Hi Everyone,
Krishnan has been very helpfull and downloaded my most recent photo (thanks). I know many of you had read and answered my inputs to the forum and I thought it might be nice for you to see who you read and answer.You will probably get an idea why I have a whinge about my face now when you see me. I have been asured that eventualy remidal surgery will improve the way I look. Perhaps though, my photo will help others. It might get really bad,nearly unbareable sometimes but this is me after three operations to close the wound site. I can honestly see light at the end of the tunnel. Yes it might take a few years but so what. Take no notice of the rude, explain to the ignorant and always know that there is someone here on the site that will listen when things are bad and rejoice with you when things are getting better.
Thanks to all for the support so far.
SusieR. x

Good on yer Susie, I am not a sufferer, my husband is and just starting on r/t. You all amaze me, your courage and your bravery. Your last sentence is so true I have found in this site such solace, support, friendliness and some really sound advice. Will be thinking of you tomorrow whilst I am waiting for Bill to have his last chemo (I think) and his second R/T of 20.

Angie

Hi Angie,
As it turned out I didn't get zapped today. The machine I was booked on broke down so I didn't get seen until 4pm instead of appointment time 2.20. When I did get in they had to do some adjustments on the markings on my mask. Apparently after the last appt. there was concern about an area which showed up on the scan. I was given the option of another biopsy or they would just go ahead and zap the additional area too. I told them to go ahead and do it. No way do I want more surgery to be told I more RT, I may as well take the chance and get it over and done with now!. So my first Real appointment is now tomorrow. Thanks for the wishes, I hope you were right and that Bill had his last chemo today and the best of luck to him for the rest of the RT treatment.
SusieR

Susie

Best of luck for tommorrow

Best wishes
Dave and Sue

Hi Dave and Sue,
Thanks for the wishes, two down and twenty eight to go. All went ok but today I did notice a strange tingling in my tongue for about an hour after treatment, mind you for all I know it could have been there before and I just haven't noticed!. The one thing I don't like about the treatment is that it is Bloody Freezing! My mask goes down to (excuse me guy's please) nipple level, so all clothes on top have to come off for treatment. The air conditioning is on full blast, jees it's cold, if the treatment does not cause problems (minimal I hope) the air conditioning is a close second for hyperthermia!!! (spelling ?)
It would not be too bad if we were getting a summer and needed a cool off I suppose, here in Ireland all we are getting is rain, rain and more rain. Ah well, I think it might be worse sweating under the mask!!!
Will let you know how things are going as treatment gets futher down the line.
Thanks and regards
SusieR

What a sight you conjure up Susie. The woman in the iron mask supported by two chapel hat pegs!

Ha ha,
Funny ain't you!
Actually now you said it I've made a mental picture of myself on the table.
If I got someone to take a picture, I could post it on a hard porn web site and charge every hit to make a donation to the Mouth Cancer Foundation.
ONLY JOKING.
The mental picture is funny though, you are right!. If we did not have a sense of humour to help get us and loved one's through this horrible thing where would we be?
As is said-Laughter is the best medicine-maybe not quite correct but it helps!
Susie

I have just joined the forum and have also been scheduled for RT/Chemo. I am feeling a little apprihensive about what I am going to subjected to, having read your letters (I apologise if I am entering your personal space )and feel every bit of contact with others of similar problems help.
I found a lump(well my lovelly wife found the lump back on the 28th April 2007 and my first thought was just a swollen gland, WRONG of ot the Dr and then the next day straight to the Specialist, boy did things fly then I had surgery on the following Friday and the results I had the following Wednesday(Sqamous Cell Carcenoma) However it was not the Primary source so of to the next Specialist ENT and back to hospital to have my Tonsil remove(NO Cancer)Back again for Modified Radical Neck Dissection 35 glands removed and 5 Lymph Nodes one was full of Cancer BUT not the primary. Then back to the Specialist for gthe Mask makers and setting up the R/T and Chemo treatments which start on the 23rd July 2007.
Wow all this over a meal at the local and an observent wife.
Hang in there SusieR iam going to enjoy keeping in touch

Hi Trev,
As I am sure Susie(my sweetheart! )would agree there is nothing known as personal space here. Its all for one and one for all! All I can add at this moment is just take each day as it is passes(I know, I know - its an old cliche!)and everything will be okay . Well - it will be great having you here with us and updating us on how things are going with you.Welcome to the club.
Take care Trev,
Ananth

Hi Trev,
You are welcome in my space anytime! As Ananth ( , Hi there Ananth) pointed out, All for one and one for all, or, share and share alike. Since I have joined this site, I have read about, spoken to some truly wonderful people. We are like one massive, very special family and you are very welcome to join us. (Your wife too) This is the place where you can ask questions, tell us how you are getting on, have a moan if you like and if you can havre a laugh too. Welcome.
SusieR

Hi Susie,
you photograph does not do you justice - as I know you are far more beautiful then any snap that can be taken. I had to toss between you and Michelle as to who I should flirt with and now it seems I have two more lovely women in my life( my wife approves!!). You are so much full of love and affection that you can really be the sunshine on a dark gloomy day. Just keep being the way you are.
I have never been to Ireland but wish I had. I used to keep putting off the possibility of visiting your lovely country but being what I am, I kept putting it off and now its a complete no show. However, I understand , watching the Indian cricket side play its last match in Belfast how cold it was and with this in mind I hope you are keeping warm ( but does a warm person really need to keep warm?).
Tons of love,
Ananth

Hi Ananth,
Why you flirt you! All taken in good form though! Please continue, a few good smiles and a laugh really brighten my day. Thanks. Mind you I have just read one of Alans posts and I think you might have competition!.
I lived just outside Belfast for nearly ten years and yes it can be cold. Cork being in the south is much more settled. Mind you non of Ireland has had a summer this year, all it is doing is raining!
Your comment on me being a warm person is lovely, it's just the person I am. I know there are lots of people who visit the site who are having problems to get over like most of us. It just seems to be right to chat away and help if possible. I hope friends on the site get a lift afer reading my posts as I do reading others.
Love
SusieR x

Dear Suzie,
I have this whacko sense of humor and at times it backfires also. I am glad to see that your kind nature took my flirting in the right spirit. Alan is no competition and so I am not duly worried - however I wish him well to try his luck ( Alan - you are a lady killer!!! ). Your posts really do raise everyone spirits and I am sure everyone looks forward to your thoughts that you pen down. Keep smiling and let me try and send you some bright sunshine from India where the summer is really very bad!
Lots and lots of love,
Ananth

Hey guys!
Susie, i kept my mask when i'd finnished treatment, mine was made of plastic lattice & until about week 3 when my weight dropped i had an rather attractive imprint left for an hour after treatment. & i'm with you on how cold it gets in there. iwas allowed to leave a thin strap vest on though. Forget trying to preserve your mldesty! i gave that up when i had my groshong put in. It was under local and sedation & i was so high i was more concerned the doc could see my boob than much else *lol

*lol* Ananth is such a honey!

Keep going strong girl!
Michelle

A big hi to all my sweethearts and friends,
Since we are on the radiation table, I was surpised to see my name on the notice board just out of the radaition room and it said : ANANTH SHENOY - R.I.P . still to understand the details of radiation I thought my end was here and made a bee line to my doctors room and told her what I had seen. She started laughing and told me that it ment REALLY IMPORTANT PERSON !!!! The staff had been informed to take care of me with gloves of kid leather. I am really not joking on this one but that is another story.
... and now my idle mind is moving around picturising all you lovely women on the radiation table. Love you all.

Ananth