Hi to all my friends out there,
Darrel and I wanted to share with you it has now been officially 12 months since his scc was discovered and he had his neck dissection following with r/t and chemo. The great news is he believes the last month has been the best since it all started. He is able to swallow a little better, eat a little more, the swelling of the morning is not so bad, even the tightness is easing a little more each day. His colour is good, and all in all he is feeling great. It is funny though I can still tell when he is tired or had a big day his voice when he talks becomes very different as if everything is swollen again, especially if he is on the phone it becomes more difficult when he is tired. He was one of the lucky ones to have his taste buds back, but he still needs water to push his food down as there is no saliva at all in his mouth. It is so good to say it has been 12 months, we wondered if we would ever get here, he will have a mri scan at the end of the month just to do another check up and make sure nothing is happening in there but this as you all know will continue for sometime.
We wanted to share this with you all so for all the new ones out there please take hope from this knowing you can move on even after the darkest of times, our love and prayers will always be there for everyone else who is going through or have been through this tough road of the dreaded "C".
The best thing out of this has been meeting all my new friends on this website, when Darrel was going through so much I always found the answers I needed to help him in some way from this site. I admire so many of you, Chelle your going great guns now, Dave and Sue you always have a kind word, Paul I think of you often with your feelings that you battle with but you are so strong, Alan you and your prayers mean so much, Ananth love your soul and spirit, (thinking your looking like Sean Connery at the moment with the pony tail)?? Trevor you and Deborah have been so strong also in your journey you are also always in my thoughts. And to everyone else who we talk to so many to name, Bless you all.
Tracey

Tracey,
Every mile stone is a big deal isn't it?!
I'm always saying "do you remember this time last year...??" & we're always amazed how far we've come!
I never doubted i'd get my life back eventualy. Although it didn't always seem possible in those darkest times.
& now i can say i'm honestly excited to be alive!
They say live for today but i can't wait til tomorrow!
This week has been a major wake-up call for me! Theysay cancer changes your life but this week has been a kick up the bum !
I think we're lucky. We may not have the same life we had before, but at least we have it! There are poor kiddies that never got this far and there are people that die from this awful disease evry day and i think i owe it to them to make the most of what i have!

& i'm sure when you post a year from today with 2 years on... Things will be even better!

Take care you two!
Michelle

Tracey, Wonderful, I feel your joy, love and enthusiasm coming through, you have done such a splendid job, so pleased everything seems to be going good for you. We all know cancer is a dreadful monster who has invaded our lives without invitation but it doesn't always mean devastation. Darrel and Bill have come through. We must stand by all our new members and assure them there is hope, it isn't all doom and gloom we can conquer. We are the champions - of the world.

Dear Tracey,
There could not have been better news and what I am glad is that his taste buds were not affected (I too was lucky). The loss of saliva is also very normal and I had to go through that phase for quite some time and now its the other way - where I got extra saliva being formed!Initially even I used to get exhausted even after spending a couple of hours out of the house but guess my workouts and running got me back my stamina. There is indeed a silver lining behind each dark cloud.
Darrel had something that very few are lucky to have so much of - your love and your stance against the Cancer - fighting it alongwith him. How could the damn thing win? The other ones who are really lucky with you being there are all of us and its great when one can talk and get things off ones chest (even rubbish at times). Michelle is another pillar of strength (I am not trying to flatter you Michelle)and is always emits such positive vibes that it really makes ones day better - each day.
I think everyone here contributes to the well being of each other - where we can laugh to gether, howl as loud as we want, knowing there is a shoulder, shout out loud what is bothering you. I for one know, I always feel better after putting down my feelings and getting your replies. I know I post some inane stuff - but that is just to keep everyone spirits high (like the pony tail bit!!)- more like Brad Pitt with a ponytail then Sean?????
Tracey - take good care of our friend and may you always have hapiness surrounding you all especially after all the pain and misery you have had - as above - every dark cloud has a silver lining.
Take care and tons of love,
Ananth

Dear Michelle,
I dont think I even need bother writing down all that I would like to - as you are special and understand how each one is doing. I am sure you will be posting for years to come and I really hope that happens.
You take care,
Ananth

Tracey

It was a pLeasure to read your story.It is very similar to my own in terms of the the journey to how I feel now.

Glad things are looking up for you Tracey and Darrel. Milestones are great and really make a difference. Michelle is right, choose life and live it to the full. We owe it to all the sufferers out there. B******s to cancer.