11 Years Out From Stage III BOT

UPDATE: 1-13-22

Just dropping in to say hello to all my old warrior friends and to encourage all those just beginning or not so long out of the thick of it....there is light at the end!

As I posted this tonight, I whispered a

prayer under my breath for you all.

I teied to put a few new pics on here, but forgive my lack of not kbowing this new format. :)

My five kids, now ages 11,15,17,21,23 wife and I have really taken to everything outdoors here in Alaska. From dog sled mushing, ice fishing, hunting, anything we can....

That old saying has never been more true: "cancer did not bring me to my knees, it brought me to my feet"

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Six years ago this week I got a call at work from my doctor at 6pm on a Friday. I said to her "this can't be good". It wasn't.

My CT scan had revealed a tumor at the base of my tongue with metastasis to my lymph node. Only a biopsy could confirm cancer, but the doctor, when pressed, felt certain that's what it would be. It would turn out to be Stage III. All my research showed that I had a 50/50 chance of being around in five years.

That weekend was the Pumpkin Fest which I was taking the family to. I did not want to tell my wife, so I kept my secret for another five days.

It's not everybody's belief, but it's mine. I'm still here and I believe it's due to the good Lord. Because I believe at the end of the day, He calls all the shots.

However, there are so many others who played a roll that are special to me. My wife and her family, my children, our church family at that time and those wonderful doctors and nurses.

There's also the Oral Cancer Foundation. People like Eric Statler and Brian R. Hill who are just the tip of the many heroes amongst that group who have impacted the lives of oral cancer patients.

Many people don't know about oral cancer, that it often does not have symptoms until late stage, that a simple screening by an informed dentist can many times detect oral cancer.

I have some serious and not so serious side affects. To wake up each day to the six other faces in my family makes everything worthwhile.

To all my friends I met and knew with oral cancer who are no longer with us. I think of you often. You and your families are in my thoughts. I live for you as much as I do for myself and my family.

There is a saying I have come to love, "cancer did not bring me to my knees, it brought me to my feet"

I'll continue on for as long as I am blessed to be here. I'll live like I've never done and I'll be grateful for every day I have.