Cancer Bites...But...I bite back AND harder!!

Living with cancer.

2011-04-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

A fellow Cancer survivor recently wrote a post on her blog about living with cancer.

This has been on my mind even more recently then ever. After a few days of mulling over the term "living with cancer" I can honestly tell you Cancer has become a part of my family. Yes, you read that right. Go ahead re-read it.

A part of your family, you ask? Yes, cancer is right there with us every step of the way, for the ups and downs, it is sitting beside us at the dinner table, on family vacations, and right there when we wake up every morning, staring back at me when I look in the mirror.

Not a day goes by that I don't think about the what ifs and how I will address this topic with Briggsley and our future children. On one hand I want to be sworn to silence and never lay something so heavy on their hearts. But, I know that honesty is the best policy. I believe that I would want to know and would feel hurt if I was left in the dark, even as a child.

As much as cancer is the black sheep of the family, it looks like it is here to stay. The word is at least. Praying that it stays in the shadow of our day to day lives, and doesn't feel like it is being neglected and decide to star in the Shaylynn show.

Living With Cancer.

2011-04-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

A fellow Cancer survivor recently wrote a post on her blog about what it mean to her her to be living with cancer.

This has been on my mind even more recently then ever. After a few days of mulling over the term "living with cancer" I can honestly tell you Cancer has become a part of my family. Yes, you read that right. Go ahead re-read it.

A part of your family, you ask? Yes, cancer is right there with us every step of the way, for the ups and downs, it is sitting beside us at the dinner table, on family vacations, and right there when we wake up every morning, staring back at me when I look in the mirror.

Not a day goes by that I don't think about the what ifs and how I will address this topic with Briggsley and our future children. On one hand I want to be sworn to silence and never lay something so heavy on their hearts. But, I know that honesty is the best policy. I believe that I would want to know and would feel hurt if I was left in the dark, even as a child.

As much as cancer is the black sheep of the family, it looks like it is here to stay. The word Cancer at least, praying that it stays in the shadow of our day to day lives, not the star.

1 year of remission.

2010-11-19T16:12:00.000-08:00

1 year ago I completed my 37 rounds of radiation & 8 rounds of chemo.
That means officially 1 year in remission. I cannot even express how blessed I feel to be able to say that I have been cancer free for a year. I made it about 6 months in 08/09' before my recurrence. So many wonderful things have happened in the past year and that just makes this milestone all the more amazing!! Thanks you Lord for this blessing!

When praying for healing, ask great things of God and expect great things from God. But let us seek for that healing that really matters, the healing of the heart, enabling us to trust God simply, face God honestly, and live triumphantly. -Arlo F. Newell

Oral Cancer Story Featured

2010-08-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

My story was featured in thie month's edition of Dental Assisting Digest. You can read the article here

1 Year Ago

2010-08-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

1 year ago I had my full neck dissection. I cannot beleive it has been a whole year. I thank God each & every day for helping me through the roughest period in my life. I cannot beleive that December will mark 2 years from my 1st surgery-WHOA!! Hopefully I will only add years and no more surgeries!!!

Check Up!

2010-07-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

I had a check up with my Oral Surgeon today! He says I get an A+!!! Doesn't see or feel anything of concern! WOOOOOOO He wants to see me again in 6 months, and of course a pic of baby girl when she arrives!

YAY for good check ups!!

News Release about Nashville Walk

2010-07-29T09:25:00.001-07:00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nashville hygienists partner with Oral Cancer Foundation to raise awareness of a silent killer
Thu, Jun 10, 2010

OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News

Source: The Oral Cancer Foundation
Author: Staff

Locals join together for second annual Oral Cancer walk and free screening event

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ –

For the second year, the Nashville Area Dental Hygienists Society (NADHS) has organized a successful walk to promote oral cancer awareness for a disease that affects so many, yet so few know about. Hundreds of Nashville locals gathered for the “Boot Scootin’ for Oral Cancer Screening II” event that recently took place at Nashville’s Centennial Park to raise disease awareness, and funds for the Non-Profit Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF).

The walk was lead by NADHS president Nicki Raines, who encouraged the organization to embrace the cause of oral cancer detection when she began her two-year presidential term. Her committee worked countless hours to ensure that the event would top last year’s successful effort. Nicki’s team was able to generate a local buzz for the walk through posters displayed at area Starbucks and Panera Bread stores, and via news releases sent to all local media. Local merchants rallied to support the event. Attendees were treated to coffee donated by Starbucks, water donated by Kroger’s, and donuts donated by Krispy Kreme. Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Wal-Mart and other Nashville area merchants came together to show their support by donating products for the auction and raffle that took place after the walk. Nashville superstars George Strait, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Brooks and Dunn were represented through autographed memorabilia, which brought their fans to the raffle.

The event also included three inspiring speakers. Two oral cancer survivors: Kathi Gill, a Georgia resident, and ShayLynn Grant, a 24 year old from Kentucky. The third speaker was Mrs. Tennessee International, Cydney Miller who is a loyal advocate of early cancer detection. In keeping with the theme of early detection, free oral cancer screenings were offered for all attendees. “The free screenings were an important component of the event” OCF founder, Brian Hill commented, “We urge the public to get screened annually. The dental community is the first line of defense against oral cancer, through the process of early discovery. Reducing the death rate from oral cancer is tangible, and doable in the immediate future.”

Dr. Ross Kerr, an oral medicine specialist from New York University, who is an advisor to the foundation, commented on 24 year old survivor ShayLynn Grant. “Most people have a perception that this is a disease of older people who have spent a lifetime using tobacco, and finally develop the disease in their sixth or seventh decade of life. That is no longer completely accurate. With the Human Papilloma Virus #16 becoming an increasing cause of the disease, young non-smokers are the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population.” OCF operations manager, Megan Cannon added, “Oral Cancer is not a rare disease. It kills one person every hour of everyday in the US, and 100 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed each day. These are staggering statistics, making these events so important, as awareness of the disease and its risk factors in the US population is so low. Clearly, Nicki Raines and the Nashville participants are doing their part to raise awareness on a local level, but their impact is so much greater. Through the funds received today, OCF will be able to disseminate information about risk factors, and do free screening events in parts of the US where disparities exist, and access to screening is either not available or cost prohibitive for those people.” Oral cancer is the largest group of those cancers which fall into the head and neck cancer category. Common names for it include mouth cancer, tongue cancer, head and neck cancer and throat cancer.

The Oral Cancer Foundation, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public service charity that provides information, patient support, sponsorship of research, and advocacy related to this disease. It maintains a Web site at http://www.oralcancer.org which receives millions of hits per month. At the forefront of this year’s agenda is the drive to promote awareness in the minds of the American public about the need to undergo an inexpensive, painless and quick annual screening, and an outreach to the dental community to provide this service as a matter of routine practice.

CONTACT: Brian Hill of Oral Cancer Foundation, +1-949-646-8000

SOURCE Oral Cancer Foundation

Dental Assisting Digest Feature

2010-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to have had the opprotunity to work with Sabrina Hinkle on an article on Oral Cancer that she is doing for Dental Assisting Digest!! It is an electronic subscription published by Penwell. It should run August 28th! I will be sure to post a link or the article to share with everyone!!

It means so much to me to help spread awareness! I can only hope that the word continues to spread!!

6 months!

2010-05-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

I cannot beleive that 6 months ago I had my last cancer treatments!!

My how time flys. I am so very grateful to be in remission and feeling so great!

Memphis Oral Cancer Awareness

2010-05-17T07:59:00.001-07:00

Nick and I were so very fortunate to take a bit of a trip together over the weekend to Memphis!! Neither of us had been there and it worked out perfectly with his new schedule to be there to support me spreading the work on Oral Cancer!!

We got a bit of a late start on Thursday evening but it worked out perfectly! Nick got off of work and I drove the rental car for the 1st half of the trip and he finished us off! We were both exhausted by the time we arrived and morning sure came early! I had 2 news interviews Friday morning. The 1st was at the Memphis in May World Championship BBQ contest! Click to view it! The other interview was at the actual news station. It was pretty neat and was a whopping 4 & a half minutes long!! I haven't found a link for it but have seen the interview but cannot post it because it's copy wrote!

After the interviews we headed to the world famous Rendezvous Charles Vergos for some good BBQ! NUM NUM it sure hit the spot! Afterward, Nick and I were on our own for a few hours to do some site-seeing!

We met back up with the people from Delta to kick of the Oral cancer screenings before the Redbirds game! While waiting to be let into the gates of the stadium, the heavens opened up and poured!! I swear we were stuck in a monsoon!! The game was delayed but once it was finally under way it was great! I got to throw out a first pitch as well as have a radio and tv interview from the press boxes!! Hopefully, I will get some pics/links to those soon!

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It was a fabulous way to spread some Oral Cancer Awareness!!

Chop Chop

2010-05-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

Due to radiation I lost a good bit of my hair.

The hair line was pretty much half of my hair including down the nape of my neck. So I still had the remaining long stuff to cover the loss.

It started growing back and it just looked silly with all these short little strands under my very thin long hair.

So chop chop..

Memphis Redbirds Game!

2010-05-10T11:42:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be partnering up again with Delta Dental at a Memphis Redbirds baseball game, that is being dedicated for Oral Cancer Awareness!!!

Nick and I are headed to Memphis on Thursday evening for the game on Friday! Nick is so thrilled to be able to join me this time and support such a great cause! We are crossing fingers that the weather cooperates!!

If you live within a few hours of Memphis be sure to be there!!!

Prayer Request

2010-04-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

I have been so blessed to feel the power of all your prayers. My family has been praying fo little Jamison Powell and I am now asking you all to pray for him as well.

Doctors discovered a malignant tumor near the base of 4-year-old Jamison Powell earlier this week after the Johnsonville youth had trouble walking while at a baseball game Saturday.
By John Sweeney | Editor: The Weekly Observer
Published: April 8, 2010
Updated: April 9, 2010

JOHNSONVILLE — A Johnsonville boy is heading to Washington, D.C., to undergo new checmotherapy treatment for a brain tumor doctors discovered earlier this week.

Family members said oncologists at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia said 5-year-old Jamison Powell needed to start receiving treatments immediately. He will be leaving Tuesday to begin six to eight weeks of newly-developed chemotherapy treatments in Washington, D.C.

Doctors discovered a malignant brain tumor in Jamison after his family sought medical attention when he displayed symptoms while at a baseball game Saturday.

He is the son of Lindsay Roberts Powell and Blake Powell, both of Johnsonville, and grandson of Milton and Nancy Powell and Roy and Belinda Roberts.

Jamison’s aunt, Aftene Poston, said the family is doing well and getting ready for the treatment.

“We want the best for him,” she said in a telephone interview Thursday. “Whatever that takes, our family is ready to go.”

Residents in Johnsonville and the surrounding communities have organized several events in support of Jamison and his family almost as soon as his diagnosis became known.

Belinda Roberts, said the outpouring of community support has been “overwhelming.”

“There are no words that can express how much we appreciate everything,” she said.

Roberts, along with Jamison’s parents and other family members, returned home with Jamison from Palmetto Richland Memorial on Wednesday.

Roberts, a secretary at Johnsonville Elementary School, thanked the community for its prayers and support.

“If it hadn’t been for this community, we wouldn’t have been able to pull together as far as we have,” she said. “I knew we lived in a great community and I worked with great people, but (the support) is overwhelming.”

Community members paused at 7 p.m. Tuesday to pray for Jamison and his family.

Word of his condition spread via e-mails circulated throughout the community and through the social networking site Facebook, where a page, “Prayers for Jamison Powell-Son of Lindsay and Blake Powell,” has been set up.

The page, which was started earlier this week, already had nearly 2,000 fans by Thursday night.

At the monthly meeting of the Johnsonville City Council, members suspended proceedings at 7 p.m. to participate in the moment of prayer.

Councilman Brad Richardson said several fundraisers have been planned by residents the community to help raise funds for the Powell family.

The first fundraiser, a barbecued chicken dinner sale, is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 16 at Johnsonville Community Center on South Hampton Avenue, Richardson said.

Dayne Coker, principal of Johnsonville Elementary School where Jameson is a student, said various efforts are under way to help the family throughout Florence County District 5, including the collection of monetary donations and “goodie baskets” containing various comfort items for Jamison and his family. Coker said the school also will sell tickets for the April 16 fundraiser.

Wade Nettles and Jonz Stuckey, who coach Jamison’s youth baseball team, are involved in organizing that event. Nettles said tickets would be on sale throughout the community soon, $6 for dinner and $10 for raffle tickets. Nettles said the group will be raffling off a rifle as an additional fundraiser.

Nettles also said a trust fund had been set up for Jamison at The Citizens Bank on Georgetown Highway in Johnsonville. Anyone can make a donation there by inquiring about the Jamison Powell trust fund, he said.

Clean bill of health!

2010-04-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

This morning I headed to meet Dr Spanos my radiation oncologist and he said I could not look any better! He checked my mouth as well as my neck/back/lungs and said he was very pleased with the progress I have made since radiation. h We had talked about doing some physical therapy back in January because of my range of motion in my arm and neck, however, I wanted to wait to see if it got any better. It has some, but not totally! So I have my 1st consult for that on May 4th and I am most definitely looking forward to it!

I have been meaning to post this pic for a while!

The pic of my hair growth was taken about 2 weeks ago! What a shock when I saw this one! I knew it was growing but not like a weed!!

I will go ahead and post this pic as well as a bit of an update you can see my scars from my port are healing nicely as well as neck scars!

Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts, and continued prayers. Believe me they have not went unheard :O) I thank God everyday for such wonderful support!

My Cancer Story in the paper!

2010-04-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

I had posted last week that there would be a piece in the local paper about Oral Cancer that my story would be featured in I wanted to post the link

Again I am so very thankful that there have been so many opportunities for me to help spread Oral Cancer Awareness!!

Kicking Off Oral Cancer Awarenss Month!!

2010-04-01T10:10:00.000-07:00

Early diagnosis saves lives. That idea has been around since the 1930's, as seen in this poster printed in 1938 by The American Society for the Control of Cancer. Same is true with oral cancer. When found early, oral cancers have an 80 to 90% survival rate. Unfortunately at this time, the majority are found as late stage cancers, and this accounts for the very high death rate of about 45% at five years from diagnosis, and high treatment related morbidity in survivors. Late stage diagnosis is not occurring because these cancers are hard to discover, it is because of a lack of public awareness! So during the month of April, help OCF spread awareness of this terrible disease. Engage in conversations with your neighbors and the next time you're in line at the grocery store, post a message on your facebook status, pass out oral cancer brochures at your local dentist office. Whatever you do to spread the word, it will all add up play a role in helping us reduce the death rate from oral cancers!

***Article from Oral Cancer Foundation***

Events

Please Vote!!

2010-03-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

Pepsi is doing a contest and will be giving out a grant to the Oral Cancer Foundation. YOU CAN HELP BY VOTING EVERYDAY! Oral Cancer Research/Awareness is up for a $250K grant!!

I am asking everyone to please make a commitment & vote everyday!! Please pass this along!

THANKS!!

http://www.refresheverything.com/oralcancerfoundation

P.S. you can link up with your Facebook account and you do not have to make an account!!

Extra Extra Read All About It

2010-03-30T18:57:00.000-07:00

Today I did an interview with the local newspaper, The Courier Journal. I spoke with Darla who is working on an Oral Cancer piece in the Health & Fitness Section. I feel so blessed that I have been given another chance to share my story and help others become aware of Oral Cancer.

I am scheduled to do a photo shoot tomorrow pending how I feel. The past few days I have been feeling a bit under the weather and it seems to be gradually getting worse. I

The article is scheduled to run on April 8th, so all those in Louisville be on the lookout!

Oral Cancer Awareness Week

2010-03-29T14:06:00.001-07:00

Oral Cancer Awareness week is coming up on April 12-18th!

I encourage you all to go to a free local screening!

Screening Locations

Also look into local events. I know that there will quite a few walks in the spring time and hope to get to a few more before my summer gets into full swing. I am really hoping to meet a fe3llow young survivor at the Rossville, IN race on April 16th!

I would like to thank everyone who follows my blog and encourage you all to help spread the awareness not only during that special week but all year!

Growing Family!

2010-03-25T15:47:00.000-07:00

Nick and I have been so blessed this year. We found out January 20th that we were expecting!! We of course contacted my doctors right away and it seemed that I was more concerned than they were. So without further ado here is our little G Baby, due to arrive September 25th!

On another note, another young oral cancer survivor I know is just a few weeks behind me.

God sure is great!

2nd Annual Boot Scootin for Oral Cancer Awareness

2010-03-15T12:21:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I headed down to Nashville to partner up with Delta Dental and Nicki Raines to spread the work on Oral Cancer. Friday afternoon I did an interview with channel 5 news. They aired it a few times! So exciting to get the word out!! I did however realize that I say UUUM and You Know, way too much!!!

I have posted pictures as well on our shutterfly page!

The walk went well! There was a good turnout and I was joined by Cathy a 2 year survivor as well!!

I am really excited for the upcoming walks, I hope I will get to attend more!!

Don't forget! Oral Cancer Awareness week is coming up in April!! More than likely there will be screenings or events coming up in your neck of the woods!!!

Press Release on Oral Cancer!!!!

2010-03-12T09:21:00.000-08:00

Be Aware, Be Proactive: Protect Against Oral Cancer Delta Dental of Tennessee warns oral cancer strikes victims of any age

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 12, 2010 – The face of oral cancer is changing. In the past, oral cancer was perceived as a disease that attacked tobacco-using men over 40. Today, a growing number of healthy young people who lack traditional risk factors are being diagnosed. Regardless of age, Delta Dental of Tennessee (Delta Dental) is urging the public to be aware of the risks and warning signs of oral cancer and be proactive by limiting exposure to those risk factors and requesting a thorough oral cancer exam during every dental visit.

Twenty-four year old oral cancer survivor Shaylynn Phelps Grant is not the typical face of oral cancer. Two months prior to her October 2008 wedding, Grant noticed a sore on the base of her tongue and immediately scheduled a visit with her doctor, who told her the sore was a stress-related and prescribed antibiotics. Three months and two rounds of antibiotics later, the sore seemed to worsen—that’s when Grant was finally tested and diagnosed with oral cancer. “My doctor originally diagnosed my lesion as a stress ulcer and assured me that I was too young to have oral cancer,” said Grant. “When I was finally diagnosed with oral cancer, I was completely shocked, and all I could think about was that I was going to die. I went through all the phases—sadness, denial and finally I was just ready to fight it.” As a newlywed, Grant spent a year and half fighting the cancer with the support of her husband and family. After two surgeries, 37 rounds of radiation and eight rounds of chemo therapy, Grant was oral cancer free in November 2009. “Being cancer free and being a cancer survivor, I want to share my experiences,” said Grant. “When I first started talking to people about having oral cancer they looked at me like I was crazy, like I made up the disease. Now people are looking at their mouths and their bodies and contacting me with questions. People need to know about oral cancer and they need to advocate for themselves by asking their dentists for oral cancer exams.”

“Shaylynn is great model for people suffering with oral cancer everywhere,” said Dr. Jed Jacobson, chief science officer of Delta Dental. “She reacted at the first sign of a health issue and, through early detection and treatment, she now is able to passionately spread the word on a disease that kills one person every hour of every day in the United States.”

According to the American Cancer Society, oral cancer results in 7,600 deaths a year, and in 2009 there was an estimated 35,720 new cases of the disease. In response, Delta Dental is calling for people to ask their dental professionals for a thorough oral cancer exam every time they have dental services or cleanings. An oral cancer exam is a quick and painless method that may help catch cancer in early stages. The procedure involves an evaluation of the neck, head, mouth, gums, throat and tongue. During the process, dentists will use a piece of gauze to pull the tongue as far forward as possible and move it from side-to-side in order to check the harder-to-see areas of the tongue and the floor of the mouth for any indication of oral cancer. When oral cancer is found early, patients have an 80 to 90 percent survival rate; however the majority of oral cancers are not discovered until late stage where survival rate drops to 45 percent. Many cases are not diagnosed until late stages due to lack of public awareness of signs and symptoms.
People should be on the lookout for the following signs and symptoms that are typically associated with oral cancer: Non-healing red or white spots that appear on the lips or anywhere inside the mouth or throat Tiny marks that resemble canker sores that last longer than two weeks A bulging lymph node on the neck The area behind the wisdom teeth no longer being symmetrical. Swelling of the tongue or throat A lump in the mouth or neck Numbness in the mouth region Vocal hoarseness that lasts for an extended time Sores that bleed and don’t heal (in later stages)

About Shaylynn Phelps Grant Shaylynn Phelps Grant is a Louisville, Ky., resident, daughter, wife to her high school best friend and mother to her dog—a blue heeler named Diesel. At 24-years old, Grant is an oral cancer survivor who strives to bring awareness to the disease. Check out her blog “Cancer Bites…But I Bite Back and Harder!!", where she and her husband Nick chronicle her survival against oral cancer.

About Delta Dental Since 1965, Delta Dental of Tennessee (Delta Dental) has grown to become the state’s largest, most experienced dental benefits carrier and has always shared its success by giving back to the communities it serves. In honor of its 45th anniversary, Delta Dental has launched the “45 Years, 45 Grants” campaign, a community grant program to provide support for oral health and children’s initiatives statewide. Delta Dental provides dental benefits to nearly 1 million members and is part of the Delta Dental Plans Association, which nationally provides benefits for more than 54 million people. For more information, visit www.DeltaDentalTn.com

Half a year gone by.

2010-02-05T13:55:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it, 6 months since my last surgery!?! I sure cannot! Things are going great and I am so thankful!!! I am noticing the stiffness from the surgery is much much better!! I am feeling wonderful!! I am so blessed!!!

Here is a quick snapshot before heading out to dinner with the hubby!

SPEAK OUT AGAINST ORAL CANCER AWARENESS!!!!

2010-02-03T15:41:00.000-08:00

Pepsi is doing a contest and will be giving out a grant to the Oral Cancer Foundation. YOU CAN HELP BY VOTING EVERYDAY! We have already went from 73rd to 21st in just a few short days! HELP GET ORAL CANCER AWARENESS TO BE #1!!!

I am asking everyone to please make a commitment & vote everyday!!

THANKS!!

http://www.refresheverything.com/oralcancerfoundation

P.S. you can link up with your Facebook account and you do not have to make an account!!

Oncology Follow Up

2010-01-28T17:58:00.000-08:00

I had my oncology follow up on Tuesday. He said that I looked great. Didn't see any sign of cancer in my mouth or feel any lumps in my neck! GOD IS GOOD!!!

Feeling Good!

2010-01-18T11:28:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update. I have been feeling really well lately. The hardest thing I am dealing with is the stiffness in my neck and back. I think this has been keeping me up at night and contributing to my lack of sleep at nights. I am hoping when I head to the doctors (whenever that is) he will suggest some physical therapy. I am pretty sure I have already blogged about this, haha.

Another thing that I think is contributing to the lack of sleep is that I cannot lay on my back. If I do then I get chocked up on my saliva, which is still thick. So hopefully that will start to get better soon as well.

My taste buds are fabulous. I cannot even express how grateful I am that they have returned so quickly!! I haven't noticed much of a problem with them. But it does take me a lot longer to eat. Which is a good thing.
I still have some swelling in my face from the lymphedema. I have been working on some massages on my face & neck and they have helped some.

The best news of all is that I have a lot less hair falling out! And guess what? Even some is growing back!!

I don't have to much else to report!

Hope everyone is doing well!!!

God is Good

2010-01-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

Starting 2010 cancer free is a complete blessing from God. He has been so good to us. 2009 was definitely a hard year and we are looking forward to a happy and healthy 2010. I know that God has a lot of new things in store for me this year. I have been so blessed to have an opportunity to meet with some representatives of Delta dental today. They are just as eager has I am to spread awareness on Oral Cancer. I have been contemplating ideas for a while now, and they have also asked me for some. I know that there are a few walks around the country but not nearly as many as I would like to see of course ;O) So maybe we will work on getting some of those together. They are wanting me to come down and do some media appearances during the Nashville Oral Cancer walk in March. Our big goal is to spread as much awareness as we can during Oral Cancer Awareness week APRIL 12-18!

I am really excited for the the opportunity to work with people who seem passionate about spreading awareness. 2010 will be the year of awareness.

Don't Waste Your Cancer

2010-01-02T20:11:00.000-08:00

I was reading a fellow OC survivors blog and I came across this. It really spoke to me. You can read the full article by John Piper here. Here are his 10 points from Don't Waste Your Cancer from his own experience with cancer 3 years ago.

1. You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God.
2. You will waste your cancer if you believe it is a curse and not a gift.
3. You will waste your cancer if you seek comfort from your odds rather than from God.
4. You will waste your cancer if you refuse to think about death.
5. You will waste your cancer if you think that "beating" cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.
6. You will waste your cancer if you spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.
7. You will waste your cancer if you let it drive you into solitude instead of deepen your relationships with manifest affection.
8. You will waste your cancer if you grieve as those who have no hope.
9. You will waste your cancer if you treat sin as casually as before.
10. You will waste your cancer if you fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.

2009 coming to an end.

2009-12-31T15:41:00.000-08:00

I am so very thankful to report that I am feeling well. I am tired but that is to be expected especially since the holidays were so very jam packed. I am so fortunate to report that my taste buds are coming back pretty quickly, I would say I can taste about 65% of things. I have been able to manage my weight and gradually reintroduce exercise. Since I have returned home from my Christmas vacation in CA I haven't felt like doing much but I am sure that is just jet lag. My neck is still very stiff and I will be re-discussing the idea of physical therapy with my doctors at my next appointment. I have been so very fortunate this year and am so thankful to the Lord to be healthy!

The 1st night I was in California I learned that Stephanie lost her battle with Oral Cancer. For those of you who followed our battles know how much of a mentor she was to me. She was such a beautiful young soul and was truly there for me though everything. I know that we got each other through a lot of hard times and I am so sorry I never had a chance to meet her. I am forever grateful to have known her. Pleases keep her family and husband Warner in your prayers.

PEG, Port, & Cancer Free!!

2009-12-10T15:38:00.000-08:00

I am happy to report that my surgery went smoothly today!! I have hole in my tummy and my chest is sore, but other than that I am feeling great!! Thankfully they didn't have to put me under total anesthesia, they just did the kind like they did in vascular for my 2nd port...where I can go in and out & they just give me more. I like that better because I am not so groggy when I wake up and I have a quicker recovery time!

I am sure that I will be a bit sore the next few days but I will have our Christmas in Roanoke to keep my mind off things!!!

Left to my own devices.

2009-12-08T12:39:00.001-08:00

Monday I had my first follow up with my Radiation Oncologists. I didn't really have any concerns going into it other than the stiffness in my neck and back. However, I knew that was pretty normal. Dr Crew the resident, checked that all out...had me pushing on his arms and stuff. He said I had the strength and I was just stiff/tight which was completely normal. So he said if things didn't get better we could do physical therapy, but I decided to of course wait until after the holidays. Dr. Spanos my radiation oncologist said he was more than happy with my healing and my mouth & neck look great! Since I had only lost 6 lbs over the past 3 weeks and I am starting to eat solids again, then he gave the ok to get my peg out. Little did he know, I made sure to wear my heaviest sweater, belt, and boots for my weight in (sneaky I know) & little did I know the Peg removal is a surgical procedure! I thought they could just pull it out. HAHA. Well I guess while they are in there taking my tube out they will take the port out too!! My next follow up with them isn't until April. I see Dr. Rabinowitz (my Chemo therapist) as well as Dr. Bumpous (my oral surgeon) in January ...that's probably when I will get the scope. eek.

I had spoke with the coordinator like 2 weeks ago at the Cancer Center and she said she would have my appt ready to go to get the Peg out...well the soonest she was able to get me in at the surgery clinic was after the 1st of the year. UGH! Well after doing some begging and making some phone calls....I am all set up to go on Thursday at 10 am to take this darn thing out!!

Do you know what that means?! I will be tube free and peg free by THURSDAY!! No tubes of devices in my body for California!! WOOT WOOT!! This makes me really happy because the darn peg is hurting the inside of my stomach like crazy!!!

Since I was sick things had that icky sick taste which I am pretty sure I have described too many times already. Well that on top of the foul radiation taste things were gross for 2 weeks. Well it seems I had a breakthrough over the weekend. The sick taste went away and it seems some of my taste buds are rearing the cute little heads :O) So far I have tried a few things...the taste is back to about mmm 10% maybe. Took a bite of Pepperoni pizza-too spicy Fruit-good Salad-Good Baked Potato-Good Spaghetti O's-UGH but I never was a fan really Veggie soup- ok Grilled Chicken-ok Steak-ok WOOOOOOOO!!!

So things are looking up! My sissy is going to make me some Chili with noodles and light meat & spice on Friday!! I have been wanting Chili for so long & it just wasn't possible. But it just might be!!!! :O)

Thankfully there is no other news to report on this front! :O)

XoXo

Slowly...

2009-12-02T12:17:00.000-08:00

I am slowly getting over this mess of a cold. I now have a voice (yay) and no longer sound like a 12 year old boy. What little taste I do have is totally put off from this cold...uck everything is like a salty sweet taste! So the only thing that does go down easily, Ensure/Boost tastes nasty :o( I am still getting it down though...apparently not enough because my weight is still dropping. I am not complaining. However, I really want this PEG out. Lately it has really been hurting. Like it is bruised or something. Ugh...I need to call and find out when they will take it out as well as reschedule my follow up appointment with my Chemo Dr. that I canceled last Tuesday, due to being sick.

I know I need to be taking it easy, especially with being sick and all. However, running around so much this weekend definitely took its toll. Now I am questioning whether or not I am ready to go back to school. I mean I can't even handle a day full without having to crash. This chemo is still working on my body until the end of December & school starts the beginning of January. Nick is a little worried too because I will have a full workload plus a sit in class. All I can do is pray about it and see where God leads me.

I have my follow up appointment next week with my Radiation oncologist. I think he will be pleased with how I am healing. My neck looks great and no sores in my mouth!

Well that's a quick update on me!

XOXO

1 year later.

2009-11-25T09:45:00.000-08:00

I was diagnosed with cancer Tuesday November 25, 2008.

It has been an entire year since I was diagnosed.

I have now had 1 partial glossectomy. 2 neck dissections. 1 peg placement. 2 port placements. 37 radiation treatments. 8 rounds of chemo. (I like to sing that little diddy as if it were to the tune of the 12 days of Christmas)

I can thank God that I have now been in remission twice.

I like remission, very much so! I have all the faith that God likes me there too.

Icky Feeling.

2009-11-21T08:53:00.000-08:00

I am feeling a little under the weather. My throat is raw and I am loosing my voice. I am hoping that I am not coming down with a cold and this is just treatment side effects. However if it were a cold it may go away quicker. I don't really care what it is I just want to feel good by Thanksgiving.

Here are the pics of my neck...right after my very last radiation!

Full Circle.

2009-11-19T16:26:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe that I am saying this! Well more like typing this... I am done with treatment!! 28 Tomotherapy radiations & 9 IMRT treatments! YUP...that is a total of 37 radiation treatments & 8 Chemos! I am done..over...fini!

I have officially been dealing with cancer for one year now. This brings it to a full circle. I went in for my biopsy Thursday Nov 20th, 2008. I sure do hope that this is a sign from God saying that he has only given me as much as I can handle and a year was it :O)

Guess what?! I am in remission again!!!!

Bye Bye Chemo Chair!

2009-11-18T18:34:00.001-08:00

I am not sad at all to say goodbye to my chemo recliner, tv, blanket, nurse, horrid beeping machine and most of all not sorry to say goodbye to the Carboplatin and Taxol!

YIPPPPEEEE! I am so excited to be done with 8 rounds of chemo!

Last week of treatment!

2009-11-16T21:13:00.001-08:00

So this is it. This is how it feels knowing that this is the last of it...the last of waking up every day thinking about how the next treatment will affect me. It has most definitely taken it's toll. Going in to this last week I will post a few pics. And of course I will be taking pics on Thursday...so I can track my progress on healing (whenever that begins!) I know some of you are probably sick of looking at these pics of my neck, while others request them. I do it mostly for myself. I look in the mirror every day and it seems as though everything is the same...whether it is me getting worse or better. I have a hard time keeping up. Plus when things seem like they cannot get any worse..I always manage to find a picture that proves me wrong!

I have officially been stickered...yes this happened last Tuesday after those temporary markings all rubbed off while I slept. So those are sticker markers on there...plus a few lines of marker :O)

My chest is peeling a bit more that I would have liked...oh well there goes that just got back from the beach look ;O)

Shouting from the rooftops!!!

2009-11-12T20:00:00.000-08:00

I only have 5 more treatments to go!!!! I will be done with treatments in just 1 week!!!

New tattoo and a rainbow with wings

2009-11-09T19:26:00.000-08:00

This morning I had my swallow test. Rachael the therapist said I did excellent & passed with flying colors! That is such great news. I wasn't too worried other than the fact that my throat was a little raw and was concerned if that would make a difference. After the test I had about an hour to kill and I was going to go get some fresh air & read...but I felt really flushed and not so good. So I stopped off at Radiation and asked my nurse to take my temp. Which surprisingly was 98.7. Bow can that be when I am sweating bullets?! UGH! They took all my vitals and sent the doc in (since Mondays is the day I meet with my RO) he said all my vitals looked good & told me that my throat would gradually get better now since by boost was going to be shooting the side & back of my neck. So that mean no more inside mouth sores & pain down throat!!! Was that music to my ears or what!!! The day just got better from there! When they took me into the room with the machine that would be giving me my boost they said it would take about 30 minutes to get me marked & all lined up today, but after today the boosts will literally only last a minute, so after they line me up on the table I should only be there about 10 min each day!! WOOOO so at this point I only have like 80 minutes of laying on a table!! And like 8 minutes of radiation! OMG! I just cannot believe it!!!

The best news of all NO MORE MASK!!!! Yup, that's right since they are shooting the side of my neck where they removed the perotid gland there is no need to strap me down! I just lay on the table on my side they line me up & bam it's over!!!

Here is my new tat! You likey?

So that meant that today I got to walk out of the Brown Center caring this little baby

The giant hole where my mouth goes is for this little contraption

Back on Sept 15th when I got this mask made I tried to describe that Popsicle cork thing...so yes a picture is worth a thousand words.

What in the world am I going to do with this stuff you ask...got a few ideas up my sleeve...burning, running over it with Nick's truck?! Who knows anyone got any good ideas to celebrate???

18 hours of pure bliss

2009-11-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

So apparently I was pretty tired...I fell asleep around 5:30 Friday evening and didn't get out of bed until 12:30 this afternoon. I got a few times to run to the bathroom and switch from the couch to my bed...but it was pure bliss sleeping that long. Yes, I am sure it was too much, but whatever I have a pretty good excuse don't ya think?

I have been watching my temp for the past few days and it is staying around 98.7...which is normal for most so the doctor's aren't worried. As mentioned above I have been having to make several trips to the bathroom which is always a pain. Ugh can I please say again how much I hate Friday & Saturdays!

The Dr wasn't available yesterday to make my mask for my radiation boost treatments. But I was informed that IF he was going to make another one it would be done on Monday before we start my boosts.

I have my swallow test on Monday morning. I am hoping that everything looks good! If not I will have to continue my swallow therapy. Even though the therapist isn't expecting anything to be wrong she said she may want to test me again after my boosts since that is when most issues come up.

Skin is feeling a bit better since they put me on that cream. It is pretty itchy still but it is looking better!!

On Wed my TSH was low & they ran my other T levels...My T4 is 1.22 (.78-2.19 normal range) and T3 is 3.30(2.30-4.20) so those look pretty good. Not really sure what Dr. R will want to do, if anything.

Less than 2 weeks to go & I am so ready.

I am going to attempt to get a smoothie down since I have been up for 2 hours and had nothing yet...and all I had yesterday before crashing was 1 Ensure. Ugh.

Loves

Help Fight Cancer by participating in an easy study!

2009-11-06T08:46:00.000-08:00

A fellow cancer survivor has provided this to me! Thanks Belinda!!

Dear friend,

“You have cancer” are some of the most frightening words I have ever heard. Although I am winning my personal battle against cancer, I still need your help.

If I told you that there was a way you could personally do something to help prevent others from facing cancer, including our family and friends, would you do it? Would you do it if it meant that you would simply have to give a small blood sample, provide some physical measurements and fill out some surveys about your lifestyle and behaviors?

If your answer is yes, then please accept my invitation to participate in the American Cancer Society’s latest grassroots research initiative, Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). CPS-3 is a long-term research study to help better understand the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer and to ultimately eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

Did you know that more than 66 percent of people who are diagnosed with cancer live at least five years after diagnosis? Just 30 years ago, only 50 percent of those diagnosed with cancer had that chance. Yet the increase in survival is not a coincidence; the American Cancer Society has invested billions of dollars in cancer research over the past 63 years. I believe that it is because of this lifesaving research that I am here today! You now have an opportunity to be a part of a new research study that will save lives.

Here is what you can do: men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer can enroll in CPS-3. At enrollment, you will simply fill out a comprehensive survey packet about your health history, provide a small blood sample (to be collected by trained phlebotomists) and provide waist, blood pressure, heart rate, height, and weight measurements. Your long-term commitment to the study means you are willing to complete periodic follow-up surveys sent to your home, for the next 20 to 30 years.

Enrollment will take place in mid-November at the American Cancer Society Central Indiana Area Service Center, located at 5635 W. 96th St., Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46278. To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-217-4138.

As a survivor, I cannot participate in this study – but you can. As someone who stood by me during one of the most difficult times of my life, I hope you will choose to enroll in this historic study and help to eliminate this threat for other loved ones.

If you have any questions regarding this study or your participation, please call 877-217-4138 or visit www.cancer.org/cps3. For people who cannot go to the Indianapolis location please refer to the website for other participating locations.

Miami or bust!!

2009-11-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

I need to head to Miami to fix this tan line and get some extensions!!!

Nick got home with the RX for my neck...I really got a chance to take a look at it. Of course I took some updated pics.

Updated peg picture

Updated hair loss

Lovies

This week...

2009-11-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

It is only Wednesday & I am drained. Yesterday it took 5, yes 5 scans before they got it right for radiation! Ugh. Luckily today they got it on the 1st try...they added more gauze to my headrest, meaning more hair loss. They will be making another mask on Friday for when I start boosts on Monday. Friday will also be the last of my swallow therapy sessions, unless the barium swallow study shows that I need work, which my therapist says she is not expecting. My labs looked good this week other than my TSH. This is the thyroid hormone and normally mine runs really high, meaning I have a hypothyroid and I have been treated in the past. Well when they ran the blood on that 3 weeks ago it was .69 and today it was .35. So they are running my T3 & T4 levels to see if I now have a hyperthyroid. DO WHAT? There is no way! I am always cold & have no signs of hyper...so who knows. My temp today was 99.7. Normally it is like 96.7. So I am going to be taking my temp often to make sure I do not get to 100.5 when I am to call the DR. My RO prescribed some cream for the burns on my neck. They really are not bothering me but it is peeling and he says with my boost coming up he doesn't want it to get any worse. I do look like I am a bathing sun beauty on my 1/2 my face & neck haha it's a pretty delicious tanline! haha I am down a little on my weight but not too much like a total of 15 lbs (remember 10 of which was put on before treatment) so I really say only 5! Hmmm I think that is all to report! I am posting a few pics of my neck so I can compare after a few days with the cream.

XOXO

14 radiation to go...

2009-11-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

Friday marked my 23rd treatment...so that means 14 more radiation treatments to go! This past week was pretty good as far as the number of scans they did before treatment. Thankfully there was no mishaps there. I was down a little on my weight but have managed to hold steady the rest of the week. I am pretty much down to drinking smoothies, water, tea, and Boost. The past couple of days have been pretty rough as far as swallowing. There is just a lot of thick saliva & phlegm that seems to want to build up & make life just a bit harder. It is more worse in the mornings so throughout the day I have been doing ok. My throat is feeling pretty raw and it is super painful when I sneeze! Eek. Luckily no sores to report...so If I do eat that doesn't hurt. Its just I am done with everything tasting like putrid nastiness in my mouth. So I will be sticking with what works! :O)

Chemo went well this week and I am meeting with DR. R on Tuesday to verify how many more treatments. I am thinking 3. My labwork was ok. Nothing great, but nothing too bad. My white blood count is officially below normal. So I was told once that happens to be extra careful. So that pretty much ruined weekend plans :O(

I look like I have a sunburn on my neck and part of my face. It really is comical. I am actually starting to peel which isn't so pleasant. The Aquaphor lotion is helping nicely thankfully.

Well I am off to make a cup of black tea. Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

XOXO

Half Way There!

2009-10-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

19 down and 18 to go!! That's right folks I am officially over half way there!! My last radiation will be November 19, if all goes well. Keeping my fingers crossed the machine doesn't act up or anything because the 20th we are headed to my nephew's Naval Academy graduation in Chicago!

Mom leaves on Friday. I am totally bummed. I will miss my treatment buddy! She has been such an amazing help! But the good news is I will get to see her in about a month and a half!!

The past few days have been a bit rough on the food front & having tummy issues. Today we went to my Mamaw's for dinner & I was able to get some good ole' home cooking in, including some of my very favorites!! I was so shocked when the meat didn't taste icky and the potatoes didn't taste starchy!!

My RO says I am looking good. Really no side effects other than the taste issue. No burns or blisters, no sores in my mouth, no pain. Feeling good. I know that everything has been going so well because I have so many prayers being sent up!! Thanks to my angels!!

Well it is date night...we are going to kick back and watch some movies...or if I have anything to do with it, the Skins vs. Eagles game!!

XOXO

Rotten

2009-10-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

The past few meals have really brought a new found meaning to this word. Everything is tasting like it was pulled out of the trash and given to me to eat. I am having such a hard time. You never really realize how much your days revolve around food or drinks. Well maybe not everyday but at least the weekends when you are spending time with family & friends. What else do you do to relax but have a great meal & some tasty drinks.

I am pretty tired today. Hoping tomorrow I will be feeling good. Smells are really getting to me after chemo this week. Ugghhh! My labs looked great this week. Blood counts aren't down much, so that is a good sign! Didn't loose any weight really this week, so down 10 lbs total...but I had stacked on 10 before treatments. So we are even. Haha The nutritionist has been down my throat about those 10 lbs but come on lady it wasn't even body weight just a bunch of crap I had eaten! Haha

I am in a pretty rotten mood...maybe it is all the rotten food I have been eating. Happy meals...everyone savor a few bites for me!

XOXO

Such a chore!

2009-10-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went in and out of the CT 4 times before they administered my radiation treatment. The team could not get me lined up for the life of them. They thought it was because of my shirt under my gown...after the 1st week of having to try a few times before the scans they decided to have me take my shirt & bra off. Well I decided to throw on a little cami under the gown...it wasn't a problem until yesterday apparently. Ugghhh so today I went in with just my pants & gown & they still had to try 3 times before they got it right. What the heck is going on, I was about to throw a fit! Well after some discussing with the DR they decided to put a small gauze pillow if you will on my headrest to make up for the hair loss. They always tell me millimeters can make all the difference.That did the trick! So I guess the small height difference my hair made behind my head that was now lacking was the issue! So I am keeping my fingers crossed tomorrow goes great on the 1st scan!!

Today started my 4th week. Yup, that's right I am down 16 treatments now! I would be more than 1/2 way done with the original 28 treatments...but including my boost 1/2 way there in a few days or so.

I am doing better this week with the taste of things. I am thankful to be able to drink water again. Over the weekend it just tasted nasty!! Beef in particular is foul. I stay far away from that! We tried Olive Garden tonight because I was craving a salad & hated all salad dressings I have tried so far...Didn't do too well. Oh well! I will stick with my fruits, nuts, chicken salad, pancakes,toast, pasta with butter and sweets!

My sister is coming for a visit this weekend! I am going to try to take it easy the rest of the week & keep my fingers crossed that Chemo doesn't get me as down this weekend as last.

Hope everyone has a great week! I will report as always tomorrow with my labwork!

Loves

Pics

2009-10-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

YUP...The camera bug got a hold of me again. Here are some picture updates!

These are from my port.

a few days after the port was replaced...

2 weeks after...

Here is the port they took out, why they gave it to me I dunno. But I think it is cool to see what is sitting in my chest.

This is a picture that Nick snapped while I was in swallow therapy.

I took this about a week ago. It is of all the little fuzzies that were growing back from where they had shaved part of my head (left side under ear)for the last surgery.

And here is me lacking in the hair department.

Hairy Subject

2009-10-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was a rough radiation day. I started slathering on the Aquaphor to help with the irritation. The back of my head and the sides near my ears felt like my skin had been sunburned & someone was yanking on my hair. It hurt to rest my head on Nick's shoulder. OUCH! Needless to say, I should have known that Thursday morning would mark the official start of the hair loss. One of the side effects of radiation is that I will loose some or all of my hair in the radiation plane. That is is the entrance & exit points that the radiation hits. So most people experience hair thinning or loss around the nape of their neck. There has been quite a bit that has fallen out and I will probably have a good inch band around the lower half of my head that is missing hair. Nothing I wasn't already expecting...In the shower I was running my hands all over my head to make sure it wasn't all of it. I have been so fortunate that the Chemo has not caused any hair loss. Taxol is said to cause hair loss and that is one of my drugs. So we will see how things play out.

Today I was pretty tired. Fridays are always a tough day cause the chemo kind of kicks in and the end of the week has taken its toll.

It is pretty early in the AM...having a hard time sleeping but I will attempt it again. Night

XOXO

3rd Chemo

2009-10-14T16:16:00.000-07:00

I met with my Oncologist yesterday morning who informed me that through the Radiation boost I would also receive additional chemo treatments. So that means no exact finish date just yet! Looks like right before Thanksgiving maybe. No side effects to report to the doctor and he says things look good! He also has no problem with me traveling to CA on holiday :O)

This week my bloodwork didn't look quite as nice. My white blood cell count dropped to 4.55 and normal range is 4.10-10.80. My counts dropped like 2 points over the week, which is to be expected. I was hoping it wouldn't drop that much so quickly. Hopefully it will stay in the normal range for a few more weeks, at least till miss Kylar arrives! I want to be able to visit Mal, Randy & the baby in the hospital without a mask! My oncologist also wanted to check my thyroid levels. The last time I had it checked earlier in the year they were at .86 and now it is .66 and the lowest normal range is .47...so I am still borderline hypo as one of my old docs put it. So I need to talk to team Slavic about those results!

I am feeling pretty tired. Slept for about half of chemo. Taste buds are not only going missing they are tricking me and thinking that most things I put in my mouth is old and has gone bad haha except pumpkin seeds & cantaloupe.

Hope everyone had a great hump day!

XOXO

Week 3 Begins!

2009-10-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

Today marked my 10th tomo treatment! YUP 10 down only about 25 to go! We found out today when meeting with my Radiation Oncologist that he would be doing a booster on top of my 28 treatments...so that means another week and a half or so. Approx 35 treatments. So no I still don't really have an end date in sight...but I know my last chemo is Nov 11 (Happy Birthday Mom). I know that the chemo & rads will still be working their magic for a few weeks after all treatments stop. So today when asking about Christmas in CA he said he highly recommends me being around family even though I won't probably be feeling that well still.

So after 10 treatments of tomo and 2 of chemo I have felt pretty good. Chemo this week didn't really effect me (yay for no nausea) Thursday morning I woke up feeling like there was something caught in my throat...it has gotten worse every day. It hurts to swallow saliva but I am still doing well with liquids & most foods. The dry mouth has seemed to let up the past few days. I am still able to taste sweet stuff and fruit pretty well :O) as well as onions & pickles haha. I got my RX today for Mary's Magic Potion which is this stuff with Benadryl & Lidocain and all kinds of other goodies that will help numb things up when it gets really hard to eat and swallow.

For those of you who are curious since mom was here she just had to ask what the staging was... T2N2cM0.

I am going to attempt to eat some pumpkin seeds! This is probably really stupid but it just isn't autumn without it!!

XOXO

Mission Completed

2009-10-06T19:56:00.000-07:00

Today I went in bright and early to Vascular Radiology to get my port removed and then a new one. I loved the team that did it! They were all so nice and were all saying how they were going to fix me :O) I am pretty sore and I definitely should have rested like instructed instead of unpacking things...but I am a bit stubborn at times. I am a bit nervous about them attempting to use the port tomorrow during chemo. The nurse said that they can use it but I think it is going to just be way to tender, so maybe they will do an IV. I got my blood work done today and I am anxious to see what my counts were to see how much the chemo effected me. I felt pretty good up until Friday night. I slept most of the day and got a little nauseous that night & Saturday morning into the afternoon. I seem to be a bit sensitive to smells after chemo.

I had swallow therapy on Monday and I got up to 14.5. Much better than the 20.5 I thought I was at! I do have feeling in my neck! Woo Hoo! Apparently my pain meds that I had taken Friday morning were still working that afternoon and I didn't feel a thing!

My PEG had been feeling much better! I had not been flushing it since the nurses said not to (after asking 3 times!) Kelly my nurse for chemo on Wednesday said I needed to flush with 30mg of water at least once a day...so I started doing that Wednesday and by Sunday things were much better! That whole pinching from the inside out feeling has let up and the healing on the flesh wound is slowly getting better!! There is a pretty deep wound and I am thinking about going to another doc and getting his opinion on sutures. The doc tghat I have seen like 4 times now for it, neither Nick or I are too fond of ...I will post pic at very bottom & it is pretty up close & personal...not for a weak tummy!

As mentioned on my other blog, my tasted buds aren't cooperating. I thing that by the end of the week they will be in full hiding. My saliva is still pretty thick when it is around...the dry mouth isn't too bad and is relieved at the moment with water, and lots of it. I am trying to drink lots...I also am supposed to rinse my mouth with a baking soda, salt water mix 4 times a day. I am lucky to get in 2. I just forget. But the radiation oncologist says it is a must & will help with the dry mouth/thick saliva. Mondays is the day I meet with the RO to let them know how things are going. On Monday she said things looked good other than she was concerned with the 6lb weight loss. I informed her that I had been scarfing down everything in sigh the mast 2 months...and that I had stopped doing that (except for the occasional craving) and that I would probably stop loosing the weight once I got to my normal weight, only about 2 lbs to go.

Here are some pics of my neck 2 months post surgery (the bandages are from my new port today)

Here is some pics of my PEG (compliments of Em)the hole was caused from the stopper being turned horizontally and too tight digging into my tummy

Wish me luck with chemo tomorrow and happy healing on this port!!

Loves
XOXO

1 week down

2009-10-02T12:07:00.001-07:00

Just a quick update...

4 radiation treatments, 1 chemo, and 1 swallow treatment down!

I am feeling pretty good! Tired. But good. After 4 radiations I am feeling the dry mouth/thick saliva already. My neck is super stiff and apparently I cannot feel much. For the swallow treatment the therapist set the electrodes at 20.5 before I felt the slightest tingle...the machine tops out at 25. Eeek. Talk about loss of feeling. I have to have a new port put in on Tuesday. Gotta love surgeons who don't mind botching their surgeries!!

Thanks for all the support from everyone!! I am exhausted. Night night.

It's a date!

2009-09-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

Radiation and I will be getting very acquainted Tuesday afternoon and Chemo and I on Wednesday morning.

Luckily Nick's work will be letting him do a switcheroo on his schedule until my mom gets here. He was upset he was missing so many of my appointments lately and really upset he was going to be missing my first appointments for Rad & Chemo. I am so thankful that his work has been so understanding & willing to work with him!

I am feeling a little better today. My tube seems to finally be settling in and we are getting along better! I am hoping to have a fun filled last weekend before treatments begin...Move in date is set for the 30th soo be looking for blogs at www.familyofgrants.blogspot.com of all that fun stuff!!

XOXO

Are my guts still in there?

2009-09-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

I am pretty sure that yesstday was one of the hardest days of my life. It took every ounce of me to keep from breaking down.

Doctor appointment was for 8:30. Nick and I left the house around 7:40. I hate being late to appointments...well needless to say after getting gas & being stuck in traffice for about ant hour we were fortunate that I was still able to get in to see Dr. Rab (team slavik). We called while stuck in traffice & they said to still come on in...I was so ready to reschdule at this point. Well things at the appointment went well other than I was burning up and my g-tube was leaking all over. Uhh talk about gross! I had left a VM for Liz who is likr the head coordinator for cancer patients about this lovely tube & she came in when I was at DR Rabs and said that she had fit me in to see the dr who had put mt tube in. So back over to the healtchare reform room I went. By this time Nick was late to work and I was alone. Luckily Ruthie came to save the day. After waiting about an hour I was seen by the DR and he wanted me to get a CT. So I headed over to radiology to drink down 2 huge 450 ml bottles of barium. YUCK! Then I had to wait 2 hours before I could get CT. They saw my port id band & tried that for the contrast...but it was still too puffy for the nurse to get it in. Luckily she got the IV in on the first try. After the CT was done I headed back to the closed for the evening Obama inspired office. Luckily there was sill a nurse there and she called the doctor back in from the hospital across the street. He came in after reveiwing the scans and decided that everything looked good. He did want to loosen the plug of the peg. Of course I knew this was going to hurt..but in no way was I prepared for what was coming. I am pretty sure he pulled my guts out. I criend for a while afterwards and wished Nick was there. Thankfully Dad & Ruthie were there but I felt like when I was squeezing Ruthies hand when I was getting my tube loosened, I would break her hand! It was brutal. I am still recovering...I am now on double the pain pills and an antibiotic perscribed mrom my Chemo guy just to make sure.

Night

Barium with a hint of applesauce...

2009-09-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

Today I had my swallow test. Rachel my therapist was really nice. I Really enjoyed working with the whole team! I had to try a few different textures and consistancies of foods and liquid mixed with barium while they whated it go down through my mouth & throat on an x-ray machine. Ok, how cool is that! She said I only had 1 time I had a little issue with straight liquids (IE water) she said it was nothing to worry about. I will be going for treatment 3 times a week, 45 min each session. My days are looking longer and longer. Sessions will consist of testing and exercises to keep my swallowing in working fashion.

I haven't really wrote much about the surgery on Thursday. Yes, it was a lot more than I expected. For some reason I thought it would be easy breezy. They had a hard time placing the port on the left side. I assume my veins blew because prior surgery.l..but here is where they attempted it. There are tons of needle sticks I am guessing around 20 attempts.

This is my actual port...

As far as the PEG tube...I am still in some pain. Luckily the Perkocets have been helping a lot now that I have the timing down. Everything looks good other than some swelling and bruising...but no redness around tube. I did have some majoy leakage this morning & was totally grossed out. I hope that is not an everyday thing...And am praying the pain goes away. Very Very soon.

I have my final appointment before treatment starts with team Slavik tomorrow. So I will be asking lots of questions about Chemo tomorrow. I am also going to get my impressions for my flouride. I think there will only be another appointment or two before starting treatments! Almost there!

XOXO

Horse or Elephant?

2009-09-18T07:56:00.000-07:00

I cannot decide if I feel like I have been kicked in the tummy by a horse or an elephant. Either way I am in a lot of pain from the PEG placement. The port is sore but bearable.

Surgery went well yesterday for the most part. They were unable to get my Port in on the left so they put it on my right side. No biggie other than both sides of my chest is sore. They said that after I was put under my heart rate dropped really low. They wanted to keep me overnight for observation because of this. I opted out. I mean it was a reaction, I was feeling fine post surgery, and the doctor agreed I could leave.

I am having a hard time standing up and laying down & then getting up. It all hurts. Alot. I am hoping the pain pills start helping more...

Such is life.

2009-09-16T19:59:00.001-07:00

It seems as though all of my thoughts/writings fit better under this cancer blog. I always start out writing it in my everyday blog...but they always end up here.

Loneliness is what happens when your hubby & friends work all day. Boredom comes along with this. It was much easier when I wasn't feeling well and didn't want to leave the house. About 2 weeks post-op is when I started venturing out on my own. It has been pretty much the same thing daily. I wake up, play on the computer, shower, play more on computer, go meet Nick to eat dinner, go home, play more on computer,, talk on the phone with family/friends, Nick gets home, watch a little boob tube, and then crash. Some days I would throw in a little reading, shopping, school, apartment hunting, or visiting with friends but it really has been the same old story. Luckily, a little bit of spice has been thrown in since our birthdays, so that has kept me sane. As boring as my days seem, I really am going to miss them. It looks like my days are going to be filled with doctor visits and nothingness. It seems like I keep saying to myself, oh you better go do this or that since you might not be able to for a while. Same thing with food. Ha. I honestly have not idea what to expect, since everyone says that treatments are different for everyone.

I am so very fortunate to have such a wonderful support system. I have so many people who love and support me in everything, it is overwhelming at times. This is going to be a hard journey, I am very aware, and I know that I would not be able to do it without each and every person who is in my life. Yes, I have a Grand Canyon of a support system. Much love to all.

Woodchips anyone?

2009-09-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

This morning started out nice and early. Unfortunately for what felt like a total waste. We got to the ambulatory care center right on time. I checked in and sat my happy butt down and waited in what felt like a room that Obama threw up his health care reform all over! After finally getting called back to meet with the doctors, we were brought to the dirtiest room, where I proceeded to wash my hands ever 3 minutes! After the 10th wash or so the doctors came in and proceeded to go over the procedures of placing my Peg & Port with me and then advised me that they would go check the books to schedule the date. Do what? I was told it was happening today. Hmmmph guess not! Luckily they are going to put them both in on Thursday morning.

I headed to my next appointment later that afternoon, to get a CT simulation of my radiation treatments and to make my mask. Once I was brought back into the patient room this little Asian buy asked me if I was aware of all the side effects of radiation and I said yes, and of course he then proceeded to go over them, again. Ugghhh. People I have done my research, I have listened the first 5 times, another explanation, seriously? Can't you tell I am annoyed at this point!?! After that he had me sign some paperwork and initial that I was stating I was not preggers. Well apparently my initials weren't enough, I had to go get blood tested. Then I waited for 35 minutes or so until I got the OK. Ugggh. Again really aggravated. The nurse came in to the room and stated that she wanted to go into another exam room so that she could put my IV in while laying down. OK, this is weird to me. I have had plent of IVs started whil sitting up, but ok little missy you are the nurse. Well apparently she wasn't as sure of herself as I was because after sticking me with the needle and digging around for a few minutes, not once but two times, she had to bring in another nurse to start my IV. Finally I was on my way to the CT room. As soon as I entered they introduced me to the "team" and explained the procedure.I was instructed to take everything from the waste off and put on one of those oh so fashionable gowns, afterward my mug shot was taken. I got on the table and was all aligned for the mask & simulation and then they informed me that I had to put a popsicle stick and cork like object in my mouth. It was like 3 or 4 popsicle sticks with this cork on taped on it with a notch in it. My teeth had to go in this notch while the sticks on my tongue. Apparently this help my mouth & tongue in place. MMM I didn't even taste the metal in my mouth when the put the contrast in, all I tasted was wood. They made my mask with before putting me in for the simulation. It was so weird and sticky & warm. Can you image me on a metal table with a plastic mesh mask over my head & neck with this popsicle thing sticking out of my mouth!?! Not to mention they took pictures for documentation. Nick says it is for Facebook blackmail.

Good times have only begun...

XoXo
Loves

Cleaning house

2009-09-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

Just as a housekeeping...
I have a blog to keep everyone up to date and will continue to blog and let everyone know my progress. Thanks for all the comments, calls, and emails of encouragement. The rest of this post has nothing to do with that...its just that I really do not want to talk about cancer 24/7. I am going to be dealing with a lot of stuff in the next few weeks and for the time being I am feeling great & am loving living my life feeling cancer free. For once since May I have not been in pain nor has the fear of the unknown kept me awake at night. So please understand if I do not return calls or emails, asking how I am feeling, or wanting to tell me a story you heard about someone with cancer, or wanting to give me advice on what I should do through my treatments. I know this might seen harsh but right now I want to live the last few days I have without tubes are treatments in peace.

XOXO

Shay

Lots of new doctors!

2009-09-07T08:30:00.001-07:00

On Friday I met with my multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses. I really liked them all. They were all very informative and were more than happy to answer questions. Dr. Spanos is my Radiation oncologist and his nurse is Laura. I will be meeting with Dr. Spanos weekly to do status checks, meaning he will be looking at my progress, weight, nutrition, and radiation side effects. I am going to call my chemo doctor Team Slavic because I cannot remember his name for anything, nor would I probably know how to pronounce it! His nurse is Deseree and fabulous as well! I will be having Chemo intravenously once a week. All of the treatments swill last 6-8 weeks. I met with Dr. Khan my Dental Oncologist who said I was good to go on treatments. They want to make sure that you do not need any dental work before radiation. I just have to meet with my dentist to get fluoride treatments started. I will be going on the 15th to get my PEG (aka G-Tube, Gastic Feeding Tube) and my port put in. For those of you who are not totally familiar with Radiation & Chemo, the side effects are going to make it very hard to eat and drink for a few months. Of course this is very different for everyone, so of course I am hoping to fight hard and get food down as long as I can before resulting to feeding myself through a tube in my tummy. The port will be in my chest and it helps to aid in taking blood during chemo and administering medicines.
Here are some links if you are interested in more info http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/dental/tube_feeding.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_(medical)

I will also be having a swallowing test done and then treatments as radiation & chemo further. If you are not using the muscles in your mouth to swallow you can loose the muscle mass so the treatments are to help with this. I also still have to meet with my radiation team to get aligned on the machine and to have my mask made. The mask is to help keep me aligned in position.

So I am pretty anxious to get the ball on the road...Thank you all for keeping me in your prayers.

XoXo Shay

1 week down

2009-08-30T21:38:00.000-07:00

Only 51 more weeks until I am 25. Eeeek. I am so thankful to have turned another year older :O)

Feeling Good

2009-08-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling great this week! Haven't needed any pain meds in a week or so. There is some scar tissue forming already that I can feel. It is a harsh sharp pain that runs up and down my neck. EEEKKKKK feels terrible. But luckily the pains don't last too long. I wanted to post a few "2 weeks post surgery" pictures.

-You can see on my left side where the perotid gland was removed...there is "meat" missing as my Dad would say

As always, thank you for the prayers, thoughts, and kind words!

XoXo

Ode to my shower

2009-08-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

I cannot even begin to express my love for my shower. Truth be told I forgot how good a hot shower could feel and what it can do for your spirits. For over the past week it has been sponge baths with no hair washing in the hospital to shower caps & baths. Nick was sweet enough to bend me over the tub and wash my hair a few times. But nothing can compare to having your entire body in the shower and the hot water beating on all your sore muscles!! Me shoulders were killing me...they were so stiff!! Of course I had to take a picture afterwards to share my joy! (obviosly I get bored with Nick at work!)

The swelling in my face is looking good. My ears are still pretty numb and my face is still numb and tingling. My tape should fall off in a few days or so and I will be well on my way of healing...on the outside that is.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Staple Free

2009-08-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

I got my staples removed yesterday!! Wooooo! Now I am just awaiting the swelling to go down and the medical tape stuff to fall off. I am predicting it will after a shower or two :O)

Dr. B says that I am healing nicely and as predicted both "lumps" were cancerous. The large lump on my left side was my cancer infected perotid gland. It is a salivary gland and that has been completely removed. It grew to the sixe of an orange!!! The one on the right was a cancer infected lymph node. They removed it all as well as clear nodes around. Just as before that does not mean I am in the clear...I will never be in the clear. It is cancer. I just have to keep reminding people of that.

I have a Dr. appointment on Sept 4th with my "cancer team." I will know more then exactly what my treatments will be like; how many a week & what kind of radiation & chemo. Dad did ask Dr. B about my hair & the chemo. He said from what he has seen in the past I should keep a full head of hair :O) So that makes me happy. Of course I have no problem loosing it and had already prepared myself for it & thought of all the great scarf and hat ideas. I say if the Lord wants it he can have it!

I still cannot thank everyone enough! Daily I get card or phone call or something from someone new...Thanks for all the loving support!!

XOXO

PICS

2009-08-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

So I finally uploaded some pics over the past few weeks of the growing orange inside my neck. A few posts ago (June 29) I posted a pic...it is so small in comparison...I will add that pic too! I also will post some post surgery of my progress. Enjoy!

These were taken at the end of June...

These were all taken at the end of July just a few weeks before surgery

These are the last pics I took on the way to the hospital Aug 5 right before surgery...

These were taken tonight(1 week & 1 day after my surgery)...Swelling is going down nicely...stapels come out TOMORROW!!!!

Bye Bye!

2009-08-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

Updates..
I was released from the hospital on Saturday morning. They removed one drainage tube but said I had to keep the other on in until Monday. Everything has been going well. I have been sleeping and eating well. Luckily the swelling is going down everyday. Nick and I took some pics of us using the shampoo cap, we thought we would share

I went to meet with the dr today and he removed my drainage tube and said everything looked great! I have my consult this Friday and will know more about my Radiation/Chemo Treatments.

Once again thank thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, cards, flowers, emails, texts and visits. They all bring a smile to my face!

XoXo

I made it!!

2009-08-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

I suppose Nick didn't get around to posting a blog...But I am feeling up to it, that is before these Perkicets kick me on my behind!!

I got into surgery on time Wednesday morning. I was in happy spirits of course, ready to get the golf ball sized gland out of my neck. I have had all m y surgeries done before at Norton's Hospital. This one was performed at U of L, I am a huge U of K Wildcats fan. So if you know anything about KY ball...If you are a Wildcats fan you bleed blue till the day you die. So here I am greeting people I know informing them not to be surprised when they stick me yet again with an IV I will have blue blood! Apparently I am a really good patient here is a pic of my hospital room!

Man they must really have some good pain meds if this is what I am seeing right?

From what I have been told things in surgery went well. The large swollen gland on my left neck was pretty much the size of an orange, when all was said and done. They removed nodes all the way from that swollen gland to the other. My neck is completely cut from ear to ear this time. Swelling isn't too bad. There is some numbness of course and loss of muscles/nerves that the DRs are predicting to be temporary. I am so thankful the God that he worked his miracles thought the hands of these Doctors and surgeons, I was in surgery for over 6 hours while the doctors untangled the cancerous nodes from between my nerves.

I am hoping to be out of the hospital soon. They took my foley out this AM and I have been up moving around all day. I have been eating a soft mechanical diet and things are going down well. I am off morhpine and on the perkicets. I still have the option but of course I am not wanting to use it. And I am feeling good...everything is draining nicely and when Dr B's resident Dr. Augustine came in to clear my tubes this morning there was no pain, like last time! OOOO it was the worst!! I am hoping that there will still be no pain without the morphine the next time. I am taking the perks every 4 hours so my next round is at 4 and he comes in at 6:30 so I should still be feeling good.

Dr B says I will be starting Radiation and Chemo in about 3 weeks. He wants to give me some recovery time but he calls it time off for good behavior :O) I am looking forward to being completely cancer free!

Thank you all for the kind words, thoughts, and prayers. Also thank you to all those who have sent flowers, cards or came to visit! The support is so overwhelming. Thank you all! Love you!

Morphing into a giant pain pill...

2009-07-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

July 8th when I went to the Dr's he perscribed me 1 7.5 mg Lortab every 6 hours. As of Friday I am now taking 2 7.5 mg pills ever 4 hours. My body is gradually getting used to them. I am praying that within the next week I will not have to increase my dose any. I cannot wait for the 5th, so I can get these nodes taken out and find out what my future holds.

The past week I have been in VA visiting family and friends! I have continued to have really good days and really bad ones. Thankfully momma G had a heating pad she let me bring home with me...We have a plug in the car and that was the ONLY thing that got me through the ride home.

I will keep everyone posted of course.

XOXO

Building Hope

2009-07-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

I have come across this while reading some Christian Blogs. I hope that you all will take a look at the Maxey Family's story and keep them in your prayers.

XOXO

St Peregrine- Patron Saint of Cancer

2009-07-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

St. Peregrine was born in 1260 at Forlì, Italy to an affluent family. He lived a comfortable life as a youth, and politically opposed the papacy. After he experienced the forgiveness of St. Philip Benizi, he changed his life and joined the Servite order. He was ordained a priest, and later returned to his home to establish a Servite community. There he was widely known for his preaching, penances, and counsel in the confessional. He was cured of cancer, after he received a vision of Christ on the cross reaching out His hand to touch his impaired limb. He died in 1345 and was canonized in 1726. He is the patron of cancer patients.

A Prayer to St. Peregrine for Sick Relatives and Friends

O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty", "The Wonder Worker" because
of the numerous miracles which you obtained from God for those who have turned to you in
their need. For so many years, you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being.

You turned to God when the power of human beings could do no more, and you were favored
with the vision of Jesus coming down from His cross to heal your affliction. I now ask God to heal these sick persons whom I entrust to you:

(Pause here and silently recall the names of the sick for whom you are praying)

Please keep baby Annette, Stephanie, Ted and myself in your prayers as well as any others you know who may be battling cancer.

Aided by your powerful intercession, I shall sing with Mary a hymn of gratitude
to God for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.

A Prayer to St. Peregrine for One Suffering from Cancer

Dear St. Peregrine, I need your help. I feel so uncertain of my life right now.
This serious illness makes me long for a sign of God's love.
Help me to imitate your enduring faith when you faced the ugliness of cancer and surgery. Allow me to trust the Lord the way you did in this moment of distress.

I want to be cured, but right now I ask God for the strength to bear the cross in my life. I seek the power to proclaim God's presence in my life despite the hardship,
anguish and fear I now experience.

O Glorious St. Peregrine, be an inspiration to me and petitioner of those needed
graces from our loving Father. Amen.

Updates...

2009-07-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

Becky, DR. B's nurse was back from vacation today...I spoke with her this morning and she informed me that my surgery would be Aug 5th. I will be having my surgery at U of L Hospital this time, due to their charity care. Of course she has me on a list if there are any cancellations :O) Of course I will keep everyone up to date!

Some of my family has gotten some scriptures and prayers together that we are all reading outloud in the mornings. Please email me if you would like a copy.

I want to say thanks, again, for all the kind words and prayers!

XoXo

Shaylynn

Dr Visit

2009-07-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

I met with Dr B today. After reviewing my scans and the PET/CT report he definitely is going to remove the 1 swollen glands from my neck as well as surrounding nodes. After removing the nodes they will then be sent to pathology and tested for cancer cells. Once we get the path report, we will make plans from there, ie. radiation/chemo (if cancer cells are found). Until then I am on Lortabs again...apparently this is better than popping Ibuprofen all day. My surgery is scheduled for August 4th. Dr B will be cutting into my neck along my current scar as well as the outer edge of my face around my ear (like where a mans sideburns would be. Since the node is up so far he has to cut that area as well to determine where my facial nerve path is, so that it is not hit when removing the node on the left. I should be in the hospital for 2 to 3 days and surgery recovery time is about 10 days. All of this I am pretty familiar with since I have already went through it. I think that has it's advantages and disadvantages! I am worried about how all this is going to effect school, so I will be talking to my teacher's and student services about changing some of my classes to on-line. I will keep everyone posted!

XOXO

Lumpy McLump Lump

2009-06-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

Dr. Google Says

2009-06-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

As everyone knows I had my scans done on Wednesday. I was expecting a call from Dr. B later on that day. Thursday rolled around and still no word. After leaving numerous messages I decided to call the Radiology department. I was happy to hear that I was allowed to come pick up a report and my scans. So Mack and I headed down there Thursday afternoon. We immediately started Googling all the fancy words that stumped us. We call it educating...Not making any assumtions, just educating.

If you feel like calling upon Dr. Google, here are a few things the report mentioned:

1.Centrally necrotic adenopathy in level II of the left neck measures 3.0 x 2.5 cm & shows peripheral rind of hypermetabolism consistent with necrotic metastatic adenopathy. (SUV 12.4)
2. Low level FDG uptake within 1 cm left level V lymph node at base of neck consistent with metestatic disease, with several additional clusters of smaller nodes nearby too small to be detected by PET, however suggestive of small volume nodal metastasis.
3. Centrally necrotic partly photon deficient hypermetabolic right level II neck adenopathy measuring 2.0 x 2.0 cm consistent with metastatic disease. (SUV 14.7)
4.Postoperative changes involving left side of tongue base and submandibular gland without evidence of local recurrance.
5. No evidence of metastatic disease below the neck.

Here are a few things not related to my cancer that were found:
1. Pineal gland cyst with peripheral calcifications.
2. A 5 mm low density noted in left lobe of thyroid gland.
3. Trace pocket of fluid is seen in the right hemipelvis.

Dr. B's nurse called on Friday and said that Dr. B wanted to set up an appointment to discuss the scans. The soonest he can see me is Wednesday July 8th at 1 pm. I am hoping to get it earlier in the AM so Nick can come or on a Monday or Tuesday. I am a pretty good idea what he will be saying...Please keep us in your prayers.

XOXO

PET

2009-06-25T08:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I went to get my PET scans done. Boy oh boy did that take forever or what. I guess I didn't expect them to be that much different from a CT. Radiotracer was injected into my IV and then I drank some contrast. I had to sit there for an hour and let it all work its magic & then go in a long tube for 45 minutes. All the while my hands & arms fell asleep and I had itches everywhere that I couldn't scratch haha :O)

No word yet. Hoping to hear something today.

XOXO

And the verdict is....

2009-06-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

As you all know I went to see Dr. B on Friday...

He didn't seem too worried with the "lumps" in my neck. He is going to go ahead and get a CT scan or two. He wants to just as a precaution. As he aid "I don't want you to freak, this is just to double check"

So anyways I will be having my scans after I get back from CA.

I will of course let you all know if I hear anything!

Loves

XOXO

What will he say?

2009-06-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

So for the past 2+ weeks my neck has been bothering me pretty bad. I am a constant looker, toucher, feel arounder...I have noticed a few "knots" if you will. There is a giant one kinda under my ear that is hard and hurts to touch, like a mucle sore kind of hurt. I don't really know how to explain it, other than I am hoping it is scar tissue. Over the weekend I found another. It is not as big, and is on the other side of my neck, this one hurts too, but it isn't hard feeling. I am probably freaking, and the constant headaches aren't helping the matters.

My Dr. appointment that I postponed (supposed to be May 20) is happening on Friday at 5 pm. I am a little nervouse going...by myself that is. Nick has to work until 6 and Mal will be out of town. Yes there are plenty of other people that would be more than happy to go with me but for some reason those are the only 2 people in KY I want there. I don't want to ask my dad because he got so upset when I was diagnosed, I will be a nervous wreck and I would rather not even say anything. And..unfortunently I cannot wiggle my nose and make just anyone appear from out of state! BOOO

I will be sure to let everyone know what Dr. B has to say. Until then I don't much feel like discussing it.

XOXO

Sorry....

2009-05-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

I am sorry for leaving everyone hanging about my DR appointment...I didn't make it. Nick has switched jobs and there is some confusion on whether or not my insurance is active. So I have rescheduled my 3 month check up. I will keep everyone posted.

XOXO

44%

2009-05-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

I have been doing a lot of research on Oral Cancer. Of course I did plenty when I was diagnosed but I am wanting to further my knowledge on it...with so many people being so curious and all. I ran across some findings about the Gaurdasil Vaccine that were pretty shocking. Per the FDA the vaccine has a 44.6% likely hood of increasing the chances in some women for precancerous lesions. Sooo I have it documented in my records I received 1 round of the vaccine in June, I don't think it is a coincidence.

http://www.naturalnews.com/Report_HPV_Vaccine_3.html

Null

2009-05-01T07:41:00.001-07:00

I am coming to realize that there is pretty much zero, nada, null, NO awareness out there for Oral Cancer! Anytime anyone asks about my cancer journey they look at me like I made up Oral Cancer. They are so curious about it and then I go into my speel about how it is on the rise in younger people. Everyone always has so many questions. I get so upset when all the awareness is about cervical and breast cancer. Everytime I go in search of buying a product there is a billion and 1 things for breast cancer and not a 1 for Oral. I can only pray to God that the word will get out.

Ok let's recap why we need to get the word out there:
While some think this is a rare cancer, mouth cancer will be newly diagnosed in about 100 new individuals each day in the US alone, and a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every dayMore than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. Of those 34,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only half will be alive in 5 years. This is a number which has not significantly improved in decades. The death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers which we hear about routinely such as cervical cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, cancer of the testes, endocrine system cancers such as thyroid, or skin cancer (malignant melanoma). If you expand the definition of oral cancers to include cancer of the larynx, for which the risk factors are the same, the numbers of diagnosed cases grow to 41,000 individuals, and 12,500 deaths per year in the US alone. Worldwide the problem is much greater, with over 400,000 new cases being found each year.

Crazy 8's

2009-04-26T10:50:00.001-07:00

Julie tagged me for this little fun thing that's been floating around the blog world the past few weeks. I'm pretty excited to do it. It's a fun one.

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
1) Derby!!!
2) Seeing my sister this weekend!
3) Visiting with my mom & Dan and trip to NC!
4) This quarter ending and starting clinical next quarter!
5) the two week break between quarters of school!
6) my weekend getawat with the gals in June!
7) Our 1 year anniversary!
8) 1 year Cancer FREE!!

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1) Watched my nephew blay baseball!
2) Ate lunch!
3) Caught up with some friends!
4) Helped my niece practice her batting skills!
5) Did dishes.
6) Watched my niece play softball!
7) BBQ!
8) 4-Wheeled!

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1) Fly anywhere in the world at the drop of a hat without having to pay for it.
2) Have a photographic memory so I wouldn't have to study so much!
3) Grow a bunch of money trees!
4) Go to the Derby!
5) Push Cancer to the back of my brain.
6) Get all of my school paid for!
7) Lose weight quicker!!
8) Turn back time.

8 Shows I Watch:
1) Grey's Anatomy
2) One Tree Hill
3) Gossip Girl
4) 90210
5) Jon and Kate+8
6) Make Me A Supermodel
7) Ruby
8) Top Chef

Insert Wit Here

2009-04-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick rant! I hate going to the DR. I hate going even more now because there always seems to be something that the DR just want to "make sure is nothing"

Needless to say I am headed to the DR on Thursday...damn ovaries & breasts!

I have left yet another VM for Dr B's Nurse...poor thing is probably sick of me. I was asking whether or not I would be getting another CT since May 20 is officially my 3 month check up...my 1st CT cost me $532, so you mean to tell me if i get one ever 3 month...EEEKKKKK!!! But I know I need one and am insisting on them. Anyways I asked if they had one scheduled as well as some blood in my mucous. OK STEPH now you can say I am officially freaking. If only I was as calm as you about all of this!!

Well I am off to a clinical meeting and then to the DR for TB test...Geez my arm is sore from the Tetanus shot yesterday.

Sorry for the crazy babbling!

XOXO

Dear Mr. President

2009-04-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

The Problem

•More than 70,000 young adults in their 20s and 30s are diagnosed with cancer every year, eight times more often than in patients under 15 years old
•Cancer is the leading disease killer among 20- to 39-year olds
•Young adults with cancer have had less survival improvement than either younger or older patients
•Strides made in cancer treatment have bypassed young adults; in the 25 to 35 age group, survival rates have not increased since 1975
•The survival gap for young adults is not improving, it is getting worse
In order to address these critical issues, the LIVESTRONG™ Young Adult Alliance has been formed as a coalition of young adult organizations committed to coordinating initiatives that will improve survival rates and quality of life for young adults with cancer between the ages of 15 and 40. The Alliance is a program of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Young adults are a distinct patient group with unique clinical and psychosocial needs. An official designation of National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week will enable us to accelerate our efforts.

Check out the following pages and write to Obama and your Governor!
www.youngadultswithcancer.org

http://www.thegrouproom.tv/yacaw-proclamation.php

Oral Cancer Awareness Week

2009-04-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

Please don't forget about the awareness week!!

I posted a blog about it a whil ago...there are tons of places to get screened!!

Spread the word to anyone who will listen!

Lovs~Shay

Setting the date

2009-04-09T16:40:00.001-07:00

The freak out has began. I had continually postponed setting a "date" for my next appointment with Dr. B. I knew it was coming up in May...and I pushed it to the back of my mind and the back of my calendar as long as I could. Well it looks like my time is up! The date has been set~I go in for my 1st 3 month checkup May 20th @ 12:15.

I am pretty nervous. I check out my mouth every day and watch things change...sometimes I imagine stuff, but more or less I am still getting used to the scarf tissue forming. It just feels to weird!!!

I am posting some recent pics. Things are healing nicely :O) I am a little bummed summer is on it's way and scarves are on their way out. I just got so used to wearing them! Can you beleive it has been almost 4 months since my surgery!?!

Sorry for the vegetarian taco reminants! ;O)

Check it out! You can hardly even see it!!

XOXO

Prayer Requests

2009-04-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

Please remember the following people in your prayers

My friend Stephanie
My Nephew Corey
Sarah's stepfather Ted
My G-Ma's sister Ruth
My stepmother's mom Norma

Prayers are needed for their health, I am not going into details just asking for prayers.

Thanks

Shay

Milk Jugs Are For Sissies

2009-03-25T23:32:00.000-07:00

SO after my surgery my doc told me not to lift more than 10 lbs, about the weight of a 1 gallon milk hug. He never officially told me to be lifting more than that. The last time I saw him (in Feb) he said to still take it easy on lifting much. I must say that this past weekend we did an 8 mile backpacking trip and I lugged around 25 lbs. You can read more about the trip of course on our other blog. I honestly did not think that the day would come where my body was physically ready for that. My neck still gets pretty stiff at times and I get shooting pains every few days, but I must say I was pretty proud! I suppose I just had to boast a bit :O)

Am I thinking straight??

2009-03-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

When I was first diagnosed with Cancer I dove head first into ALL things Cancer. I wanted to learn as much as I could about it and get as much support as I could. I started attending weekly meetings after my surgery at the local Gilda Club. It was a great way to meet other people going through similar as well as it was a great resource. Well, since I have been so busy the past few weeks with being being out of town and working 2 of those Tuesday's I had not been back in a while. Things between Nick and I are going so much better. I actually want to leave the house and be around other people. I am not blaming anyone or anything...but it seems like since I had not went Caner went from the front of my mind to the back. I just feel like once a week is too much for me. I was in a huge funk and I could feel myself drifting in and out of depression. It felt like just about the time I was coming out of that stage Tuesday would roll around again and I would go to Gilda's and Cancer was right back in my face. I don't know if this is a denial stage or I am just feeling like I am over it all. I am done letting Cancer run my life.

That does not mean that I am not going to blog, advocate, or participate in forums online. I am so thankful for the online forum where I met Stephanie :O) She has been a huge help to me and I can only hope that I can make an impact on someones life as she has towards mine. Thanks Stephanie!!

Oral Cancer Awareness Week

2009-03-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

Oral Cancer Awareness Week is coming up April 13th through the 19th

A national cooperative effort is being undertaken by multiple foundations, charities, teaching institutions, and treatment facilities to raise oral head and neck cancer awareness. The dates of these future "Awareness weeks" in which media coverage, free screenings, and other events will occur as listed below.

2009 April 13th through the 19th
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week 2009 SCREENING SITES

University of Alabama Birmingham Health System –The Kirklin Clinic: Birmingham, AL
University of Arkansas: Little Rock, AR
U.C. Irvine College of Medicine: Orange, CA
University of California San Diego Cancer Center: San Diego, CA
Colorado Otolaryngology Associates: Colorado Springs, CO
University of Connecticut Health Center: Farmington, CT
University of Miami: Miami, FL
Medical College of Georgia: Augusta, GA
Emory University: Atlanta, GA
The Evelyn Trammell Voice & Swallowing Center, Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta: Atlanta, GA
University of Iowa: Iowa City, IA
University of Chicago Hospitals: Chicago, IL
Rush University Medical Center: Chicago, IL
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine: Springfield, IL
University of Illinois at Chicago: Chicago, IL
Otolaryngology Associates: Indianapolis, IN
University of Kansas: Kansas City, KS
Western Baptist Hospital: Paducah, KY
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center: Shreveport, LA
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center: New Orleans, LA
Catawba County Community College Dental Department: Hickory, NC
Nebraska Medical Center: Omaha, NE
Long Island College Hospital: Brooklyn, NY
New York University College of Dentistry: New York, NY
Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: New York, NY
Boston Medical Center: Boston, MA
Ear, Nose & Throat Associates of Springfield: Springfield, MA
Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants: Winchester, MA
Massachusetts Ear, Nose & Throat Associates: Chelmsford, MA
Northeast Ear, Nose & Throat Center: North Dartmouth, MA
Plymouth Ear, Nose & Throat Center: Plymouth, MA
North Shore Ear, Nose & Throat Center: Salem, MA
Thomas F. Cahill, MD: Fall River, MA
Daryl Colden, MD: Lawrence, MA
Robert Osofsky, MD: Springfield, MA
Andover Ear, Nose & Throat Center: North Andover, MA
Pioneer Valley Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons: Florence, MA
Anna Jacques Hospital: Newburyport, MA
UMASS Memorial Hospital: Worcester, MA
Tufts – New England Medical Center: Boston, MA
South Suburban Ear, Nose & Throat: Weymouth, MA
ENT Specialists, Inc.: Norwood, MA
Michigan Medical, P.C.: Ann Arbor, MI
University of Missouri Medical Center: Columbia. MO
St. Louis University: St. Louis, MO
Washington University: St. Louis, MO
St. John’s Mercy Medical Center: St. Louis, MO
University of Mississippi Medical Center: Jackson, MS
Ohio State University: Columbus, OH
Eye & Ear Institute: Pittsburgh, PA
University of Pittsburgh Physicians: Pittsburgh, PA
Medical University of South Carolina: Charleston, SC
Sea Island Medical Center: Hollywood, SC
Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Nashville, TN
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center: Dallas, TX
University of Virginia Health System: Charlottesville, VA
Medical College of Wisconsin: Milwaukee, WI
St. Vincent’s Hospital: Melbourne, Australia
Griffith University School of Dentistry and Oral Health: Queensland, Australia
In NY, NJ, and PA, The Oral Cancer Consortium will hold free screenings at 30 additional sites:
Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery
Essex County Hospital Center
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
JFK Medical Center
Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Morristown Memorial Hospital
Mountainside Hospital
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
New Jersey Dental Association
New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation
NY County Dental Society
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
NYU College of Dentistry
Queens County Dental Society
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Second District Dental Society of New York
Seton Hall University School of Graduate Medical Education
St. Barnabas Hospital
St. Joseph's Medical Center

Reality.

2009-02-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

It is still so hard to gulp down, I am a cancer survivor in remission. Everyday I have is a blessing. At any point this horrid thing can return. I am so blessed that my treatment only consisted of surgery. I have nothing but respect for those who are or who have went through radiation, chemo, or both. Yea, I consider myself pretty lucky but that doesn't make my battle any easier. I suppose in the begining of my recovery I felt that since I wasn't having to deal with all the side effects of chemo/radiation I had no room to talk. The cancer was gone and once my scars healed I could wash my hands of this all. Reality has sunk in...I will never be the same.

$40 and 2 hours later...

2009-02-14T08:56:00.000-08:00

I met with Dr. B on Wednesday. We were in the waiting area forever and finally after our 2 hour long wait I was in and out in 4 minutes! So I feel like I paid my $40 copay to sit and read pamphlets on everything under the sun. Good times. I am glad my hubs was there to keep me company! The good news is that everything looks great! I was a bit worried about a metallic taste in my mouth, but that apparently is just the nerves settling down from being moved around. I did have a bump I was worried about but when he felt that spot he said, ahhh I feel a little scar tissue, before I even had a chance to ask about it. He wants a repeat in 3 months. I feel so fortunate to be a survivor!

Whistle while you work...

2009-02-05T20:16:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't posted in so long. I have been pretty busy with, well nothing. Really just resting to get my energy back up for the big day (today)! I started back to work! Things have been a bit crazy!! From all the claims & everyone quitting in December my boss is totally backed up!!! I am already going nuts trying to get caught up on everything! I have to pay close attention to what my body is telling me says Dr. B. He is concerned that I cannot handle it all while staying stress free. I know that taking care of myself is top priority right now.

A few updates-When my stitches started dissolving one of them fell out totally intact as a tiny perfect bow. I am a dork...I saved it! One night after brushing my teeth I looked down in the sink & there it was, Nick was out of town, so I saved it to show him! He was actually just as impressed!!! I did go to my family doctor to find out if there was anything that he could give me to help with the anxiety and the panic attacks! Things just got really hard there for a while after my mom left and with the move that all I could think about was cancer and I couldn't wrap my head around anything but the fear & anxiety of it all!! He did give me some meds that I can take everyday or when I feel the need (ie panic attack) and I have only had to take a few, and that was a couple weeks ago! I am also completely off all my pain meds!! Go me!!! I am headed back to see Dr. Bumpous on the 11th. I am excited to see what he says about my progress! The pictures I posted below were from 1/27. This is the day that my final stitch fell out!!!

Look ma! No stitches!!!

Yes, I spared you all the pics of the in between stages when they were falling out!!!

I will post again soon!

I am signing off with a pic of my new haircut compliments of my baby sister Danyell. Thank you so much siistar for all your love and support!!

XoXo Shay

Living Life.

2009-01-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I heard this song on the local Christian station. I fell in love with it right away. the lyrics say it all. I heard it again the other day in the car, and all I can say is Thank you Lord for sending me this reminder, just when I needed it the most.

Say It - Britt Nicole

Okay, so I'm gonna say it

I'm not afraid to say it

The clocks on my wall keep ticking

the moments that I keep missing

Okay, so I must confess that

I've settled for so much less than

What You designed

I'm not taking my life one day at a time

[CHORUS]

'Cause life is short and quickly passing by

Father, will You help me make the most of what is mine

With eyes open wideI'm taking You in

Making the time Mean all that it can

I don't need a sign

I just need to begin, need to begin like this

With every second of every minute

I'm livin' in it and that's how I say it

Oh yeah, I'm gonna say it, oh yeah, yeah

That's how I say it

Oh yeah I'm gonna say it, oh, oh

I got so much to discover

A hand I could lend another

A word that could bring some healing

Is there any better feeling?Hold up, gotta see the beauty

Hold up, gotta let it move me

I wanna be, with You here in the now

I'm done missing out

[CHORUS]

Let me fall in Your arms
Resting here in Your arms, I found
A peace like I have never known, like I have never known
Counting every star
Nothing's ever too far
With You hereI see it all so clear

With eyes open wideI'm taking You in

Making the time

Mean all that it canI don't need a sign

I just need to begin

With every second of every minuteI need you in it

With eyes open wide

I'm taking You in

Making the time

Mean all that it can

I don't need a sign

I just need to begin, need to begin like this

With every second of every minute

I'm livin' in it and that's how I say it

Oh yeah, I'm gonna say it, oh yeah, yeah

That's how I say it

Oh yeah I'm gonna say it, oh, ohthat's how I say it

Oh yeah, I'm gonna say it, oh yeah, yeah

Oh yeah, I'm gonna say it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDMRsDfYivQ

Coming Soon moments2embrace.com

2009-01-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

Our dear friend Tracy is one of the most loving, caring, and supportive people we have ever met! We are so lucky that God has blessed our lives with her.

She has been so gracious to help raise money for us during this financially hard time. She even came up with the idea of sending handmade cards to people for a small donation. She is now starting an online gift store! It is not up just yet...but it will have all sorts of great things, from cards and journals to blankets!! Please help get the word out and check back often!

Here are just a few snapshots of the things she will showcase on the site:

She has made handmade ribbon awareness cards! They are so inspiring! Each one honors somebody she knows that is/has battled cancer and has who it honors on the back

I am so proud of her and that God is leading her in this direction. I can only hope to help her through this journey. Please visit her online gift shop and spread the word!

XoXo

Shay

Slowly but surely...

2009-01-10T10:24:00.001-08:00

I have gotten a lot of people asking me what the cancer looked like and what my tongue looks like now. I decided to post some pictures. Some days it just feels like I will never feel 100%, I look in the mirror and feel like I look the same as I did when I was in the hospital. Taking and looking at these pictures shows me the progress. It really helps me to remember that things WILL get better. The picture above is the bracelet that I had to wear 24/7 before my original surgery that was planned. It was to protect my left arm, where they would be taking tissue for my reconstruction.

This is my health angel that Ruthie my step-mom gave to me. I wore it on that bracelet up until I got word I would not have the forearm flap. I wasn't allowed to wear it in surgery, but Nick held onto it and once I was out we put it on my hospital bracelet. After I got out of the hospital I wore this pin on my scarfs or my shirts. I now have a SPOHNC (supporting people with oral head and neck cancers) that I wear it on. It has been with me every step of the way and continues to remind me that God is watching over me and there are so many people who love and care about me and my health.

These 2 pictures show the lesion and the tumor. As you can see it was pretty painful to open my mouth and move my tongue so that I could get a pretty good shot. Yes, it is gross. The white part is the lesion area and the raised darker area around it and the gray color at the bottom is what triggered the dr. to do a biopsy.

Here is what my tongue looks like as of 1.7.2009. My stitches are a fun purple color! They are dis solvable, so the ends start to turn white as they dissolve (you can see one at the very bottom it looks like a skin tab almost hanging down. The bump at the very beginning is where one of the sutures has fallen out and is healing.

Here is my very uneven tongue :O)

For those of you who know me well, know that I had a very long tongue! I could touch my nose with it! Well not anymore folks...this is as far out as it will go! When I try to touch my nose I barely clear my upper lip.

You have probably seen some of these before...

Me and my mom on Christmas-the day I was released

Me and Nick the 2nd night I was home.

These were taken just a few days after surgery. I was so anxious to get out of the house!

The day I took my tape off. 12.30.2008

Look ma, no tape! Well almost. The rest came off that evening.

These were taken 1.1.2009. You can see the scars from the staples and the drainage tube.

Swelling/lymphoedema.

Here is a good close up...all those little knicks around the scar is from the staples. The one below the scar is from the drainage tube. I also have another one in the back near my hairline.

These were taken 1.7.2009. I had just put my night cream on it so it looks greasy...but some nice improvements!! The staple knicks are pretty much gone :O)

Here you can see pretty much the whole scar.

The drainage tube scar is looking better! My smile is facing down.I hope that will change once all the swelling is down!

These were taken the morning of 1/11/2009.
I am working on that lymphoedema with light massage and ice....I have hear it never really goes away. Grrrr. But good news is those scars are slowly but surely looking good.

There is always a but....

2009-01-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

I am constantly learning how to embrace what happened. To make it a part of who I am and who I am going to be. Don’t get me wrong. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t have moments of sadness, anger and fear. Yes its true many days I experience at least an hour of this. Most times I push through my "cancer" anxieties but there is always one point in the day when the big C stops me in my tracks. Yes, I beat cancer but what people don't understand is that Cancer is always a part of who I am now. If I were to say, "im over it, I beat it and now its over" that would be a big fat lie! But, I make sure for every moment I feel those things I create other moments. Moments of happiness, desire, laughter, creativity, goals.

On a note to a few special people out there that that may be fighting against cancer now, beat cancer, or are supporting someone please take the time to figure out the positive of it all. Figure out how to take your life back, how to be happy and fulfilled. Cancer will be more than willing to take everything from you if you let it! Keep fighting.

Dear Cancer

2009-01-06T16:03:00.000-08:00

My friend Meaghan wrote this on her blog. It brings tears to my eyes.

Dear Cancer,

You challenged me to a war and I won! I grew so much stronger, something you never expected from me.I want to thank you dear Cancer. Thank you for showing me all the things I am capable of. Thank you for introducing me to death so that I can truly understand life. Thank you for the knowledge of true pain, now I can handle anything. You thought all these things were your weapons against me but they turned on you. Death and Pain made me grow stronger and become fearless!Now I challenge you dear friend. I will fight you for as long as I live. All those who you have challenge are banning together to form the strongest army you could ever imagine. We have taken your weapons of death, fear, pain and sorrow and have molded them into our own. They make us strong with every day that passes. We are coming Cancer, oh yes we are! We are strong, so much stronger than you could ever be. We are alias introduced to each other by our common enemy, YOU! Cancer your days are numbered because, we are always training to fight you. It will be soon and you will fall and your fall will raise us so high!

Remission or bust!

2009-01-02T06:35:00.000-08:00

Remission (medicine), the state of absence of disease activity in patients with a chronic illness, with the possibility of return of disease activity.

Remissiom or bust...My goal has been reached!

I went to my follow up appointment today. Dr. Bumpous says everything looks great! My pathology report showed 1 positive lymph node out out 37. The cancerous cells in my node was only 1 millimeter. The doc says since it was in only 1 node and so small, there is no need for radiation or chemo at this time. He will of course be keeping a close eye on me. I go back again for another check up in 4 weeks.I am so thankful! Please continue to keep us in your prayers, I still have a lot of recovering to do!

Xoxo

Shaylynn
Cancer Survivor

Every Penny Counts

2009-01-01T18:48:00.001-08:00

More than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. Of those 34,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only half will be alive in 5 years. This is a number which has not significantly improved in decades. The death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers which we hear about routinely such as cervical cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, cancer of the testes, endocrine system cancers such as thyroid, or skin cancer (malignant melanoma).

I would like to challenge everyone to help out the Oral Cancer Foundation! Imagine changing the world without changing your routine. Did you know that you could help raise money just but searching the Internet? I know everyone has their favorite search engine, but why not try GOODSEARCH.COM first. It is powered by Yahoo!!! Go to the website and under the who do you search for section type in Oral. Then in the box look for Oral Cancer Foundation (Newport Beach, CA) Once you select it you can use this page to search for anything. Every time you search for something a penny is donated to that cause!!! You can even check how much money has been raised!!!

Even when I know the address and would normally just type it in, I go to goodsearch.com and search for just for that penny! I know that if we get the word out we can raise a lot of money!! The people on the forums didn't even know about this and I recommended that they put the Oral Cancer Foundation on the list to receive donations!

I have made it my homepage to make it easier:
Microsoft Internet Explorer users:
Select Tools Internet Options.
Select the General tab.
In the Address textbox, type http://www.goodsearch.com.
Click OK.

If you do any shopping online use GOODSHOP.COM. The site donates a percentage of all purchases (up to 37%) to your charity of choice, without the hassle of registering, whenever you buy from one of 600 affiliated merchants from Wal-Mart, Amazon, and Target, to Bloomingdale's and Zappo's.

What a great way to help raise money for awareness! We need to get the word out. Please help by changing your favorite search engine....doesn't take much to help change the world...now does it!

XoXo

Nick & Shay