1 Year Cancer Survivor

Wow! It's been a year since my last radiation treatment. I guess I'm a 1 year survivor. I'm feeling good these days and have hardly any issues with side effects from the chemotherapy or the radiation. I still have some issues with thick mucus/spit that forms in my mouth during the night, but I've found that keeping a water bottle on the nightstand and waking up a few times at night for a drink helps immensely.

I'm back to work now and have discovered that chewing sugarless gum during the day keeps my mouth moist and I don't need to carry the water bottle with me 24/7. Other than those issues, I'm good to go.

Taste buds are back 100% and I have no problems with any food. Things that I liked to eat before cancer...I still like. Things I didn't like to eat before cancer....I still don't.
I weigh between 148-151lbs, which is about 25 pounds lighter that I was before cancer. I go to the gym at least 3 times a week and workout hard!
So, Life is good....so far.

I've been seeing Dr. Debo, my ENT doc every month for the last year and appointments have now shifted to every two months. I have an appointment with my Oncologist, Dr. Atienza next week. Haven't seen him for about 4-5 months, so it will be good to chat with him and address concerns I have about what if????

I'm worried that the cancer might have spread. Could it show up in my lungs next? How will I know? Are they looking for that or do I have to wait till shit hits the fan? What are the warning signs? Am I scheduled for anymore CT scans or PET scans????
Questions, questions!!!

Right now I'm living one day at a time! I guess that's all you can do. If I find out that I have cancer again, I'll just have to deal with it.

2 years ago I couldn't even spell cancer yet alone knew anyone with it. Now, I don't go a week without running into someone who's life has been or is directly affected by Cancer.

Thanks for everyones prayers out there.....Support Cancer research when asked to donate money....and LIVESTRONG!!!

Marjie and I will be walking in the Relay for Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society this year. I guess the first lap is only done by Cancer Survivors and it's supposed to be a pretty emotional event. It's coming up in a few months. I'll let everyone know and post pics.

The picture of me was taken this past October 31st. I think I still had somewhat of a mustache, but have since shaved it off. Too much radiation. Whiskers don't grow at all on my neck and it's spotty on my lip..Oh Well!

I'll have to get some more up to date pics posted.

10 Month Survivor

Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since I've updated the blog. I'm now a 10 month cancer survivor. Had a CT scan, chest X-ray and some blood work done 2 weeks ago and according to Dr. Debo, everything looks great. I'm feeling good and most of the side effects of the chemo and radiation have cleared up. I still wake up in the morning and have to spit out some thick saliva and normally wake up in the middle of the night needing a drink of water to swish around my mouth, but other than that I'm good to go. I've found that chewing sugarless gum throughout the day helps immensely and negates the need to carry a bottle of water everywhere I go.
I decided a couple months ago that I was feeling good enough to start back to work again. I went through a long interview process with USAA to be a member services representative. There is a 4 month class that you go through and upon completion of the class you take a test and get licensed. The class schedule keeps getting pushed to the right and last I heard would not start till sometime in the first or second quarter of 08. I ended up taking a part time job at the Navy Exchange as their computer tech during the holiday season. We'll after a few days, I was offered a raise and a full time position. Since I still haven't heard back from USAA, I decided a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush, and I since I really enjoy working at the exchange I accepted the postion.
Marjie has finished her shore tour at Naval Station Norfolk. This was the "Humanitarian transfer tour" she was assigned while I was going through my treatment. She's now checked into her new command, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 8, where she's the special operations/planning officer. The staff she works for is assigend to the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3).
That's about it for now.