Encouraging news.....finally!!
First a little background, in March '09 I was diagnosed with inoperable NSCLC adenocarcinoma in my left lung and Squamous Cell carcinoma of my larynx. I went through 35 rads and chemo (cysplatin) plus Stereotactic Radiosurgery for my lung. I finished treatments on Sept. 28th and have been a nervous wreck waiting for my first scan.
I got the results of my scan on Jan. 08,'10 and was encouraged but I couldn't quite get the feeling that my doctors felt I was in remission even though they said I was. I have had to see my ENT every month and he used the scope to look at my larynx. Every month he said the same thing, still some swellling and abnormalities of the larynx. When I saw him on Jan. 13th he told me he was sending me for another biopsy to see if it was scar tissue or whether the cancer had invaded the tissue of my larynx. Had the biopsy the next day but had to wait a week to see my doctor and get the results. Naturally I spent most of that week trying to convince myself that it was just scar tissue. I felt so petty and selfish because he had told me that he would have to remove my voice box if the cancer was in the tissue. I felt selfish because I know that many others have lost more than their voice to this horrible disease. My husband told me that he couldn't imagine life without my being able to nag him :-)
I got the results of the biopsy on Jan. 21st and it came back clean!!! My husband and I were both almost in tears when we heard the news, since then we have both been floating on cloud 9.
I have had a lot of family and friends who have been praying for me daily and I truly believe it was their prayers that got me through this. It has strengthened my faith and I am now a true believer in the power of prayer.
I have promised myself that I will visit this site more frequently and try to help and encourage others who are starting their journey. There are so many of you who helped me that I feel it is my turn to help others.
I want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement, I couldn't have gone through all of this without your help.
Bless all of you and may everyone continue to see improvements in your health!!
Comments
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Great News!MarineE5 said:Great News
Glenna,
That is outstanding news. I'm am so happy for you and your husband. I agree, the waiting to hear the news is trying to say the least.
Looking forward to see your postings
My Best to You Both and Everyone Here
Congratulations on the great news! God is good and faithful!
May He continue to pour out His Blessings to His faithful.
Chefdaddy0 -
glenna
I am so happy for your positive results. My husband, who has completed treatment, with positive scans and I know the feeling of good news. Prayer is powerful. Sometimes we don't necessarily get ours prayers answered in the way we want, but faith and prayer provide strength and understanding and healing and a rope to hang on to when things seem so dire!!!! Keep those prayers going, because faith and prayer can help to make ones attitude positive!!!!
So happy for your good news!!!
Phyllis0 -
It is wonderful!!Chefdaddy said:Great News!
Congratulations on the great news! God is good and faithful!
May He continue to pour out His Blessings to His faithful.
Chefdaddy
Great news for you! Relief is a wonderful thing. Is it not?
As a cancer survivor you will always be in my prayers! Welcome to the club!!0 -
Thank you all....Hondo said:Glenna
Thanks you so must for letting us know, there is power in pray. I am glad God had lead you to just the right doctors and the right treatment.
Thanks you Jesus for Glenna's healing, God bless and keep you.
I guess I'm still a little emotional from the great news I received because my eyes began to water when I read these responses.
The people on this site are so caring that it's a shame we couldn't have met under happier circumstances. It's very comforting to know you are here for me and many others whenever we need help.
May God bless all of you. Please know that you will all be in my prayers.0 -
That is such great news!!!Glenna M said:Thank you all....
I guess I'm still a little emotional from the great news I received because my eyes began to water when I read these responses.
The people on this site are so caring that it's a shame we couldn't have met under happier circumstances. It's very comforting to know you are here for me and many others whenever we need help.
May God bless all of you. Please know that you will all be in my prayers.
That is such great news!!! I can feel your happiness! It must feel soooo good!! I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma last Aug. And finished my radiation Sept. 28 as well! I am now anticipating my first MRI, (I am assuming an MRI (Canada), is the same as a PET scan)? on Feb. 5. I am scared, as it is my first one since treatment.
I pray every day about it. I also keep others in my prayers too:)
Again...such good news!!!
Cindy0 -
Wonderful news, Glenna. You have made everybody so very happy with the cause of your being so very happy. Excellent to the extreme.fishingirl said:That is such great news!!!
That is such great news!!! I can feel your happiness! It must feel soooo good!! I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma last Aug. And finished my radiation Sept. 28 as well! I am now anticipating my first MRI, (I am assuming an MRI (Canada), is the same as a PET scan)? on Feb. 5. I am scared, as it is my first one since treatment.
I pray every day about it. I also keep others in my prayers too:)
Again...such good news!!!
Cindy
Believe.
kcass0 -
Thank you Cindyfishingirl said:That is such great news!!!
That is such great news!!! I can feel your happiness! It must feel soooo good!! I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma last Aug. And finished my radiation Sept. 28 as well! I am now anticipating my first MRI, (I am assuming an MRI (Canada), is the same as a PET scan)? on Feb. 5. I am scared, as it is my first one since treatment.
I pray every day about it. I also keep others in my prayers too:)
Again...such good news!!!
Cindy
Please try not to let worrying about the upcoming scan consume your life. Believe me I know that is easier said than done :-) I think the first scans have to be the scariest!! Try to enjoy life and be thankful for each day and not worry about the next one. I have been telling myself each day to not worry needlessly over anything which I do not have control over.
I will keep you in my prayers also.
Glenna0 -
What Kent SaidGlenna M said:Thank you Cindy
Please try not to let worrying about the upcoming scan consume your life. Believe me I know that is easier said than done :-) I think the first scans have to be the scariest!! Try to enjoy life and be thankful for each day and not worry about the next one. I have been telling myself each day to not worry needlessly over anything which I do not have control over.
I will keep you in my prayers also.
Glenna
Glenna,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful news. It's great to hear (a joy shared is doubled) and gives hope to those of us undergoing treatment.
Looking forward to more good news from you.
- Pm0 -
very excited for you
I have not posted for a while. Sometimes reading everyones posts becomes overwhelming to me,
especially when you read that someone has left us.
Im so happy that your scan came back clean! What a relief probably doesnt even begin to describe that feeling!!
Its been 12 weeks since my boyfriend finished his treatment.
friday we just made a year since we hooked up although we have known each other for over 20 years. He is having such a very very slow time of recovery. Mouth is still very painful, thrush keeps coming and going, no saliva still, so he cant get regular food down. He is trying to get his weight and muscle tone fed again, so he is supplementing with protein, and will start some glutamine. Still has to take his pain meds. Has alot of fatigue still.
Im guessing he is just one of those people that will be recovering at the slowest pace rather than faster. On a lighter note, he can now smell food without getting nausea, so I was able to eat in front of him when I was at his house visiting. In fact he made me all of my meals, as he loves to cook. Go figure right? He wants SOOOOOOO badly to eat what he cooks. He tried scrambled eggs but had a hard time getting them down and they tasted cruddy. His taste buds are coming though, he tries every few days something to see. He still gets shaky feeling but Im guessing maybe his body goes thru rejuvenating moments so that may be why he has cruddy days. Its busy trying to heal itself. I think the biggest thing he would love is to get his saliva back, cause then he could eat normally even if he has to force it past some pain.
He will have his first scan, 3 months, on Jan 26, Tuesday. He still has to have someone drive him those 3 hours since he just gets too fatigued. Does anyone else get so fatigued?
Anyway, keep the fingers crossed only after you have said prayers for him. His name is Paul.
thanks in advance for the prayers and thanks for always listening.....
Kathy0 -
Slow recovery...thegirlfriend said:very excited for you
I have not posted for a while. Sometimes reading everyones posts becomes overwhelming to me,
especially when you read that someone has left us.
Im so happy that your scan came back clean! What a relief probably doesnt even begin to describe that feeling!!
Its been 12 weeks since my boyfriend finished his treatment.
friday we just made a year since we hooked up although we have known each other for over 20 years. He is having such a very very slow time of recovery. Mouth is still very painful, thrush keeps coming and going, no saliva still, so he cant get regular food down. He is trying to get his weight and muscle tone fed again, so he is supplementing with protein, and will start some glutamine. Still has to take his pain meds. Has alot of fatigue still.
Im guessing he is just one of those people that will be recovering at the slowest pace rather than faster. On a lighter note, he can now smell food without getting nausea, so I was able to eat in front of him when I was at his house visiting. In fact he made me all of my meals, as he loves to cook. Go figure right? He wants SOOOOOOO badly to eat what he cooks. He tried scrambled eggs but had a hard time getting them down and they tasted cruddy. His taste buds are coming though, he tries every few days something to see. He still gets shaky feeling but Im guessing maybe his body goes thru rejuvenating moments so that may be why he has cruddy days. Its busy trying to heal itself. I think the biggest thing he would love is to get his saliva back, cause then he could eat normally even if he has to force it past some pain.
He will have his first scan, 3 months, on Jan 26, Tuesday. He still has to have someone drive him those 3 hours since he just gets too fatigued. Does anyone else get so fatigued?
Anyway, keep the fingers crossed only after you have said prayers for him. His name is Paul.
thanks in advance for the prayers and thanks for always listening.....
Kathy
Hi Kathy - Just want to thank you for your response. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that I am in remission. I'm praying it will last for many, many years but I can't spend my time worrying about that, all I can do is pray. I will also add Paul to my prayer list.
I'm not sure what type of cancer Paul had or what his treatment protocol was. I had chemo (cisplatin) and 35 rads for my larynx and 4 sessions of Stereotatic Radiotherapy for my lung. I am 4 months post treatment and still have dry mouth - bad!! I keep a bottle of water with me 24/7. I was told my salivary glands were fried so I'm not expecting much improvement in that area. My taste buds are okay, definitely not what they were before cancer but I can taste most foods now, I just have to watch the spices and anything with vinegar as it burns my mouth, doesn't bother my throat just my mouth.
May I make a suggestion for Paul when he eats? Keep a glass of water (I find using a straw is easiest) while he is eating, after he has chewed his food and is ready to swallow take a small sip of water through the straw and swallow. I can eat pasta without drinking but with any other foods I have to take a sip of water to help get the food down. Kind of like using fake saliva to get the job done. Breads and pastries are impossible without some water to wash them down with. I learned the hard way to never try pastries without water in hand, I was eating a homemade donut but when I swallowed it got stuck in my throat and I couldn't breath, I rushed to the sink for a swallow of water to force the donut down. That's the scariest feeling in the world, not being able to breath, so now I make sure I have my bottle of water at my side constantly.
Regarding his fatigue - again I don't know if Paul had surgery or not, I did not. My doctors told me to get some exercise to help relieve the fatigue and to get out in the sunshine for at least 15 minutes a day if possible. I love to walk so I try to walk for at least a half an hour a day, I started out with 10 minutes and am working my way up, hopefully to an hour a day. Of course it's winter in New Hampshire so the weather doesn't always co-operate - LOL.
Tell Paul not to over do anything at first and to check with his doctors to see if getting out for a walk each day might relieve some of his fatigue. I lost a lot of muscle during my treatment (due to inactivity and lack of use) so I am trying to exercise to regain most of it in hopes that this will also help me to regain the weight I lost.
Hang in there Kathy and stay strong, things will get better they just take time.
You and Paul will both be in my prayers.
Glenna0 -
slow recoveryGlenna M said:Slow recovery...
Hi Kathy - Just want to thank you for your response. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that I am in remission. I'm praying it will last for many, many years but I can't spend my time worrying about that, all I can do is pray. I will also add Paul to my prayer list.
I'm not sure what type of cancer Paul had or what his treatment protocol was. I had chemo (cisplatin) and 35 rads for my larynx and 4 sessions of Stereotatic Radiotherapy for my lung. I am 4 months post treatment and still have dry mouth - bad!! I keep a bottle of water with me 24/7. I was told my salivary glands were fried so I'm not expecting much improvement in that area. My taste buds are okay, definitely not what they were before cancer but I can taste most foods now, I just have to watch the spices and anything with vinegar as it burns my mouth, doesn't bother my throat just my mouth.
May I make a suggestion for Paul when he eats? Keep a glass of water (I find using a straw is easiest) while he is eating, after he has chewed his food and is ready to swallow take a small sip of water through the straw and swallow. I can eat pasta without drinking but with any other foods I have to take a sip of water to help get the food down. Kind of like using fake saliva to get the job done. Breads and pastries are impossible without some water to wash them down with. I learned the hard way to never try pastries without water in hand, I was eating a homemade donut but when I swallowed it got stuck in my throat and I couldn't breath, I rushed to the sink for a swallow of water to force the donut down. That's the scariest feeling in the world, not being able to breath, so now I make sure I have my bottle of water at my side constantly.
Regarding his fatigue - again I don't know if Paul had surgery or not, I did not. My doctors told me to get some exercise to help relieve the fatigue and to get out in the sunshine for at least 15 minutes a day if possible. I love to walk so I try to walk for at least a half an hour a day, I started out with 10 minutes and am working my way up, hopefully to an hour a day. Of course it's winter in New Hampshire so the weather doesn't always co-operate - LOL.
Tell Paul not to over do anything at first and to check with his doctors to see if getting out for a walk each day might relieve some of his fatigue. I lost a lot of muscle during my treatment (due to inactivity and lack of use) so I am trying to exercise to regain most of it in hopes that this will also help me to regain the weight I lost.
Hang in there Kathy and stay strong, things will get better they just take time.
You and Paul will both be in my prayers.
Glenna
Thanks Glenna,
turns out that Paul could not get his PET scan last Tues. It was enough time, but upon his exam, and dentist consult, he again has or still has or I dont know, the mouth sores, and was told that it was pointless to have that scan because it wont come back accurate with the sores. so he has another apt, tentatively, for 6 weeks from now. So he still cant eat, from pain and no saliva, cant taste much. It has gotten so old for him. He is not a patient man
to begin with. He misses food so much.0 -
So sorry.....thegirlfriend said:slow recovery
Thanks Glenna,
turns out that Paul could not get his PET scan last Tues. It was enough time, but upon his exam, and dentist consult, he again has or still has or I dont know, the mouth sores, and was told that it was pointless to have that scan because it wont come back accurate with the sores. so he has another apt, tentatively, for 6 weeks from now. So he still cant eat, from pain and no saliva, cant taste much. It has gotten so old for him. He is not a patient man
to begin with. He misses food so much.
Kathy, I'm so sorry to hear that Paul's scan had to be postponed. I can remember how frustrating it was to have the desire to eat but food tasted so bad I couldn't eat anything. I'm not sure what Paul is trying for foods but I know I had great success in the beginning with mashed potatoes smothered in gravy, it goes down quite easily and is moist enough that I didn't need water to be able to swallow. I also had good luck with any type of pasta, although I couldn't have any spaghetti sauce in the beginning because anything with tomatoes burned my tongue.
Tell Paul to hang in there, I know his recovery is much slower than he would like but he will eventually overcome these problems.
I will keep you both in my prayers,
Glenna0
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