FOUR YEARS GONE BY

Bart T
Bart T Member Posts: 62 Member
edited August 2016 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

July 30 marks exactly 4 years since my last radiation treatment and I’m cancer free. I decided to mark the day by doing three things. I went for a century bicycle ride (100 miles) just to remind myself that I’m 100% back to doing everything that I used to do prior to treatment. I updated my profile which now shares more of myself that I used to share and probably too much for some. I took some time to reflect on how much I would have missed if things went the other way. Among other things the he list includes:

a.Walking one additional daughter down the aisle.

b. Jake – born to daughter number 1.

c.   Zack – born to daughter number 2.

d. Christian – born to daughter number 3.

e.  Watching daughter number 4 graduate her master’s program suma **** laude.

f.    Marking the milestone of 40 years of marriage (too long, next wife gets a five year deal).

g. Having a greater appreciation that today is not just called the present, it is one. 

To all those who will follow my path good luck. Despite how low you might feel, pleasant thoughts and a positive outlook will go a long way to making your ordeal more tolerable. To those who came before me, thanks for sharing both your highs and lows and all the guidance and support you have to offer. 

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    edited July 2016 #2
    4 years

    Bart T,

    Congratulations on passing the 4 years post.  It looks like you have hit a lot of high notes, good for you. 

    I guess you mean your FB profile as your H&N profile is pretty tame.

    Keep living life.

    Matt

  • jthornsbury
    jthornsbury Member Posts: 62
    #3
    Congrats!

    A little under a year behind you on the four year mark...and running those miles (not 100!) instead of cycling! There is life after treatment!!! Congrats on reaching this milestone and all the other important ones especially being a Granddad!

  • Kari2007
    Kari2007 Member Posts: 108
    #4
    Thank you

    It's updates like yours that give those of us in treatment and the beginning stages of recovery hope and reason to keep going. I'm in my sixth week of treatment and am hitting the wall emotionally. Posts like yours are sweet music to my ears.

    Kari

  • LiseA
    LiseA Member Posts: 266
    #5
    Kari, been thinking of you.

    Kari, been thinking of you. Almost there. 

    Congrats, Bart!!!  Posts like this one are so helpful to the rest of us in treatment or recovering from it.

    Were you ever worried about a recurrence? I'm three weeks out and i find myself feeling terrified that it would happen to me :-(

     

  • Kari2007
    Kari2007 Member Posts: 108
    #6
    LiseA said:

    Kari, been thinking of you.

    Kari, been thinking of you. Almost there. 

    Congrats, Bart!!!  Posts like this one are so helpful to the rest of us in treatment or recovering from it.

    Were you ever worried about a recurrence? I'm three weeks out and i find myself feeling terrified that it would happen to me :-(

     

    Hanging in there

    Thank you. Yesterday was really hard. Couldn't keep anything down and felt really down. They gave me some IV hydration in the afternoon, which helped me feel so much better and then I slept and slept! Today is a little better. Slowly doing tube feedings and keeping it down and drinking some cucumber/celery juice. 

  • Bart T
    Bart T Member Posts: 62 Member
    edited August 2016 #7
    LiseA said:

    Kari, been thinking of you.

    Kari, been thinking of you. Almost there. 

    Congrats, Bart!!!  Posts like this one are so helpful to the rest of us in treatment or recovering from it.

    Were you ever worried about a recurrence? I'm three weeks out and i find myself feeling terrified that it would happen to me :-(

     

    DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY

    LiseA: The short answer to if I worry about a recurrence is almost never. I've always tried to live in the moment, and that's especially true after cancer. I try my best (sometimes easier said than done) to be mindful that every minute I spend worrying about something I can't control is a minute I don't spend enjoying the minute I'm in. Also I have a wife that's that has taken it on herself to be in charge of all the worrying for the entire family, so I hate taking away from her job. 

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #8
    Thanks for posting Bart

    It is so important to know that there are success stories! I'm sure your sense of humor helped you through some of the tougher times of your treatment. My husband just hit the 1 year mark post treatment. This anniversary is even sweeter than the 31 year marriage one we celebrated a few months ago.

    What a fantastic list of things you've had the chance to see and experience since fighting off cancer. I'm so happy for you and wish you many more years ahead!

    Barbara

  • bebo12249
    bebo12249 Member Posts: 181 Member
    #9
    Congratulation and thank you

    Congratulation and thank you for positive comments. 

  • dygit
    dygit Member Posts: 40 Member
    #10
    Thanks for sharing!

    Always great to hear such a positive progress report - very encouraging! Best to you going forward!

  • yensid683
    yensid683 Member Posts: 349
    edited August 2016 #11
    4 Years!

    OUTSTANDING!

    here's to 4 more and then 4 more and then 4 more and then 4 more and then 4 more ....well, you get the picture.

     

    always great to hear that another of our family is doing so well

     

    Congrats there bapa...

  • Gypsy28
    Gypsy28 Member Posts: 69
    edited August 2016 #12
    Thank you

    Thank you Bart you and the way you are living bring inspiration to us all. I am truly happy that you are back 100 percent. Thank you for giving hope.

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