I have cancer

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:52 am

Well, I'll be shutting down here in a few minutes. Checking into the hospital at 5:30am.

As part of the prep I had to drink 4 liters of PEG (polyethylene glycol) which is commonly used as a green wood stabilizer.

I have a vision of someone putting me on a lathe and turning me into a lamp.

See you in a few days.

--Tom

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 1:25 am

poptom wrote:Well, I'll be shutting down here in a few minutes. Checking into the hospital at 5:30am.

As part of the prep I had to drink 4 liters of PEG (polyethylene glycol) which is commonly used as a green wood stabilizer.

I have a vision of someone putting me on a lathe and turning me into a lamp.

See you in a few days.

--Tom

Our best wishes and prayers will be with you, Tom!

MissTynker2 · Post by **MissTynker2** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:53 am

Hurry back!! Angel Blessings

Croc · Post by **Croc** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 7:12 am

Hope it all turns out for the best Tom.

Another reminder for me to get a check done. S'posed to be every 5 years so the doc said. It's been 9 years now. Hmmmmmm.

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 7:15 am

Croc wrote:Hope it all turns out for the best Tom.

Another reminder for me to get a check done. S'posed to be every 5 years so the doc said. It's been 9 years now. Hmmmmmm.

Tom, a speedy recovery to ya!

ghost · Post by **ghost** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:35 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

Best wishes with the surgery and thanks for the information. <starts thinking about seeing the doctor>

Izzo · Post by **Izzo** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:39 am

Be Well

Sarahnn · Post by **Sarahnn** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 1:30 pm

Prayers going up.....and we're in your corner!

Spammy · Post by **Spammy** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:08 pm

Im praying for you tommy.

Starmax · Post by **Starmax** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 4:22 pm

blebs99 wrote:Your in my prayers once again Tom. Hopefully it's very early stage and can be taken care of. Keep us posted.

Ditto on the prayers,,ya can have enough of them for situations like this,,good luck to you buddy...

Ashdaw · Post by **Ashdaw** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 4:55 pm

I hope you feel better soon Poptom. It sure must be an awful thing to be living with that amount of doubt. God is with you

CiscoKid · Post by **CiscoKid** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:31 pm

poptoms comment about the lamp gave me an idea...lets get someone to carve his likeness into a peice of wood and actually make a lamp outta it...

Shagster · Post by **Shagster** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:51 pm

My hopes and prayers are with you!

Annalysa · Post by **Annalysa** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:13 pm

Mine too, take care Pop.

Croc · Post by **Croc** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 1:11 am

As far as watching it live, that's the last thing I'd be doing. Here you go under and they give you colour pics of what they find before removing them. Still have my pics, had them framed and put on the wall next to all the other family snaps. lol

Shinobi · Post by **Shinobi** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 1:31 am

Good luck man..

Mad_Haggis · Post by **Mad_Haggis** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 1:43 am

Me

Haggis

Cancer Hurts (cannot start word with)*&+*(E)

what can I do to help

I'.m a little all whane it comes to prayers and a littlle indeiffernet went it cums close to CARE,

In CANANDA this morning the pay channels have The carebears all over the board

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:04 pm

I haven't been on the computer because just sitting in a chair has been a painful activity. Better now with new meds.

My surgery was five weeks ago. It lasted five hours and the procedure is called a sigmoidostomy ( I'll spare you the details). I've been told I'm recovering quickly but it sure seems like a slow process. A nurse comes to the house daily to change dressings. Was twice a day until this week.

I saw my doctor yesterday and he said the tumor was very difficult to remove because it had latched onto the bone.

Anyway, I've been getting outside and chatting with my neighbors but I still take a lot of short naps. I only weigh 162 lbs (normally 185) and I'm not up to much physical activity right now.

Tomorrow I think I'll get out my waterstones and sharpen my wood chisels. It's a boring, time consuming job but it's something I can do standing up and it should give me some good arm exercise.

Tom

Izzo · Post by **Izzo** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:06 pm

Sarahnn · Post by **Sarahnn** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:29 pm

Wow.....we don't appreciate the determination of the human spirit until someone like you shows us!!!!

Well done!!!!

I am humbled.

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:54 pm

Glad you're well.

rmatich · Post by **rmatich** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 1:29 am

Its your positive outlook and courage that not only will see you to better days health wise but also inspires others in the rough patches of life. Get well soon and also get off your a**!!!!

As if you have a choice!

On second thought rest up.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 2:34 am

Good to hear from ya, evertime this thread gets to the top though i'malways thinking "oh ****, now who has cancer?" lol

Its good to see you taking this so well Poptom. My great aunt has diabetes and tons of problems related to it just because she chooses to be lazy and doesnt want to do anythign for herself. Glad you didnt go down that road!

Croc · Post by **Croc** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 3:29 am

Way to go Tom.
Sounds like the doc took the time to remove all of it.

Great that you are up and around doing stuff.
Don't wear those chisels down too far.

John.

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 8:07 am

Tom, you've come a long way. Things are looking good for you! Stay well and always keep that smile!

MissTynker2 · Post by **MissTynker2** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 8:28 am

Thank you for the update PomTom! Now finish whipping this critter!! With your courage, determination and class spirit...it has not a snowballs chance!! Welcome back!

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 11:42 am

Glad to hear from you poptom! Best wishes are being sent your way!

Spammy · Post by **Spammy** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:57 pm

Glad you are better Tom.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 1:02 pm

Very good to hear the good news...hang in there

Spammy · Post by **Spammy** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:16 pm

How about another update Tom?

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:43 pm

Thanks for your interest, Sammy.

Just when I thought this thread should be ending, something came up last night that calls for additional surgery. That is scheduled for the 14th. It's not a biggie this time but I've got to take all this stuff seriously.

After that, I will be getting some more chemo to clean up the remnants. This time I will get a gadget implanted in my chest to connect to a portable pump that I will be carrying for a couple days at a time for a while.

I'm off the heavy pain meds. I've started driving again and yesterday I got my first haircut in two months. Now I've got to have my car smogged.

No motorcycle riding yet.

Life goes on but I now feel I'm a part of it again

--Tom

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:16 am

poptom wrote:
Life goes on but I now feel I'm a part of it again

--Tom

Most excellent, Tom!

Good luck on the next surgery! Prayers on the way.

MissTynker2 · Post by **MissTynker2** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 4:44 am

Get that surgery outta the way for the holidays! Celebration time!

Angel Blessings poptom!

Spammy · Post by **Spammy** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:55 am

Right on Tom.
I consider alot of you family and this is why I have the interest.

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