I have cancer

minir · Post by **minir** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:57 pm

Hi poptom

Good Luck on your treatments poptom

Lets hope it goes as easy a possible and the outcome is a complete success.

--

regards

minir

BaghDaddy · Post by **BaghDaddy** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 1:23 am

poptom wrote:BaghDaddy. Come on by when you get your bike and we can take a ride up to the Rock Store for a beer and a sandwich. It's about a thirty mile ride through the canyons from here.

http://www.rock-store.com/rockstorelinks.html

http://www.rock-store.com/

I'll supply the ladies.

Tom

I will be there, think i will just have them ship it somewhere near you, and then we will take that ride up to the Rock Store, looks like we will have a ball.

All the refreshments are on me since you are supplying the ladies

Let me get all finalized here and i will let you know when to expect me.

De Oppresso Liber

MissTynker2 · Post by **MissTynker2** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:21 am

Now with special incentives like those mentioned here...how could ya not whip this critter!

Best of luck to you...get this thing behind ya!

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:59 pm

Well, the IV they stuck in my arm is only good for three days. When the nurse ripped off all the tape today, I decided to shave my arms before I go back for more.

The good news is that I am getting the chemo only for the first and last four days of my five week treatment period.

Tomorrow I'll see if I can get take a pic of the linear accelerator. It's a pretty cool piece of machinery.

--Tom

Croc · Post by **Croc** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 3:41 am

All the best with the treatment Tom and I hope you come out of it all clean.

Remission is such a great word to hear.

Croc.

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 9:54 am

Croc, I'm still a 10 on the Meggie Scale.

Just thought folks might be interested in how this kind of stuff is handled.

Tom

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:46 pm

The radiation treatment machine looks like a giant Hamilton Beach mixer. The whole part you see here rotates to horizontal either way, the pivot point being where that dimple is. The bulk of the machine is behind the screen. I'll see if I can get a peek at it tomorrow.

They have me face down on the table with my head towards the thing. That's a sort of donut face cushion so all I can see is the floor through a window in the table.

The table shifts side-to-side and fore-and-aft during the setup when they line up the tatoo marks on my back with laser beams projected from the head.

I don't feel a thing, just hear a few sounds, and it only last a few minutes.

--Tom

Spammy · Post by **Spammy** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 5:09 pm

I hope it works out for the best Tom...

You will be in my prayers forsure.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:42 am

Wow.....

Looks like your being treated with some of the most modern technology in the world, Tom!

I'll add some old fashion technology and say a few prayers for you also.

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 9:56 pm

OK, I'm three weeks into the five week program and it looks like everything is going well. I have two therapists that I see every day, Kelly and Judy. Today I asked Kelly to take a picture of me on the table.

They shoot me for about 40 seconds on each side and about 10 seconds straight down. It's fully automated. They just get me lined up on the table so the tatoos on my back coincide with laser beams from the machine. Here, she has the machine rotated to the left:

Here she has it centered. Looks like I'm levitating. All I can do is look at the floor and listen to some sounds.The towel is sort of a modesty panel because I have to pull my pants down to expose my butt and lower back:

Then she stuck the camera up inside the head to show the business end of this thing:

I thought you folks might be interested in this fancy equipment because most of you will never see one.

Tom

BTW, chemo sucks.

minir · Post by **minir** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 10:38 pm

Hi poptom

Give it hell Tom, our thoughts & Prayers are with You

It'll be over soon.

--

regards

minir

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 10:50 pm

Thanks for the pics, PopTom!

The Victory sign is the icing on the cake!

Sounds like your in some very capable hands.

nepenthe · Post by **nepenthe** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 11:30 pm

Keep fighting the good fight, Tom.

david

westy · Post by **westy** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 12:09 am

Poptom- My prayers and best wishes are with you. I know what your going through because in mid May I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. When you first hear the "c" word it scares the **** outta you, I know it did me. I got a quick education on prostate cancer.

I'll make a long story short here, but I'm at home recovering right now. Luckily, I only live an hour away from the Mayo Clinic and the surgery went fine. No spread to the lymph nodes and a clean bill of health except a few minor issues that will mend over time.

If you ever want to chat PM me. Until then, stay strong, think positive and hang in there !

God's blessings go out to you and your family !

BaghDaddy · Post by **BaghDaddy** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 4:44 pm

Poptom,

Thanks for the pic's you are in very good hands there, got with the team Doc. and he went into detail about all that you showed.

Looks like i am going to take a break around Oct or Nov from here.

I definately need a break after these last 13 days, and my son's need to see me after we have our fun

.

I hope it is not to cold up there yet to go riding.

If it is we will just fly down to Vegas on me and have a ball gambling driving the waitresses mad.

We will turn it into National SpeedGuide Vacation

during that time

and be millionaires, from the movie rights. :2cool:

You have our kind words and all of our morale going to you buddy.

De Oppresso Liber

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 11:41 pm

This is Kelly and Judy, my radiation therapists, with their magnificent machine. These nice ladies know exactly what they are doing and they operate this machine with clockwork precision. I'm out of there in just a few minutes, even though they have me drop my pants first.

Privileged parking in the handicapped area right outside the entrance.

I have one more week of radiation and chemo, then a 6-8 week recovery period before the surgery to fix this thing. Then we can end this thread and I can get on with my life.

Tom

sito · Post by **sito** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:38 am

Good stuff!

Shinobi · Post by **Shinobi** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:38 am

I'm glad that your getting better man.

Shinobi

MissTynker2 · Post by **MissTynker2** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:23 am

Thank you for sharing the pictures and information you have so generously supplied to our members...and myself...your battle is almost won! Radiation machines have changed quite a bit in appearance over the years...I made a friend out of mine..and called it the Star Ship Enterprise..thats exactly what it looked like to me...including the red landing light! Hang in there!

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 10:21 am

Miss T, most people will never see this sort of thing. I's a $6,000,000 machine. The pictures just show the business end of it and I have yet to see the part behind the screen. I just have a few days left over there to sneak a peek.

--Tom

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:06 pm

Hey Poptom. How have you been?

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:27 am

Still kicking, Deb.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:50 am

don't know how i missed this thread, best of luck to ya poptom, kick that ****'s ass and tell it to go the **** away

best wishes to ya

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 8:35 am

poptom wrote:Still kicking, Deb.

Wooooooooohooooooo!

Jamie_R · Post by **Jamie_R** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 9:03 am

poptom wrote:

Hang In There Pop!!!

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 12:11 am

I got a diploma:

After five weeks of this stuff, three wise men got together and decided I should have yet a few more days of rad and chemo.

The wise men:

Dr W, head of radiology at UCLA. He speaks very softly just at the threshold of my hearing, without moving his lips. I refer to him as Dr Mumbles.

Dr B, chemo. He is a really sharp dresser. It's almost worth an office visit just to see what he's wearing.

Dr C, surgeon. He makes the final cut a few weeks down the road.

Anyway, I'm still kicking and I've had many more good days than bad.

The motorcycle has developed an oil leak that squirts on my left foot on the way over there. I have to wipe the oil off my shoe before I get up on the table.

--Tom

minir · Post by **minir** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 12:15 am

Hi poptom

Hang in there Tom

Sounds like things are turning in your favour, well except for the Oil Leak

Good Luck

--

regards

minir

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 12:26 am

minir wrote:Hi poptom

Hang in there Tom

Sounds like things are turning in your favour, well except for the Oil Leak

Good Luck

--

regards

minir

Thanks, Larry. It will be a simple fix. The part is on order. In the meantime, it's pumping out about a quart of oil every 100 miles.

ub3r_n00b · Post by **ub3r_n00b** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 12:36 am

poptom wrote:Colorectal. This kind of pisses me because I'm not used to having anything wrong with me. When the doc told me what it was, I said "OK, let's fix it" and he said " that's just what we're going to do". I like that kind of confidence.

I had a CT scan yesterday. Had to drink a lot of red KoolAid to add contrast to the image. The technician said the results would be available in a couple of days and that I should go home and drink lots of beer.

We have some first class talent and facilities here within walking distance . I've got a gastrointestinal guy, a surgeon, and an oncologist. My primary physician is also chief-of-staff at the hospital and I've been told he can move mountains. They are all networked with the UCLA Medical Center so they can all see my test results and communicate with each other on their computers.

Next up is an ultrasound to give a more detailed picture. Not yet scheduled but probably next week.

That's all I know for now.

--Tom

Holy,

Wow man, I have much faith in you. You can pwn that n00b cancer. Much power and love.

Preet

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 12:58 am

Good luck PopTom.

Unholy · Post by **Unholy** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 1:18 am

poptom wrote:I got a diploma:

--Tom

You should kick the @ss of whoever made that diploma with it being crooked and all.

Croc · Post by **Croc** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 5:50 am

Keep it going Tom. We're all pulling for you.

Croc.

MissTynker2 · Post by **MissTynker2** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 1:46 pm

With your fantastic attitude....this disease was beaten before you ever started treatments! The power of the positive mind is a gift whose value has no comparison. Good for you!! Angel Blessings.

Spammy · Post by **Spammy** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 2:01 pm

Tom you will be fine buddy, With all the support you got here and all the prayers going out to you , you should be just fine.

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:19 am

My surgery will Thursday, Sept 15. That's what this has all been leading up to. I will be in the hospital for 5-7 days.

Most of you will never experience this. But some will. It's not the sort of thing you volunteer for but sh*t happens.

You can greatly improve your odds. This type of cancer always starts from a polyp, which is easily removed before it becomes a problem. If you are middle aged, ask your doctor about having a colonoscopy. They will nip out any polyps at that time. It's painless, in fact it's entertaining if you are able to watch the monitor. It seems like it should have background music, perhaps a theremin.

Thanks for your support, everyone, and I hope you found this thread informative.

--Tom

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:21 am

Thanks for the update, Poptom...

Good luck with the surgery. Here's wishing you the very best and you'll be in our prayers.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:25 am

poptom wrote:My surgery will Thursday, Sept 15. That's what this has all been leading up to. I will be in the hospital for 5-7 days.

Most of you will never experience this. But some will. It's not the sort of thing you volunteer for but sh*t happens.

You can greatly improve your odds. This type of cancer always starts from a polyp, which is easily removed before it becomes a problem. If you are middle aged, ask your doctor about having a colonoscopy. They will nip out any polyps at that time. It's painless, in fact it's entertaining if you are able to watch the monitor. It seems like it should have background music, perhaps a theremin.

Thanks for your support, everyone, and I hope you found this thread informative.

--Tom

good luck and I hope all goes smooth for you,see you here when you get home

MissTynker2 · Post by **MissTynker2** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:26 am

We will all be pulling for you and be in your corner!! Your thread was not only highly informative, but the ultimate of inspiration and encouragement. Thank you for sharing!! Angel Blessings!

Tiffany · Post by **Tiffany** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 7:06 pm

Good luck Poptom!! i know you can beat it

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 7:57 pm

Get well fast Poptom! We are routing for ya!

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I have cancer

The linear accelerator

A couple of pictures

I graduated, sort of