Mostly all good news....

[Red Badger]

Please do hang in there.  If wishing for 100% success could work wonders, you'd be taking dancing lessons.

Ditto but I would say he would be out there teaching Kids to shoot!  Keep us in the loop and don't forget to call if you need to talk!

Jim

[DandJofAZ]

Red Hawk-- One big THANK YOU. Just got the nicest feather I've ever seen.  Wearing it now and will for duration.  30 days from last (#9) treatment and just finished working a trip.  Still fighting side effects but the knives in my belly have eased off and feeling is returning to my hands,feet.back etc. Eyes are still tearing but not much blood from my nose, still numb, but not bleeding.  Only loosing skin on shoulders and lower back.  Fingers  aren't as numb but now pins and needles as they wake up again. Dr. says some might be permanent since we pushed chemo. so far.  Final PSA just hovering in 0.140 area.(up and down 0.007 last 3 cycles) while side effects stopped adding up and started multiplying. Don't want to die to kill the cancer.  Now 3 mo. to heal, get back procedures done and a couple of more surgeries then bone scans, Ct's, blood work. and draw up new plans.   

Doug.

PS  Don't Quit Praying
Years to go.

[redhawk]

Glad you like the feather Doug.  It was made from a piece of elk antler that I have had since the 70's when I went to Philmont.  I was waiting to use it on something special and this seemed to fit the bill.  Hope it brings you some encouragement to fight the fight and know we are all behind you.  I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  Hopefully one day we can get together and make some smoke!  Take care!

[DandJofAZ]

Back procedure done this morning...so far all good. Lot less pain from mid back area and across ribs. Have to see how it works jostling on a train.  Keep  up the prayers, they seem to do more than the Drs. sometimes. I'll be  wearing the feather for the duration of my fight.... Hopefully for many years to come... Just love what you were able to turn an antler into....
Doug

[beowulf]

hope everything turns out ok for you ! have lost family and friends to this crap , including both parents , good luck , hang in there ,and above all never give up !

[DandJofAZ]

Well, we just leased our retirement home for another year.  Still trying to recover from chemo. #9.  Seven weeks and still having problems. Eyes lots better,  new pains in hands, feet, ankles, wrists, knees  as feeling returns and nerve damage is showing up. Hope most of it will heal, but dr. says some may be permanent. If we can get on to Idaho next spring, we will just have to move in with my daughter until lease expires on home in Bonner's Ferry or we decide to sell depending on health issues.   Life just keeps on happening... Should be able to place caps on nipples soon. Then it will be time to make smoke.  Going to Texas next week and will pick up flint lock. Should be able to shoot it without as much feeling in my fingers as my cap locks require. Only making one paid run this month--should give me a fine (small) paycheck, but vacation pay will be enough to make ends meet. Still hoping for the best, Surgery May first. Then second surgery as soon after that as I can get it scheduled...busy time... then back to work when I can.

Doug. 

[Patocazador]

Good luck on your upcoming surgery.

[DandJofAZ]

Surgeries back to back... 1st and 2nd..  Should be fun and feel great by the third. Yeah.
Doug

[Hanshi]

  We gotcha back, brother.

[Patocazador]

What a drag. Here's hoping you come out much better after the ordeal.

When I spent 28 days in the hospital a year and a half ago, the heart surgery and lung plus bleeding problems weren't near as bad as the long stay in the hospital.

[redhawk]

We'll keep that old eagle circling  overhead!  Good Luck on your surgeries!

[DandJofAZ]

Thanks guys,  I think I've finally had my last call from pre-op nurses and have then straightened out about NO general anesthetic  for either procedure.  That darned near killed me last time too.

Doug

[Patocazador]

40 years ago more patients died from the general anesthetic than from the operations. I don't know what the current figures are.

After several surgeries while under general anesthetics, I have realized that that would be be the easiest way to die. Just wake up dead. I'd never know about it. 

[DandJofAZ]

40 years ago more patients died from the general anesthetic than from the operations. I don't know what the current figures are.

After several surgeries while under general anesthetics, I have realized that that would be be the easiest way to die. Just wake up dead. I'd never know about it. 

Jenny says she had enough scares  last time and doesn't want me "waking up dead" just yet. Left hand flinter  from William is a beauty and fits me and Anthony(grand son) just fine. Can't wait to go out into the bear patch and pick huckleberries.Hopefully next fall.
Doug

[Hawken50]

Ahhh Doug prayers up from here brother....Too many good men have gone ...we need ya around here ol hoss...