Two Years Post Throat Cancer - I'm Still Here!

[@sdlandau7124]

I'm thrilled to find your channel! I am a gardener, *and* I am in treatment right now for throat cancer: chemotherapy plus 33 radiation treatments. I loved watching your videos and knowing there is another man out there who takes his gardening as a healing practice. I have to take my treatment in a nearby city so I am not at home, but I make a point to go the hour each way once a week to harvest and bring my food with me to my little temporary apartment so I can feed myself on the best fruits of my own efforts. And I decided to plant corn this summer anyway even though I am not there to care for it and watch it grow, because it is important to life, and to *my* life, to get the seeds in the ground and cooperate with Life itself in making food grow. Thank you for your honesty, your vulnerability, your service to those of us who have needed you. Blessings on your way.

[@guylamullins3602]

Been through cancer now for 3 years. Still taking immunotherapy. It's not fun no. I wish you continued health.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thank you and you too :)

[@carolw4506]

We're very happy you're still here 😊

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks Carol :)

[@suemccarthy5662]

great news Steve looking forward to many more years from The Optimistic Gardener 🌲

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks Sue and fingers crossed!

[@GrowingAGreenFinger]

I was just thinking, "What happened to Steve?" and there you are! Glad you're doing better, looking forward to more videos in the garden👍

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks :) Back raring to go for a new season!

[@22dekester]

Thanks you for the update Steve. You are a true testament of grit and will to get through everything you have.Looking forwardto reading your book.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Much appreciated :)

[@gillianhigham3065]

Pleased that you have done a follow up video. Keep well and best wishes with your health and gardening! 😊

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks you!

[@motnitsua29]

glad to see you back in the green house. Stay strong

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Than you!

[@carladelagnomes]

I'm glad you are still here also!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thank you Carla, back up and at 'em now!

[@freneticaesthetica]

You look brilliant, Steve! Here is to a long and joyful life ahead 🥂

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks so much!

[@elizabethcronin3074]

Always nice to see you! Thank God for a successful treatment & recovery! 🙏Good luck with your book! Happy Spring & gardening!🌞

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks Elizabeth :)

[@TraineeHuman]

Good to see you Steve - peace and love mate x

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thank you and you too :)

[@surajitsinha6827]

Wish you all the best for a speedy recovery and healthy life going forward. Please take care

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks you Surajit :)

[@dalebates9817]

All good news, then. Bought the book and I look forward to reading it. Good luck iwth your hip and thanks again!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@LadyRickie]

Missed you for a long time.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks LadyRickie :) Back "up and at 'em now" ready for a new season!

[@PaulasPicks]

Happy to see you, Steve! Thanks for the update! 🌟

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Hey, thanks for the comment, back "up and at 'em now", time to get sowing!

[@carolineowen7846]

Good to see a vid from your good self :) I was thinking about your vlogs on breaking down pallets & making seed trays earlier this week. Thank you for your honesty. Yea cancer sucks, the treatment is draining, physically, emotionally & mentally. The scars there after are deep & traumatic. You are very fortunate to have your lovely Mrs F by your side. Your wise words on how your garden so benefited your mental health & have given you positive focus throughout have been very wise & true. My garden certainly helped me, & if I hadn't grown a chunk of my veg I certainly would have been at the food bank. (Even though the surgeon told me I was an idiot for eating Kale, & giving up my chocolate addiction). Wishing you ongoing good health and an abundant garden :)

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks Caroline :)

[@azzajane5568]

I wish you good health and cheers to a great garden season ahead!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thank you :)

[@minivanmachoman]

Glad you are here too Sir! Thanks for all the wonderful videos!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks :) Glad you like them!

[@Jasonandtheargonauts]

I am just waiting on finding out if I need radiation. Had both tonsils removed, only one contained cancer and then a neck dissection to remove lymph nodes. It’s good to hear other stories of how it has gone. Just being really positive and drinking more and more water.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Good luck and you definitely have to be positive. Feeling great now :)

[@wouterbrakhoven8914]

Thanks for your update and great to see you back in action - Have you checked your magnesium and other mineral levels? They help with cramps.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I will check it out, haven't thought of that before, thanks :)

[@user-qk3qj6ls6b]

Great video Steve, it’s good to see you doing so well, thank you for sharing. You give me hope for a great recovery and I loved your book❤️ My full tonsillectomy and neck dissection is scheduled for April 2nd🙏🏻 I’ve read so many stories about blood clots breaking off and people rushing to the ER plus the awful pain for weeks, I have to say I’m a bit freaked out about that. On top of the neck dissection, not a fan of them cutting around in there haha. I’m looking into home IV to get at least get some fluids and I’ll ask my Doctor if I can go i home with the feeding tube, I found some great healthy products online for it. Not too concerned about the eating portion while I’m hospital, just my fluids but if they insist on giving me something I’m feeding tube there, I’ll ask them if I can use my own products. How did your scar turn out on your neck?

[@PaulasPicks]

Best wishes to you for your upcoming surgery & recovery! Not sure where you're located, but also see if there's post-op assistance available. In the U.S., there are programs to offer some in-home assistance to help with cleaning feeding tubes & driving to follow-up appointments.

[@user-qk3qj6ls6b]

Thank you, it’s so kind of you to send me a message and good wishes❤️I’ll look into that, it hadn’t crossed my mind

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Scar is hardly noticeable at all now. The first few weeks are tough with the surgery pain, but just keep in your head, it comes to an end soon enough :)

[@user-qk3qj6ls6b]

Thank you I appreciate your response and encouragement 🙏🏻 Enjoy the upcoming gardening series ❤️