2 Years ago.....tomorrow

Hard12Find
Hard12Find Member Posts: 218 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

August 30 2012, is the day I got the phone call saying you have Stage 4 cancer. A life changing moment. I am not one to get upset or afraid real easily, but I'll tell you, that chilled me to the bone, as I am sure you can all relate. Of course I jumped on the internet to learn all I could about SCC, Staging, 5 year prognosis, etc...., Having lost friends and family to the beast, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just received a death sentence.

I stumbled on this site by accident, was greeted by Matt, Nick770, Phrannie, Hondo, and all of the others who frequent this site, and they are the reason I come back after this long time, and to let those of you newly diagnosed, that this disease is beatable, and there is life after treatment.

I did 35 Rads, and 3 cisplaitan chemos, had a rough go with naseau, infected peg site, dehydration, severe weight loss, hearing loss, thrush, and pain....for me the naseau was the worst part......peg tube popped out, many emergency room visits, Dr's and specialist in excess...speech, hearing, nutrition, Had a major bout with depression and PTSD after treatment ended....

Up until late spring of this year, I still felt very weak and tired, no stamina, still wasn't able to eat many things, but as summer came on I found myself doing more, getting energy spurts, gaining some weight back, indulging some of my old activities, found out I could eat watermelon and Cantaloupe, (must have eaten 50- 60 pounds this summer) and it tastes good....

Just spent two weeks with my oldest Son while he was home on leave, and we were pretty active and on the go, I'm not as strong, nor do I have the stamina I once did, but I can honestly say I feel well, and am adjusting to my new normal.

For those who are still in the battle, be of good spirit......there is an end to it all, and there is life after treatment.

Jim

 

 

 

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #2
    2 years

    Jim,

    You did have a rough go of it, but you sound rooting, tooting good now (must be the cantaloupe).  The H&N clock moves incredibly slow, at times, but improvements are there to be had.

    60 pounds of melon, you are my kind of guy!

    Matt

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    I remember when

    you joined our little home away from home :).  Also remember that you had a tough time....but like you say.....YOU MADE IT!!  Two years sometimes seems like yesterday, and at others it's like ancient history.  I'm hear to tell you, that if you're starting to feel more amp'd now, 2 years from diagnsis....it's still going to get better!!  I'm way WAY stronger and energized right now than I was last March (my two year diagnositc anniversary).

    Love hearing from you again.

    p 

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #4
    Jim, sorry you had such a

    Jim, sorry you had such a rough time but you've shown how strong you are.  so glad things are better now and that you are living life.  I pray you continue to improve and show cancer you ARE the BOSS!!

    God bless you,

    dj

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #5
    debbiejeanne said:

    Jim, sorry you had such a

    Jim, sorry you had such a rough time but you've shown how strong you are.  so glad things are better now and that you are living life.  I pray you continue to improve and show cancer you ARE the BOSS!!

    God bless you,

    dj

    thank you

    Thanks so much for sharing mate

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #6
    Hi Jim

    You are a fighter and I am glad to see you are doing well. Must have been a blessing to be able to spend time with your Son while on leave, little things we use to take got granted. I can’t swallow my watermelon anymore but I do blend and put in it into the PEG tube when it is available.

     

    Tim Hondo  

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