ANOTHER update, post 49.



BIG, LONG, CHATTERY UPDATE IN POST #34.

I was very recently diagnosed with cancer in my neck.

After a biopsy revealed metastasized squamous cell carcinoma in my lymph nodes, a PET scan failed to show where the primary source of the cancer was.

The doctors believe it is in my neck (since pretty much everything else except my prostate looked clear and if I have prostate cancer they say that can't be the source of the lymph nodes cancer because it is a different type of cancer ).

So the VA has sent me to an outside ENT doctor who is going to do a procedure, probably towards the end of next week, in which, with me knocked out () he will go into my neck and biopsy pretty much everything he sees as (1) the primary tumor may be dead or (2) is hiding. In either case, they need to find it.

I ask prayer specifically that the doctors find the source of the cancer which has spread to two of my lymph nodes.

I will update this post or this thread as soon as I know something else.

Thank you for the prayers in advance.

Bob

I will be thinking of you.

Our prayers to you and your doctors for a successful procedure.

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CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

Prayers sent.

Hoping for a successful procedure and quick recovery!

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Jorge

Prayers up SS. All the best of Gods will Sir.

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Bill
Dis B. Leaf

I pray that your prayers are answered.

Prayers are coming Bob.

If I can be of help or answer some questions let me know.

I am recovering from the same form of cancer. It took a minute but I beat it. It has a very high survival rate. Mine was stage IV when they caught it and we still whipped it.

I learned a lot from this and perhaps God put me here to share what I know.

Please feel free to contact me.

In His name.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Prayers for a full and fast recovery sir.

Prayers for all involved.
Hoping for a speedy recovery.

Hoping and praying for you and the doctors.

You have mine - now AND then. Hope all turns out well. "Keeping fingers crossed" for you.

Prayer from Texas for your getting a definite diagnosis and for your complete healing.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Prayers inbound.

Prayers have been sent.

Prayers and well wishes sent from NY SS1. Bob, stay strong and keep the faith. We're in this fight by your side my friend.

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paws for friendship

May our Father in heaven guide the hands & eyes of those treating SS/Bob.......so that he might have a full healing...... Father we ask this of You, in the Name of Your Son, according to Your Will.

Bob, like Rusty above, I'm fighting cancer too, stage 4 NSC adenocarcinoma lung/liver. We old farts should always give thanks for what we've already been given....But, we should always fight for each day that He gives us & try for more of them.........you remain in our prayers......

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be safe,enjoylife,journey well

Prayer will be sent, probably more than one.

Prayers sent

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Dum vivo cano

Bob, prayers for you and yours. A special prayer that the Dr. hand is true and accurate.

Definitely Praying

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Compact 9mm Just my $0.02

Prayers to God Almighty, for you Bob, in His name.

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Sure you did

I couldn't have said any better, so add my second to da gimp's post. Also a cancer survivor ( so far! ). You are on pretty solid footing with a diagnosis. Now do what the doctors suggest, follow those recovery instructions, and we will await your post-op greeting.
Dave
SWCA #2778

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mr mom
Fire Chief, Retired

My thoughts and best wishes are with you.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Best wishes for a full recovery.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Prayers for healing and peace to you, Bob. God Bless you and yours.

Prayer sent.

Prayers & positive thoughts from Texas...

I hope and pray that the doctors can find and remove every bit of tumor that is a danger to you.

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Have asked the Lord be with you .

Will keep you in my prayers. Hang tough.

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Mighty 90's,Trying 4 a 100!

Prayer sent. Hang in there.

You have them from here.

UPDATE:

A lot of things have happened and I apologize for the length of this update but I think, if I'm asking for your prayers, I should tell you what I know so far so that you can pray with specificity for me should you choose to do so.

It is very early in the AM on Saturday and I am recently home from the hospital where the outside ENT did the procedure I mentioned in the initial post.

He went down my nose, then down my mouth and examined everything he could see. He found that the right tonsil looked "irregular" and biopsied it. I may have the results on Tuesday, but certainly by Thursday when I meet with him.

My cancer is not lymphoma, rather it is Neck Cancer and just happens to have been discovered when it was ravishing two lymph nodes it had metastazided into. They want to find the original or primary source of the cancer, though is a relatively small percentage of cases, they never do.

I have a year to live IF I take no treatment and let the cancer take its course. I will not do that because my oncologist told me that it would be a very bad year, that the cancer is very aggressive and would invade my airway among other places and my end would be very painful.

OTOH, he, and the other doctors, recommend, and I will do this Radiation for 42 days straight except for weekends and holidays and, at the same time, 100ml of Cisplatin (chemo) once every three weeks, for three times.

This dosage had a lot of side effects and my friend, another VN vet a year older than me, lost all his hearing as a side effect. The oncologist says that's a real possibility, but my wife says I don't listen anyway.

The radiation in the throat has a lot of side effects and, apparently, many patients neglect to do the little throat exercises needed to retain the ability to swallow, open one's mouth and speak. The throat apparently has so much soft tissue that it is easily burned and damaged and hurts like the dickens.

In combination with the Speech Pathologist, the docs scared me enough that I will do those exercises. The pics and illustrations caused me to consider a quick trip to the bathroom for a #2 or a pukey, but I was able to stop myself.

The hope of the docs is that the primary source of the cancer is that tonsil as that will allow the radiation to be narrowed to the two lymph nodes affected and the tonsils rather than shot into me widely through or over the whole throat.

I have had good news. The PET scan showed bright spot(s) at the rear of the prostate and in the colon or rectum.

My prostate was checked three days ago (I will spare you the details) and is cancer free.

I had a colonoscopy Thursday and my rectum and colon are cancer free.

I am so blessed with those findings. I was pretty concerned with having to fight two different cancers at the same time. I am so grateful that such a thing apparently will not happen.

On Wednesday, they will do an endoscopy and put in a feeding tube (I caved and agreed, pictures and the doctors stories of patients who refused the tube convinced me) which I may need for the last two thirds of the radiation period and maybe for some period after that. We just have to wait and see.

My specific prayer requests are:

For my wife, Sue. That she will remain calm and strong. As many of you know, she is a Nurse Practitioner and, as a result, knows how this cancer runs. She has been a rock, but I can see that she is concerned and I know that she "conceals" some of the bad parts I will face until the docs tell me.

Secondly, that I make the correct choices, that my discernment is "on the ball." I get to make a lot of choices, for example, how much Cisplatin and how often. I picked "All you'll give me as often as you'll give it to me." That will require three overnights in the hospital, but that seems a small inconvenience.

Thirdly, that the side effects of the Cisplatin are the least possible. The oncologist says if they are too much, they'll lessen the dosage a bit, a little more, more, more until they find the maximum amount I can tolerate. I hope to be able to take the max since this cancer is so aggressive and I want to hit it as hard as it can be hit.

Next, that the radiation in combination with the chemo is tolerated (as in bearable) by me. This is pretty intwined with the third request.

Lastly, regardless of the outcome, the problems, the pain, the nausea and pukeyness (is that a word?) that I can maintain my good testimony and share my journey with Him when I have the opportunity.

I was in a lot of pain when I came home a few hours ago, but it has subsided and I think I can sleep for a while.

Thank you so much for just being there and for your prayers.

Finally, this is for you. I was very blessed that this was discovered so early. A friend saw a small lump under my right jaw. I'd never noticed it even though I shave 4-5 days a week and shower every day (really and I use
soap, too ).

Just as women are told to check their breasts for changes
and lumps, men should also carefully observe their bodies, especially their necks for lumps.

If my friend hadn't noticed this and I hadn't acted on it (even though it was sooo small I was really embarrassed to bring it to my primary's attention) I could have been too late to have a fighting chance to beat this awful disease.

Please check yourselves from time to time and act right away if you find something.

Thank you again for considering my situation and taking it to the One who can help with anything.

Bob

I'll offer one up for the docs to maintain their vigil and make the correct decisions regarding treatment.

I'd say your practical approach to your condition, the fact you have a loving and skilled advocate in your wife and your willingness to abide and trust in your relationship with the Lord puts you in position to deal on your terms.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

You can do this. **** cancer!

Sounds like you have a handle on things. I was Dx with throat cancer last July. I noticed lumps in my neck & went to the Dr. It had gotten into the lymph nodes. In my case they were able to see exactly where it was.

I did concurrent chemo & radiation for 7 weeks, chemo once a week & radiation 5 days a week. Not pleasant to say the least. I had a feeding tube coming out of my gut for about six months. Had it taken out today, actually.

I finished treatment in November. My PET scan in March & subsequent followups with my ENT have been clear so far. I still don't have all my voice back but it's better & I am eating food OK though "sweet" hasn't come back yet and I hardly ever feel "hungry."

A few things I've found...

Don't be afraid to lean on people or ask for help. Guys like to be tough but sometimes we really need help. This is one of those times.

Keeping your weight up will be important. I went with a portable pump for my feeding tube. The pump & formula bag fit in a backpack. I was connected about 16 hours a day.

Keep a notebook. You'll probably get what I'm told is called "chemo fog." The memory just gets out of wack. Couple this with tons of instructions, appointments and information and well... It's good that your wife is a nurse.

Keep records of your doctors, dates of events, etc. You will need it if you apply for disability. Also addresses & phone numbers. I was lucky to have a BIL who held my hand & put a boot in my backside to get this stuff done. I had zero problem with disability.

There WILL be expenses beyond insurance. Keep receipts. You may be able to write them off. I'm on the hook for about $2K-ish.

Attitude is important. Be positive. People survive this stuff every day.

Prayers for you, Bob, your family, and those skilled professionals treating you.

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Sure you did

Bob,

Your Forum handle -- straightshooter -- is well chosen.

Thanks for sharing the details of your situation with us at a time when you are dealing with an awful lot. It's humbling for us to know that you value this Forum and its members enough to inform and ask us for prayers at a time like this -- to "shoot straight" with us.

Your faith and reliance on God are inspiring, and you already are continuing to carry your testimony in a strong, vital way. I am especially moved by that. You can be sure that continued prayers will be made on your behalf and for the reasons you have asked, and you already know that He has blessed you before, is doing so now, and will continue.

At times like this, "one day at a time" can be a great comfort, especially when we know who is giving us the strength to live each one, and who knows all that we are experiencing. He provides what we need to meet each day's challenges, and reminds us that tomorrow's will be sufficient to themselves and we should not worry ourselves with them, because He will be faithful in His providence.

I admire the choices you are making in response to your diagnosis, as they recognize and honor that our bodies are His temple that we take care of in gratitude to Him. We know the source of cancer and the other evils that attack us, and it is not of Him, for He made us in His own image and with life to be lived with joy and fullness. So as you go through your treatments and experience the care of your medical providers, be assured that these are His blessings, poured out to you in His love and caring for you.

Grace and peace to you, brother, as He holds you and yours in the palm of His hand. Please keep us informed, and thanks again for your trust and openness with us at such a challenging time.

__________________
Ukraine -- now more than ever

Prayers are being said. God bless.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

You've got my prayers sir. Thank you for your service to our country.

God Bless. Let the battle begin. You are not alone in this fight.

Time to dust off my favorite cancer story. A friend's dad was told three times that he had terminal, inoperable cancer and would die within less than six months. The first time was at age 54. He finally died at 86, as a widower, in a car wreck in his new convertible and his 34 year old girl friend next to him. I pray and hope that things work out for you.

My dad has lymphoma has reappeared for the fourth time this past April. This time it was on his neck. He has/had three spots, on his neck, sinus and under his brain stem. His cancer is very aggressive, in the space of two weeks, he had a lump the size of a golf ball from nothing. But the one good (the best word I can think of) thing about his aggressive lymphoma is that radiation melts it away.

He just went through a regimen of radiation and is feeling the after effects. The big one is mucositis, which is the like sores in the mouth - except all over and painful. He got it from the radiation and when he had chemo before. It seems to be a common side effect. When/if you get that use the magic mouth wash and keep your mouth moist and clean. And keep yourself hydrated. If you get dehydrated, don't be afraid to ask for an IV at the infusion center. Don't be afraid to ask for anything from anybody - your caregivers are there for you.

My dad also had squamous cell carcinoma on both sides of his nose. His dermatologist confirmed it after my mom, (who's a nurse) noticed a black spot that slowly got bigger. It was treated/removed last summer with mohs surgery.

The other thing is to get checked out by a dermatologist regularly, especially if one lives in a sunny or high altitude climate.

Don't give up! You can beat this!

Best wishes, and good luck!

Oh, yes, while you can, and before things get too bad in your mouth, eat. Eat. Eat. Eat everything you enjoy. If you put on a little weight, you'll likely lose it and more during the course of your treatment.

__________________
Thread Killer.

Specific prayers sent on your behalf. You are an inspiration to your brothers in Christ.

Still Praying

Even Harder Now

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Compact 9mm Just my $0.02

Praying for you and your wife right now. May your recovery be swift and uncomplicated, and may both of you have your burdens and worries lifted.

Bob,

I enjoy watching shows that involve wilderness areas of the world. One of my favorites is "Life Below Zero". Sue, one of the persons living above the Arctic circle where she operates a refueling depot, is beset with a few health problems and growing older. She often laments that no one has put a toe tag on me with an expiration date. I will always keep fighting, working hard until the Good LORD takes me.

All of us here have, or will become afflicted with something nasty. In my case it is Atrial fibrillation (Afib) and a detached retina.

My thought here is keep fighting the good fight, and when we do cross that river, our souls will meet somehow and no CCW or FFL will be required.............S&W's everywhere!!!!!
You are in my prayers.
Dave

I wish you the best and hope for a full recovery.

In the Va Hospital since last evening. My feeding tube became infected, I was in pain and when my wife got home after work, she saw how wacky I was and took me to the emergency room.

The problem I'd ask your prayers for is they did CT Scan to look at the infection and found a 3 centimeter mass over my left kidney and something in the other side over my gall bladder.

More cancer? I ask you to pray it is not. But, if it is, that I deal with it as He would want me to.

I used to wonder why bad things happen to good people(not that I am a good people) but saw that He addresses that several times in His Word, so I realized, as He says, it rains on the just and the unjust.

So I am not whining, just asking that you'll ask Him that it not be more cancer.

Thanks,

Bob

Bob, I'm sorry you've had this setback, and I will pray that you don't have any additional cancer, and that if you do, His healing will touch you and make it right.

I know you are a man of faith, and a great example of courage in the face of these medical issues. And you are absolutely right, He addresses this "why do the good people suffer?" several times in Scripture.

When I experienced cancer of my own (bladder), I fell into thinking that He had given it to me, and I didn't understand why.

Through grace, I learned to understand that God doesn't "give" us cancer or any other disease, nor does he inflict other types of pain on us. He loves us, as a good father loves his children; he wouldn't hurt us that way.

The world He created was a perfect one; that was His plan. But evil -- in so many forms, including disease -- was introduced into His perfect world by our forefathers' rebellion and wanting to be equal to Him in wisdom. We too are affected by all this, as we rebel ourselves, so I understand my own part in perpetuating the bad, but also in seeing and being grateful for the good, His mercy.

What He does with that is, He can bring good out of every bad thing. In my case, I grew tremendously in my faith and trust in Him by having cancer and, so far, being healed of it. In short, I trust Him for the good things that happen, and I "blame" the bad ones on the fact that nothing is going to be perfect again, as He intended, until a day that is sure to come.

I know you understand these things already. I hope that, by someone else reading this, he or she might have a better understanding of these hard to comprehend situations we encounter -- for solace, and comfort, and optimism in the face of dire need.

I am not trying to make this a "religious" thread. This is about supporting you in your struggle, and for all of us to appreciate in a greater way that He is at work here, even in the midst of the bad and difficult.

God is blessing and keeping you, Bob. Be of good heart.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever