Rang the bell!!!

Bulldogger1
Bulldogger1 Member Posts: 13
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I made it!!  I can't believe it has been the hardest and most surreal 6 1/2 weeks of my life, but I finished the race and got to ring the coveted bell.  Never knew how good it felt to ring a bell especially with my wife and kids by myside and a few of my prayer warrior buddies.  I am so grateful to have to made it through....words can hardly express how good it feels to be done.  I have heard that the hard part is coming and I have to maintain my weight for the next two weeks as my mouth, throat and sores start to heal so I am sure I will be on the site checking on how to deal with these issues.  One thing I am looking forward to is to not have to put that mask on every morning and wonder if the mucos was going to choke me so bad that I was either going to choke or gag.  Thank the Lord, I didn't because I had to pray every time the latched me in there that I would be able to make it through without gaging or getting choked up on my own mucos.  Thank you to everyone on the site for the support and encouragement and prayers!!  You are a huge blessing. Looking forward to many many healthy years!

Thanks,

Todd

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    sweet bell

    Todd,

    Congratulations!

    Now on to feeling better.

    Matt

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #3
    Congrats Todd

    Ring that Bell.......... Yes it IS a major milestone and a day you will never forget. Now for the recovery which has it's own time table, but the RAD is over and now the road gets better.

    Bill

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #4
    Todd

    I remember my last day well. They didn't have a bell when I had treatment but recently put one in so I had the pleasure of seeing a fellow warrior celebrate. I put my mask in plastic bags my last day and next March 30th will be my 5 year anniversary and I plan on geeting it out for my own celebration.

    Heal on

          Jeff

  • Sailor123
    Sailor123 Member Posts: 97
    #5
    The mask

    CONGRATULATIONS! It is interesting how different we all are. I didn't go to my last treatment in large part because I wanted nothing to Do with ringing that bell or seeing that mask ever again. I ran out of there on the 32nd treatment never to return. What a horror that whole experience was. Most people seem to enjoy the closure Though. I'm probably the exception on this one. Either way we are all in agreement it is a wonderful thing not to have to get up and go anymore. Now the real healing can begin!

    All the best to you!

  • Sonja.K
    Sonja.K Member Posts: 80 Member
    #6
    Sailor123 said:

    The mask

    CONGRATULATIONS! It is interesting how different we all are. I didn't go to my last treatment in large part because I wanted nothing to Do with ringing that bell or seeing that mask ever again. I ran out of there on the 32nd treatment never to return. What a horror that whole experience was. Most people seem to enjoy the closure Though. I'm probably the exception on this one. Either way we are all in agreement it is a wonderful thing not to have to get up and go anymore. Now the real healing can begin!

    All the best to you!

    Congrats!

    Congratulations on your great news!

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #7
    Hi Todd 

    You crossed the finish line and you are now a survivor, I am happy for you. We are told in the good book “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. “  Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness:. We don’t understand why bad things happen to good people but we do know that God is right there with us.  

    Tim Hondo

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #8
    Congrats

    great feeling isn't it, that dreaded mask, I think we all thought we'd choke in that 15 minutes. That 6.5 weeks sounded at first like a life sentence, in a couple of weeks it won't seem such a long time. I'm a year from mine and looking back it wasn't as bad as I thought it was, but that's what my brain tells me now. What are you going to do with the mask....burn it and dance round it, jump up and down on it and flatten it, or keep it for a bravery trophy. Well done, may you have a quick recovery..."

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #9
    Duggie88 said:

    Todd

    I remember my last day well. They didn't have a bell when I had treatment but recently put one in so I had the pleasure of seeing a fellow warrior celebrate. I put my mask in plastic bags my last day and next March 30th will be my 5 year anniversary and I plan on geeting it out for my own celebration.

    Heal on

          Jeff

    I thought this 'bell' was

    I thought this 'bell' was just an expression, not a real bell. My rad department didn't have a bell to ring but I thought it was the things to say when rads finished. I feel deprived ha ha

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #10
    Rads are behind you!

    and what a relief it is to not have to get up and go somewhere every day. Now you can rest and heal....and yes, on to many healthy years.

    p

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #11
    congratulations!!!!  who

    congratulations!!!!  who would have thought that ringing a bell could do so much for our outlook on life huh.  it will be great to have your time be YOURS again and like you said, not having to wear that mask every day.  how awesome.  it sounds like you made it through without too many side affects and that's great!  now you are on the road of healing and living again.  here's to healing quickly and getting on with life and to many, many, many good years ahead!!

    God bless you,

    dj

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