Mike,

Hang tough! It's all downhill on well-waxed skis now!

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"Now, bring me that horizon."
-Capt. Jack Sparrow

Just to let you know Mike and Doc, I made it through my testing yesterday just fine. They found one small polyp and removed it. The Doctor said everything was normal and he thought the sample he removed was nothing to worry about. Whew! I am glad it's over and you inspired me to go Mike. Doc you should have seen the look on the DR. face when I ask him if he was going to put me to sleep with that med. you told me about. How did you know he asked me and I replied I had connections!! Thanks guys!

I do have to go back in 4 years!

I'll be going in for my third one later this month. My wife makes the appointments for my birthday. Some kind of birthday present huh. With my family history my wife is very concerned and knowing me the way she does she knows I will conveniently forget to make the appointment. I am grateful to her for making them and after this thread she is relieved that she has been. So Thank you Mike and all my wife feels vindicated.

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I played on stage once, they kicked me off when the band arrived

I see you're an old hand at it huh. It was not nearly as bad as I thought. Good luck my friend! Now I have to get all the other areas checked as I'm like you, all of my grandparents and parents died of some form of cancer It's a tough thing to think about so I'm doing everything I can to catch it early!

That's great news fhopkins! I went the magnesium citrate route for the test and a few weeks later for my first surgery (to remove tumor and lymph nodes) and I find that when chilled, it's more tolerable than the other stuff.

oldpat, good for you too. Remind us when the time gets close so we can offer some mojo to you also.

Speaking of birthdays, mine was yesterday. I guess my present to myself was reaching the halfway point of chemo.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I hope you are having a good day today Mike! Your friend F.

Well first, Hats off to Mike and FHopkins for adding this much real life substance to the forum. I want you to know your not alone in the fight against that darn disease. It sounds to me like you gotta suffer through that chemo, but the cancer is treatable and cureable in your cases. Keep us posted.
Just this past Easter, we lost my mother to a rare type of Cancer called Glioblastoma Multiform. It was a 3 year uphill battle for us, which we knew we couldn't win... This Glioblastoma is baaad news... I dont know if you have heard of it before. It doesn't grow or Metastisize from one cell to the next like other tumors. It grows simultaneously in all of the Glial cells of the brain and spreads at ALARMING rates.
(GBM's) are a grade four tumor and are very rare. The disease in my mother's case didn't come from smoking or any of the typical causes. It HAS been linked to Lead-based paints which were used in the 70's. My mother used to have a small business back then, stripping furniture. Who knew?
I took up playing the guitar when I was taking care of my mother. I wasn't able to work full time- the family really needed me. I drove her to physical therapy, oncologist appointments, Radiation and Chemotherapy. Thats when I turned to the beloved guitar as a kind of catharsis (for myself)- if you know what I mean.
Anyway, Mike and FHopp Hang tough. I know how sorry Chemotherapy can make you feel...I hope there will be a Stratocaster and your favorite tube amp waiting for you when you feel well enough to enjoy it again- Sincerely, Louis

Hop,
congratulations mate, bet a weights off your mind now eh?
all the best mate.

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No no and no

Thanks F! I'm having a decent day aside from a nagging cough and some congestion.

Louis, I'm very sorry for your loss! I've never heard of that form of cancer (but there's a lot I haven't heard of). Lead based paints....geez...that's terrible. My father-in-law worked in the furniture factories until he died several years ago from what they said was liver failure...and he didn't drink...now you got me wondering, and you mentioned it is rare...hmm.

Thanks for sharing that and thanks also for the well wishes!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Belated Happy Birthday, Mike

You share the date with my youngest daughter....

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Ignorance IS bliss - and I am the happiest person here!

Happy belated birthday Mike. And many more are on the way. I hope you feel better today.

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I played on stage once, they kicked me off when the band arrived

Mike, I did not know yesterday was your birthday! Happy belated my friend!!

great news fhop,good wishes and happy b day mike (belated)

Thanks my good friend! Glad it's done and now just waiting on results!

Fhopkins I didn't even see this until today good on you for a normal outcome. I like to hear those words from my Doc as well.

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I played on stage once, they kicked me off when the band arrived