Getting back in the saddle.

[TroyaCantrell]

Howdy all, haven't posted in a while, I was diagnosed with stage 3 tonsil cancer in April and spent spring and most of summer in treatment. I had 3 chemo sessions and a radiation of my head and neck every weekday for 7 weeks. Good news is that it is very curable but I am waiting 2 more months before I can get a scan. My wife and I pretty much just wrote off this summer as just a blip in he big picture. The diagnosis came out of the blue as I had no symptoms email it hit stage three and showed up in the lymph node on the right side of my neck. The bitch about the radiation is the made this mask and snap you to the table so you can't move. The mask is custom made to fit each individual. Freaky as hell just for the record. I got to bring it home so I will be introducing it to my 1911 soon.
View attachment 19417

As you may have seen about the only post I made is when I lost my Great Dane Leola at 1:00 am on my 50th birthday. Like I said just writing off this summer. The weekend we lost her was our first RV trip since my diagnosis and we towed the CJ up to Gareagle CA and ended up driving the pooch to the vet in Reno like a mad man trying to get her there in time. We made it but there was not really anything he could do. those of you with big dogs will know bloat is a killer.

Anyway, trying to get back into the real world as I am getting back to normal after treatment and want to get back to a few projects on the CJ. Just thought I would start with a new howdy post!

 

[Petescj]

You sure have hit a rough patch in life right now. Seems like you have a good attitude and are on the upswing. Keep on plugging away . Glad your Cancer wasn't worse . I'm sure you'll smile after putting the 1911 to use. . Best of luck to you.

 

[jdcaples]

+1 on the attitude being great!

If you can spare a round, send one down range for me. My girlfriend's a cancer survivor and I've a special hatred for it myself.

We're both 50. I've been thinking a lot about what's important in life lately. It seems like you have all your priorities set straight. Thanks for reminding me that I need to work on that myself

Best of luck on the road to recovery!

-Jon

 

[TroyaCantrell]

I will send one down range for you both for sure! The whole thing has really been a learning experience.

One takeaway for me is GRACE. Accepting what is happening, don't play the blame game and don't let little things get under your skin. Things that would have just pissed me off just don't anymore,I won't let it.

Me wife has been amazing through this, really stepping up and taking care of me. Doing everything around the house that I would have done and showing the same grace under pressure.

 

[Torxhead]

I wish you the best in "Trying to get back into the real world" and thanks for the update.

 

[jdcaples]

Catastrophic illness and difficult treatments are life changing, person changing events.

When we were younger, those in my life who'd had never been sick a day in their life had little patience for priorities of survivors.

Now that we are all quietly acknowledging that we have just about 20, 30 maybe 40 more summers left, I've noticed my peers are not sweating the small stuff so much and aren't pressuring survivors to live and act like we're immortal.

You mentioned grace under pressure.

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... I've loved that image for 30-some years now. I think about it in challenging times. For some reason, it helps.


Well, remembering that image as well as punching 9 millimeter holes through 3x5 cards and what ever else might embody my frustration du jour.

Thanks for sharing!

-Jon

 

[oldjeeplady]

Troy - how are you feeling? Please keep us posted. You have been a valued member of this forum for a long, long time. Hope you are doing well!!!!

 

[IOPort51]

that which does not kill us, makes us stronger. You one tough sombich!

your welcome at my fire anytime.

I would take the mask and paint a funny face on it, hang it up in the man cave. Happy Halloween!

welcome back.

 

[TroyaCantrell]

Today is the beginning of the next phase of my life. I had my first post treatment PET scan today and just received word from my oncologists that the scan shows the cancer had complete response to the treatment! No more cancer. We did not expect to hear from her until Tuesday when we have our appointment but she sent me a fabulous email.

The outpouring of love and prayers and kind words from our friends, family, coworkers has been beyond valuable to my wife and I. We can not begin to thank you all enough. It would have been a much more difficult journey without you all on my side. Thank you! From both of us, thank you.

We came up here to chill out and wait to hear results on Tuesday but now we get to celebrate!

Hell yes!

View attachment 19592

 

[Petescj]

Great news. Glad to hear the positive results. Enjoy some relaxing downtime camping now.

 

[oldjeeplady]

So glad hear the good news!!! Thanks for letting us know. Glad you all are enjoying camping!