POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: mudman8 on March 14, 2010, 02:46:38 pm
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I had bumps on my head 4 years ago (surgically removed) and the year after they appeared again (radiation this time), I'd gotten great support from others here at that time. I was warned they could come back and they did 2 years later in my right lymph gland. I noticed a bump under my ear while shaving, don't ignore hard bumps ANYWHERE! Lots of scans and Dr appmts I just got out of surgery Thurs and home on Saturday, Last night was the first full sleep I"ve had in 4 days. I decided with Dr to get the whole gland taken out as it has been aggressive and didn't want to do it all again. Great surgeon and it's not as painful after as I'd thought. Tho I do have drain tubes coming out the back of my ear and chewing food is not good I will get by. They come out Monday morning, then it's just keeping the wound clean. I look like a star trek character.
It certainly isn't easy being single and trying to handle all this stuff on my own but I have great friends here in LA to keep me going. Unlike others I'm happy living alone but I do have one significant guy I see, that helps a lot, but friends are the best. Find a network and help someone else out. You'll get back loads of help in return. We need to stick together. I'd post a pic but I don't want to scare grown men or little children.
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Mud, I'm sorry to hear you're having to deal with all this. You sound like you're really taking it in stride, and have a fantastic attitude; I don't know if I would be taking it as good.
I live alone also, and don't mind either, but like you said, it's times like what you're going through that having someone else around would probably be nice. I hope your recovery keeps going well!
Betty
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Thanks Betty, I try to keep my chin up. Entertain myself and try not to expect too much. I try to give out good vibes even at the hospital, they deal with so much angry stuff it makes their day easier and I get a smile in return. Kaiser is my provider and they really have great staff and facilities.
When I came to at 4 PM I was so loaded they put me in a quieter area, nurse was great. My friend John came and I said just turn on my stereo and start with Mahler's 1st symphony, he just laughed. For some strange reason when I'm under pressure I joke, that didn't go over well with a couple of my bosses but my coworkers loved me. I have dull aches and my mouth isn't working right but many nerves don't function now so the numbness is working to my benefit. Tho I ain't doin' nothin' I don't want to do for next 2 weeks. Lots of new vinyl for me to explore from a friend's collection when he moved. Ella, Nat, Dina, Beatles here I come. ::)
I'll be back to post since it's difficult to talk typing is best
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Carcinoma.... oh Lordie.. not the kindest to deal with. I know from experience.
Hope you will recover fast
xx Hermie
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yeah, it is cancer and has to be dealt with, At least it's not a raging one like Lymphoma or Melanoma. I can now show people my battlestar glactica scar. I used to bend down and show them my scalp scar. The Dr warned me of all sorts of things and I didn't care, just wanted it out of my body. He siad he works with a lot of hollywood types and TV people and they always have to look perfect.
My main problem now is numbness around my ear and neck, woke yesterday in great pain and I had rolled over onto my right side, no no no, never do that again. My right side lips don't work well either when talking and forget chewing much
If anyone has a bump appear and it starts to scab, RUN to the Dr and get MOHS surgery. What I have is a result of not acting fast enough years ago. Dr says they got all of it but next step could have been to my lungs so I"m glad that hasn't happened.
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hi all, been a long time thought I"d check in. Feb I had my right lymph gland removed that was cancerous. 4 weeks of weird nerve spasms and repair. My right face was pretty numb and eating anything hard or crunchy was a painful experience.
Then 6 weeks of daily radiation, It was alright till 3rd week I lost all sense of taste. Now food is just bland or caustic tasting, and one Dr said it wouldn't come back all the way. I finished Radiation 2 weeks ago, they gave me my plastic mesh mask and a graduation certificate. I'll find a place for it but not bedroom or living room. Laying on the table and being locked down onto it was not for the claustrophobic.
That last day I had my 2nd chemo of Carbo Platinum which has further reduced my energy. So now I"m 2 weeks beyond and my mouth is tender and sore, itchy scaly skin on my back neck area and I look like I spent all 6 weeks in the sun in Palm Springs.
The techs and Drs have all been great. Most say I"ve come thru this a lot better than most. I'd hate to think about that. My friends were helpful and one special boyfriend would show up after work once a week and just lay down with me and let the sun go down. That was really needed. Now to get my mojo back.
Thank goodness for Wellbutrin, Ativan and Marinol for mental health.
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Hey Mud,
Thanks for checking in. It sounds absolutely awful, but you've got a hell of an "up" attitude about it. Good luck, and all that!
Luv,
Betty
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Wow Mud,
You've been through a lot, but you also seem to have the chutzpah to see it through.
Thanks for letting us know how things are going.
\HUGS,
Mark
P.S. I will send positive and healing energy your way.
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Hi Mud,
Man you have been through the ringer. I just last year lost half of my ring finger due to a skin malignant melanoma.
Like you say, early detection is key! Mine started out like a little red blood blister and I got it removed right away. The DR said it was a good thing I did that. They took the finger off to be safe and they needed certain margins, a small price to pay indeed.
I hope you have a speedy recovery. Many will benefit from your posts!
All the best,
Jeff