Real life thread

[Air Force Brat]

Our present temperature is -21c or -6F....Oh well! the sun is out! We received 12.5 inches or 32cm of snow from Saturday evening to Sunday evening..

Very Kool bruda, and I mean that literally, we had snow and ice, and after the sooper bowl, our cars took about 10-15 minutes to thaw out once we got the doors opened???

 

[Air Force Brat]

Well, here's some more, "real life."

As many of you know I was diagnosed with serious malignant bone cancer in 2009. After a couple of years of Dr. trying to figure out what was wrong with me they determined I had Sacral Chordoma, a rare bone cancer of the lower spins. Sacral Chrodoma is about a 1 in 3,000,000 thing, and to have it discovered after the entire sacrum was full of it, requiring a full and complete removal of my sacrum (Sacrectomy) is about one in 50,000,000,000. I ended up spending six months down at MD Anderson in Houston Texas where the Dr. and personnel there literally saved my life...with help from the good Lord.

I kept a journal of the entire episode...which continues through now. You can read all about that at:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

It is a long read, but for anyone who gets cancer, or has loved ones who have, it is worth reading.

Anyhow, for the last five years I have been blessed to live on, and it has been a pivotal experience. not easy in the least because there are complications and disabilities left over...and there is always the chance the cancer may return. In fact I had three small spots in my hips from the beginning that were very small and very slow growing that we waited until this summer to treat with radiation.

But, on Saturday morning I awoke with a severe pain in my lower right leg. That was the leg that they took my fibula bone out of to use in my lower back to build a strut support to replace where my sacrum had been. As a result of the surgeries and the nerve damage I have reduced feeling in both of my lower legs, and the right one tends to swell and get cramps. I thought this new pain was a cramp like I had had before.

My wife, Gail, checked it out and there was a new red splotch there near my calf that was warm to the tough and was where I was hurting. She massaged it a bit but it was clear it was not a cramp. Through the day the red area grew to be about twice the size it was that morning. I decided to go to my Dr. on Monday morning.

But then Sunday morning I awake and the red area covered my entire leg from the ankle up to several inches below my knee and hurt more. So we decided I better go into the Emergency Room at our small town's hospital.

Because of the titanium in my lower back and the disabilities and nerve damage form the original three surgeries, I am on Methadone for pain and will be the rest of my life. (I have tried a couple of times to get off of it...but simply cannot do so because of the pain). Anyhow the result is for me that when something begins to hurt my pretty well, it means that it has advanced to the point where it is breaking through my methadone and is probably advanced. So with things progressing as they were, waiting until Monday was not an option.

The attending Dr. took a look and marked around the area o clear problems. My wife Gail took a couple of pics of my leg at the time:

View attachment 11226

View attachment 11227
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The big scar there is from where they took my fibula bone from that leg in 2010 to build a strut/support for me where my sacrum had ben. it, and the bone fusion that has gone with it is what has allowed me to walk again...which was in question at the time.

The Doc took some blood, and then did some research while we were there and determined it was Cellulitis, which is an infection of the upper and mid skin levels. Bacterial. It is painful and can become life threatening if left untreated because it can spread rapidly and become systemic. They gave me a couple of big booster shots (one in both "cheeks" on my backside) and them proscribed an anti-body. They took my blood for some cultures to make sure nothing else was going on and then sent me on my way.

I have to take the anti-bodies for ten days and hopefully it will clear up.

I am 58 years old. For His own purposes the good Lord determined that I was to hang around here on earth a while longer and I am grateful for that. The experiences that saved my life were miraculous...and I have no doubts that there is a God in Heaven who watches over all of us...even through what we consider to be very hard times.

We now have had three more grandkids since coming home in 2010...and found out Sunday night (last night) that we would be having another. Our daughter who was injured in November in North Dakota when a car went out of control hit another vehicle in a parking lot that struck my daughter and threw her into a brick wall, is now pregnant!

In itself this is pretty miraculous because up until now, she has been unable to have any children at all. She and her husband have always wanted them...and now she will be having one in August.

GREAT news, and real life is that you take the good with the bad.

I have learned that many times what we consider as "bad," is a blessing in disguise because we learn so much from it, and it gives others a chance to help and assist...which in itself is a blessing.

Have GREAT DAY folks!

No matter what transpires...you can. Always keep your perspective and remember that there are those on this earth, and above, who love you and care for you...no matter what.

Brother Jeff, are you feeling better, got those good looking legs back in shape for the beach???

 

[kwaigonegin]

Well, here's some more, "real life."

As many of you know I was diagnosed with serious malignant bone cancer in 2009. After a couple of years of Dr. trying to figure out what was wrong with me they determined I had Sacral Chordoma, a rare bone cancer of the lower spins. Sacral Chrodoma is about a 1 in 3,000,000 thing, and to have it discovered after the entire sacrum was full of it, requiring a full and complete removal of my sacrum (Sacrectomy) is about one in 50,000,000,000. I ended up spending six months down at MD Anderson in Houston Texas where the Dr. and personnel there literally saved my life...with help from the good Lord.

I kept a journal of the entire episode...which continues through now. You can read all about that at:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

It is a long read, but for anyone who gets cancer, or has loved ones who have, it is worth reading.

Anyhow, for the last five years I have been blessed to live on, and it has been a pivotal experience. not easy in the least because there are complications and disabilities left over...and there is always the chance the cancer may return. In fact I had three small spots in my hips from the beginning that were very small and very slow growing that we waited until this summer to treat with radiation.

But, on Saturday morning I awoke with a severe pain in my lower right leg. That was the leg that they took my fibula bone out of to use in my lower back to build a strut support to replace where my sacrum had been. As a result of the surgeries and the nerve damage I have reduced feeling in both of my lower legs, and the right one tends to swell and get cramps. I thought this new pain was a cramp like I had had before.

My wife, Gail, checked it out and there was a new red splotch there near my calf that was warm to the tough and was where I was hurting. She massaged it a bit but it was clear it was not a cramp. Through the day the red area grew to be about twice the size it was that morning. I decided to go to my Dr. on Monday morning.

But then Sunday morning I awake and the red area covered my entire leg from the ankle up to several inches below my knee and hurt more. So we decided I better go into the Emergency Room at our small town's hospital.

.

How is your leg doing? I pray the swelling and pain is gone by now

 

[Jeff Head]

Thanks AFB and Kwaig.

The antibiotics worked on the nasty Cellulitis and the swelling has subsided along with the pain.

But, because of the nerve damage and some circulation issues that resulted from all of the major surgeries back in 2010, I ill probably always have issues with that right leg...more so than the left one.

Oh well...as my wife says...it is my "new reality," or "new normal."

In the end, God in Heaven knows and loves us each. He looks at the long picture...as in eternity. I have great faith that He hears and answers every single sincere, faithful prayer that is send to Him with good intent. But His answers are what He knows will benefit us in the long haul, and may not seem that way to us here in mortal life.

So...I am thankful to be alive and have the opportunity to face and deal with these issues...even when they are hard.

I am living with the results of some fairly miraculous happenings in 2010 that saved my life. Oh, the cancer may come back at any time, and if it does in the soft tissue, that would be particularly dangerous for me. But I figure to just do my best and leave it in His hands. My Dad (God rest his soul) taught me a long time ago that I should live like a lot depends on me...but then have faith and pray like it all depends on God. In the end...it does, and He knows what is best.

We can just do the best we can and try and be an example of that to our loved ones and friends and those around us.

Jeff

 

[airsuperiority]

Take cares Jeff! Humans are strong because of our mind, and us being appreciative and compassionate are the 2 most beautiful things about us as humans.

 

[Jeff Head]

Take cares Jeff! Humans are strong because of our mind, and us being appreciative and compassionate are the 2 most beautiful things about us as humans.

Thank you air...and yes indeed, they are beautiful and can be exercised no matter what conditions we face.

 

[Air Force Brat]

Thank you air...and yes indeed, they are beautiful and can be exercised no matter what conditions we face.

I wish I could have hosted some of my brothers tonight, the Honey-Badger baked a chicken, and some potatoes in the oven, and served some green beans from our garden that she had put up in the freezer this summer??? uummmhh! ummmh! hit the spot on a cold night here in Central Obamastan....

 

[airsuperiority]

if only we ever could that will be fantastic!
by the way, i've been doing some traveling in tokyo lately and just returned, hence why i haven't participate much as well.i hope y'all have tons of great time in this slow start to a whole new year! i honestly look forward to 2015 because 2014 has been catastrophic for humankind, and i believe with new year comes new luck. let y'all be great!

 

[Jeff Head]

I wish I could have hosted some of my brothers tonight, the Honey-Badger baked a chicken, and some potatoes in the oven, and served some green beans from our garden that she had put up in the freezer this summer??? uummmhh! ummmh! hit the spot on a cold night here in Central Obamastan....

Chicken, potatoes and green beans...one of my favorite meals!

One day we will do this.

 

[Miragedriver]

Thank you air...and yes indeed, they are beautiful and can be exercised no matter what conditions we face.

Jeff, I have to say that after reading your posts I realize that I complain too much and I need to be more grateful for what the good Lord gives us. We will continue to pray for you my brother. You have gone through so much. Please keep us informed as to your health and thank you for sharing your tribulation.