About Me
I am nearing the end of my current “epic,” my battle with Stage IV oral squamous cell carcinoma. The cancer appears to be gone, and I am cleaning up the aftereffects of the mess it left behind.
(By the way, I hate the term “in remission.” That implies that it is still there and will most likely come back. It is a way for the medical profession to not admit that cancer can be cured. It admits ultimate defeat. It is just too negative for me.)
No one knows why I got cancer, of course. I was healthy, didn’t smoke or drink, exercised more or less regularly, and was (mostly) vegetarian. Maybe I ate a little too much sugar, but that wasn’t all that often.
So, now at 60 years old, and still feeling like I’m in my teens . . . well, ok, my late 20’s, and being free of cancer for over 20 months, I am still trying to put the whole experience into perspective. I am coming to my own conclusions as to why I went through this experience, and you will find some of that on this web site.
I should add that it wasn’t only me on this epic. My wife was by my side the whole way, giving infinitely valuable support. Other fellow travelers included my wonderful daughter, Adrianna, my fantastic sisters and brother, my beloved “son,” Michael, and a host of family, friends, and church family. I am indebted to all for their unwavering support and continual prayers.
The foundation of all this support was the love and trustworthiness of my God and Savior who strengthened and sustained us all throughout the journey. Without Him, all else would have been useless and pointless.
My wife and I together in a restaurant - Spring, 2008
If you have cancer, you can survive, too. One of the goals I have for this web site is to give you some tools to help you do just that, and to encourage you on your journey.
For, if you have cancer, you have embarked on a journey, an “Epic,” as one person called it. You will decide the outcome of your Epic, not your doctor, not those who love or hate you, not the food you eat or medicines you take. All of these things may have a positive or negative influence, but it is YOU who will decide what the outcome of your Epic will be.
Of course, death, or the lack thereof, is not the outcome. Death is, in all but a few cases, postponed, not avoided. Much of the information on this website IS to help you put the inevitable off, at least for your Epic, and to point you to the most positive outcome.
I’ll tell you about my battle with oral squamous cell carcinoma,, and talk about the things that helped me overcome it. I will discuss why these things are applicable to not only my cancer, but leukemia, Hodgkin’s Disease, stomach cancer, colon cancer, brain tumors, prostate cancer, breast cancer, or any other type you may have. My wife and I learned a lot on this Epic, for this was not just mine, but hers as well, and we’ll be sharing these with you.
Do not be afraid. Epics are not necessarily fun, but there can be a lot of good times on the way. And, you will be glad you went through it when it is over.
Epics cost. Mine left me with only half a jaw, no teeth, numbness on the right side of my tongue, mouth and lips, some difficulty swallowing, a somewhat disfigured face (although some might think it an improvement!), and tinnitus. But, now that I am mostly through it, what the experience has given me far outweighs the cost, at least for me.
I hope you will be encouraged and strengthened by what you find here, and your resolve to fight will increase every day. So, pick up some of the weapons you find here and go forth with courage on this great battle that has come upon you.
Be a survivor!
I am with you all the way.
daPoppa
NOTE:
This website is a new venture for me, and I will be adding to it regularly. If you would like to be notified when additions are made, please sign up for the newsletter.
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