So the 18th December was my one year out of treatment and i wanted to take just a moment to look back at just how far i've come.
Today i'm over at the H & N centre for another check up.
This time last year i was up tp my eyeballs in morphine. & my existance was wake up, puke, sleep, puke, try to feed, puke.... You get it?!
My nerve damage was so severe i couldn't do up buttons, i couldn't even hold a pen. & i was about to have to worse christmas EVER! To be honest, i wanted to go to sleep and never wake up!
My side effects now - well, my hands are still fairly numb but the tingling has improved and it doesn't stop me doing a thing.
My taste buds are 99% ok.
My mouth is still a little sensitive but the actimel drinks keep the thrush away and i don't suffer with ulcers now. & i can enjoy a snowball this x-mas.
Trismus is still the same... no bananas fitting in my mouth!!
Energys back to norm (i'm working 6 days a week and 12 hour days)
Ears are still dodgey but the tinnitus is far better than before.
Weight - i'm a stone lighter than i was before this and can drop half a stone in a week but i feel ok.
So all in all... i'm doing so well.
Ok, so things wont ever be as they were before, but i dont know if i want to be the person i was before because i love my life now!
I started my own dog grooming business and its far exceding my expectations. Its hard hard work but i love every day of it! & i'm sooo busy.
I love my social life (when i'm not working)
& words cant describe how much i'mlooking forward to savouting every minute of christmas!!

So those in the thick of it... There can be life after caner... be strong and never give up!
Aim high and you'll reach it!

Love to you all...
Michelle x

Well done Chelle! You've not only been brave you have also inspired others. A very Happy Xmas and an even better New Year to you.
Love and best wishes
James.

I got all teary reading your post, Chelle.
What a distance you have come, even just since we joined the forum back in July (seems like a lifetime ago!). Back then you were having your struggles and looking for support and answers to the challenges you were facing and it was no time before you were the one inspiring others and offering advice. We followed you as you launched your business and knew by your absence that your life had moved on and you were able to set your focus elsewhere.
Well done! A true survivor. I feel very proud of your achievements and your attitude. Onwards and upwards for you, Chelle. Give yourself a pat on the back!
Love
Deborah
PS Got a great pic of our beautiful puggies today. I'll get Trevor to put them in the album.

Awww thanks guys!!
Appointment went well... i've lost abot a kilo in 2 months but thats because i'm so busy!
& mmy appointments have been moved to every 6 months now YAY!
With ENT (in hastings) in between.
Recurrance is most common in the first yr so thats that one under my belt!
Can't wait to see the pugs debs!
& james, a merry christmas & a prosperous 2008 to you!x

Hey Chelle,
So great to hear life is so good! I have been reflecting on what a difference a year makes too. My anniversary for the end of treatment was 5 December and like you, Christmas 2006 was quite miserable. I could only manage a couple of morsels of food on the big day and was feeling pretty grim. This year, I am really looking forward to tucking into almost anything I fancy (there are still a few things that are tricky to eat). I am so thankful! I have been discharged from Brighton, where I had radio and chemo, and my appointments with my surgeon (had surgery for tongue cancer in August 06 for those who don't know) are becoming further apart too. My speech continues to improve, the saliva is settling down (or maybe I am more used to it now) and the neck dissection scar continues to fade. So, I would also like to encourage others who are going through treatment at the moment that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I know I didn't feel that way this time last year, no matter what people said, but please believe it because it is true for me and so many other people! Happy Christmas to you all (with a special hello to Dave and Sue), S

So good to read your post chelle. I am so pleased that all is well for you. Also lovely to hear that your business is so busy. What a different Christmas you will be having this year!

Hug coming your way

Mum x

Hi! Michelle,
Like everybody I would also like to congratulate you on your First birthday of the "C" being finished and will look forward to your second, third, fourth ETC ETC. Good luck with your New dog business( and I don't mean droppings).
I have posted the photos of our Pugs for all to see. Do have a very Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year.
Love Trev

Congrats Michelle and a very well deserved holiday time coming up.

love liz

Hi Chelle,

This is one post I am definitely going to show Maggie - tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well done the medical fraternity can do their bit but it is always the Patient who conquers!!!!!!

All my love Alan xx

Welcome back Alan,
It's been awhile hearing from you, How is Maggie? I hope she is being looked after by you as the greatest help around is from the ones that love you and you them.
I would like to wish you and Maggie a very happy Xmas and a prosperous and healthy 2008.
Love to you both TREV

Were your ears burning Chelle ?

My mum was pretty down this lunch time and so I was telling her your story.

Every little piece of good news cheers her up. I wish she could meet you and Trev.

Hi! Winnies Mum,

Here is something to give you a chuckle.

An Elderly couple were celebrating their 60th anniversary.
The couple had married as childhood sweethearts and had moved back to their old neighbourhood after they retired.
Holding hands they walked back to their old school.
It was not locked, so they entered, and found the old desk they'd shared, where Andy had carved "I love you, Sally."
On their way back home, a bag of money fell out of an armoured car, practically landing at their feet. Sally quickly picked it up, But not sure what to do with it, they took it home.
There, she counted the money -- fifty-thousand dollars.
Andy said, "We've got to give it back."
Sally said, "Finders Keepers." She put the money back in the bag and hid it in their attic.
The next day, two FBI men were canvassing the neighbourhood looking for the money, and knock on the door. "Pardon me, but did either of you find a bag that fell out of an armoured car yesterday?"

Sally said, "No."
Andy said, "She's lying. She hid it up in the attic."
Sally said, "Don't believe him, he's getting senile."
The agents turn to Andy and began to question him.
One says: "Tell us the story from the beginning."
Andy said: "Well, when Sally and I were walking home from school yesterday . . .
The first FBI guy turns to his partner and says, "We're outta here!"

Today Deb and I went out for a drive (this is not a joke) and we went to KFC as I have been hanging out for a bit of chicken and I tried a Crispy Strip dunked into plenty of dipping sauce (I had a Pepsi Max as well) and it went down like a treat so that is after about 3 weeks from when I started eating so all GOOD things come to those who can stand to wait.
Oh by the way tell Winnie to keep in touch or you will have to learn how to work the computer.
Love TREV

"Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory."

Albert Schweitzer:

Dear Michelle,
So its not just a reason to celebrate xmas and the New year - but also a new life as well. This combo seems the best ever. Congratulations and celebrations - and let them all keep continuing.

With lots of love,xxx and hugs,
Ananth

Hi Michelle
As someone who is relatively new to all this can I say how helpful and inspiring it is to hear stories such as yours. Thank you
Gwyn

Good for you Chelle. You can call yourself an official cancer kicker now. The years get easier from here on in. Congratulations and all the best for your new business.