The beginning of the end for yours truly
Posted: December 17, 2019 5:33 pm
Well, gang, brace yourselves, I have some news, it’s about me, and it isn’t good. (Not for me, anyway).
All summer long, I’ve had health issues, mostly severe non stop coughing. (Just ask Larry).
My doctors and I were convinced it was nothing more than a fungal infection from mold spores I may have inhaled when I had water damage done to my home back in June. Since fungus forms around water, heat and humidity, it made sense. June in Iowa is EXTREMELY hot and humid.
Fast Forward to November when nothing helped with the cough and a test of 45 different allergies all proved negative, a chest X-Ray was ordered, something small but not suspicious showed up. Another chest X-Ray was done on the 4th of this month- the growth increased, so a CT scan was ordered. That’s when I got the news- a large mass (6 centimeters) was on my lower left lung, so a Spirometry (breathing test), M.R.I., and PET scan were ordered. The PET scan indicated lung cancer, and possibly metastasized into my pelvis. I met with a Pulmonologist this morning for a biopsy. Stage 4 lung cancer was confirmed. Chemotherapy to start just after Christmas.
Folks, this is what life is sometimes.
Please, please cherish the ones you love, cherish the ones who love you, please do not choose your friends by which sports team they cheer for, who they vote for, or even who THEY choose to love. Everybody in your life’s circle has something of value to offer. Embrace that.
Try to remember those less fortunate than you- give a dollar to the Salvation Army bucket next time you go to Target or wherever, give something to a food bank where the people there take care of the hungry who have nobody to spend the holidays with, and PLEASE, remember our veterans and the animals at the shelter.
In closing, I just want to say if, at any time, I’ve EVER said or did anything to upset you, I am sorry as can be. I’m deeply humbled and greatful for the friendship of all of you, and for all of you indulging me since 2002 when I wanted to come here and “play Jimmy Buffett” for a couple hours.
I sincerely wish everyone a Merry Christmas (or however you choose to celebrate the holiday or not), and to everyone, EVERYONE, a very happy, healthy, and joyous 2020.
All summer long, I’ve had health issues, mostly severe non stop coughing. (Just ask Larry).
My doctors and I were convinced it was nothing more than a fungal infection from mold spores I may have inhaled when I had water damage done to my home back in June. Since fungus forms around water, heat and humidity, it made sense. June in Iowa is EXTREMELY hot and humid.
Fast Forward to November when nothing helped with the cough and a test of 45 different allergies all proved negative, a chest X-Ray was ordered, something small but not suspicious showed up. Another chest X-Ray was done on the 4th of this month- the growth increased, so a CT scan was ordered. That’s when I got the news- a large mass (6 centimeters) was on my lower left lung, so a Spirometry (breathing test), M.R.I., and PET scan were ordered. The PET scan indicated lung cancer, and possibly metastasized into my pelvis. I met with a Pulmonologist this morning for a biopsy. Stage 4 lung cancer was confirmed. Chemotherapy to start just after Christmas.
Folks, this is what life is sometimes.
Please, please cherish the ones you love, cherish the ones who love you, please do not choose your friends by which sports team they cheer for, who they vote for, or even who THEY choose to love. Everybody in your life’s circle has something of value to offer. Embrace that.
Try to remember those less fortunate than you- give a dollar to the Salvation Army bucket next time you go to Target or wherever, give something to a food bank where the people there take care of the hungry who have nobody to spend the holidays with, and PLEASE, remember our veterans and the animals at the shelter.
In closing, I just want to say if, at any time, I’ve EVER said or did anything to upset you, I am sorry as can be. I’m deeply humbled and greatful for the friendship of all of you, and for all of you indulging me since 2002 when I wanted to come here and “play Jimmy Buffett” for a couple hours.
I sincerely wish everyone a Merry Christmas (or however you choose to celebrate the holiday or not), and to everyone, EVERYONE, a very happy, healthy, and joyous 2020.
