Cancer Survivor Giving Thanks!

[jdmidwest]

First of all, thanks for all the thoughts and prayers from this group during my cancer issue.

On Oct. 30, I was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue, stage 2 with a tumor about the size of a marble at the time of surgery on Nov. 23.  Everything went well, they replaced about half of my free mobile tongue with a portion of my forearm and excised the cancer part along with my lymph nodes.  I spent 9 hours in surgery, 7 days in the hospital, 2 1/2 weeks with a feeding tube and trach in my neck and nose.  Results came back on Dec.9, no cancer was found outside the area of the tongue they cut out.  Cancer free, no further chemo or radiation treatment.  One little hiccup on week 4, the neck incision developed an infection that put me back in for 2 days of hospital observation.

I have been back at work now almost 2 weeks.  Customers and friends do not notice any difference in my speech.  All that know what I have been thru are amazed to see me back to normal only 6 weeks after going into surgery.  The arm has recovered most of its usage and mobility.  I can talk, eat, swallow, and do everything normally with my new tongue.  Life is almost normal again other than a few surgical scars.  The new part of my tongue has hair growing on it, just like it did when it was on my arm, an interesting little conversation starter.  I dropped about 20 lbs while on the feeding tube and actually feel better.  I am now at my normal weight that I should be.

I have spent the last few weeks thanking all that helped me along the way.  Of course the surgeon and staff in St. Louis have been receiving my praises since I woke up after surgery.  I have went back to the dentist and staff that found it.  I have contacted the ER doc that first saw me later that afternoon, he was really concerned as he was the first one to officially say, "its cancer". 

What really amazes me is how many people were pulling for me.  I don't do Facebook or other social media.  This forum is my only outlet to the digital world other than my face to face connections in real life.  My life has been spent dealing with the public for the last 30 years in some form or another.  I keep getting stories about how it has gotten out on family and friends Facebook pages and how complete strangers were praying for my health.  People telling me how they had me in their prayer group at church.  It is getting to be pretty overwhelming to fathom the support I had going thru all of this.  All of the stories coming in from friends and family telling me about others that have contacted them asking about my progress.

I thank the Lord for being able to talk, eat, swallow, and function as almost nothing happened.   I am above all thankful that I am now cancer free and pray that I will stay that way.  And again, I thank all that have supported me along this part of my journey thru life.

[MOPanfisher]

Can't explain how much I like that news sir, and I don't even know you.  OUTSTANDING!

[Flysmallie]

Great to hear JD!

[Mitch f]

Awesome Man!

[laker67]

Great news jd. Some how I missed knowing about your cancer. I know all too well about that feeding tube and the long stay in the hospital. Good to have you doing well.

[BilletHead]

          Excellent JD and your attitude is part of getting through this. I seen this in Mrs. BilletHead too. Thanks for posting as this made my day!

BilletHead

[Deadstream]

Great news!  I don't know you but I said a prayer, Nice to think they work.    Now ,about that lottery...

[tho1mas]

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Posted 11 hours ago · Report post

Great news!  I don't know you but I said a prayer, Nice to think they work.

Me too.

[Al Agnew]

That's great, JD!  Here's to many more years cancer-free and healthy.

[jdmidwest]

Its nice to be getting back to normal.  The surgery was pretty intense, but less painful than I expected.  I posted some pics a while back.  Things have healed up since.  The tongue has hair on it now...

The arm looks and works so much better.  I almost passed out the day they unwrapped it and I got my first good look.  It is almost fully functional again, just tender in spots.