It's been a year....

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dogsrule
dogsrule Member Posts: 96
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
The doctor called me 1 year ago and told me I had cancer. On my son's 16th birthday no less. We were getting ready to go out and celebrate his birthday at a rest. called Champs. I said to him " are you telling me I have cancer and he said "yes. I sat thru the dinner with my son and husband and felt in a fog. Slow motion. Didn't talk about it. Smiled and listened to my son talk about his life and birthday. Came home and had cake and sang "Happy Birthday". As soon as my son went to bed I jumped on the internet and looked up SCC unknown primary and got the grim statistics. I couldn't believe it. What I was reading. In a fog. 2 weeks later in surgery for modified neck disection. I woke up from surgery and my husband and son were by my side. I cried and cried. My husband said " it's ok, it's ok. It's ok to cry and I did. I went thru the radiation, started right before xmas. Jan, Feb 2010. Had to stop working. I hibernated in my house. Suffered. Got the PEG end of Jan.Feb was Hell March was bad. April was better. Started back to work again. May got the PEG out. Clean PET. June went to Florida and stayed with my sister. July was even better and August. Another clean PET. Back to work full time. Life feels normal again but not quite.
Sept good. October. 1 year ago.
We went to Champs again for my son's 17th birthday. I sat there and laughed and celebrated my son's birthday and remembered how I felt a year ago. What a difference a year makes.
I feel hopeful. Doctor said "it's gone". I am still afraid at times. Life altering experience. Very harrowing. I reflect back and remember. And now, a year later, I feel
strong. I feel alive. I feel like a true survivor.
I don't know what the future holds, but I am holding on to the future.
Hold on everyone.
Love, Jo

Comments

  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #2
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    Congrats
    You are a survivor there is no doubt. The future is bright and what ever hurdle decides to jump in your way you will leap over it.

    By the way I too was told on my daughters 16th birthday I had SCC, that was 14 years ten months ago, You future is what you make of it.

    Celebrate each day.

    John
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #3
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    Good Job, Jo
    I'm right with you on the anniversary. This week last year I had my biopsies and tonsillectomy. Afterward, the doc called and told me it was malignant. Funny - I'd had a mild sore throat for a while before diagnosis. This year, I've had a mild sore throat for a couple of weeks, brings back memories. But, I do think I probably have a sore throat every year at this time, and just never made note of it. I love the way you worded it: "I don't know what the future holds, but I am holding on to the future." You hold on with both hands, and know that I've got a grip, too. Do well
  • nkimber
    nkimber Member Posts: 46
    #4
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    Pam M said:

    Good Job, Jo
    I'm right with you on the anniversary. This week last year I had my biopsies and tonsillectomy. Afterward, the doc called and told me it was malignant. Funny - I'd had a mild sore throat for a while before diagnosis. This year, I've had a mild sore throat for a couple of weeks, brings back memories. But, I do think I probably have a sore throat every year at this time, and just never made note of it. I love the way you worded it: "I don't know what the future holds, but I am holding on to the future." You hold on with both hands, and know that I've got a grip, too. Do well

    Thanks for the Hope and the Smile you just gave me :)
    I just finished round two of Chemo yesterday... Very rare cancer and what I would certainly call grim statistics (that is, IF i chose to read them), especially for a 31-year-old! Your post made me smile, and made me feel so much hope. I am so proud of you and everybody else on here... I think the key is to pay attention to the stories that give you hope, and don't even FIND the stories that don't. Many hugs to your and your entire family. You are such an inspiration!

    - Nicole
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #5
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    Go Jo!
    Here's to your future, girl!

    Deb
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #6
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    D Lewis said:

    Go Jo!
    Here's to your future, girl!

    Deb

    Congratulation's Jo!
    Thank you for sharing! I am hoping Dec 14th will be the same for me!
    God Bless!
    Roz
  • dennis318
    dennis318 Member Posts: 349 Member
    #7
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    rozaroo said:

    Congratulation's Jo!
    Thank you for sharing! I am hoping Dec 14th will be the same for me!
    God Bless!
    Roz

    Thanks Jo!
    I just read your story and so many of us can relate, after 35 years of a faithful employee, cancer took its toll on my life, i am out till January 2012, and hope i remain cancer free, my voice is shot, my body remains of a boney man as to a guy who worked out at a gym and weighed 205, down to 148, I was let go from a full time postion to a few hours a week and now living off Dissability, thank god that worked out for me, I sleep alot, breathing hard to my larnyx being paralyzed on the L/S, i hope maybe I will get a little more back, but don;t see it. I harbour anger, but after what we go threw we made it hopefully to some good days ahead, Thanks for your story as others share here. Dennis
  • Fire34
    Fire34 Member Posts: 365
    #8
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    Comgrats
    Jo
    Way to go on your new birthday. Time flies doesn't it. How were those Champs cheeseburgers ? I haven't been there in ages. Again congrats
    Best Wishes and continued prayers for you
    Dave
  • mixleader
    mixleader Member Posts: 267 Member
    #9
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    Conquer The Beast
    Congrats, Jo. Reading your post brought a tear to my eye. I am so happy to read about people who have looked the beast in the eye and then spit in it. I hope and pray that you stay 'clean' forever. I find out in about two weeks if I am 'clean' and I am very anxious about that.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #10
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    Faith & Hope
    We all hang onto faith and Hope as sometimes it is all that we survivor have, I am so happy to read your story and hear your good news
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #11
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    You are a true survivor
    Thank you for sharing your story, it was heartwarming to read how different your life is one year after your diagnosis and am happy you were able to celebrate your son's 17th birthday.

    Here's to celebrating at Champs with your family for many more birthdays!!!

    Keep holding on,
    Glenna
  • CLRRN
    CLRRN Member Posts: 127
    #12
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    Thank you.....
    Jo,
    Thank you for sharing your journey. Your words give us all hope. I'm a life partner and caregiver to Mike. and he is 4 mos post treatment and 7 mos since surgery. Each month is milestone and like you, we hold onto the future.

    Thank you again for the supportive and encouraging words.

    Chris
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #13
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    CLRRN said:

    Thank you.....
    Jo,
    Thank you for sharing your journey. Your words give us all hope. I'm a life partner and caregiver to Mike. and he is 4 mos post treatment and 7 mos since surgery. Each month is milestone and like you, we hold onto the future.

    Thank you again for the supportive and encouraging words.

    Chris

    It is a journey. Sometimes
    It is a journey. Sometimes two steps forward one step back. But at least it's forward. Keep on keepin on.
  • dennis318
    dennis318 Member Posts: 349 Member
    #14
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    sweetblood22 said:

    It is a journey. Sometimes
    It is a journey. Sometimes two steps forward one step back. But at least it's forward. Keep on keepin on.

    I hear One Year Is The Key
    I hear one key is the year, I am 3months out still clean, tired all the time, energy good for 4 hours and then worn out, breathing a little harder, sit and am fine....any hope in 3 months...Dennis
  • KristynRuth86
    KristynRuth86 Member Posts: 140
    #15
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    dennis318 said:

    I hear One Year Is The Key
    I hear one key is the year, I am 3months out still clean, tired all the time, energy good for 4 hours and then worn out, breathing a little harder, sit and am fine....any hope in 3 months...Dennis

    I'm glad you have reached
    I'm glad you have reached that 1 year mark and are doing so well! May every year be more wonderful than the next!
  • ekdennie
    ekdennie Member Posts: 238 Member
    #16
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    congratulations!
    Jo-
    thank you so much for sharing your story. It had to have been so hard to find out on your son's birthday...but now you both have something to celebrate on that day! Wishing you many many more of your son's and your own birthday's to celebrate! I too am holding on...my 1 year will be at the end of june...it seems so far away some days and just around the corner on others! I am 2/3 of the way through my radiation treatment and then it is back to waiting...but at least I will be around to wait! May you have many many many many more clear PET scans!
    -elizabeth
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #17
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    ekdennie said:

    congratulations!
    Jo-
    thank you so much for sharing your story. It had to have been so hard to find out on your son's birthday...but now you both have something to celebrate on that day! Wishing you many many more of your son's and your own birthday's to celebrate! I too am holding on...my 1 year will be at the end of june...it seems so far away some days and just around the corner on others! I am 2/3 of the way through my radiation treatment and then it is back to waiting...but at least I will be around to wait! May you have many many many many more clear PET scans!
    -elizabeth

    Hey Jo
    Ditto to what Deb said, girl. You are in a good place.

    kcass
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    #18
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    Kent Cass said:

    Hey Jo
    Ditto to what Deb said, girl. You are in a good place.

    kcass

    Congrats Jo!
    1 year - awesome to hear!

    Greg
  • delnative
    delnative Member Posts: 450
    #19
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    Greg53 said:

    Congrats Jo!
    1 year - awesome to hear!

    Greg

    Happy anniversary!
    And many, many happy returns of the day!

    --Jim in Delaware
    (2 years, 3 months and 20 days from my "you have cancer" moment)
  • PattyNC
    PattyNC Member Posts: 65
    #20
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    dennis318 said:

    I hear One Year Is The Key
    I hear one key is the year, I am 3months out still clean, tired all the time, energy good for 4 hours and then worn out, breathing a little harder, sit and am fine....any hope in 3 months...Dennis

    to Dennis318 (you might want to post your own thread)
    I am a caregiver and can't provide much guideance or answer your questions Dennis.

    If you post a separate thread, you should get plenty of input and support.

    Prayers to all
    Patty

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