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> DB'S STORY > LATEST UPDATE IN 2007 NEW YEAR |
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I am a 44 year-old male living in London.
My name is David but when I say it over the phone,
people mishear it as Mavis. So instead, I use my
middle name, Paul.
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Paul is a regular poster on the RDOC
Mouth Cancer message board. To chat
with him and other cancer patients,
join our free online support group here |
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LATEST UPDATE IN 2007 NEW YEAR
Hi there guys
Well another year nearly over. I keep meaning to update my web page but never seem to be in the mood.
The years are going by very slowly but its now 5 years for me since the operation. I still have the same old problems with eating, being heard and being treated like a person!
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Why do people not see me as a person?
Because I look a bit different they presume I am either deaf, dumb or brain dead! This happens to me on a daily basis, and NO I do not get used to be treated this way. It is a reminder all the time of what I am trying to LIVE WITH.
When I tell someone something and they do not understand me and then get it wrong and cause me endless problems to put the situation right, I am afraid I tend to lose it some. It not only happens to me but many other people on here and we have other things in life to deal with. |
I've got to the stage where being alive is NOT enough
I've tried lots of things to make like more bearable but I am afraid my speech and constant weakness means I fail at most things I try so my confidence goes up and down like a yo-yo. I am hoping I will find some work to pass my time maybe someone will want me to write a book! "Cancer for the confused" would be a good title as I am still confused by many things that have happened to me in the last 5 years. One thing that constantly goes through my mind is that I went into Hospital fit and well, but came out underweight, disfigured and a different person! My friends and acquaintances cannot get their heads around this and I have a difficult time with it myself.
I must thank my consultant, Dr Kalavareous, for his tremendous support through the last 5 years and my favorite nurse, Maggie, from across the pond and all the helpful happy Nurses at UCH London who make the visits to the Maxillofacial worthwhile (he he).
It's been a bad year for me
My best friend died of cancer in Sept 06 after a very short illness and then in Oct06 my ex-partner of 22 years passed away quite unexpectedly quick. So I am very low at the moment and this Christmas round the corner is going to challenge my inner being.
I miss wise old Pikeman, his jokes and the advice he gave me. I still think of him and pray has at peace now.
Hover over the photos on the right. Top right is of Richard (Vicki's husband) and me at the Ceasers Palace where he works. Bottom right is of Vicki and me in Las Vegas.
I am still very much honored to have met Vicky Lynn & Richard from Las Vegas. I should have been back but things happen. They treated me so well when I was there, I felt like part of the family. You would not think so, but Vegas is a really nice relaxing place especially where Vicky lives. It is so nice and peaceful, open with a park across the street. When we went into Vegas, it was so enjoyable to walk around without being harassed; the tourists are so nice and well behaved. We were at the Bellingo Hotel fountain at midnight and you did not get the feeling that it was at all a scary place to be. The staffs in the hotels and shops were so helpful, patient and they seemed to enjoy their jobs!
I would very much like to hear from people living on their own as I have been for nearly three years now. I feel it's a lot more difficult to succeed when you have only yourself to keep you going. How do you manage?
Finally, I would like to mention my friend Eric (Hopwood) who helped me through my first 3 years of hell. He would make sure that I had my meds and my Ensure™.
Eric was with me 24/7 and put up with my anger and disbelief of what had happened to me. Unfortunately, he passed away in Oct 2006, peacefully after a short illness. He was such a giving person and always doing things for others, and I do regret not able to do anything for him in his last days. I feel very grateful to have met a wonderful person and in my mind he will always be so. |
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Well, happy Holidays to you all out there where ever in the world you are.
Love
Paul and all my little friends
(they are great: I can talk to them all night and they don’t answer back. He He! )
Hover over the photos on the right. Top right is a recent photo of me and bottom right is a photo of all my little friends during Christmas 2006!
PS Hope to see you all on the RDOC site more often. Well above is a recent picture of me and yes I am looking a lot better!
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Paul is a regular poster on the RDOC
Mouth Cancer message board. To chat
with him and other cancer patients,
join our free online support group here |
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