Blog for a Cure - A community of cancer survivors supporting each other. Log into your account or create a new account.

avatar

Vital Info


Chris (chrism)


December 25, 2009


Hanover, Pennsylvania


Cancer Fighter

Cancer Info


Tonsil Cancer


Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Occult Primary - Primary found in Rt Tonsil


12/15/09


Stage 4


Yes


Tonsillectomy


yes


Cisplatin


Metastasized to neck


35 tx every day M-F for 7 weeks


3 cisplatin treatments, concurrent with radiation treatments


RSS Feed

chrism's Cancer Blog

June 29, 2010

All, I just spoke with my RO this morning – my PET scan came back ALL CLEAR! It feels so good to know that I am currently cancer-free! There are so many emotions running through me as I reflect over the past 7 months.

As I lay there last week getting the PET scan, I thought back to when I got my first PET scan this past December, two days after receiving the news that I have cancer. I was petrified, not knowing if the cancer had spread to other parts of my body- will I be told to ‘get my affairs in order’? Next came the news that it was tonsil cancer and I would need more surgery and have to undergo concurrent radiation and chemo therapy. A lot to absorb to be sure.

So here I am 7 months after those terrifying first days, 3 months post-treatment and (at least for now!) I am cancer free! I write this for all those who recently received this terrible cancer news who may be reading this blog. It is a long, sometimes very loney and dark, road – but there is hope for all of us. My friends here at Blog for a Cure have been a tremendous support system and I would not have been so brave if not for that support.

I will continue to keep posting as my recovery from treatments continue – still dealing with lots of issues but very, very thankful to be alive!
HUGS-Chris




rachb likes this.

Fantastic News!

(((Chris)))~~I am so happy to hear your wonderful news! I’ve been wondering how you were doing. I’m 7 months out from my last treatment and things are going so much better so you just keep hanging in there Gal! Fantastic news!
Big, Big Hugs!
Trice :-)

WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL!
I am so very glad to hear that all is clear!
My PET scan is next tuesday, Aug 17th. I hope and pray mine is also gone!
Sandyjo


June 6, 2010

Hello, All!
So it’s now been 10 weeks since treatment ended. I had the feeding tube removed on 4/27 and now have two belly buttons! I returned to work part-time on May 10 and last week started full time. I am doing pretty well but still am battling fatigue. Working full time, I require about 10 hours of sleep per night. Of course, I never get that much, uninterupted. The dry mouth gets me up every 2 hours to rinse. These days I can pretty much taste everything, but it’s textures that prevent me from eating anything: bread and dry things like cookies and chips just won’t go down the throat without copious amounts of water.

I just saw my RO this week and my ENT the week prior – they said everything is healing nicely. RO gave me a scrip for Evoxac for the dry mouth so I’ll give it a try, I also use Oasis mouth spray frequently. I feel somewhat back to normal, except for my energy level and the constant dry mouth. I am soooo grateful to be back at work and feeling good most days! My husband and I even went to see Bon Jovi on May 19th and we were in heaven! We both couldn’t believe we were there after the nightmare of the previous 5 months.

I am flying to Kansas City on a work trip this week and I hope I have the strength to attend the conference I’m there for! We will find out!

Some sad news: My 17-yr old cat, Singie, who was with me everday, in my lap, giving me comfort, through treatments/recovery passed away from kidney failure this week. My husband and I buried her in our back yard and said our goodbyes. I truly believe she was sick when I was but waited to say goodbye to me until she knew I was stronger.

My first post-treatment PET scan is scheduled for 6/24 so I am anxious for the results. I will post when I get them.

Thanks to all-Chris



I hope your energy level increases as you are able to move forward from treatments. Research shows it is different for everyone but a commonality is a lack of energy for cancer survivors that had radiation and chemo. I know the radiation really did me in during treatments. Good luck and I am proud of you for being able to return to work so quickly.
Melinda

Good news. Glad things are slowly getting back to “normal”. What ever normal is. And I can relate to the sleep part and always being tired. It has been a year for me and I swear I am still trying to catch up on my sleep. It takes a long time and changes you. I think also I am just so grateful to rest now. I want to sleep late a lot of the time to just store up the rest for when I need it again. lol!

Hi Chris! I’m so glad you posted…you’ve been on my mind. I’m happy to hear you’re doing well. I’m wondering if we will ever be able to enjoy crackers and chips without all that water to get it down! Sorry to hear about your energy level being low. I guess I really don’t know if mine is or not. Being retired I pretty much go at my own pace. I’m sure impressed by your being able to taste everything so well…I get the taste of the first couple bites of something and then it goes blah and I’m 6 1/2 months out of treatment. If that keeps up I’ll have no problem keeping the 60 lbs I’ve lost off!
Going to a Bon Jovi concert…how cool! I’m so glad you and hubby got to enjoy yourselves! I just got back from visiting my family in Kansas and Minnesota and it was wonderful getting away! I hope your trip to Kansas goes well.
Chris I am so very sorry to hear about Singie. Being owned by 2 dogs and 4 cats and having been owned by many more I totally understand that loss. It’s hurts. I teared up reading your story of how you think she was sick and just had to stay to see her Mom through. Sweet kitty.
Stay positive as you always have Chris and I can’t wait to hear your great news after you have your PET scan!
Big Hugs!
Trice :-)



Chrism's Stats

Posts: 19
Photos: 0
Events: 0
My Supporters: 16
I Support: 11
Comments: 79
Views: 8543

My Supporters:

JillJill   MelindaMelinda   LoriLori   RonRon  
SandyjoSandyjo   indianar6girlindianar6girl   debbydebby   julie445julie445  
annaanna   ValerieValerie   Gwen WilkinsGwen Wilkins   GregGreg  
ElenaElena   PatricePatrice   HeidiHeidi   LisaLisa  

See all 16 Supporters



Become a Supporter


I support:

RonRon   indianar6girlindianar6girl   BillBill   annaanna  
ValerieValerie   GregGreg   ElenaElena   PatricePatrice  
PaulPaul   HeidiHeidi   LisaLisa  

See all 11 Friends



Advertising









If you wish to become an sponsor please see our sponsor page. All proceeds will go back into building a better system.

JillThanks for your support - Jill, Founder, Cancer Survivor

p.s. If you have any suggestions on how to improve Blog for a Cure, send me some feedback. Keep in touch & let me know how I can make this the best system possible for you.