My Year Is Almost Up

dennis318
dennis318 Member Posts: 349 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I am approaching my full year out of rads and chemo the 28th of this month, I wanted to let everyone know how cancer changed my life, physical and mentally, i wish we could meet, but i know we never will, but I kept on this board when things got tough for me and you all listened, as of today I still weigh in around 150, most of my muscle mass is gone still, I still am fatigued, but get going each day, I was slowly let go of my job, total dissability, hoping to get a job soon a few day a week is all I ask, my hair is coarser than it was before, and does what it wants, my teeth, one rocking, but they seem to constantly need brushing, my breathing only half a larynx, at night i drink water or junk forms and I start to back up and feels like lard hardening. My bills where covered great threw BC/BS, till the hyberberic Chamber I had last year was to be ok'd as I heard the Doctor tell his assistant, Guess what, I amd now having to fight for this to be covered as the rejected the claim and I know have to appeal, because everyone I ask to help, didn't do anything and passed the buck or let it set...Please make sure you get all medical approved threw your insurance, I am fighting to get this paid, which I understand is not uncommon, the only thing that was not correctly covered. My faith at times has grown more positive from the man above, a year ago I was barfing my guts out and not eating, my family couldn't cope with this and let me lay on the bathroom floor. yes you read right, I struggled for a glass of water,and crawl back in bed and then worked as much as I could, As of now, I return Monday for a final or look from the cancer doctor, the cold air makes it hard to breath, and his fix is another hole with pvc piping, I fight it, trying to live as normal as the man I was before, crying is a feat anymore, because it hurts to do so, or nothing comes out. the for some reason my skin below my eyes is flaking and constantly dry,radiation? Conclusion I am here, and alot of you offered kind words of encouragement, prayers, and where told alot of what was going on behind the scenes, It hurts to read about the passings here, I'm hoping for a little more getting back, we will see...Take Care, God Bless Dennis

Comments

  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    Congrats!
    Congrats on a one year anniversary dennis!

    That is not an achievement to be taken likely in the cancer world.

    I salute you for your toughness and your determination and your very will!

    In the meantime, I am not experienced with your particular cancer and can only tell you that over time things have progressed in a positive way for me. I am not doing what I was the day before I called my doctor about the bump on my tongue (eating steak, potatoes, green beans and bread), but I am doing a heckuva lot more than I was five and half years ago when I made that called, even a lot more than I was doing as recently as a year ago.

    We DO continue to evolve, dennis, and that is our promise, that is our great hope. Maybe we will not be what we were (maybe we don't want to be what we were before), but maybe in our evolution, we can discover new and good, even better things about ourselves. I have found, to put it in simple terms, that I like to eat a lot of things I hated five years ago. Strange, but an interesting and promising development: this means that I have new places to explore, new foods, new tastes.

    Life is about change, about evolving.

    Best wishes in your continued evolution, dennis, and again, congrats on the anniverary!

    Take care,

    Joe
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    Big Time Congrats
    Congrats! Making one year is huge. My doctors always said make one year that is the biggest, it makes it easier to get to 5 years. We look for you to continue on CSN for many years, your an inspiration to all.

    John
  • mixleader
    mixleader Member Posts: 267 Member
    Anniversary
    Congratulations, Dennis, on your first anniversary. I am sorry to hear about your continued problems, but as others have said, many things get better with time. Reading about your issues makes me a bit ashamed about any whining I may have done about the leftover issues I have from my treatments. You are obviously a fighter and I wish you all the best for the future. Hang tough. Every year is another victory.
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    Congratulations Dennis
    Dennis,

    You are a true warrior. Keep up the good fight. It sure beats the alternative. Congratulations upon your one-year anniversary.

    Deb
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    Dennis
    This one year thing- OH YEAH! Great to hear. Many more years to follow- Believe it.

    kcass
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    Kent Cass said:

    Dennis
    This one year thing- OH YEAH! Great to hear. Many more years to follow- Believe it.

    kcass

    Victory
    Dennis,
    Think of all the milestones we strive to reach during this journey. One year post treatment is a big one. I said in another post somewhere that cancer will be a passanger we carry with us as we journey forward in life. Even as caretaker, entwined with Mark, I carry this passenger. There is not a day when it is not present in our lives. I only hope that as we all travel forward in life this passenger becomes lighter and lighter. Dennis, this is my wish for you.
    Kim
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    Congrats on your one year,
    Congrats on your one year, Dennis! (tomorrow is two yr anniversary for my neck dissection)

    Dennis you have been a fighter and I am amazed at your tenacity. Can't wait to celebrate year number two for you and year three for me this time next year!
  • JUDYV5
    JUDYV5 Member Posts: 392
    Congrats
    A year past treatment is a milestone to celerbrate. I hope the next year brings continued healing and peace in your life.
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member

    Congrats on your one year,
    Congrats on your one year, Dennis! (tomorrow is two yr anniversary for my neck dissection)

    Dennis you have been a fighter and I am amazed at your tenacity. Can't wait to celebrate year number two for you and year three for me this time next year!

    :)
    Congratulations to you, then, as well, sweet lady!

    Take care,

    Joe
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228

    :)
    Congratulations to you, then, as well, sweet lady!

    Take care,

    Joe

    Why, thank you, sir. :)

    Why, thank you, sir. :)
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    Brother Dennis
    Congratulations Dennis! I'm very close to your time. My issues are different than yours, and yours are a little tougher, but I salute you for keeping on when recovery is very hard. I also get very tired of the new me sometimes, but like you I'm hoping the next year will bring new me some improvement.

    best, Hal
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Hi Dennis
    The only good thing in life sometimes are friends and here on CSN we have so many. I too wish that someday we can all meet each other as there are a lot of people here that I have learned so much from in my walk with C.

    I hope that 2011 will be a better year for you then 2010 and I hope and pray that all your reports will be NED. You are now and will always be a dear friend my mine.

    Hondo
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    Hondo said:

    Hi Dennis
    The only good thing in life sometimes are friends and here on CSN we have so many. I too wish that someday we can all meet each other as there are a lot of people here that I have learned so much from in my walk with C.

    I hope that 2011 will be a better year for you then 2010 and I hope and pray that all your reports will be NED. You are now and will always be a dear friend my mine.

    Hondo

    Congratulation's Dennis
    I truly admire your strength & feel guilty when I complain about my issues. I could never have worked while getting treatment's & I did have the support of my family. I wish you my
    best for 2011 Dennis & I pray that you find a job where your employer truly appreciates you
    for all that you have to offer.
    God Bless
    Roz
  • Ed_PortOrange
    Ed_PortOrange Member Posts: 110
    Congratulations
    Your obviously a gritty competitor. You've taken on the battles of getting healthier and the bureacracy of the system. Keep on fighting and we'll be discussing your 18 month and 2 year updates hopefully with improving results.

    Best wishes
    Ed
  • stevenl
    stevenl Member Posts: 587

    Congratulations
    Your obviously a gritty competitor. You've taken on the battles of getting healthier and the bureacracy of the system. Keep on fighting and we'll be discussing your 18 month and 2 year updates hopefully with improving results.

    Best wishes
    Ed

    Yes, Congrats
    Dennis,

    You have truly been a warrior through everything. Congrats on your 1 year and keep fighting!!

    Best,
    Steve
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    One Year
    "Happy Anniversary" seems kinda creepy. Congrats on the milestone, though. Hoping to hear of additional recovery in the year to come.
  • Pam M said:

    One Year
    "Happy Anniversary" seems kinda creepy. Congrats on the milestone, though. Hoping to hear of additional recovery in the year to come.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Carolinagal
    Carolinagal Member Posts: 91
    Congratulations!
    You have had a lot of ups and downs this past year. I hope this next year brings you many more ups than downs! I wish you the very best!
    Cindi
  • josh r.
    josh r. Member Posts: 264 Member
    The winner is...
    Hi Dennis, You have obviously fought more than cancer this past year and have won through your courage and staying power. Congratulations and keep counting. First it's one, then two and on you will go. You give strength to others with your fighting spirit. Keep going for yourself and others who draw strength from your victory. Josh r.
  • josh r.
    josh r. Member Posts: 264 Member

    Congrats on your one year,
    Congrats on your one year, Dennis! (tomorrow is two yr anniversary for my neck dissection)

    Dennis you have been a fighter and I am amazed at your tenacity. Can't wait to celebrate year number two for you and year three for me this time next year!

    Way to go!
    Great news Sweetblood,
    May you and Dennis cellebrate two and three this time next year. josh r.