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It's been just over a year since I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and given a 15% chance of survival within probably 2 years.
It was St. Patrick's day last year when I had the major surgery on my neck. The cancer had killed everything it touched. My jugular vein had to be removed. About the only thing left on the right side of my neck is the carotid artery that carries the blood supply to my brain.
The cancer didn't get into my lymph system. It was everywhere around it and 23 lymph nodes were removed to make sure that any possible spread to the lymph system was eliminated. If it had gotten into my lymph system, it would have spread through my entire body in a matter of days.
My surgeon and oncologist were absolutely ecstatic with the results of the surgery and tests that accompanied the surgery. I hit the 6-7% of patients with the most positive of outcomes once the surgery and lab results were evaluated.
Now I've been given a clean bill of health. One year with no recurrence is considered an absolute elimination of the cancer I had. I'm getting massive tests in a week or so, but everyone says that's just a precaution.
I had some setbacks. I died on an operating table. The first time I tried eating normally, I got food in my lungs, which gave me a nasty variety of pneumonia.
The Shox losses this year didn't bother me that much. They tried, but no matter how hard one tries, there is the possibility of setbacks.
You don't always win everything you're supposed to win.
I won the biggest war of my life. I lost some major battles along the way. I came out on top, but I didn't win it all. I lost more than a few of the battles along the way to claiming a good year for myself.
You don't always have to win everything for it to be a good year.
It was St. Patrick's day last year when I had the major surgery on my neck. The cancer had killed everything it touched. My jugular vein had to be removed. About the only thing left on the right side of my neck is the carotid artery that carries the blood supply to my brain.
The cancer didn't get into my lymph system. It was everywhere around it and 23 lymph nodes were removed to make sure that any possible spread to the lymph system was eliminated. If it had gotten into my lymph system, it would have spread through my entire body in a matter of days.
My surgeon and oncologist were absolutely ecstatic with the results of the surgery and tests that accompanied the surgery. I hit the 6-7% of patients with the most positive of outcomes once the surgery and lab results were evaluated.
Now I've been given a clean bill of health. One year with no recurrence is considered an absolute elimination of the cancer I had. I'm getting massive tests in a week or so, but everyone says that's just a precaution.
I had some setbacks. I died on an operating table. The first time I tried eating normally, I got food in my lungs, which gave me a nasty variety of pneumonia.
The Shox losses this year didn't bother me that much. They tried, but no matter how hard one tries, there is the possibility of setbacks.
You don't always win everything you're supposed to win.
I won the biggest war of my life. I lost some major battles along the way. I came out on top, but I didn't win it all. I lost more than a few of the battles along the way to claiming a good year for myself.
You don't always have to win everything for it to be a good year.
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