Hello out there I am new to this sort of stuff so bear with me and I will get to the point. I was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer on Feb 13 of this year. I have a tumor on the base of my tongue which has metastisized to my lymph nodes. I have undergone lots of chemo, which brought me to my knees! Radiation which was very painful to my neck area. Now it seems I have to undergo surgery of the lymph nodes area, sounds scary and it is! but bring it on, I am ready to do what it takes to bring this story to a close! Oh and by the way I have a lawsuit against the state of colorado for exposing me to so many carcinogens over the years as a construction supervisor with the colorado Department of Corrections. I spend 18 years as a welder of galvanized steel and steel painted with lead paint. In 1997 I was raising the insides of a kitchen built in 1954, all of the steam pipes, about 20, 30 yard dumpsters full anyway coated with an inch of amosite asbestos... we are trying to prove that this kind of cancer could be caused or helped to be caused by exposure to occupational carcinogens. If you read this introduction and you have any knowledge in this area I would be very grateful for directions to a website that has case studies that indicate that this cancer could be caused by welding or exposure to asbestos. I am 51 years old and am too young to have this cancer...I sure feel that way I feel I have been wronged by the people that told me that there was no carcinogenic agents in that kitchen, that made me weld without proper respirators or other equipment. Well enough about that, I am one of those poor folks who has had their insurance refuse to pay for anything as concerns the cancer because it was a pre-existing condition. My bills are astronomical, to the tune of some 40,000 plus dollars, I have sold everything I own to help pay bills. Well so long for now, God bless you all, and keep the faith!

Hi Ted
Welcome aboard the cancer train. The journey itself is pretty rocky and rough at times but the company is first class.
You sure have had a rough time of it but I wish you good luck with your fight. I am of absolutely no use to you re your request for informatioin, just wanted to make contact.
You will get untold support on this forum, so stick around and ask away ~ someone will know something or someone or somewhere to find answers to your questions. They're a pretty clever lot around here.
Take care
Deborah

Deborah

It is sooooo obvious that you are not in Britain. Over here, there is no way we would use the train analogy!

Ray

Hi Ted,
welcome to the forum. I'm not familiar with your cas ebut just wanted to let you know that there are a lot of people here who have been through similar or worse circumstances. Please hold on to hope and those in your life who stick around, even if that means God! I am caregiver to my father in law who has oral tongue cancer and is about to begin erbitux treatment. Cancer treatment is a lot cheaper in india than it is in the usa, costing under about 15-20k unless drugs such as ethyol or erbitux are used (that will be another 40k). That is what I know so far. I am sorry you weren't treated well by your employers and hope justice is served. My mom also had a lawsuit over environmental illness and is an expert on the subject. She will probably be able to give you a few referrals. her email is pushcrash@yahoo.com. god bless and take care.

Hi Ted, welcome to the forum. Dont know much about the welding issue. Sorry to hear about your financial problems, all this health insurance stuff you have to go through in USA is really shite. Try and stay positive if you can, you've come to the right place for support.Hagg.

Hello Ted

You might the information in the forum Financial Help (U.S.A.) of help.

You could also contact Brian Hill at the Oral Cancer Foundation in the U.S.A. to see if he can help.

Best wishes
Vinod

great minds Vinod lol i pm'd ted with brians details

liz