January 31, 2006
How The Cancer Got Discovered
In the original posting, Woody, my co-author here and a very good friend suggested that I explain the "Silver Lining" in this whole thing. Woody, Because you are so smart, I'm multiplying your salary by a factor of 30 ($0.00 x 30 = $0.00) How does that sound buddy?
At any rate, there is an entry (humorous to be sure) on a knee injury I received in Mexico in late February of last year (go, read and enjoy, then come back for the rest of the story).
The knee really bothered me for some time but with physical therapy and heat packs it seemed to get better. On rainy days, cool days, out of kilter days though it would throb and cause problems, pain and was difficult to deal with. So, in early December I went back to the orthopedic surgeon and he injected my knee with a steroid and said that should help considerably. I might mention that the needle seemed to be about the size of a telephone pole though the shot by itself didn't hurt any where near like the first one did. At any rate, he said comeback in six weeks if it isn't better. Well, the pain went away for about a week, then came back in all it's blazing glory.
So, back to the doc and he said "We'll have to go in and fix it. Will a week from Thursday be OK?" (this was on a Tuesday) I said sure, and we set up to do pre-op labs and chest xray early the following week. Needless to say, the chest x-ray showed that dang-blasted, consarned SOB of a tumor and when I think about it, that knee injury was the luckiest injury I've ever had. Without it, I would probably have gone in only when very ill and that is very seldom. So, there really is a silver lining here.
The old truism is absolutely true: When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Discovering cancer early is one of the easiest steps to a cure. Thanks Doc!
Fight On!
Posted by GM Roper at January 31, 2006 07:46 PM | TrackBackWow, an incidental cancer found on a routine pre-op chest x-ray -- that's a low probability event! Someone on High is looking out for you, GM...
Posted by civil truth at January 31, 2006 10:46 PM
Whether one believes in Karma, the Zig-Zag theory of Life or in more formal Religion, this certainly argues for the fact that there is a plan and lessons to be learned.
I remain upbeat and believe the GM will come throught this with Colors flying and with much, much more to do in his life.
Posted by tad at January 31, 2006 11:05 PM
Apologising in advance for being the morbid and unusual person I am, this revelation leads me to ask ----
How did they break the news to you ? If I had gone in for a 'minor' albeit painful problem with my knee, I would have not been expecting some 'major' news on an entirely different front.
This must have been difficult on both ends. I like to think I have a certain 'attitude', but that's easier when not the one really involved.
Again sorry be to 'intrusive' and I am perfectly happy with being told to ( fill in the blanks), but this has to be the one of the most uncomfortable situations for all involved .
As you say, when faced with lemons, make lemonade, and be grateful and amazed that a bum knee would lead to early diagnosis.
Maybe 'good' things really do happen to 'good ' people.
Posted by dougf at January 31, 2006 11:36 PM
Hope this discovery was quicker than need be! Be well.
Posted by chrys at February 1, 2006 02:19 AM
Mine was a very similar accidental discovery. One afternoon I was bored so I thought it might be fun to get a bunch of medics to push a camera crew and 30 ft of tubing somewhere very personal. And lo, a damn great tumour decided to become a film star.
Love your stuff
Best
Cass
Posted by Cancergiggles at February 1, 2006 03:11 AM
My very best wishes and prayers for your speedy recovery.
Posted by Espella at February 1, 2006 07:04 AM
There is a reason for everything...pre surgery checks like xrays...DARN GM....you are so lucky. Did you have any other symptoms?
Posted by Raven at February 1, 2006 08:01 AM
Wow, GM. Just dropped by to see your Bush-loving post-SOTU analysis and this is really a shock (I can only imagine how you must have felt!). I'm instantly struck by fact that you have yet again reminded me that before the partisan bickering comes our common humanity. You're always good at doing that.
So I guess licking the liberals has just dropped one notch on your to-do list. Keep posting when you can. Good luck and kick some %@*! (I know how you feel about swearing). I know you can beat it.
Posted by Mavis Beacon at February 1, 2006 06:48 PM
GM, To avoid: a) a wildcat strike, b) a Teamster's rep from bothering you, c) the Dept. of Labor and Dept. of Justice dogging your footsteps, I think you really ought consider raising Woody's pay to .03 cents an hour. Naturally, the 16 hours day he is working is fine and vacations and holidays are really for slackers so I wouldn't cave of that if he asks.
Tad
Posted by tad at February 2, 2006 08:46 AM
Maybe a raise would keep G.M. from going in to have the other knee repaired--if you know what I mean.
Posted by Woody at February 2, 2006 10:41 AM
Woody, Having been raised in a convent and then living the whole rest of my life in a cave, I've no idea what you mean.
However, since the NSA is actually monitoring all your book purchases, library check outs, telephone converstations, and email communication...I would be careful what you say.
Right.
I just know that, among others, Alberto Gonzales, the Attny. Gen AND all the rest of the DOJ are really interested in what I, and thee, have to say.
Cheers,
Tad
Posted by tad at February 2, 2006 12:38 PM
I got bit by a dog once. That's how I found out I was pregnant with my son.
I couldn't get a tentanus shot if I was pregnant so just to be safe, the doctor ran a test. And Voila! No tetanus shot was forthcoming. We were all very surprised.
Life has many and varied twists and turns.
Posted by Oyster at February 3, 2006 07:44 AM
Well G.M. I was gonna be all gushy and nice to you. Then I had second thoughts about that you might just like it a little too much. So now that you know get it fixed and get back to cracking that whip at Woodie.
You know we all Love ya.
Posted by Patty at February 3, 2006 08:41 AM
My car wouldn't start this afternoon. I couldn't understand why, so I opened the hood and saw that my new water pump was leaking and that I had lost all of my coolant. I was certain that I had ruined my engine. I had the car towed, and the mechanic said that the fuel pump was bad. There seemed to be barely enough water in the car to keep it going, and if it hadn't been for the fuel pump going bad, the car would have lost the remaining coolant and I would have ruined an engine. I know this isn't as serious as G.M.'s problem, but it does illustrate how bad things can be good things. Now, let's have a similar happy ending for G.M.
Posted by Woody at February 3, 2006 05:07 PM
When I first read about your cancer, I didn't want to comment being a total stranger but I just want to say I'll say a prayer for you. And just keep on seeing those silver linings.
Posted by Patrick Joubert Conlon at February 3, 2006 09:59 PM
GM,
Last May 17, a beautiful spring day and a perfect day for an outing in my Mustang convertible, I strolled out to the Mustang, all set to take a top-down cruise into work. Flat tire! So I switched cars and took my Crown Vic instead.
Less that four blocks from home, I was rear-ended by a taxi. This was a serious accident, and I sustained bodily injury, from which I'm largely recovered, but not fully. As a result of being laid up all summer, I met our friend Mustang and entered the blogosphere. After all, I was pretty much confined to home, so I found time at the computer was a great diversion.
Had I been driving the Mustang convertible on May 17, I might not even be alive now. Certainly, the injuries would have been much more serious.
God's providence--a flat tire. Funny, isn't it? Something similar has happened to you. Count your blessings!
Posted by Always On Watch at February 3, 2006 10:00 PM
My youngest, 16 yr old Hannah, rides to school and back every day with the boyfriend Heath. Has, every *single* day for six months. Last Thursday on an impulse she cannot name, she rode the school bus, instead. Heath had baseball practice as usual, but Hannah always stays and watches practice (Heath hit .700 last year, 6th in central Texas). But Thursday she grabbed the bus. After practice Heath was pulling out the school lane onto Hwy 281 and got T-boned by a big truck on the passenger door, bending the car into a "u" and sending Heath Heath to the hospital with concussion, teeth knocked out, and cuts and bruises. The seat where Hannah would've been was obliterated, and Heath, had he not been a 17 yr old athlete about 6-3, 150 lbs, and whippet-limber, would've likely been killed. Hannah certainly would've been killed. Non of us, Heath, Hannah, or any of of either family, can figure all this out, the timing, coincidence, the bad and/or good luck.
Posted by Buddy Larsen at February 5, 2006 09:33 AM
