Don’s Story: Fighting Head and Neck Cancer and Colon Cancer, Part Five

PART V: MOVING FORWARD

Continued from Part Four

After about three months on the new treatment, I was scheduled for more scans. I knew the tumor had shrunk as the esophagus had returned to its normal position (it previously had been bent to the side), and the swelling had gone down to virtually nothing. The scans came back showing no cancer in my body! That afternoon as I sat in my car in front of the school where I was teaching, I couldn’t get a hold of any of my girls, so I called my mother-in-law. When she answered the phone, I told her that I had some bad news to tell her. She replied, “Oh no! What now”?  I replied,

“You’re going have to put up with me a while longer; the scans are clear and showing no cancer!”

Side effects? I got lucky there too, virtually nothing. The doctors have shown me pictures of other patients with massive skin side effects, which I did not experience thankfully.  Now I am seven years older. Have I slowed down? Yes, but at 77 I am still in pretty good shape. I’m doing everything I was doing before, just not as fast.

My advice to anyone newly diagnosed with cancer is to get on the internet and learn everything about what you are facing. FIND AND RESEARCH SUPPORT GROUPS IN YOUR AREA. See if there is a support group for your diagnosis or particular type of cancer. GO TO THE MEETINGS, even online if there isn’t one in your area. Listen to the stories. Choose what you want to do, how to do it, and when to do it. REMEMBER EACH MEDICAL PRO HAS THEIR OWN SPECIALITY, and part of what they do is needing you as a customer. That is their particular bread and butter. THERE IS SO MUCH NEW MEDICAL INNOVATION OUT THERE, so pay attention.

As far as words of wisdom, always remember that life is great, and each and every day is a great day to have a great day. Be positive and upbeat; those that are fare better than those who are not. Your attitude effects those around you who love and care for you. I know some days it can be tough but live for those days that are good days.

I hope to help anyone who is facing this difficult and trying journey to know that they are not alone. There is always hope for the future, especially with all the new innovative treatments that seem to be coming daily. There are so many that it’s hard to keep up with them all, and you might just stumble on the right one totally unexpectedly. 

colon cancer colorectal cancer head and neck cancer patient stories

Last modified: December 16, 2024