Dear Visitor

Steve Dunn of CancerGuide.org said,"When I was very ill and things looked their worst, nothing was more inspiring to me than reading about how other patients survived against the odds and coped with their situations."

Several of the patients at RDOC have contributed accounts of their survivor experiences for sharing with you in the hope that they will be of some help.

There is light at the end of the tunnel .

Best wishes
Vinod

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

Hi Dr,
Just wanted to say how nice your note was.
I know i am not a survivor or indeed someone who has had cancer,but i know how it felt to be told my Dad had it,i cannot imagine how i would feel if it was me who got told i had it.
It was reassuring to me and comforting to read other peoples notes on it,and how they felt and survived etc,it made me feel like my dad was'nt about to write out his will!
I immediatly assumed he was going to die when he told me. Thats when i found all these brilliant sites that made me feel better.
I hope they carry on lifting people when they feel like they are alone.

Well, I'm not 100% sure that I'm in the right part of this site, as I don't really know how a """survivor""" is defined.

In September 2001 I was diagnosed as having cancer of the tongue ("""heavy load""" was mentioned). The same month I had a total glossectomy with attendant neck dissection.

This was followed by a course of radiotherapy.

So, do I yet qualify as a survivor?

Incidentally, I'm quite envious of the survivor stories I've read. It's not only the courage that impresses me, but the recall of detail is truly impressive.

Hello Pikeman

You are a survivor!

Best wishes

Vinod :coffee:

Thank you Dr. Joshi - I didn't really think I qualified as a survivor until I'd hit at least the 2 year marker.

I can now brag to my family and friends that I've officially survived. Whether they'll be pleased or not is a different matter.

However, Mr. Worrall would tell you (I think) what a pessimist I am!

Hi

What is heavy load

Blitzbob -- I just knew somebody would ask an awkward question.

I'm not 100% sure but I guess """heavy load""" means there was a lot of my tongue affected.

Maybe somebody out there knows better

Hi Pikeman

Blitz is blitz - a member of the awkward squad !
Why don't you ask Mr Worrall?
I would like to know too!

Best wishes

Vinod :coffee:

I'll do that little thing at my next clinic (August)

Thanks

HI, End of August pikeman you are lucky I have to go every month. But it does give me a chance to shop in Oxford st!

Paul

You see Paul, there's always a silver lining. But don't you find Oxford just the least bit pretentious?

HI, Just read your message, yes Oxford St is a dump excect for John Lewis, Selfridges I go and look at what I cannot afford.

Paul

It is only when I read John Diamond's book and read some of the info on this sight, I realise, the terrible trial I have gone through; as a none smoker and hardly a drinker, and yet the classic cancer of the heavy smoker drinker; I cannot think why cancer visited me ? I would like an answer; what got my goat was that two speach therapist told me I would never talk, hey I proved them wrong, and my hair grew back.Fed up with no spit,would love to lick a stamp on !

Garance, I have often wondered WHY cancer visited me as well. I stopped all that """WONDERING""" years ago, as there is no answer. It doesn't care who you are, what you do, how you have lived your life. When it comes it comes. Yahoo for you!!! You showed them didn't you!! That is great. By the way I am Vicki. I haven't been on very much but I am back now. Had to catch up on things. AS for """SPIT""" I didn't have any for quite a while then one day, bamm, it was back,. so don't give up. It is just now tho I don't have a tongue to """LICK""" with. Go figure. huh? Oh well I am still here, they say that is the main thing...Always, Vicki

Dear Vicki, Just saying hello. I was wondering how you were as I missed your powerful presence! Regards Ishbel.