Hey Gary...

Hi Lev. Could you pass the coffee while you're at it?

Normally I'm just starting my work day about now, but so far today I've been to the hospital, signed a bunch of forms, had radioactive dye injected into my arm, and have two hours to wait fof that to soak into the bones, so I'm back home eating a McDonalds Big Breakfast and drinking a lot of fluids (per doctors orders). Have to be back there in an hour & 15 minutes to get the pictures taken (bone scan).

 

Sure Got European Roast going on here! Could do with the Mickey Dee's breakfast myself!!!

Hope your day isn't too testing (pun totally intended)

 

Test should go fine. I stayed up all night studying for it.

 

The stuff one finds out on a monday...

GT...There is no way you're NOT going to beat this.
The initial shock and what not will wear off, and then you're gonna decide to break out a can of whup-a$$ on this thing.

God speed to you, a full recovery, that's what I'll be reading about in a few months...

 

Actually, there never was any "initial shock". Just a long string of ever more pointed bad news, one item at a time, leading up to what I'd already realized before they said it. Of course, I didn't jump up & scream "YES!" when they finally got around to admitting it was cancer, but I didn't fall apart either.

My philosophy has always been to do the best you can with whatever life you end up with, for however long. Which hasn't changed. This is one more thing to deal with, and whether I beat it, or it beats me, to do the best I can and enjoy every day as much as possible. I haven't lost what passes for my sense of humor, nor my faith in God, and actually feel a little better than I did 2 weeks ago, for which I'm thankful. I've had my share of close calls & near misses that could easily have ended things many years ago. And could get hit by a truck & be dead tomorrow. (shrug) NONE of us are promised tomorrow, most of us just don't really believe it.

 

Ba-da dum...

Hoping yesterday went as well as could be expected; my quasi-missus wants to call you again

 

Dang GT!!!!!

I just got back from vacation and just checking my e-mails (seen a pm notice) and upon checking that...I was informed of the unfortunate!!

Don't know you too well, but....I'm very sorry to hear this news (just spent the last few minutes reading through all this thread!! Gotta admit I even got a little teary!!!!

Keep your faith in god and modern medicine!!!! I know for a fact that miracles do happen!!! I myself am 100% proof!! At six months (approx. 31 years ago) I was diagnosed with pneumacoccal menigitis...and they told my parents that IF I lived, I would be nothing but a vegetable, but they didn't expect me to live for more than a weeks top!! Well....its 32 years later and the only thing wrong with me (other than what my wife says ) is a hearing loss!! Needless to say....MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!!!!!

Enough about me!!!!

We all love you and I am joining all the others in praying for you!!!! And as i'm sure anyone would agree with me...don't hesitate to talk to anyone about what's going on!!! Sometimes a little conversation topped off with a little compassion and sympathy can go along way!!!!!

As I'm sure you will...keep us posted!!!!

Roger

 

THE BELLS!! THE BELLS!!

Oh hang on... uhhh, wrong Quasi ....

 

Abby, keeping up with the smack-chris-in-the-face thing I told you about? No no I promise, wives do it all the time..

froot loops

-end hijack
luv ya Gary!

 

Yesterday went pretty well. We finished work earlier than expected.

What does Abby want to call me now? Any time you want to try is OK. I'm home now due to playing hookey today, amd usually home from work by 7:30 Central time.

SHHH! Abby will be jealous.

 

We will give you a call tomorrow night; I'm gonna go sack out as I've had a bad day with the cluster headaches.

Looking forward to talking with you again tomorrow

 

G.T., tell me this sounds like Abby & I:

Me: Do you know Shadow Puter Dude's first name?

Abby: I did once, but I didn't retain it.

Me: Then I guess his name isn't water.



Talk to you tomorrow

 

Abby wasn't around when you posted that, was she?

Kevin.

P.S. I won't post that too many times.

 

Oh yeah, right across the room from me; she took pity on me because of the headaches and kept the nerf football in her holster.

Never knew, I like to put a real name with the username, however I'll treat it as "Eyes Only"

 

LOL. Yup. That sounds like you guys. Sorry about the headaches Star.

I'm lousy with names. Remembering just ONE for somebody is enough of a challenge. I tend to think of everybody by their board names, and have to remember not to call you guys Star & Abby on the phone. I confuse easily.

 

I can relate to everything you're saying here. The reason I work towards seeing the brighter side of life (whistling) is because life is very precious and short indeed, my wife bless her heart passed away three years ago the 23rd of this month , and to this day changed everything I believe in with her attitude and positive infulunce on everyone she came in contact with , but in the long and short of the rest of my life I'll try to pass on just a little of the love she gave to me to others...
and so in keeping with this... you're gonna keep on truckin'...

 

Thanks for writing so much in this thread and keeping us as informed as possible. I too am sorry for the situation you find yourself in but I appreciate your attitude.

 

Eric let me know what was up while I was out with my Mom. So sorry Gary.

I must say though, you're amazing. Here I am completely miserable while reading this thread, and the biggest comfort I find in the midst of it is the tone of your posts. You seem amazingly at peace. I hope it's truly as heartfelt as it comes off in your posts.

I'm sure we'll be talking to you on the phone soon. As always, you're in our prayers.

Cindy

 

As the great philosopher Alfred E. Neuman said: "What, me worry?"

No, I'm obviously not that blase about it, and we 're still learning how advanced, how far spread, and what the future will likely look like, but yeah, so far I'm pretty calm about it.
And the doctors don't always have the final word. The unlikely is always a possibility.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34

One day at a time....

 

Well said my friend.

 

What, you didn't like the Neuman quote?

 

you asked for it...

 

LOL. That's a keeper. Looks like one of my dad's cousins.

 

To quote Reader's Digest..... "Laughter, the Best Medicine"

 

Uh, Gary, why were you out playing hockey? I don't really think that's such a good idea right now, for you.

Eric

 

Um, one last fling? Don't tell my doctor(s), OK? Please?

Got the results from the bone scan today, and I guess I should have studied more before the test. Didn't do too well. Cancer is indeed widely spread throughout the bones, so I'll be seeing yet another specialist NEXT week. Hematology oncologist, who will no doubt have more to say on future headaches and treatments.

 

Science only goes so far, then comes God. ::HUG:: Besides, you're too ornery to succumb to something as paltry as cancer... You'll get through this, I know you will.

 

Dang!

 

Sorry to hear your battle is bigger than first suspected Gary. But I agree with Wenchie...you are in God's hands so grasp whatever faith you have in Him firmly and just believe. This is still a test....you haven't failed......you just have to re-sit your first exam to up your grades a little. We know you can pass

Big hugs buddy

 

Sorry to hear you have a bigger struggle ahead of you than first thought. But, it is just a struggle. One of many in our lives.
You are a strong person, with such a great attitude towards life. Added to that, your faith in God will help you through all this.
You have many many friends who care for you (me included).

Many hugs being sent your way.

Take care. Prayers are still going your way.

Gal

 

Will increase prayers^10, to match your nickname. We're all with you in spirit and faith, and I know your faith will give you great strength and comfort. Anything I can do to help, please let me know.

 

The prayers are much appreciated. Most everything else right now is up to the doctors, and to God.

To all, while I haven't been acknowledging every single post and person, I really do appreciate the care & concern. Thank you all; I very much appreciate it.

Although this thread is getting embarrassingly long.

 

for every post in this thread adds one year to your life hope you start hearing good news for once have a good one little buddy

 

I was just thinking, I haven't told the kids yet, but you know that Kolya especially really took to you when you were here. She still remembers you by your picture. I'll let her know and you'll be on her prayer list for sure. That kid has a memory like a steel trap when it comes to people that she cares about. (I've always felt that kid's prayers are just a little louder in God's ears, y'know? )

 

"Out of the mouths of babes..." ?

I can't believe Kolya still remembers me. Two years ago (?), and I was only there about a day & a night, and much of that time was working with Eric on computers. I sure wouldn't have remembered "me" at that age.

 

GT I'm sorry to hear of your cancer and I wish you the very best in recovery. Does this mean chemo-therapy or something else?

Your witty and informative dialog to MG is an considerable asset and I've always looked forward to your comments. I must apologise for not responding sooner due to loss of internet for nearly a month.

 

Ditto

 

"Something else" for right now. Hormone depravation therapy is standard for what I've got. Prostate cancer growth is triggered by testosterone, so they give me something that kills the testosterone. Listening to Barbara Streisand songs would do that cheaper, but hey...

Chemo and or ??? may come later, but for now, that and something to help with the bone weakening is it.

I sit on my asset, I make an asset of myself, whatever it takes.

No internet for a month... now THAT'S an emergency. Glad you're back.

 

..........

 

What, you like Streisand songs?

 

Glad to see things are not TOO bad. Let's hope that it is responsive to the hormone treatments.

Stay well Gary and a big thanks to Star, Abby, et al.




"Informative and witty, you are, Gary" [~'Yoda-Geek']

 

I'd rather have a root canal.

The large smiley was a reference to the sarcastic sense of humor attempt (on your part)

 

THAT'S a relief. You had me scared there for a while.

 

Hoping & praying. The "normal" span for effectiveness is anywhere from 18 months to 4 years, and no way to tell other than monitoring PSA levels etc. to see how it's doing. After that things usually get grimmer. Most immediate concern for me right now is just how much damage to the bones the cancer has caused. Bones breaking for no good reason, up to and including spinal cord compression are possibilities. I had a bone density scan and an MRI of the complete spine Thursday to see just how the chassis is holding up. Should get results from those tomorrow. MRI was pretty intense and boring at the same time; took 3 hours. And was so noisy I had to wear earplugs.

Here here. Great bunch of people around here.

 

Update us when you can, Gary.

 

LOL. Good timing. I just got off the phone with the doctor. (He returned my call LATE... I thought he'd blown me off for the day.)

He hasn't got the results back from the bone density scan, but the MRI of the spine looks good. No masses growing inward to pinch the spine, and no apparent structural damage yet. First GOOD news I've gotten from all these tests.

It's been a tough 24 hours though. Right shoulder hurt bad enough to keep me up all night (even juiced with Hydrocodone) and home from work today. Part of the "flare effect" of the Lupron. When they first shoot you with it, it tends to make your symptoms worse for a couple weeks before it settles down and starts helping. I thought I'd missed the flare effect, but it caught up with me last night. It's just started settling down in the last hour, so I should be OK for work tomorrow. I hope so anyway. I can't afford to be TOO lazy.

 

Well hey, those results make a crappy day worth getting out of bed for. Glad to hear it Gary. Sorry about your bad night; hopefully back up and out the door tomorrow for you

 

Hey Gary, http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/love/love0003.gif Seems I'm late to offer you much support. Glad to hear some of the test has offered good news.

Darlin, don't push yourself to go to work if you don't feel like it. No sense on showing up and running yourself down or struggling with pain. I'm sure your boss will let give you the option to make up your hours when your feeling well.

I will be popping in more often to check this thread. Keep us posted hun.

 

Can they not give you something to help you through the flare effect...kinda like they give women pethidin for labor pains and then an antidote to the severe nausea pethidin brings on ??

Great news that your spine is clear Gary. Hold on to that positive and spread it around the rest of your body

 

Glad to hear there is some good news.

Hope you get through this "flare effect" and on to much better days.

Gal