Hi all, it's been ages since I logged on (oh so busy!) and I'm feeling a bit guilty about being so ignorant. So much has happened, especially in the last few weeks (all of it good, I'm pleased to say) I can't quite believe that it's all happened to me.

Firstly, I managed to finish my nurse training and got my degree, which is quite astonishing : this time 2 years ago yesterday I had my biopsy done, this time last year I had just started back at university and was worrying that I wouldn't make it to the end. Now here I am, a fully qualified nurse. I start work on a cardiac ward on 5th december. I went for a post in oncology but didn't get it (I suspect, but can't prove) they thought it was too close to home for me and that I wouldn't cope. Far from it. I can't think of a better place to work.

Anyway. I'm more than happy with the post I've got and I can't wait to get started. I have my graduation ceremony on the 17th and, to crown what is already a wonderful personal achievement, I've been awarded a special achievement award by my university, which will be presented at the graduation ceremony. What an honour that is !

It's all proof, if any were needed, that there can be life after cancer and these things can only make us stronger. I'm fast-approaching my 2nd anniversary of diagnosis and surgery stronger, healthier and happier than ever. And as if to prove that...

I've done several intervies for the awareness week and beyond:

On Tuesday I was interviewed for a BBC Radio Scotland programme called Medical Matters. It will be aired on 23rd Nov (unfortunately missing the awareness week, but rather expanding it) at 11.30, then repeated that night and it will be available over their website for the week after .

Hot on the heels of that interview came one with the Daily Record - that was supposed to be out next Tuesday but has been postponed until the 22nd, to tie in with the radio programme (proper photos by a proper photographer, too!)

To mark the start of awareness week, I've done short news item pieces for Scottish TV which will be shown in the regional news slot during GMTV and throughout the day, and for Glasgow's Real Radio. Thankfully I'm out all day on Monday so won't accidentally hear or see myself .

If you're interested, I think some, if not all of the interviews can be accessed via the appropriate websites. Scottish TV have suggested they might want to do a follow up interview. Eek. I was originally in two minds about all this - it's so not me; I'm quite quiet and reserved, but the cause needs to be highlighted and if I can do even a small bit to raise awareness then so be it.

Be strong, be lucky, be happy. Big love and big hugs to you all.

Janette x

Hello Janette

Congratulations, it is good to hear from you. You have been busy! Use the interviews to promote mouth cancer awareness. Much of the information the public needs is on the MCF website homepage. If you need local statistics for Scotland, let me know. Don't forget to also inform the public that they can find more information on our website.

Well done.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hello Janette Wow! What a fantastic year for you. Congratulations on your degree, plus special achievement award - good on you! Great to hear you are in big demand in the media - we all have to make a big noise about this dreadful disease. We have to fight to get air time for the cause so it's great that you are doing your bit for Scotland!! I'm sure you will go from strength to strength. Your patients will be blessed to have someone who can empathise with their fears and anxieties. All the best Janette x

Good on you Janette,

Congratulations on your degree and your new post, I can't think of a better person to be a nurse,you have been on both sides of the hospital bed!
I agree with you totally on bringing as much awareness about this 'silent' illness. I say silent because we hardly ever hear it spoken about,we hear plenty about breast cancer and lung cancer, now don't for one minute think I am playing them down, because I am not and I have lost family members to both these cancers, all I am saying is we need to talk about head,neck and mouth cancers too. If more people knew the horrors of what we all went through.....There I go...on my soap box again
I too have done quite a few interviews in local and national papers, also a feature in 'Full House' magazine, same as you just to show we can get through this and become stronger people, and that it is not all negative. Yes we go through hell, and feel like s..t for a while, but we are proof that we can come out the other side.
I am still having problems with fatigue and dreadful insomnia also pains in my neck, but hey, I'm still here and I'm singing again,so what, I have huge scars on my neck, but i'm quite proud of them now, because it shows people what I have come back from, and I don't mind talking about it, because again it is informing people,and me and my family and friends are wearing our bands with pride.
So once again, well done Janette,give yourself a pat on the back from me, and I will look out for your interviews.

Best wishes
Tracey

Thanks for all your good wishes. I've certainly been busy spreading the word and I'm hoping that not too much has been cut out of any of the interviews. I've certainly been doing my best to raise awareness of this site and the work of the Foundation; without the knowledge that I wasn't alone and that there are - unfortunately - many more like me, I'm not sure where I'd be right now .

Anyway. Onwards and upwards, as they say. I'll keep you all up to date on any further interviews I sat here yesterday, thinking 'I can't do this' (I really am so reserved): I reminded myself that what's important is 'the cause' and the need for greater awareness. If I can do my wee bit, then do it I will!

Incidentally, Tracey, I am also still struggling with fatigue - it's a swine, isn't it?! Not sure if it's a legacy of all the treatment or my shoddy diet - or whether I'm just a naturally tired individual. I'm hoping to join a gym once I start earning so that should do me some good. What's more, I get pain in my neck ('pain' being something of an under-statement) and in my jaw: I was told at my last clinic that it's possibly due to 'reaching a certain age'; I don't believe this for a minute and suspect that, once again, it's one of those things that they can't explain. I'm due to see my GP next week to try out yet another drug. The pain in my jaw is quite hideous. It doesn't last long, but it shoots right up my face to above my right eyebrow. This seems to alternate with a complete spasm during which my chin and jaw feel like they are in a vice, while at the same time, swelling slightly (I actually develop 1/2 a double chin when it happens... very odd).

I'm verging on a grumble now and this should be a time for positive thinking so I'll sign off. One final thought. I was listening to 'Fighter' by a certain Ms Aguilera today. if you get the chance, listen to the lyrics; they sum up how I feel about my cancer: it didn't beat me, it made me stronger, it made me a fighter.

Big hugs, big love and best wishes to you all.

Jx


"Fighter": link to lyrics

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,