O/T: Diagnosis Cancer, Any Hamb survivors?

I was told this week that I have tonsillar and possibly Lymphoma cancer as well and it is in stage 4. I have surgery set for Monday to start followed with what sounds like is going to be a long road of radiation and Chemo therapy. At this point they are giving me a 60% chance. This all come on very fast so a warning to all, it you have a sore throat and swelling in your neck for ANY period of time go see a doctor. I kept putting it off because my family doctor told me it was a viral infection. I should have went for more test then but didn't and it may well cost me my life. I am 55 years old but this can happen to anybody of any age!!
Keep me in your prayers please and stay on top of anything out of the normal or you may well find yourself in the same mess as me. I always had the mindset "It can't happen to me". Well, it can!! God bless you all!!

BobbyD

 

Bobby,
I'm sorry to hear, man. I have several friends who have survived cancer. I also underwent radiation and chemo for prostate cancer 2 years ago and am fine now. Hang in there. Good luck with the surgery. We'll be praying for you.

 

I was in your shoes last year. Mental attitude is Everything! You will find out how many nice people there are. Strangers will come up and tell you they are praying for you. Take life one day at a time. When you start your treatments, you will run into people that are way worse off. Keep working on your projects, rest, then go back to work. Make your new mindset "I'm tougher than that". I, and i'm sure a lot of others, will keep you in our prayers.

 

BobbyD, I hate to hear this is happening to you.I just went thru colon cancer not to long ago, I think they got it all, they blood test me every 3 months now. I went thru the chemo and radiation. My diagnois and treatment came all at once and in a week I was getting surgery etc. In a way its good for it all to happen at once because it dosen't give you time to think about it. All I could do was what the doctor told me to do. I was scared to death, mainly thinking about my wife and kids, and not getting things done that I always wanted to do.

Just listen to the doctors and try to keep a positive attitude. PM me any time. I think there are a lot of survivers on here. The HAMB community really came thru for me, and gave me some hope. That helped me so much as I'm not a religious guy, and don't know how to ask for help. I do know one thing, you can make it thru it, even though its the hardest thing you'll ever do, and a few years from now you can look back on it all be proud you made it thru.Bad times now, good time later.GOOD LUCK!

 

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I’m not a survivor, but my wife is. In 2003, she was diagnosed with metaplastic breast cancer. She was in stage 2 at the time. This type of cancer is very rare and has an extremely low survival rate. On the advice of her local oncologist, she (we) went to the A. D. Anderson cancer center in Houston <st1:city w:st="on"><st1></st1></st1:city>for evaluation. The tumor was removed and Anderson's <st1:city w:st="on"><st1></st1></st1:city>specialists recommended a mix of chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy that was administered in a center close to where we live. She was told at that time that she had a life expectancy of 1 – 5 years. After 7 years, she’s still cancer-free.
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Now for the warning: Yes, she survived, but the chemotherapy nearly killed her by damaging her heart. There are several chemotherapy drugs that can do this. If drugs that can cause these side effects are used, the oncologist is supposed to test the patient before and during treatment. Hers didn’t. After the damage was found, she was given only one year to live. She was very lucky in that she found a very good cardiologist who prescribed a course of treatment that has allowed her to function with a nearly normal lifestyle even though the chemotherapy killed nearly 40% of her heart muscle. Below are a couple of articles on the subject, but there are many more on line.
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http://www.communicationagents.com/chris/2007/03/06/cancer_drugs_can_cause_heart_damage_and_more.htm
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http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chemotherapy-side-effects/AN01407
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I would urge you to discuss to discuss the potential of heart damage with your doctor before beginning treatment.
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I certainly hope that your doctors are successful in treating your cancer. I’m sure you’ve already heard this, but I think that firm belief that you’re going to beat the disease is as important as any treatment. We’re all pullin’ for you!! And, you will be in our prayers.
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Dave B.

 

Thoughts are with you. I,m heading out today to spend the day with my mom at a casino of all places. She has been given 6-12 months to live due to cancer. The casino is one of her favorite places.....

 

Had several people close who have had lymphoma, hoping all the best for you. Seek out Bull here on the HAMB, he's a survivor and a real inspiration...

 

attitude is everything, i turned 40 just a few yrs ago (3 to be exact) was noticing some of the symptoms they talk about in the prostrate commercials on tv. so turning forty, i talked with my doc. long story short, ended up having a radical prostrate surgery (that is the term the Doctor used) within a few months. it was eye opening for sure, definetly life changing but ya can't let it stop ya.

good luck! Matt

 

I am not a cancer survivor either,but i know a one from work.He is a 26 years old now and he got braincancer when he was 17.He have a great attitude,good sense of humour and he used to play ice hockey when he was younger.I guess that attitude and good basic condition saved his ass.Good luck with the surgery and other treatments

 

My co-worker has that exact same thing. He is 53, and now a former smoker. He had a sore throat, initially. Went in and had it checked out, turned out that they pulled his lymph nodes. Then they pulled his tonsils and started chemo and radiation. He was out of the office for about two and a half months, and has been back for a couple of weeks. His prognosis overall is good. He was on a feeding tube for a while, because of the difficulties swallowing after the operation.

Above all, his attitude is good. Keeping things positive helps a bunch! Best of luck to you in your treatments, you are on the prayer list!

 

stay strong BobbyD!!!

 

Bobby stay positive you can beat this, good Doctors ask a lot of question
praying for you gods speed on your recovery

 

Bobby D. Being told that you have the big 'C' is the most terrifying thing that I ever had to face. I am a 20 year survivor of Kidney Cancer. I learned very quickly that you have to take control of your illness and be very involved with your treatment. Do not take anything at face value, question your doctors, investigate your treatment and do not give up hope. Focus on any unfinished projects or unfilled ambitions you may have. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, have someone keep us informed of your progress..............You are not alone !

Doug Post

 

Yep 30 years, had Hodskins Disease, (Lymphoma) tumors in my neck 1980, radio therapy. I have had some problems with side affects but 30 years I didn’t think I would have. Take it one day at a time. It can be beat. <o></o>

 

Thanks for all the kind posts, but i can only read up to post 5, I don't understand why?

 

I'm pullin' for you brother.

 

My wife survived colon cancer,(5 years now) and I have survived prostate cancer, two years now.
You can beat this. Stay active. I know you're getting tired of hearing it, but attitude REALLY IS the key. God speed.

 

hang in there BobbyD

 

32gal is a survivor of cancer. She kept a great attitude through her process of treatments. Today she is cancer free and enjoying her Roadster{and me of course}

 

Bobby, I have a number of friends who are stronger now than before they were diagnosed. All of them have beaten the illness and put it behind them.
Technology has so much improved today that it's amazing what the docs and lab techs can do.
Listen to your docs, don't fret, stay as happy as you can and surround yourself with things that make you smile.
Say this out loud every hour:

"I have too much to do, to much love to give, and too many important chores, projects and friendships to tend to, too many sunrises to enjoy to let this one challenge get in my way."

 

Cancer sucks, run's in my family also, I have had several lesions removed already, my mother has had bone and breast cancer, the lastest was really tough.
Hang in there and fight it like hell, and don't let your doctors put any medical procedures off because of price. My mother was getting shots daily at a thousand dollars a pop. And remember stay positive 60% is better than 0%. I'll be thinking and pulling for you to make it through this.

 

Hey Bro,...

I will have you on my prayer list and add you to the prayer list at church,.. where our Pastor Tom is a cancer survivor,..... Anything I can do, let me know.

 

Prayin for you. Lots of good advice here.

 

As has been stated, attitude IS everything. Of the six of us fighting it, four are living way beyond the guestimates we were given, and I believe it is largely due to the fact we refuse to give up!!

One more piece of advice, if I may; STAY AWAY FROM THE INTERNET!! Not only is there a lot of mis-information, but too much drama as well. (Many doctors will agree....) Good luck and God bless.....

 

I am really sorry to hear this, you've got a battle ahead, but you can beat it.
I hope you don't mind the comparison, but I had a Great Dane with advanced lymphoma, Vet gave her less than a month. I did a lot of research and found that carbs feed cancer. I adjusted her diet so she got no carbs at all. I also fed her on the Budwig diet
http://www.naturalnews.com/022418.html
harder to do with a dog, so I couldn't stick strictly to it

I also gave her essiac tea through a turkey baster
http://www.healthfreedom.info/Essiac formula.htm
She was doing better, and her lymph swelling was going down and she was playing and lively after six months.
Then one day I left her home alone for a short time and she got into a big tin of Christmas cookies and ate them all, she started going down hill fast and I lost her about 2 weeks later.
I believe that the diet was helping her, it's something you may want to consider.
Good luck, you can beat it.

 

our prayers are with you! i personally BEAT it 18 years ago and feel lucky every day as i honestly feel i'm on borrowed time.

 

Hey brother....stay strong, stay positive and know you have alot of us fellow HAMBers talking to the Big Guy in our prayers for a speedy recovery.

 

Hang in there BobbyD. Although not Lymphoma, my dad is survivor of colon cancer. I truly believe the hamb help him / our family through it.

 

I'm currently in chemo for stage four colon cancer. the chemo is going well and I'm not sick, just weak after each session. there are alot of folks praying for me and I'm not a quitter.occasionally, you hear about somebody surviving this for eight to ten years and are still going strong. I was always healthy and felt strong,etc. attastude.
(this is my grandpa, I was signed on and I thought he might be interested in this thread so I said go ahead and post it)

 

Bobby, Hang in there. You have thousands of supporters here on the HAMB we're all rooten for you. I for one w2ill be praying for your getting cured. If you just want to talk come on over to the HAMB Gimp Squad social group located at
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=445
God bless,
Donn