NationStates Jolt Archive

I thought about not presenting this here, but have changed my mind because I notice the amazing amount of people who read this forum and actually take information from it.

I have been diagnosed with throat cancer.

I will be undergoing surgery on Monday the 1st to remove a small polyp and will undergo about 3-4 months of chemotherapy to erradicate any cancerous cells from my blood.

I am 33 years old. This will affect my voice (as some of you know, I am a musician and a singer) and I'm not happy about that, but I still compose and can teach, so I'm not being defeatist. Who knows ... I may end up with a cool Lou Reed type raspy voice which makes me a million bucks. ;) It's not in my vocal chords, but it is in my esophagus nearby. Doctors assure me that since it was caught early, I won't need a hole with the robot voice thingy.

I think it's essential for people to know. 33 may seem old to some of you, but it's barely out of "kidhood" to most people. I will not die. I will lose some hair, I will be sick for a little while, but I will beat this. Hair grows back, though, so ... :D.

Anyway, I smoked for a long time. I started when I was 8 years old. I don't necessarily blame cigarettes, but they may be a contributing factor. So if you smoke, stop. Now. If you have been smoking a while, get tested. Early detection will save your life.

I may have a funny raspy voice, but at least I'll get to meet my grandkids, eh?

good luck
you have my best wishes

Hope you get through this.... Wow that sucks. My Grandfather died from cancer as did my Uncle... I know how hard it can be.

I love hearing stories like this.

Last night I read a story that reminded me why I don't drink.
Tonight I read a story that reminds me why I don't smoke.

I'm on a roll.

(However, last night's story was written by a MUCH better author, no offense, I just feel it'd be wrong not to give her props, even though I don't mention her name.)

Good luck to you. You'll have the love and support of your family with you, and that's worth a lot. You'll get through it.

If there's somewhere near you and it's reasonably priced, I recommend you Chinese medicine and doctors. It has the advantage of being using natural ingredients as medication and really really helps in the aftermath of serious illnesses.

GOD BLESS!

If there's somewhere near you and it's reasonably priced, I recommend you Chinese medicine and doctors. It has the advantage of being using natural ingredients as medication and really really helps in the aftermath of serious illnesses.


Oh believe me ... I'll be doing as much natural therapy as possible. I've got a very nice man who will be helping me with herbs and teas to boost my immune system during chemo.

Seriously, good luck.

I hope that all this works out for you, and I wish you the best.

I hope the operation and the ensueing Chemotherapy will be effective.
33 is not old at all, on the contrary. Getting cancer at such a comparatively young age can be dangerous. I really hope that it will all go well, that the tumor won't grow back and that your voice won't suffer in the long run.

:fluffle:

Getting cancer at such a comparatively young age can be dangerous.
Is there an age at which cancer ... isn't dangerous?

I thought about not presenting this here, but have changed my mind because I notice the amazing amount of people who read this forum and actually take information from it.

I have been diagnosed with throat cancer.

I will be undergoing surgery on Monday the 1st to remove a small polyp and will undergo about 3-4 months of chemotherapy to erradicate any cancerous cells from my blood.

I am 33 years old. This will affect my voice (as some of you know, I am a musician and a singer) and I'm not happy about that, but I still compose and can teach, so I'm not being defeatist. Who knows ... I may end up with a cool Lou Reed type raspy voice which makes me a million bucks. ;) It's not in my vocal chords, but it is in my esophagus nearby. Doctors assure me that since it was caught early, I won't need a hole with the robot voice thingy.

I think it's essential for people to know. 33 may seem old to some of you, but it's barely out of "kidhood" to most people. I will not die. I will lose some hair, I will be sick for a little while, but I will beat this. Hair grows back, though, so ... :D.

Anyway, I smoked for a long time. I started when I was 8 years old. I don't necessarily blame cigarettes, but they may be a contributing factor. So if you smoke, stop. Now. If you have been smoking a while, get tested. Early detection will save your life.

I may have a funny raspy voice, but at least I'll get to meet my grandkids, eh?
I have offline friends who are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian. If you like I can have whichever you prefer pray for you .... or even all of them. Just let me know, ok? :)

Is there an age at which cancer ... isn't dangerous?
No, but the older you are the less time you will have lost if you kick the bucket! :D

Is there an age at which cancer ... isn't dangerous?

Once you are over a certain age, I think it's around 65, but I would need to verify that, your body cells will replicate so slowly that, should you get cancer at that age, it will not grow fast enough to become threatening.
The younger you are, the faster your cells grow, including cancer cells. And 33 is very young for getting cancer.

Good luck with the treatments and the Lou Reed-ish (Johnny Cash-ish?) voice. Hope you get well soon enough.

Once you are over a certain age, I think it's around 65, but I would need to verify that, your body cells will replicate so slowly that, should you get cancer at that age, it will not grow fast enough to become threatening.
The younger you are, the faster your cells grow, including cancer cells. And 33 is very young for getting cancer.
Whoa, I never thought of that, but it does make tons of sense.

My best wishes to you, hope it all goes well :fluffle:

That's a really shitty break, good luck with the treatment & recovery.

I am really sorry to hear this, Keruvalia. I hope everything goes well for you.

I'm sorry to hear about that :( I hope you get better

I guess im sorry to here this.

God Bless and get well soon Keruv. I'll be praying for you.

Is there an age at which cancer ... isn't dangerous?
But of course - about three years after you die :p

Keruvalia, good luck with this. From what I know about chemotherapy, you'll be ill for a while but it doesn't last for long after each treatment. You'll probably get told which of the drugs is doing what to you (at least, my friend's dad was told) so you know which drug to be pissed off at for losing your hair. Anyway, you're young, I'd imagine not too unhealthy...so you'll get through this fine.

Don't tell me to stop smoking. Asshole.

Raventree, time+place =/= here


Keru, sorry to hear about your illness, my mum was diagnosed with Thyroid Gland Cancer a few months back, so I more or less know the procedure, admittedly Thyroid Gland Cancer is a milder version and she didn't even need chemo, but it still gave us a shock. But she pulled through and is now fine, and I trust the same will be applicable to you. :)
You have my best wishes and although I'm not religious, you'll have at least one Jew praying for you. Of course, the Muslim prayers might be a bit more difficult for me, so find someone else for that ;)

-Sanctaphrax-

Wow...Good luck.

Its really shocked me recently , its true that cancer affects one in three of us. I already know about three parents of friends at school who have cancer. I know,but those parent's children don't know.

Keru, I salute you for facing this with an optomistic eye to the future. Too many people focus on what they don't have and lost sight of all the wonderful gifts they do have. I also commend you for using your own problems to advise others on how they can possibly avoid something similar. It's a wise and caring person who considers the welfare of others at a time like this. You're a good person.

I look forward to hearing if you end up with a Lou Reed voice. Didn't Bob Dylan accomplish the same thing with a motorcycle accident? Good luck and hurry back!!

/comfort

Good luck with beating this.

Don't tell me to stop smoking. Asshole.

I don't know about anybody else but these are the kind of people that piss me off. Somebody is trying to tell as many people as he can about something he knows. Cancer isn't something to dick around with. In fact my girlfriend is verly likely to have it so I know all the emotional pain that goes right along with it. I've lost a grandfather and two uncles to it, even a dog as strange as it might sound, plus my girlfriend's adopted mother has is fighting it right now.

I wish this guy best of luck with everything, and support what he has to say in every way.

If you don't like what he's got to say go bugger off and smoke a few in quiet defiance. The main thing is though, keep how stupid you are to yourself.

I hate to hear that, but hope your youth weighs heavily in your favor and you recover quickly and completely. Good you caught it early.
I'm also sure at this point, doctors have thoroughly screened the rest of you for any other possible tumors?

i'm sorry to hear that. i hope you get better soon

Good luck with your recovery. Cancer runs in my family, so I'll at least have some vague idea of what you're going through.

Hm, a music teacher, eh? With a little luck you'll come out sounding like Tom Waits.

Good luck, dude. Get well soon.

Best wishes and prayers for you and your family. I know that some Religions don't aprove of it. But the use of marijuana is a good source of natural herb that helps with the pain and the sickness that come with chemo. Marijuana Can be eaten, drink, taken in pill form and all has been proven to help with pain and to help keep food down. But to the point I hope the best and pray for you. From the United States of soloflight71194.

Best wishes Keru.

Get well soon, Keru. You have the collective thoughts of NS General with you.

Good luck.

Man, that's horrible. Good luck with the treatments, God Bless, and we'll be praying for you.

I thought about not presenting this here, but have changed my mind because I notice the amazing amount of people who read this forum and actually take information from it.

I have been diagnosed with throat cancer.

I will be undergoing surgery on Monday the 1st to remove a small polyp and will undergo about 3-4 months of chemotherapy to erradicate any cancerous cells from my blood.

I am 33 years old. This will affect my voice (as some of you know, I am a musician and a singer) and I'm not happy about that, but I still compose and can teach, so I'm not being defeatist. Who knows ... I may end up with a cool Lou Reed type raspy voice which makes me a million bucks. ;) It's not in my vocal chords, but it is in my esophagus nearby. Doctors assure me that since it was caught early, I won't need a hole with the robot voice thingy.

I think it's essential for people to know. 33 may seem old to some of you, but it's barely out of "kidhood" to most people. I will not die. I will lose some hair, I will be sick for a little while, but I will beat this. Hair grows back, though, so ... :D.

Anyway, I smoked for a long time. I started when I was 8 years old. I don't necessarily blame cigarettes, but they may be a contributing factor. So if you smoke, stop. Now. If you have been smoking a while, get tested. Early detection will save your life.

I may have a funny raspy voice, but at least I'll get to meet my grandkids, eh?
Good luck on your treatment and recovery. Keep us posted if you can. My best wishes go out to your and your family.

I thought about not presenting this here, but have changed my mind because I notice the amazing amount of people who read this forum and actually take information from it.

I have been diagnosed with throat cancer.

I will be undergoing surgery on Monday the 1st to remove a small polyp and will undergo about 3-4 months of chemotherapy to erradicate any cancerous cells from my blood.

I am 33 years old. This will affect my voice (as some of you know, I am a musician and a singer) and I'm not happy about that, but I still compose and can teach, so I'm not being defeatist. Who knows ... I may end up with a cool Lou Reed type raspy voice which makes me a million bucks. ;) It's not in my vocal chords, but it is in my esophagus nearby. Doctors assure me that since it was caught early, I won't need a hole with the robot voice thingy.

I think it's essential for people to know. 33 may seem old to some of you, but it's barely out of "kidhood" to most people. I will not die. I will lose some hair, I will be sick for a little while, but I will beat this. Hair grows back, though, so ... :D.

Anyway, I smoked for a long time. I started when I was 8 years old. I don't necessarily blame cigarettes, but they may be a contributing factor. So if you smoke, stop. Now. If you have been smoking a while, get tested. Early detection will save your life.

I may have a funny raspy voice, but at least I'll get to meet my grandkids, eh?


I want to wish you the best of luck

I myself have been diagnosed with melanoma in the last week or two (I still have the stitches in from the mole removal) I wish you the best of luck and I will be going through some of the issues you are as well

I hope we stay in contact


(btw I am 22 myself …)

Good luck with your treatments Keruvalia! I hope they go well and you are quickly on your way to recovery.

Meantime, what are you going to tell your kids?

When I was pregnant with my daughter I had to get a PICC line (catheter they run into your chest from your arm) for IV fluids and medication. I told my son that I had owies in my tummy and the catheter was helping me get better. Since most of my medications had to be pushed in over 30 seconds, his little hands had the perfect strength to do it that slowly. He enjoyed helping mama get better and would get mad if I didn't let him help me. I guess the key is to make them a part of the healing process.

Thanks to all the well wishers! Also, I don't care how you pray ... any and all will be appreciated.

Couple of specifics:

Don't tell me to stop smoking. Asshole.

Yeah, well. I would never tell anyone what to do with their body. I do strongly suggest it, though.

I'm also sure at this point, doctors have thoroughly screened the rest of you for any other possible tumors?

Oh yeah ... and I can't begin to tell you how obnoxious that was. The hospital has one of those older type of MRI machines. Even if you don't have claustrophobia - which I don't - those are a very annoying.

Cancer runs in my family, so I'll at least have some vague idea of what you're going through.

Yeah, mine too. My father and his mother both died from it. My father was 43, my grandmother was 74. I don't expect to die. Not now, anyway. I have kids to worry about.

The only thing I've really noticed so far is that I'm really thirsty all the time. That's pretty annoying. Doc says that should clear up after surgery. I'll keep ya'll posted as I can.

I know that some Religions don't aprove of it. But the use of marijuana is a good source of natural herb that helps with the pain and the sickness that come with chemo.

You betcha. Islam doesn't forbid it if it is for medicinal purposes. Unfortunately, though, I live in a non-medical use country (damn you, Supreme Court!). But, then, I've never been much of one to pay attention to the law when it comes to my body.

Meantime, what are you going to tell your kids?


Well they'll know I'm sick. The only thing I really can do at this point is to make sure they know I'm not going anywhere. Being sick doesn't mean dieing. I was 15-16 when I went through this with my father, but my oldest is 10. A little young for such things, I think.

When you're fully healed, you can run around screaming "I'm Alive" like in that Godsmack song (Awake) with a raspy voice.

Ahh, that sucks. Well at least you cought it early.

Hope you have a speady recover.

I thought about not presenting this here, but have changed my mind because I notice the amazing amount of people who read this forum and actually take information from it.

I have been diagnosed with throat cancer.

I will be undergoing surgery on Monday the 1st to remove a small polyp and will undergo about 3-4 months of chemotherapy to erradicate any cancerous cells from my blood.

I am 33 years old. This will affect my voice (as some of you know, I am a musician and a singer) and I'm not happy about that, but I still compose and can teach, so I'm not being defeatist. Who knows ... I may end up with a cool Lou Reed type raspy voice which makes me a million bucks. ;) It's not in my vocal chords, but it is in my esophagus nearby. Doctors assure me that since it was caught early, I won't need a hole with the robot voice thingy.

I think it's essential for people to know. 33 may seem old to some of you, but it's barely out of "kidhood" to most people. I will not die. I will lose some hair, I will be sick for a little while, but I will beat this. Hair grows back, though, so ... :D.

Anyway, I smoked for a long time. I started when I was 8 years old. I don't necessarily blame cigarettes, but they may be a contributing factor. So if you smoke, stop. Now. If you have been smoking a while, get tested. Early detection will save your life.

I may have a funny raspy voice, but at least I'll get to meet my grandkids, eh?

Major bummer. Thanks for sharing your experience. I am glad to hear your prognosis is so good. The hair thing ain't so bad either - there are plenty of healthy 33 yr olds who only WISH their hair will grow back! :)

My best wishes for your recovery.

I thought about not presenting this here, but have changed my mind because I notice the amazing amount of people who read this forum and actually take information from it.

I have been diagnosed with throat cancer.

I will be undergoing surgery on Monday the 1st to remove a small polyp and will undergo about 3-4 months of chemotherapy to erradicate any cancerous cells from my blood.

I am 33 years old. This will affect my voice (as some of you know, I am a musician and a singer) and I'm not happy about that, but I still compose and can teach, so I'm not being defeatist. Who knows ... I may end up with a cool Lou Reed type raspy voice which makes me a million bucks. ;) It's not in my vocal chords, but it is in my esophagus nearby. Doctors assure me that since it was caught early, I won't need a hole with the robot voice thingy.

I think it's essential for people to know. 33 may seem old to some of you, but it's barely out of "kidhood" to most people. I will not die. I will lose some hair, I will be sick for a little while, but I will beat this. Hair grows back, though, so ... :D.

Anyway, I smoked for a long time. I started when I was 8 years old. I don't necessarily blame cigarettes, but they may be a contributing factor. So if you smoke, stop. Now. If you have been smoking a while, get tested. Early detection will save your life.

I may have a funny raspy voice, but at least I'll get to meet my grandkids, eh?
My thoughts are with you this morning. Good Luck. If you need a rant as a result of feeling crappy this is the place to come. Be Well.

All the best x

My thoughts are with you. God bless

I'll pray for you! And yes, at least you get to see your grandkids, maybe even great-grandkids:D Get plenty of rest, too!