It's really unfortunate news... if you've got advice... please share. (Page 1/2) KennyC MAY 05, 05:01 AM This seemed as good a way as any... <sigh> Some of you may remember me vaguely from when I was a more active poster, before I become mostly a reader here on the forum. Some of you I met when my wife and I stumbled around Carlisle, but without knowing who I was on the forum. We've been struggling of late, and I mean sure, it was hard when my back injuries happened, but, April 24th we suddenly lost my step dad out of nowhere, and, the real doozy was 3 days later when, as a couple day early birthday present, they told me I've got leukemia. I'm fieroless this year after we previously sold my last to pay some medical bills. But these little cars and the community here, well, all still hold a special place for me. As I've struggled with the surreal concept of actually *being* a cancer patient, something I can't really accept even as chemo related side effects drag me down and keep me awake tonight... <sigh>...I dunno, i'm sorry for this turning to s stream of consciousness rambling. Where I was... reluctantly? Nervously? Thinking of going with this thread was thjs... I wondered if anyone here has survived the illness themselves. If anyone was willing to share things that worked, helped cope, helped keep the strength to survive the treatments. I know it's a lot to ask. But this is the first place I've tried admitting publicly what's going on with us. Our guess is it's maybe related to exposure to Round-Up back pre2007 when I quit using the product upon first learning it was a carcinogen and the risks the company was hiding. I hoped I'd be OK having stopped. I wasn't so lucky. So now I'm trying to grapple with this concept. With what the future may, or may not, be. With the goals and wants that are unrealized, fieros sold, and, ones I always dreamed of oneday having. With the wedding we've never had or been able to get to a position financially to pay the expenses to give her what she deserved. Basically with everything. So. <sigh>. If anyone has anything they want to share... please do. I'm also trying to decide how much of my path facing this I should, or could, manage to keep sharing here.... if it would help anyone else is our community that later finds themselves where I am. Then at least some positive, some good could spring from this happening Cliff Pennock MAY 05, 09:27 AM First of all, so sorry to hear this. Your step-dad, your cancer diagnosis, everything. That's really too much to be happening to one person, for one person to bear... My thoughts are with you. I'm sorry I can't offer you any advise on how to deal with the cancer. I do know however that treatments have come a long way in the past decade or so. To the point where the odds of surviving leukemia is significantly higher than dying from it, provided of course they can treat it in time. Also, the future of cancer treatment is looking very bright as they have been using A.I. to (successfully) find new treatments. So far, A.I. has found a new treatment for a certain kind of liver cancer and it did it in only 30 days. Clinical trials have (IIRC) already started. I have no idea when they will target other kinds of cancers. Several people "in the know" think we might finally be able to cure (any) cancer in the next 5 - 15 years with the help of A.I. I have no idea if this will actually happen, but it is something to be hopeful about, a reason to not give up. One of my friends was diagnosed with testicular cancer about two years ago. It was in a late stage so they actually didn't give him much of a chance surviving it. But he's a fighter, a person that never gives up. He beat the odds and was declared fully cured not too long ago. So maybe I do have some advice for you. There's always hope. Even when it seems that all odds are against you, just don't give up. cliffw MAY 05, 11:24 AM My condolences also. Chin up ! You have been a valuable contributor to life. Not just here. Personal with family. Community wise. You still are a valuable contributor to life. Thank you ! You still have a lot to give. I give thanks for that. I can understand, I think. It seems depressing. I am not sure if I were facing your challenges, would I be saddened ? Fearful ? Regretful ? Likely all of the above. Except, ... I can smile at all my victories, and failures. My Wife and I had a date night. She wanted to watch Forrest Gump, again. His Mom was dying and let Forrest know. Forrest asked why. She said it was her turn. I do not like to Bible thump. You should read the Bible. AKA, basic instructions before leaving earth. Save your self by letting Jesus save you. Your in my prayers ! TheDigitalAlchemist MAY 05, 01:14 PM Keep posting here. Keep us updated. Many of us have either survived a "serious" illness, or have had loved ones who have. Just some random things - Keep a daily journal. Even if its only to jot down a few things about how you feel, or anything significant that happened, healthwise or otherwise. Might want to do a few consistent things on each page, such as jotting down a number from 1-10 in one of the corners on how you feel that day overall. 10 being "healthy" and 1 being "ughhhhhhhhh" Social media is increasing, yet I feel waaay less connected with other people (especially after the pandemic, hybrid work, remote work, etc.) try to keep up your social network (especially you "real life" one. Look to see if there any support groups, they DO help. I've gone in the past, and its helped being with other folks who are going through the same stuff, but even more, folks who BEAT it are there, and that helps a BUNCH. try to do things to improve your health, like eating right, sleeping right, take Vitamin D. Here is also some advice, "Take Turkey Tail Mushroom!" I'm not a doctor, but the worst case, you spend some money: "Researchers have found that these extracts may have benefits for people who use them alongside treatments such as chemotherapy. Turkey tail mushrooms contain compounds called polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK). PSP and PSK appear to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Some evidence suggests that PSP may also have the ability to stimulate the immune system, especially when combined with other anticancer treatments. Researchers have isolated the PSK compound. In Japan, PSK is an approved adjuvant cancer treatment, according to the National Cancer Institute." You can get them as pills or as dried mushroom. Ask your docs, they might just dismiss it, but its not a bad idea (imo) MINDSET- Try to think of this illness as a level of a game - one that you aren't worried about - you already know that you will clear it ,(because you used a "god mode" cheat code,) so you still will "take damage/feel like crap" but you just need to play through it and get past it. Having this mindset allows the body to use its resources to focus on healing itself instead of worrying about a buncha stuff. (I'm not saying you will cure yourself using the power of the mind, but the body has natural Also, get involved with a simple inexpensive hobby that can provide you with "easy wins" and can get your mind off of the other stuff. Take another notebook, label it "spare brain" or "the book of annoying sh*t", or something like that. inside, jot down all that stuff you mentioned the "grapple" section. jot down new stuff if/when it pops in your head. I've shared a bunch of stuff here over the years but not everything. There are some things that make it tough to get through the day sometimes. But having a tangible list of things that I'm grateful for helps. and having things to look forward to helps. Dwelling on unfulfilled future stuff and ruminating on what could have been and all that stuff is wasted time. We're here, with our big fat stupid ears and feel free to bend them whenever ya want. And stay hydrated. and keep taking showers and such. Good luck man! xoxo Jake_Dragon MAY 05, 01:19 PM I do not have any advice as I have not gone through what you are facing. But let me share my experience. In the last couple of years I have moved around, I have lost touch with some people and the lockdown didn't help that. About 6 months ago I got a text message that crushed me. A person that I considered one of my best friends told me she has Cancer. I was devastated, I didn't know what to do or how to even respond to her. When I calmed down I told her how much I loved her and asked if there was anything I could do. I also started looking for flights to her last known location. Good thing that didn't work out or I would have been wondering around in Florida looking for someone that is now in New York. She is a very private person and does not like to share so this was big for her. I have done what I can, we have phone calls when she is strong enough but for the most part we just text. For the first couple of months every day I didn't hear from her I thought the worse. As she is working through the treatments she has been doing better. But the time between text messages is still very hard. Life can't just stop, I want it to so I can just go and devote all of my time to do what I can for her and get my friend back. 3 months ago I couldn't have even wrote this post. My point is perhaps some of your friends may not be as responsive, it may just be they have no idea what to do. Reach out to people and remind them that you are Kenny and not Cancer, that you are still the same person you just have to deal with some things. Focus on Kenny and try to find some time away from Cancer when you can. Do not let it define you, its just something you have to deal with right now. TheDigitalAlchemist MAY 05, 01:26 PM Just remember to Keep Breathing and spend some time making a HappyList. Definitely spend time in nature. Don't beat yourself up, it doesn't help your mental state, your battle with your illness, or your relationship. She's there with you, and she's breathin'. And you're breatin'. That's some good stuff right there. It IS good to set some goals/things to look forward to and to work towards... Be well. otakudude MAY 05, 05:20 PM I have a friend in Maine who recently has dealt with Leukemia and has come through it successfully. She's kind of a private person but PM me and I'll see if she would be able to reach out to you and give you some advice. Raydar MAY 05, 06:04 PM I'll jump in... A friend of mine (~70 years old) was diagnosed with Leukemia, just a few weeks before Covid became a thing. He is now in remission, and has been (IIRC) for well over a year. On top of that, about the time he went into remission, he also crashed his motorcycle, badly, and took over a year to recover from that. He ducked several bullets. You can do the same. I can't give you any first hand advice, but y'all will be in my prayers. Jake_Dragon MAY 05, 06:51 PM quote Originally posted by Raydar: He ducked several bullets. Dude has had enough problems why are you shooting at him? Raydar MAY 06, 10:03 PM quote Originally posted by Jake_Dragon: Dude has had enough problems why are you shooting at him? I don't need to shoot at him. I still don't know all the details of his scooter crash but, IIRC, he was riding a big-azz Triumph. Effed his leg up, bad. I think he replaced the Triumph with a Moto Guzzi, when he finally got "mobile" again.