as some of ya's know, I was diagnosed stage 3 metastatic melanoma back in 2006, 13 months into recovery. I went through a lot foor the next 3 1/2 years9ish) fighting it and it even went stage 4. over the last few years its been nothing more than PET scans, Ct,scans, MRI's, and blood draws and was up to every 6 months for them, which was a.lot nocer than every 3 months. that crap that them bastaaads make a person drink before a PET scan-with mocha,vanilla, and berry flavoring- only makes it taste like mocha, vanilla, or berry flavored crap!
anyways, I was in about 10 days ago for a Ct and an MRI. ive had 3 spots in 3 different locations that have shown up for the last few years but they aren't changing, so no sense in doin anything about em. now it seems the melanoma has decided to take up residence in one of my kidneys. too small to do anything about at this time but go back in 4 months and see what it wants to do.
but what a blessing to have the program!!! hearing my oncologist tell me that, there was one thing that kept goin through my head: he told me theres nothing in my brain!!!!! I already knew that!!!
something my oncologist said when I was there was that im one of his 1%ers. that being, of his patients that have been diagnosed stage 3 and have gone through what I have, 1% of them are still alive. he works at the U of M cancer center so he sees a LOT of patients.
today im greatful for the program and the choices it has given me.
I COULD go into my own head( which as per my oncologist theres nothing there!) without adult supervision.
I COULD jump into tomorrow. I COULD predict the outcome.
I COULD put myself in the 99% side.
or
I WILL stay a 1%er.
I WILL do Gods will.
I WILL keep God in control.
I WILL keep carrying the message.
I WILL live life to its fullest today!
old Charlie used to say,"im greatful for the program and the choices it has given me, the greatest choice being whether or not I pick up that next drink."
over time I have learned there is a crapload of choices I have power over and whether or not I want to go back to gloom,dispair, and misery or live happy, joyous, and free is one of them.
Great to see you posting Tom ... you're in my prayers also ...
I had malignant melanoma in the late 90's ... it was operable and, thank God, they got it all ... several years of followup exams with no further development ... now I'm dealing with a prostate that is likely cancerous ... won't go into the symptoms, Dean might come over and do the surgery on me himself, LOL ... ... ... he's right that we do not need graphic detail in these cases, LOL ... although ... ... ... I could make it 'humorous' ... ... ... I'll just say that 'Mr. Happy' hasn't been so very 'happy' of late ... and leave it at that ... ... ...
Tom, I figur that as long as God has a need for us here, He'll keep us around ... at least until He figures He needs us elsewhere ... ... ...
Love ya man and God Bless, Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
