Ive Got Cancer

[Doppelgaenger]

Rick, so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. One of my coworkers went thru pretty much the same thing a few years ago. He lost most of his taste buds in the process but he beat it thanks to some experimental treatment given at Swedish medical here in seattle. He certainly lives every day like it's his last now.

Stay strong and fight on!

[Bob Wegman]

Rick. Trust your Drs. to do their job and your family to help you through this difficult time.  Focus on things that you enjoy and ride your Guzzi whenever you can.  Will keep you in my prayers, and good on you for letting us and your priest help carry this cross.

[SmithSwede]

Rick:

I don't have any specific experience or advice to offer.  But you are in my thoughts during this difficult time.  

[MotoGoosy]

You're Guzzi-tough.  You can beat it. :bike

[Vince in Milwaukee]

Darn, not the kind of post you want to see.  I'll second what everyone else has been saying and will be thinking about you.  Stay strong. 

[jetmechmarty]

At 57 you have a lot to live for and a big job ahead of you.  Do your research.  Ask hard questions.  Get second opinions.  Change your diet.  I believe science now knows what feeds cancer and what doesn't.  Keep your friends and family close by.  Don't try going alone.  You stay positive, your friends and family will stay positive.  I'll say a prayer for you, too!

[Texas Turnip]

Rick,
I wish you the very best. You'll get advice to use these herbs, try this diet or to see any number of doctors. (The herbs sent me back.) I'm feeling for you because I've had to make the tough decisions.

Ken Hand  aka Texas Turnip

[Moto]

Rick, l'm very sorry to learn this. I'm sure the advice you've gotten here is right, and that this can be licked. I'll be thinking of you.

Sent from Tapatalk.

[Turin]

Cancer is not the death sentence it used to be. My wife is a survivor and has been cancer free for eight years now. Keep a positive attitude and get plenty of medical opinions.

[Vasco DG]

If your faith helps? Pray like buggery!

The only thing I would caution against is quackery. Don't get sucked in by some pack of amateur mountebanks who will promise you will be disease free if you give yourself endless kale enemas or only eat ground up ginseng mixed with bee spit or any one of a thousand other quack cures.

Western medicine, despite its many failings, is based on knowledge and science and if anything is going to work, it is. Not chanting a mantra or pouring ground up tiger penises up yer blurter!

As others have said its not a death sentence! Don't think of it as one, stay positive!

Pete

[Kent in Upstate NY]

If you have a partner in your life it will be a little easier. However,the partner will be undergoing almost as much stress as you. I supported my wife through her battle and she is doing fine now but it was tough. The American Cancer Society offers support groups and financial assistance. Talk to the social worker at the hospital/treatment center.

[krglorioso]

Rick: The one advice I (retired hospital administrator, UCLA) would offer is this:  Do not go limp and just "trust the doctor".  Go on the Internet (if you haven't already) and saturate your mind with every scrap of knowledge there is about the specific cancer your have contracted. Cancers vary greatly in their lethality.  My wife is a squamous cell carcinoma survivor, but hers was "easy" as it was on her scalp and caught early.

Note that the doctor is not responsible for your health--you are.  The doc attempts to fix what's wrong, and with their good education and experience they usually do just that.  There is no excuse, however, for watching what happens with numb resignation.  Get all the knowledge you can.  Ask questions of your doc but research them on the Net, first.  Also, as has been suggested here, get a second opinion, preferably from an academic medical center as they often have the latest techniques.  Mayo Clinic and M.D. Anderson have been suggested here and these are top line institutions.   

Lucydad was right on the mark when he suggested learning meditation to combat the pressure of anxiety.  Anxiety and depression lower the effectiveness of your body's immune system and you are going to need your immune system in top form. 

Remember to post to this thread in 10 years to let us know how you are doing.  We care.

Ralph

[bigbikerrick]

Hi Folks, I just read all the responses here to my wife, and son. Let me tell you guys...There was not a dry eye in the house! They both tell me I have a fantastic group of friends here, and cant believe the outpouring of love and support from so many  Guzzisti. The stories of folks who have had this very type of cancer, and beat it are so encouraging to me. I had a feeling there would be some guys here that have fought the same fight, but I must admit, I  didnt think there would be some with such positive outcomes. I swear, You guys have given me the first glimmer of hope ,since the day when I got my biopsy results. I have been feeling like I am at the bottom of a dark hole, with little hope of ever getting out, but you guys have changed that tonight, after reading these posts. I feel hopeful, now, thanks to all of you, for giving me that. I also received a phone call today from a WG member, that I subsequently, spent over an hour talking to. We had a great conversation,  my spirits were lifted.Thank you!
I dont know what to say, other than I am humbled, and very appreciative of all the love , prayers, and good wishes extended to me. You guys are a special group of people like no other, and the most sincere thought that comes to my mind is simply this;
I love you all !
Rick,

[leafman60]

This is an inspirational thread!

Maintain your hope and confidence, Rick, and don't give up. Nowadays, a diagnosis of cancer is not the death sentence it once was. Great strides in medical science have cured many people.

I know this seems easy to say but a positive mental attitude has been proven to work wonders in dealing with most problems of life.


.

[dan_s]

Hello Rick, by your description you will probably need a combined treatment of surgery and chemo +/- radiation. The exact treatment program is "tailored" individualy, depending on many factors. Without knowing the details of your cancer, I can tell you the aim of the treatment is cure and that is possible in many cases. I would ask for an opinion in medical centers that have a good team of ENT, oncology, maxilofacial and plastic/reconstructive specialists. Like written before M.D Anderson in Huston is one of the top places for treating head and neck cancer. The ENT departments in Dallas (Parkland hospital) and Stanford CA are also well regarded in that area.
Get well soon

Dan

[ponti_33609]

Hi Rick,

Pick the course that feels right for you and your family.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.  As others have said, treatments for many kinds have come a long ways over the past 10 years! 

Bob

[Gian4]

Rick
We've never met but I'm truly touched by your situation and will pray for your recovery.  I'm also blown away by the great advice and personal testimony by members of the Guzzi community.  With all this great advice and people pulling for you your off to a great start on a difficult journey.
Gian4.......Ken

[tonUPRacer]

Rick,

Thank you for sharing your news with us, and I will say a prayer for you and your family as well. This is a very inspirational thread and I'm not too proud to say I shed a tear when reading about you and your families response to it. What a great online support group, for things that go way beyond our "little" problems with fueling, suspension, and of course oil. Now get well and we look forward to hearing of your recovery!

Andy

[Groover]

Sounds like you have a great family at home to support you, and another great family here online too to keep you distracted.

Wishing you the best treatment and a speedy and recovery.

[jcctx]

What Bill said, and; a dose of my best KARMA!!!

[Spuddy]

Be true to yourself. Worry not about pretense. You are what you believe, regardless of emotional speed bumps. In a small way we are with you. Blessings.

[kevdog3019]

Be true to yourself. Worry not about pretense. You are what you believe, regardless of emotional speed bumps. In a small way we are with you. Blessings.

:+1
I'm sorry to hear this Rick.  As stated, your situation is unlike others and unique.  Look to some positives and fight this thing.  Everybody is with you and believe you can do it.  We all believe you can of course and so does your family.  So, lets go after it and win!  Your Guzzi's should encourage you as well as they want you in the saddle when you're through.
Best wishes.
-Kevin

[kidsmoke]

Rick, as a newb here I just want to add my encouragement, and stoke the fires that keep your own energy and hope burning strong.

I also saw the vice episode, AND heard the NPR pieces...and while they may or may not apply to you directly, they prove that there is a lot being done, and as another here said, you owe it to yourself to learn all you can about all of it and pressure the pro's to be aggressive and get after it.

Looking forward to positive updates! ;-T

[keithl]

Sending thoughts, prayers and good vibrations your way.

[cruzziguzzi]

I've got nothing but this:

Make NO rash decisions based upon perceived eventualities.

Seek out information on alternative though not interruptive (to an already established - priority based timeframe) treatments.

Avoid negativity wallowing, pity party enablers. There's a world of weirdos out there that will sink the spirits of one in your position if given the chance. All supposedly in the pursuit of "supporting" you. Kinda... projecting Munchausens. They're sly, insidious and destructive to the healing spirit of folks in medical straits.

Question EVERYTHING the medical experts tell you, seek out like scenarios and examine various (I hate this word but until better rises) survivor's experiences. Suspect the motives of everyone offering treatment options prior to making a decision and present alternatives you have found to same experts to get a "read" on their particular point of view.

Spirit, diet and exercise within your abilities are too often discounted as significant elements of treatment as they are difficult to quantify by the AMA.

Never, ever turn over accountability for your treatment course to anyone other than yourself.

Here's hoping for you... Wishes and thoughts.

T&S

[brenwin]

All the best in your recovery Rick , I don't know you but feel I do now after all these posts . Your courage in putting this out here is admirable and I'm truly amazed at the love and compassion that has come back to you . You are not alone .

Steve

[Joliet Jim]

Hang in there Rick there are a lot of survivors

[balvenie]

            Keeping my eye on my long term goals has helped me through my trials in the past.

[Semper-guzzi]

Thanks for sharing Rick. My prayers for you and a speedy recovery. Doctors and medicine are pretty good these days.

[Jose Mendez]

Inconsiderable Rick.

I was so moved that I read your post to my wife, which sparked a long conversation between us. You are a brave man for posting what you are going through. It reminds us that we can not face this disease alone whether physically or mentally. We will pray for you, your wife and son. You don't have to be strong for family, allow your family to be strong for you.  This is the time for you to focus on your healing and as others have stated, stay positive.

Don't be afraid to post what you are feeling or how your healing is going. We can get through this.

BTW, I am 58 year old.

Jose and Darlene