Draconator Posted November 3 Posted November 3 Friday, 11/1, was the 5 year anniversary of my wife's last cancer treatment. She is now officially in remission. Her cancer was the same type as Jim Kelly's, Squamous Cell Carcinoma. She had 3 occurrences in one year. The first occurrence was on her tongue and had 1/4 of her tongue removed followed by radiation. It reappeared a few months later but in the soft tissue of her neck. Salvage surgery was done to remove that tumor, but then only 10 days after that surgery, the third and biggest tumor appeared also in her neck. That tumor grew to where it extended from her Adams Apple to her right ear. The first two surgeries were done at Roswell. With what Roswell wanted to do with the third surgery, (remove her carotid artery for starters), we sought a 2nd and 3rd opinion. We saw Dr. Thom Lorie at ECMC (Jim Kelly's doctor) and we went to NYC and Memorial Sloan Kettering. Both ECMC and Memorial Sloan Kettering recommended the exact same surgery, which as it turns out was pioneered by Dr. Lorie. A round of chemo first, then surgery, then radiation. Memorial Sloan Kettering said to stay home and have Dr. Lorie do everything, which is what we decided. The last surgery by Dr. Lorie involved removing the muscle in her right neck (where the tumor was in), flipping her right pectoral muscle into her neck area, and a skin graft to cover everything up. To mark the anniversary, my wife got her first tattoo which is pictured. It is on her left thigh, as her right thigh is where they took the skin for her skin graft. The misspelling of "survivor" is a blessed accident. The tattoo artist had my wife do 3 samples of what she wanted to go with the picture. No one noticed that the misspelling of survivor was there until after the fact. Two of my wife's kids are dyslexic, and dyslexia is predominantly hereditary. So this misspelling also signifies her life's work in working with kids and adults who fit the dyslexia profile. (She is in the beginning stages of starting a school for dyslexic children of elementary age). 2 19 1 Quote
f0neguy Posted November 3 Posted November 3 Congratulations to your wife (and you as well)! Five years is a big deal and should be celebrated. Appreciate every day… 1 Quote
muppy Posted November 3 Posted November 3 Amazing news.!! I despise cancer. It is definitely a C word. Congratulations! another C word SMH I can joke about it but my sentiments are justified. It's a cruel disease. C again. so happy she beat it. 1 Quote
CookieG Posted November 3 Posted November 3 Very very happy for both of you! I'm also coming up on a 5 year anniversary related to cancer. My wife was diagnosed in Dec 2019. Unfortunately, the results weren't so positive. Cherish your time together, and again, I'm happy for the both of you! If you have a local Relay for Life, get her in the Survivor Lap! 1 Quote
Augie Posted November 3 Posted November 3 7 hours ago, Draconator said: Friday, 11/1, was the 5 year anniversary of my wife's last cancer treatment. She is now officially in remission. Her cancer was the same type as Jim Kelly's, Squamous Cell Carcinoma. She had 3 occurrences in one year. The first occurrence was on her tongue and had 1/4 of her tongue removed followed by radiation. It reappeared a few months later but in the soft tissue of her neck. Salvage surgery was done to remove that tumor, but then only 10 days after that surgery, the third and biggest tumor appeared also in her neck. That tumor grew to where it extended from her Adams Apple to her right ear. The first two surgeries were done at Roswell. With what Roswell wanted to do with the third surgery, (remove her carotid artery for starters), we sought a 2nd and 3rd opinion. We saw Dr. Thom Lorie at ECMC (Jim Kelly's doctor) and we went to NYC and Memorial Sloan Kettering. Both ECMC and Memorial Sloan Kettering recommended the exact same surgery, which as it turns out was pioneered by Dr. Lorie. A round of chemo first, then surgery, then radiation. Memorial Sloan Kettering said to stay home and have Dr. Lorie do everything, which is what we decided. The last surgery by Dr. Lorie involved removing the muscle in her right neck (where the tumor was in), flipping her right pectoral muscle into her neck area, and a skin graft to cover everything up. To mark the anniversary, my wife got her first tattoo which is pictured. It is on her left thigh, as her right thigh is where they took the skin for her skin graft. The misspelling of "survivor" is a blessed accident. The tattoo artist had my wife do 3 samples of what she wanted to go with the picture. No one noticed that the misspelling of survivor was there until after the fact. Two of my wife's kids are dyslexic, and dyslexia is predominantly hereditary. So this misspelling also signifies her life's work in working with kids and adults who fit the dyslexia profile. (She is in the beginning stages of starting a school for dyslexic children of elementary age). So, she has no regerts? 😊 Very happy for both of you. Cancer sucks and we’re fighting that battle now with loved ones. 1 1 Quote
Draconator Posted November 3 Author Posted November 3 15 minutes ago, CookieG said: Very very happy for both of you! I'm also coming up on a 5 year anniversary related to cancer. My wife was diagnosed in Dec 2019. Unfortunately, the results weren't so positive. Cherish your time together, and again, I'm happy for the both of you! If you have a local Relay for Life, get her in the Survivor Lap! I'm very sorry. 1 Quote
Sweats Posted November 3 Posted November 3 Congrats.....that is a huge deal for a 5-year remission. **** cancer, man. 2 Quote
SoonerBillsFan Posted November 3 Posted November 3 10 hours ago, Draconator said: Friday, 11/1, was the 5 year anniversary of my wife's last cancer treatment. She is now officially in remission. Her cancer was the same type as Jim Kelly's, Squamous Cell Carcinoma. She had 3 occurrences in one year. The first occurrence was on her tongue and had 1/4 of her tongue removed followed by radiation. It reappeared a few months later but in the soft tissue of her neck. Salvage surgery was done to remove that tumor, but then only 10 days after that surgery, the third and biggest tumor appeared also in her neck. That tumor grew to where it extended from her Adams Apple to her right ear. The first two surgeries were done at Roswell. With what Roswell wanted to do with the third surgery, (remove her carotid artery for starters), we sought a 2nd and 3rd opinion. We saw Dr. Thom Lorie at ECMC (Jim Kelly's doctor) and we went to NYC and Memorial Sloan Kettering. Both ECMC and Memorial Sloan Kettering recommended the exact same surgery, which as it turns out was pioneered by Dr. Lorie. A round of chemo first, then surgery, then radiation. Memorial Sloan Kettering said to stay home and have Dr. Lorie do everything, which is what we decided. The last surgery by Dr. Lorie involved removing the muscle in her right neck (where the tumor was in), flipping her right pectoral muscle into her neck area, and a skin graft to cover everything up. To mark the anniversary, my wife got her first tattoo which is pictured. It is on her left thigh, as her right thigh is where they took the skin for her skin graft. The misspelling of "survivor" is a blessed accident. The tattoo artist had my wife do 3 samples of what she wanted to go with the picture. No one noticed that the misspelling of survivor was there until after the fact. Two of my wife's kids are dyslexic, and dyslexia is predominantly hereditary. So this misspelling also signifies her life's work in working with kids and adults who fit the dyslexia profile. (She is in the beginning stages of starting a school for dyslexic children of elementary age). That is beyond awesome. So happy for you guys 1 Quote
BuffaloBill Posted November 3 Posted November 3 @Draconator this is awesome for both you and your wife. Wish you both nothing more than joyful anniversaries in the future. 1 Quote
Wacka Posted November 3 Posted November 3 (edited) Congrats and continued best wishes to both of you. I did my thesis work at RPMI ad had my transplant at ECMC this year We are lucky to have two top flight hospitals along with Oshei Children's here in Buffalo. Edited November 4 by Wacka 1 Quote
ChevyVanMiller Posted November 4 Posted November 4 Great news! Here's to continued good health for your wife. 1 Quote
Draconator Posted November 5 Author Posted November 5 On 11/3/2024 at 9:17 AM, Augie said: So, she has no regerts? 😊 Very happy for both of you. Cancer sucks and we’re fighting that battle now with loved ones. I have to try Regerts vodka. I hear it's magifinacant. Quote
Augie Posted November 5 Posted November 5 Just now, Draconator said: I have to try Regerts vodka. I hear it's magifinacant. And you can do it together. And that is what awesome is all about. 1 Quote
Behindenemylines Posted November 5 Posted November 5 Great news and wishing her and you both decades of health and happiness! 1 Quote
BillsPride12 Posted November 5 Posted November 5 That's awesome! Congratulations to the both of you 1 Quote
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