much I love her because of all she has done and continues to do for me. She has been a blessing in my life and her strength has helped me in many ways just like your strength is helping your Dad. God bless to all of you who are caretakers.

     

    Tim Hondo

    Thanks Tim!  I'm so proud of

    Thanks Tim!  I'm so proud of him. I know at one point things got depressing for him, but he's come out with a better outlook on life now.  I know there is nothing we take for granted when it comes to family.  My dad's cancer even reconciled my relationship with my sister who I did not talk to for almost 2 years.  Thanks for your support through the past year!  Praying for you!

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