My personal belief of “The Power of Hope” was tested again in August 2020, when at age 39, my jawbone fractured. At the time, I thought it was another jawbone infection since I have had countless infections over the years caused by the effects of radiation treatments and floating deteriorating pieces of jawbone. Following an x-ray, I was advised that I had a severe pathological jawbone fracture and my new team of surgeons at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital clearly detailed another extremely complicated surgical procedure that would be necessary.
After you lose more than half of your tongue, much of the upper pallet on the roof of your mouth, and experience life after all things Head Neck Cancer my reality is very different than most. Friends and family have said, “what a nightmare”, “you must be miserable”, “how do you even get out of bed?”, “how do you manage?”, “you must be beside yourself”, and “what an awful time for you and your family.”
Recently, I interviewed Doctor Arthur Rosenberg, now retired, but previously a certified Hematologist engaged in practice in Greenwich, CT. He was one of the leading chemotherapists in CT and known around the country for his unique and effective treatment plans.
Create a schedule. Keep it flexible but attempt to maintain some structure throughout your day. Having a routine when confined at home is key to fill your time and helps decrease stress.
