I haven't posted an update in quite a while. 4 years cancer free now and back to something resembling a normal life. I lost my job a year ago and decided to take early retirement. Along with my job, I also lost my health insurance but fortunately the Veteran's Administration is taking up the slack, only I have to drive a little over 100 miles to the V.A. hospital in Sacramento, and they have now postponed my apptment with the oncologist 3 times. New date is augt 1.
Normal life got thrown off track last oct. when my wife, the lovely Linda, was diagnosed with breast cancer. 1st they thought they could get it with a lumpectomy but that didn't get it all so she had a mastectomy with 1 lymph node showing positive so, chemo and radiation followed. She had awful burns from rads but is mostly healed now and just got back results from a bone scan showing no sign of cancer. So now headed back towards somewhat normal life again. (Knock on wood). My family now has enough survivors ( my mom, breast cancer, my sis, breast cancer, my bro, prostate, Linda and me) to make a full team for next years Relay for Life. We really don't need any more members, just supporters and we have a good many of them. Thank you all for being here when I was fresh out of tx and had no idea what to expect. Love you all, David.

David, I don't know you, but what a lovely and inspirational post. Proof that cancer doesn't always have to be the death sentance that we are somewhat programmed to believe it is, although the treatment remains brutal.
Best Wishes
Vicky

David,

So glad to hear from you. So sorry that Lovely Linda had to go through the whole b/c treatment but what seems so primitive actually works most of the time. I'm a b/c survivor too; just passed the six year mark.

I'm in Sacramento, about 1-3/4 hours south of you (as you know, but our Brit friends probably don't). If you need a place to stay while here for evaluation, let me know and I'll supply a bed (well, it's a futon) for you and Linda.

The 'I'm well' messages are so important to the newly diagnosed or to those who are scared - thanks for posting.

Mimi

Hello David

Good to know you are doing well and things for you and Linda are headed towards normal life again.

Did the Evoxac help with your dry mouth?

Best wishes
Vinod

Nice to meet you, Vickie. Mimi, I appreciate the offer. Hopefully this will not take all day byt you never know with govt agencies. I got out of there at 5:00pm one day and it took more than an hour just to get to the 99 freeway. And I complain about the traffic here? Doc Vinod, good to see you again. The V.A. doesn't provide the Evoxac but switched me to Pilocarpine which does seem to help. The only time I really have bad dry mouth is when I wake up and if I do much talking.