I have 2 appointments tomorrow morning. The 1st is a nuclear stress to see if my heart is strong enough to go thru surgery to repair for the 2nd time an abdominal aortic anneurysm that is bulging right above the one that was put in 9 1/2 yrs ago under emergency conditions and the 2nd appt. is with the surgeon that put the implants in my tongue. I sure as hell hope I am wrong, but to me it feels like OC is my visitor again. If it is, I have a tough decision to make before the 21st. This is the date for the operation in Pittsburgh to fix the anneurysm.
Jim,
I will be thinking of you. I am so sorry you have to go through
more "stuff". I know a lot of us will be there with you tomorrow!
Debbie
Hi Jim,
I will thinking of you tomorrow. Please let us know how it goes.
Suzanne
Jim,
I'm sending all my good thoughts your way. And, damn, I hope you're wrong about that tongue.
- Margaret
Jim, dont let your imagination get the best of you with thinking OC is back. I was sure mine was too, and its not. You have been thru so much and it takes forever to heal properly, you know how it goes. We are all so impaitent to get back to our real lives before all the doctors dictated everything.
Best of luck tomorrow. Will say some prayers for you
Jim,
Thinking of you.
Karen
Hope things go well for you tomorrow Jim.
Joy
Jim
All of the paws and fingers here are crossed that you have exceptionally good news tomorrow. Think positive
Patty
Good luck tomorrow Jim!!!
Jim you will be in my thoughts tomorrow. Hoping only good news comes your way.
Jerry
Hell of a day Jim. I'll be pulling for you.
thinking of you, Jim and trusting for a good report!
Sending lots of prayers your way today!
Good luck Jim. Stay mentally tough like you always are.
We are all there with you buddy!! You have dealt with far tougher than this, and you will get through this one as well!!
THe prayers must have done it. It's scar tissue from where Ohio State took another piece of my tongue down to the floor of my mouth. This was on the 2nd surgery which I had forgotten. The Dr asked me today if Ohio State had put a peg tube in me. When I told him no that I could swallow right away, he just laughed and said man jim, you sure are different. We were talking about OC and I mentioned this site to him. He pulled it up right away and was very impressed with the content. He saved it and at the monthly meeting of his collegues this week, hw is showing it to them and all are going to check it out mostly for the articles on HVP. He loved this place. They are working big time on OC and he found some helpful info while we sat there scanning. The other surgery is still on for Jan 21st.
So happy for your good news Jim. You are truly something else!
Debbie
YIPPPPEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
Im so happy for you. I just knew you would get good results today. Just knew in my heart it would be ok. Finally, you are good
Now just get thru that next hurdle then its all downhill from there.
CONGRATS!!!!!
Jim,
That is the best news ever!! Well, maybe not ever but its right up there in the top 10.
I am very happy for you Jim!!
Patty
Jim my friend when I read your post I have to admit it spooked me said my prayers anyway and crossed everything I could cross and even a few things that well aren't meant to be crossed!!! I also held my breath for as long as I could...I am so elated and relieved that you had a good report. I know your heart must be beating a bit "lighter" Thank you for the good news!!
I also had a first appointment today for my lymph massage consult. Man did it feel good and seemed to help. Except when I came home ouch! Delayed reaction I guess some nerves got wake up calls. I was also given the low down on lymph fluid. It is very interesting. I was given a compression bandage to wear at night ...wow the night of the living Mummies returns over and over again. We will see how that one goes. I also talked to a social worker who deals specifically with cancer patients and am going to start with her too. So looks like my dance card is full between physio , massage, exercise and mind control(just kidding some counselling) but forward and upward.
Looks like it is full steam ahead for you. I couldn't be happier and more confident that you will supercede the doctor's expectations...Take care waiting for that HUG when this all over with!
(((INSERT APPLAUSE HERE)))
So glad to hear another good report! Gotta love scar tissue
Jim: Thrilled to hear it is nothing more than scar tissue. Our prayers are definitely showing results, but then, your "Angels" have a direct line!
Donna
How many lives is that "big cat"
((((((((hugs))))))))
the dog in a square room
You all put tears in my eyes. I'm a tough softy it seems. THe Stress test results came VIA a phone call at 4 this afternoon. I have never had a stroke, a heart attack and everything looks good. Evanm have a stron heart. They cleared me for takeoff Tuesday. Thank each and everyone of you and Ole Darkeyes better save me a dance. LOL All of you are a great family for anyone. Thanks for being there.
Jim
You are such a tough good guy on here!!! Doing a dance a rama
round the room for you!! So happy for you my friend! Oh may God have mercy and peace for us all!!
Dance, dancing and more dancing!!!!!!!!!!!!! You put tears in my eyes too. I wish you more luck and good diagnoses!!
Debbie
You are full of good news lately, thats absolutely wonderful. Very happy to hear everything is good. This will be the year to finish up all the loose ends and get better for both of us! Looking ahead, 2009 will be a great year and 2010 even better!
Any idea how long you will be in the hospital? You know to have somebody post for you if its more than a day. As your extended family we will be waiting to hear more good news that everything went smoothly.
Yup what Christine said ....:)
I'll get my sister to post the daily updates until I get home. She did some of the posting last time. As for BarbT, I have no idea about her. Too hard for me to keep up with that one. I don't even think I will hear from her.
Hi Jim,
That is wonderful news!!! I'm so happy for you.
Suzanne
Hi Jim,
I got home yesterday 7PM and am checking up on everyone. What an awful feeling I had as I read the beginning of this thread! I should have started at the end instead of page 1.
I have had you in my prayers for an easy time with the repair. We had a newborn relative who had to go through open heart repair because of a very rare defect which showed up when he was 3 days old. He is now abut 3 months old and doing well. If a delicate newborn can make it through, a tough old bird like you should come through fine.
Wishing you well,
Malka
Jim,
You'll probably be walking out of the hospital Tues afternoon!!
you know you would hear from me...im sure most dont know i do call him or talk to him on here and ask how things are going... im not as cold hearted as you have most think i am... i just bet no one knows i picked up his meds at the drug store the other day and dropped them off at his house for him... but i forgot im cold hearted...i dont want praise from anyone for anything i do but at the same time i dont want downed for everything either... i do more and think more then anyone here knows i do... all anyone hears i beleive is the things i dont do or say.. but thats ok i understand jim has alot on his mind and on his plate.. you know there are alot of things i would not know about him if i didnt come to this site and see it.. even when i ask him he doesnt tell me as much as he does all you ppl so thank God for this site or i may never know what all is going on with him for sure because he lets everyone here know whats going on and how he feels and all...i do know hes not as tough at times like he lets everyone to believe... i guess a person can be so different behind the computer screen...
i will sign this as s person who does care.....Barb
I SHOULD ALSO POST I ONLY WANT THE BEST FOR JIM,,,I HOPE HE COMES THRU THIS WITH FLYING COLORS..
Jim is one of OCFs most beloved members, we all wish him well. Everyone only wants the best possible outcome for all members who have the misfortune of enduring oral cancer and of course their caregivers and family members. Lets all pray together for the best and not disagree. Hoping and praying that this is the best year for all of us. Please make sure that we get updated info about your surgery, doesnt matter who it comes from. Updates are just very much appreciated.
OK I do owe BarbT a big thank you. She was a part of my life for so long, I guess I tend to act foolish towards her at times. She has come anytime I needed her and stuck with me. I still miss her and need her but somewhere our train got derailed and made a mess. Sorry Barb and whatever it was, I hope someday I know. You are great and I was tending to turn my head. Take care of the 2 grandkids and enjoy them.
I posted in General the update for tonite or rather for 5AM. LOL too much typing for theese fingers and brain.
Hi Everyone. Just wanted to let you know Jim had his surgery. It took 6 1/2 hours, but he's came through it good. They have him on a ventillator, which he'll be on for 2 or 3 days. I'll keep you posted. He'll be going into Acuity Care after he gets out of the hospital. We're hoping it's here locally, so that the family can all go to see him there. I'll let you know when there's more to report. Thanks so much,
Carol
That's great news. Thanks so much for posting. Tell him we're rooting for him.
Take care,
Eileen
Yeah Jim!!!!! Glad to hear the surgery went well.
Thank you for posting.
Thank you so much for updating all of us. Tell Jim we are sending more angels to watch over him.
Patty
Thanks Carol
That is wonderful news....
Karen
I knew he could do it! Great news Carol. Now...what is "acuity care"?
Donna
Carol,
Thanks for the update. Please let Jim know that we are extreemly pleased that the surgery was successsful.
Wishng him a speedy and complete recovery,
Malka
Hi everyone. Jim's off the ventilator as of yesterday! The last time he had this surgery, he was on one for 2 days. I'm calling the hospital today to check on him. I'll keep you all posted on his progress. Thanks, Carol
Thanks for posting about Jims progress. Please tell him he is in our prayers, the angels are at work for him.
Thank goodness... we all know what a fighter Jim is!
H Jim- Wishing you contnued progress and a full and healthy recovery.
Kate
Way to go Jim! Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Carol,
Thank you so much for the update. Jim continues to be in my prayers.
- Margaret
Like many here I am looking forward to the next update on Jim.
Good to hear all is going well so far and pray he continues to recover quickly.
Fom one of his Angels over the sea.
Gabriele
Hi everyone. Just had to tell you I just talked to Jim on the phone and he said to tell all of you "hello", and there is a 99 percent chance he will get to come home tomorrow. He can't wait to get back on here and chat with all of you. He's still having pain, but it sure was a blessing to hear his voice again. He said to tell you all that he's had a few really "good lookin" nurses taking care of him. LOL That's my brother !!! lol And I wouldn't have him any other way. LOL So, prayfully, he'll be back home tomorrow, and he can chat with everyone. Thanks so much for the prayers, too. Take care everyone. Love, Carol
Thank you for staying connected and keeping us updated on Jim. What a fighter he is!!!
That is fantastic news!!!!
(PS, thank you for the email as well!)
Thank you for the update, Carol. Sounds like Jim is feeling pretty good if he is up to checking out the nurses. Glad to hear he has done so well. Jim is very special to us here on OCF, he is a great guy and we miss him.
Great news for Jim and hopefully we will hear from him again soon.
I will keep you and Jim in my prayers Carol. Thank you so much for relaying his messages and keeping everyone up-to-date.
Patty
Chasing nurses already is he? That's our Jim. Maybe he'll catch one and bring her home. Glad to hear is feeling so well and is getting to come home. Thanks for the update.
Take care,
Eileen
hi all,,,
just talked to jim, they have scrubbed the plans of him going home today... i guess when he stands up his bp goes up from 120/60 to 160/60 and he has alot of pain from the surgery he also says his throat and tongue feels like its on fire.. he has been getting different iv all day long and hopefully he will get to come home tomorrow...dont think he will be back online chatting as soon as he gets there but he should be home...will have to keep you posted.....
Barb
Thanks for posting Barb. Hope he is well enough tomorrow to be sent home.
Hi everyone. Well, Jim is home. He's still having pain, but at least he's home. He said to tell all of you "hello", and he will be back on the site as soon as he is able. He said the doctor told his daughter there is another aneurism, but it's tiny and the doctor didn't want to do anything with it now. Jim's been a trooper through everything he's gone through in the last year. I'll keep you all updated. Thanks again, Carol
[quote=Carol Cunningham]Hi everyone. Well, Jim is home. He's still having pain, but at least he's home. He said to tell all of you "hello", and he will be back on the site as soon as he is able. He said the doctor told his daughter there is another aneurism, but it's tiny and the doctor didn't want to do anything with it now. Jim's been a trooper through everything he's gone through in the last year. I'll keep you all updated. Thanks again, Carol [/quote]
Carol, thank you for the continued updates. I am thankful that he is home. Perhaps now he will heal and be in better spirits in the comforts of his own surroundings!
Carol
Thank you for the update and happy to hear that Jim is home. Looking forward to when he rejoins us.
Patty
Thanks Carol and Barb for keeping us updated.
Great that Jim is home and hope he starts feeling better and recovering quickly.
We look forward to hearing from him when he is able however in the meantime please keep us posted.
Gabriele
I talked to Jim last night and this morning. He's really having alot of pain,both in his mouth, from the cancer surgery, and in his stomach. He goes back to the doctor, I think he said next week, I think to get the staples out. So, keep him in your prayers. Thanks, Carol
Lots of prayers and pointer zen going out to Jim. Rest and feel better.
Patty
Just a quick note to say hi to all and I have missed this very much. I go next monday to get the staples out. all 31 of them. I can't sit here long because it hurts toomuch on the incision. I do want to thank Carol and Barb for posting updates. I hope you all are just as ornery as you were 10 or 12 days ago. Luv Ya all, Jim
Glad to see you post again. I almost forgot you. lol
Are you just going to pull the staples out yourself?
What did the doc say about the surgery?
Post when you can.
Missing you Jim...:(( but glad to hear you are back!!!
Hi Jim,
Gald to see you back!! Did you get matching socks and hospital gown during your stay?
Jim
Nice to see you back. If you need help removing your staples Pete is now performing surgeries on himself and might be able to help you.
Patty
Good to see your tiger again Jim. Ouch 31 staples.
Hope you heal well and do NOT overrdo it. Easy does it!!
Love
Angel Gabriele
I actually had a staple removing tool; they come out easily and painlessly with the right tool (several different kinds of staples, so several different kinds of removers, but all work like paper or box staples to bend middle so ends back out) -- So far, I have let the Docs do the work because they need the practice!
Glad you are back!!
[quote=EzJim] Just a quick note to say hi to all and I have missed this very much. I go next monday to get the staples out. all 31 of them. I can't sit here long because it hurts toomuch on the incision. I do want to thank Carol and Barb for posting updates. I hope you all are just as ornery as you were 10 or 12 days ago. Luv Ya all, Jim [/quote]
Ah-ha...hey there "tiger"... glad to see you back. Hang in there and get some rest, we will be here.
Hey there, big guy!! I am sososososo glad to hear your rowdy voice again. Get yourself well and come back here to us! We miss you and need you!! XOXO
JIm!! Its your Evil Twin, Lyn! I am so sorry to hear you are in treatment, but the alternativve is NO treatment and if thewy are bothering YOU are worth it Man! (I knew that already!) Anyway, I may be joining you again soon too. God must really need us to get up there and liven that joint up, my friend! AND how can we when we are so busy here keeping things off centre! hehe! I will write you a longer email and tell you all of my gory details and I expect the same from you (pref with snap shots! yeah!) Be well and stay safe. The last thing any of us want is to be hit by a bloody BUS after all of the brilliant artwork performed on us. We are walking miracles! Love you and thinking of you xxxx
I knew Lynn the Twin would liven this up. Lucv Ya gal. I got the staples out today and I guess there were quite a few more than 31. THe Dr was checking me and what he did came out good. He did tell me that I have to get another scan for him because something at the lower end of the last anneurysm repair shows something abnormal. LOL I think I would have bet on it. He said he wasn't about to explore this abnormality because he wanted to wait until I heal and when I do, he thinks he can do this repair without much of a mess or pain. YAHOOOOOOO. I am not allowed to lift or pull anything that has weight to it until cleared. His office called me after I got home this morning and have me set up for March 23rd at 9:15AM for the next leap. Damn, I must be tougher than I even thought like all of us, that is except for my Road Runner. Wonder if she ever stopped. Later ALL
Was wondering how you were going earlier this morning (Tuesday morning 10 am here). Knew you were having the staples removed Monday and looks like that all went well.
Make sure you take the advise about lifting anything heavy.
You will have to wait a long time before going to the gym for a work out
Take care of yourself and keep us posted when you are up to it.
Love
Gabriele
I forgot to add, as usual, that this Dr is on my back for losing 15 lbs already. My tongue just hurts and burns too much for food, but I go for it everyday. Without teeth is bad enough but when you kick in the tongue problems, you get double rings of gold. LOL Back down to 170 now. from 184..
Hi Jim,
Glad you are back and doing better.
Joy
I knew you would be back just as feisty as ever, Jim. A lean, mean fighting machine now. Well done!! Your humor and spirit has been sorely missed here.
Glad to see you are back and your surgery was successful. Hope the next one is as easy as your doc said. Always seem like there is something else to be done before you can get better.
Hope your mouth eases up and you are able to eat better soon. Gotta start hitting those carnation VHC drinks again and get some of that weight back on. You know that you wont heal if you dont get the right nutrition.
Welcome back,
For many of us doctors, various procedures and tests have become our new "hobby." Coming here and reading your posts make this bearable.
My grandmother had bad hearing, cataracs and terrible arthritis but flew all over the country for our various weddings and such until she was well into her nineties. Whenever anyone asked how she was she replied in her Molly Pichon-like accent "Mineh chiltren should feel so gut ven dey get to mine age." I am not sure if this was a blessing or a curse.
Jim,
You can do it, you are strong and we are all here for you. One day at a time. Those Ensures and Carnation Breakfast will start going down. The pain of eating is so hard. We can all relate to you here.
Jim,
Happy to see you back in the thick of it. I missed your fiesty attitude and how you make me laugh with your fantastic sense of humor.
Malka,
I hope you are feeling well and I think we must have had the same grandmother. That quote brings back memories of my childhood.
Jerry
Hey Jim... just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!
Hope you have a great day today!!!
Thank You All. I did and it was.. My 9 yr old Grand Daughter made my cake. Surprise... it was good.
Jim,
A very happy belated birthday! I glad to see you are doing better.
Enjoy life!!
I see my cardiologist tomorrow afternoon for one of the followups on anneurysm surgery. He'a a laid back type of guy and very nice.
I heard it again today from the cardiologist. " How can your body heal so fast?" Geez, maybe I should get it patented or at least register it. I do seem to heal faster than normal, but maybe I was made when God was experimenting with body types. LOL Now if I can figure out someway to get rid of the pain that I seem to hide so easily. Dr told me that by summer , the way I have healed so far, I shouldn't have a scar for no shirt time. Hope he's right but I really don't care as long as I can do my normal spring and summer things outside. Have a great day all. I sure do luv my family we have here.
I find I am generally am a quick-healer person also -- I'm surprised this second free-flap seems to be healing so much slower than the first, but have to remind myself that it was far more extensive -- Last office visit, my nurse mentioned that I was doing much better than others with the same general surgery -- Patience, Pete, patience...
I agree that patience is the correct word PETE.. that and a sense of humor at times. I think I laugh more than people do that are trying to understand what I am saying if I hurry the words. They scratch their heads and say what? I laugh and repeat a lil slower.
Jim,
The reason that you heal so fast is that your body is afraid of you.
"No shirt time"...now that's a scary thought!!!!
Jerry
Jerry, you know what? This body really doesn't look too bad except for the weight I lost in my shoulders. Even looks like I have abs. LOL Now that's scary thinkin.
Jim
Great news and I wish that you could share your healing powers. I have a couple of scars that will look interesting this summer to say the least, but I truly don't care. I am with you - as long as I can get out and do my spring and summer things I am great.
I hope that the pain goes away soon so that you are not hiding it.
Patty
I would bet you would be more interesting than I am without a shirt Patty. I can't hide all of my scars for sure. I have them on both elbows, both shoulers and one of those is a 3 time scar. One of them has a staple holding the bicept tendon to my shoulder and the other a screw and washer in the rotator cuff. Plus I have anoth body long one from my 1st anneurysm repair in 1999 and a lot of smaller ones from esophagus surgery in 1996. Maybe I'll use touch up auto paint. LOL Heck, but who cares, I can laugh and have fun and pick on David from time to time.
If we could bottle your outlook and attitude Jim we could be VERY VERY wealthy people........
Good to have you back posting again after your last surgery
Karen