Ive Got Cancer

[raul]

People will tell you "if there is anything I can do, just ask" without ever expecting to hear from you.  You can tell them, visit.  Yes, come by for a visit.  Often.  It doesn't have to be for long, just a drive by and say hello, but it all helps.

[John Ulrich]

Dammm....Sorry to read this stuff!   Go hit it hard and get back to living!!!!    ;-T

[Aaron D.]

Wow Rick, I'm sorry to hear this.

A lot of great words and comfort here. Hold to your loved ones, be strong but not tough. They need you too.

And never throw away today worrying about bad things, you're already doing the work.

[youcanrunnaked]

Crap.  I am so sorry to learn of your troubles.  I wish I could do more for you than send a healing prayer your way, but I will at least do that. 

[Hugh Straub]

Hi Rick

This is very stressful, I know.

You should get a second opinion regarding treatment...Mayo has campuses in Scottsdale and Phoenix and Mayo is truly first rate.  Not too far away is M.D. Anderson in Houston, also among the best in the world.

God bless you.

Hugh

[davedel44]

Rick,

I have a dear friend who is fighting lung cancer.  He is a respiratory therapist so he knows what's at stake.  He told me that as long as he was right with those he loved and his God he could deal with any outcome.  Sounds like you have both those bases covered.  He's still here five years after his initial diagnosis..

Good Luck and God Bless from a lapsed Catholic that has also returned to the Church.  I'll say a prayer for you at Easter Mass.

Dave
Galveston

[Sheepdog]

I'm sorry that you must go through this, Rick. I'll be praying for your comfort, healing, and emotional peace. You're one of the good guys, buddy...

[Rough Edge racing]

 Rick, I guy I know survived a similar situation to yours and he's good to go....It was was not exactly a walk in the park but the docs patched him up well and he looks and speaks just fine.
  It's probably the toughest thing you've done so need clarity of mind and strength...Best to you.. and remember to hug your family..  ;-T
 

[nosail]

My brother had stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue. He went through aggressive chemo and radiation treatment and has been cancer free for 8 years now. I wish you all the best and hope everything works out.

[lucydad]

Rick,

I am so sorry for this news.  My response is to go into prayer Warrior for you.  Faith does help.

May I also suggest taking up meditation to calm your body, mind and spirit? 

Be kind to yourself.  Reach out to friends and family. 

blessings,

[Ralph Plant]

Hey Rick,

I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I was 56 when I was given almost the same news-squamous cell cancer at the base of my tongue with involvement of the lymph nodes as well. It was like a kick to the stomach and took a little while to sink in.

If I can offer any advice, I would recommend that you learn as much as you can about your type of cancer (the American Cancer Society has a good website), write down your questions and concerns before your appointment, always bring someone with you-it can be a very emotional experience and it's easy to miss the many details that will arise, and don't be afraid to ask as many questions as it takes for you understand the situation and the options for treatment.
One question that served me well at that time was "If I were your father/brother/friend, what treatment would you recommend?'

I ended up getting six rounds of weekly chemo and six weeks of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) five times a week. If your Doc suggests a feeding tube at some point don't fight it, as your throat will become increasingly sore as treatment progresses. Pain meds are a good thing and I found it better to be pro-active rather than try to quell the pain once it had started. Pain patches are good.

At the end of my treatment I was a little beat up and I lost my salivary glands as well as my thyroid to the collateral damage of the radiation but I'm still here, cancer-free, better than new, more than ten years later, and I would imagine that treatment methods available today are quantum leaps ahead of what was available then.

Stay strong, Rick and seek out the very best care available.

Ralph














.

[Chuck in Indiana]

It *can* be beat, Rick. Sorry you have to go through this..

[pete mcgee]

Rick,
I have survived a squamous cell carcinoma at the back of my tongue and lymph nodes, just about to hit the 5 year mark.
Mine was not as involved as yours and apart from the medico pulling 11 teeth with twin roots I avoided surgery, radiation and chemo did the job.
Squamous has 2 genetic types, one very treatable the other not so much.
First off stay positive and although it may be difficult make plans for the future.
Dont sweat the small stuff, your job now is too get better, stay positive and go with the flow, remember this.
Also keep in mind EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT and is effected in different ways. Not sure which chemo they will give you its probably changed by now anyway, effects on me where a cross between a hangover and a cold for a few days after treatment.
Radiation is another animal entirely, it starts out easy and by the end gets hard.
The list of possible side effects is long with either chemo or radiation, you may or may not get some, they may or may not be an issue, handle them IF they occur, everyone is different. Have a good long talk with your oncologists, TAKE SOMEONE WITH YOU so they can listen as well,about their plan for you, side effects, prognosis and recovery time etc.
Get used to blood tests.
You may end up with a feeding tube up you nose for a time or they may fit a pict directly into your stomach, you will not be able to eat normally due to radiation burns to your throat, go with the flow, I fought against the tube up the nose until I was loosing over a kilo a day, you'll know when its time.
Did I mention staying positive?
Rick what you are about to go through is probably going to be the hardest thing you have ever done and you can do it, I managed and I'm nothing special, the fact is its a LOT better than the alternative.
On the down side I wasnt strong enough to take the Lemans for a ride for about 18 months, the first ride was memorable and bloody enjoyable.
I wish you luck and a positive outcome.
Cheers

[CTYANKEE]

I don't know what to say, but everyone is pulling for you. I'm Catholic too, I'll light a few candles for you in our Church. I'd contact the church also, they might have a support group or prayer line.

[BillinPA]

Sorry to hear this. I do not know much about this however this is what I know. A very close friend has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he is struggling but staying positive. He is praying for the will to do what god wishes. 

His doctor is amazed, at his stage most are deceased or bedridden. He is neither. He is realistic but hopeful. I am too, for you and him.

STAY POSITIVE!!!!

[rboe]

What I gleaned from the NPR spot, each cancer is different and it's different for each person. A treatment that does not work for one person can work on someone else. Cancers will morph and a treatment that kicks butt at first can become ineffective. Be pro-active, find the best doctors to help you in the fight. A bit of luck and prayer can't hurt either. Good luck sir!

[Bisbonian]

I hate to hear this Rick.

I thought you were out of the woods with the other stuff, and now this.

It's a trial, but you'll make it through. You have a great family to help.

[stmike]

Best wishes to you and your family Rick. Be strong and I'm sure you'll do whatever you need to make yourself healthy again. I'm sorry you have to go through this.

[Carlo DeSantis]

Rick,

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis; you've got a lot of work ahead of you.

But you also have a lot of support in your family, your complement of friends, and here on WG.  And a lot to look forward to.

Keep us posted and let us know what we can do to help.  

Best,

Carlo

[Dick]

Bummer. Hang in there. Best wishes to you and your family.

[JJ]

Rick -

I am very sad to hear this news and my thoughts and prayers go out to you. 

Advances in cancer treatments and and medicines have improved dramatically in the last few years, so there is hope,  and a lot of hope, but you must be strong and fight!

Yes, keep us posted and let us know how we can help.

JJC

[56Pan]

Rick, I've got one older brother 10 years out from pancreatic cancer, and doing fine.  The next older one now has prostate cancer and is dealing with that.  Don't know how much influence prayers from this old sinner have with the Almighty, but Frank made it through 10 yrs. ago and had my prayers.  You'll be in them now. Good luck, sir.

[canuck750]

Damn so sorry to hear of this, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Guzzi guys and gals are tough buggers who constantly turn lemons into lemonade.

In five years you are going to look back on this diagnosis and say to yourself that was very, very tough but I pulled though with the help of my family and I am now so much stronger a person as a result.

Stay positive, and look after yourself as much as you can.

[SeanF]

Rick, here's a big hug from Tucson.
I am here if there's anything I can do, or if you just wanna talk.

[smdl]

Hi, Rick.

You have already received better practical advice than I could ever give, but what I can tell you is that you are a good person, with a great deal to offer.  I have seen your posts on multiple forums for years, and they are always polite, respectful,  helpful and considerate.  Never negative, never defensive,  ALWAYS positive.  I have repeatedly thought "Now there's a guy that would make a great friend.  Hope I get to meet him some day."   Now, you just need to channel all that positive energy into getting better, and you *will* get there.  In the meantime,  I'm glad I told you what I think of you,  sorry I waited until now, and look even more forward to when we do actually get the chance to meet in person.  That will be a great day!

Pulling for you,

Shaun

[Red07]

God bless Rick,

Knowledge is power.  Learn as much as you can.  Your friends on WG are all here for you!

Randy

[PeteS]

Rick, I wish you all the best. All I can tell you one of my inlaws had the same diagnosis, has been treated and has been cancer free for 4 years now. It can be beat.

Pete

[mtiberio]

I have had 3 independent cancers, 4 if you count basal cell carcinomas. I'm still here. All I can say is find a good doctor and do what they tell you. If they want to cut something out, cut it out. If you have to do chemo or radiation, do it. Do not hesitate. Do not go to mexico for some quack cure or ignore it hoping it will go away. Just do the next right thing and stay away from the fads. Lots of cancers are quite curable. Good luck, you are strong enough to handle whatever happens..

[Rich A]

Stay strong and tough.

Rich A

[Nic in Western NYS]

Wishing you lots of love and support.  You have a lot of guys here on your side.