georgequ
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Painesville, OH
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 ·AT&T Midwest
2 edits | [Update] Hello. I am back to stay
Well, it is now official, I am back to stay. Thankfully, most of the ordeal, since the surgery is
rather a blur, I remember that a few days before the surgeon giving me my options.
One, chime, with a lot of chemo associated misery and pain, and of course no cure, just a
remission.
Two surgery, promising a 100% cure if successful, my odds according to the surgeon, with 6
years experience of doing this sort op surgery with ZERO fatalities were 40 to 60. only a 40%
change of survival. But I liked the alternative, figuring in `the surgeons track record and the
promise of a 100% cure better than the chemo route. So surgery it was.
The date for surgery was twice postponed, first time because the surgeon did not like the
“clothing factor” in my blood, This came about 20 minutes before the actual surgery. I was
given two liters of blood, which for some reason I failed to understand. had to, according to the
doctor and nurses, be “cooked” first. Well, he still did not like the readings , postponed again,
and I was given 3 liters of a substance called “blood plasma”, that looked like vanilla pudding.
Finally surgery was scheduled for July 24th. at 7:00 AM.
All I remember about the ordeal is saying a final goodbye to my family. The surgery took an
unprecedented seven hours. But I did not regain conciseness until the afternoon of July 25th. I
was during this time interval that the Doc told my family to start making arrangements.
On that day I remember waking up and asking my daughter Heidi, when they were going to go
ahead and do the surgery. She informed that is was done “yesterday” and the doc got every
thing out. No chemo necessary WOW. Nice Doc.
I do not know many details about the surgery, other than the surgeon removed two ribs, and
another bone on MY back plus 3/4 inch of scar tissue from previous infections. I know that
things probably did not go 100% as planned, Witness the facts that I spend 14 days in ICU
rather than the customary three or four. And the doc prescribed me morphine for the pain up
until about a week before I was discharged. 2 Mg every four hours on top of the usual 50 MG
after surgery. It went like this. Morphine allowed: 50Mg in 5 Mg intervals whenever the patient
pushed the button. After the morphine is gone, no exceptions no excuses I was told, all you get
after the morphine was gone is percoset.
I was finally discharged on August 19th 2006. almost a month after the surgery. While
recuperating, I had two more brief hospital stays, one for a torn rota tor cup in my right
shoulder, caused by pulling myself up in bed, and the second one for a blood cloth in the same
shoulder,
All in all I lost 110 lb. of what turned out to be mostly muscle, beer belly remains to this day 
I have regained 65 lb. and of this morning I weighted 175 lb.. up from 110 lb. when I was
discharged.
It has been a long hard road, lots of pain even now I still need a percoset every four to six
hours. I would not wish this experience on my worst enemy.
On top of all this I have developed diabetic neurapoty, which is no fun and also causes a lot of
pain. But in between I go grocery shopping with Heidi pushing my wheel chair.We go out to
eat now and then and my PEG tube is being removed Tuesday. And, as of this morning I am
even able to go potty all by myself. Yes sir I am a Big boy now.
George.
January 8, 2009 Update: »[Info] Progree / regress report
 /
--
I stopped by one day, and decided to stay awhile |
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rfhar
The World Sport, Played In Every Country
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join:2001-03-26
Buicktown,Mi
clubs: | Thanks for the post. This is just...SO Good to hear. |
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rusdi
American V
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join:2001-04-28
Flippin, AR
clubs:
|  reply to georgequ
It truly is wonderful to see you again George!
I can't imagine the ordeal, and consequent pain, but I am glad you found a good Dr. and are now on the mend! 
Soon, I know you will be up, and roller skating, and back to cracking jokes & puns here with us in Team Helix once again!
Get (completely) well George! We all missed you, buddy!
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lonnyb
lurking no longer
Premium
join:2004-01-25
Elizabethtown, KY
clubs: | reply to georgequ
Yes, thank you for the post.
You have my prayers. |
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mouseferatu
Too many cats, Too many mice
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Im not sure
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| reply to georgequ
I am more than happy to see you here all in one piece, but not as surprised as some might be...
I figured that it would take more than cancer, a few missing bones, and a couple of surgeries to take you out, George. Your girl, Heidi, simply wasn't going to have that, you know! 
--
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Silentwolf
Vaprotan
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Kingsport, TN
clubs:
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| reply to georgequ
Welcome back George!
I'm glad the surgeon was able to get everything out at one time. Also for the neuropathic pain you might want to inquire about Lyrica or Neurontin, as both of these medications are used for that and have seen some great results in others with it.
Good luck to you and I'll keep you in my prayers!
--
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Akasha
OT Queen
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join:2006-08-10
Am I lost?
clubs: | reply to georgequ
Welcome Home George.
We missed you. |
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TwoFrogs
Cacology adumbrates pendemonium
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join:2002-01-20
Hell Main Fl
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| reply to georgequ
Heckuva way to lose weight, George! Thank you for sharing with us what many would find to be difficult to talk about; a lot of folk were very concerned about your welfare. Yes, we trust you are back to stay with us for a long time.
Give Chicken Eddy my regards, although I think you won't be seeing him professionally.
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GeorgeCr
Funny it worked last time
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join:2003-07-18
Sheffield,UK
clubs: | reply to georgequ
Congrats georgequ  ! Glad its working out. |
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sortofageek
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3 edits | reply to georgequ
I so love happy stories about people we love. Thank you for making such a brave decision and for courageously seeing it through. Heidi has such a wonderful dad.
I very much missed that puppy avatar, George.
Updated ---> »Team Helix Members »Who is on our prayer and good thoughts list?
--
Join Team Helix * I am praying for these friends . |
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ehansman
Good thing I like watching WRC
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join:2002-01-21
Over Here
clubs: | reply to georgequ
So good to see you back! Missed you!!!
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Go Kimi Go! |
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mattmag
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join:2000-04-09
NW Illinois
clubs: | reply to georgequ
What great news! Thanks so much for the update, and it sure is good to see you'll be hanging around for a long time to come!!!
-Matt |
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BUGZILLA 57
Don't Get Uranus Ablaze
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join:2004-06-10
out there
clubs: | reply to georgequ
Your strength and resolve are inspirational to us all, George.
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Vtblues
if you can't get out of it, get in to it
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| reply to georgequ
I actually got choked up hearing what you went through but can't beat the ending |
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simplykristi
Cancer Sucks
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Metro KC
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| reply to georgequ
I am sooo glad to see you back online! Take care of yourself!
Kristi
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Icarus
Soulshine
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SANCTUARY
clubs: | reply to georgequ
Good to see you George!Best wishes for continued good health and recovery! Im thrilled for you and yours!
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meester
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join:2000-06-03
Oklahoma City, OK
clubs: | reply to georgequ
Good luck George I feel for you. Last Summer I spent 97 days in the Hosp almost 60 day in ICU. hopefully things will get better for you.I know its not fun. |
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signmeuptoo
Folding and Crunching Not just Breakfast
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LOSTinSpace
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| reply to georgequ
Wow George! As I read this my eyes have welled with tears. What an inspiration you are! Thank the Heaven's and all deities that you are with us and are fighting well!
Seven or so years ago I was standing on an ice covered bridge more than 100 feet above a frozen riverbed struggling with the hardest decision of my life, and while struggling with my desire to end it all, thoughts raced through my head like bullets. One such type of thought was how there were people like you out there, fighting the good fight to live, and here I was ready to cop out. As I fell to tears thinking of that and my family overseas, I made sure that I fell backwards so that it didn't end.
It is greatly because of brave souls like you that I am alive my own self. I will remember your story and I just have to say, I couldn't be more thankful to know someone than to "know" you.
Life is so precious. Thank goodness yours is with us, I am so very glad to hear from you, my good man. And may I just come out and say: Nowhere in this post have you complained! Wow, if only I could be like you, you are my hero!
Now I have to go wash my face because I am sobbing and I don't want my roomate to see me this way. Thanks for contacting us and God BLESS YOU eternally!
--
You know your life has gotten "DICEY" when it turns into an episode of LOST, like my ex wife, who I swear is one of "The Others". Cancer and other diseases kill fellow members here at DSLR! Easy: Join us in Teams Helix and Discovery to save the world! |
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santy
Don't Follow Me, I'M Lost Too
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join:2001-06-10
Wilmington, IL
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| reply to georgequ
Good to see you back George. I have faith that all will turn out just fine. You have come this far and you will have a complete recovery. Keep the faith and visit as you are able. Don't want to get run down with to much activity even if it is just typing..
--
You don't quit playing 'cause you're OLD. You're old BECAUSE you quit playing!! |
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mig
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join:2000-10-26
Anytown, USA
clubs: | reply to georgequ
Great to have you back George!
Glad to hear you are on the mend too. |
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