February 06, 2006
Serious Business: G.M.'s Surgery and 100,000 Thanks!
As regular readers know, G.M. was recently diagnosed with lung cancer which required surgery today. I believe that G.M. would want his friends to know how he is doing, so I'll share some brief information with you. In short, the cancer and surgery were more serious than what G.M. led many to expect, apparently because he was overly optimistic, or determined, about beating the disease. But, the good news is that he is recovering, but he still needs your prayers--as do his wife and daughter, who are with him.
Today's surgery was perfomed at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen,Texas and which has a good reputation. The surgery was successful, but the procedure was more drastic than anticipated--or, related earlier. The surgeon found that the size and location of the tumor required removal of more than just the tumor itself or the lobe in which it was found--it required the removal of the entire right lung. G.M. is currently recovering in intensive care and is only assisted in his breathing by the customary oxygen tube, which is good. Next, physicians will determine if further treatment, such as chemo or radiation, should be recommended. I have seen other friends go through those procedures, and that is very difficult. I do not know the timetable for G.M. to go home from the hospital. A lot of recovery still has to be done there.
Keep G.M. in your prayers and offer your expressions of concern and support here, and I will make sure that he gets your messages. Also, if you would be kind enough to link this entry at your site, if you have one, that would help spread the word faster and to more people who would like to know G.M.'s situation.
On a brighter note that will be good news to G.M. and something else that he would want to share with you, today the site reached 100,000 visitors. I wanted G.M. to be on line to share that moment, but his wife is relaying this happy event to him. Having 100,000 visitors is quite a milestone for a "regular guy," especially since the site is barely a year old. It took seven months to reach the first 10,000 visitors and only seven more months to take that to 100,000. G.M. started this site with a few ideas and a lot of encouragement, and the site will continue to grow as he recovers and continues to receive encouragement from you. G.M., and I, want to thank all of you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your support and participation. You have become more than visitors. Many of you have become friends to both of us. You've made us laugh and made us think, and we hope that we have done the same for you. Congratulations on this milestone, G.M.!
There is another matter that G.M. has not asked me to share, but I feel that you should know about the need. The cost to maintain this site and to share ideas with you has been a financial concern. In the fall of last year, G.M. placed a small donation link on the sidebar to help offset his costs. Now, his financial concerns go beyond band width and have expanded to medical bills and lost income from missing work. If you can help and find it in your hearts to contribute, please go to that link where you can make your donations to him and to his ability to carry on his work and to meet his obligations. Again, I want to stress, that G.M. did not request that I mention this, but I feel that everyone wants to help in some way, and this is one way to do that. Thank you.
At this time, we'll continue to provide entries until G.M. returns. I cannot match his thought provoking posts, so hurry back, G.M. Still, I hope that you'll enjoy other entries that, hopefully, you will find interesting and humorous. I want to give special thanks for the support and material of Flight Pundit and Raven as G.M. recovers and as tax season makes greater demands on me. Also, we appreciate any other tips or stories that you might like to share for us to post.
Okay, that's a lot, but a lot had to be said to bring everyone current. Thanks again for your concern for G.M., your prayers, your financial support, and for your visits and comments that make this site special for all. As more information becomes available about G.M., I'll share it with you. Conversely, thank you for sharing with us.
Posted by Woody at February 6, 2006 06:40 PM | TrackBackHey gang, this is George's daughter. Norma and I came back from evening visiting time a little while ago. Dad was more alert, but still very groggy. They had removed his oxygen mask and replaced it with a nasal cannula.
His color was good...though slightly yellow-ish from the betadine. :-)
Hopefully, if there are no complications, he should be moved to a regular floor tomorrow.
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. We all appreciate it.
Jennifer
Posted by Jennifer at February 6, 2006 07:12 PM
Note: This comment was provided by G.M.'s wife at the "Rules for Commenting" entry this afternoon and before this post was completed. I have duplicated her comment here so that more may read what she shares. Thank you, Norma. You are in our prayers. --Woody
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Good Afternoon to one and all! This is the first time I have visited my husband's blog. He will be proud of me when I tell him.
For those of you who know George, he had major surgery today. I have contacted Woody and spoke to him directly; however, I wanted to let you all know that he came through the surgery with out of problem. He is already extubated (taken off the ventilator machine) and asking for ice chips.
He is currently at Rio Grande Regional Hospital, Intensive Care Room 18, 101 East Ridge Road, McAllen, TX 78501. Phone: 956-632-6148. He is to be transferred out of ICU tomorrow if all goes well.
I hope I have followed his rules and provided you with the information anyone may want or need. I thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Warmly,
Norma Beardwood-Roper
Posted by norma roper at February 6, 2006 07:32 PM
God Bless you Norma. PLEASE tell GM we are praying for him, thinking of him, wishing him a speedy recovery.
And we're all FIGHTING for him too. No matter what, keep HOPE alive. Trying times may be ahead but they say we're never dealt anything we cannot handle.
Thank You Woody for the kind words about guest blogging here. I will have some things starting tomorrow.
Posted by Raven at February 6, 2006 07:54 PM
Sending many hugs and much love to my beloved blog-brother, GM.
Norma, I keep all of you in my prayers! I'm so glad that he's come through the surgery, and I will continue to pray that the doc's got everything and that the Lord will grant full healing.
If there's anything we can do - along with praying - let us know, and we'll come a-runnin'!
Let GM know we love him and are rooting for him... And we'll come hunt him down and tickle him breathless if he needs a boost ;-)
Again, much love and many hugs - and TONS of prayer!
-- R'cat
CatHouse Chat
Posted by Romeocat at February 6, 2006 08:07 PM
Please pass on to him that Ogre says that Kings are simply not permitted to disappear -- they can only be displaced by a superior blog!
Fight On!
Posted by Ogre at February 6, 2006 08:49 PM
Thank you for the update Woody. Please tell George and Norma my family and I are praying for his speedy recovery.
Fight On!
Posted by The Ugly American at February 6, 2006 09:25 PM
George...and your family,
I've been talking with the Man Upstairs. I've no idea what tomorrow and tomorrow will bring, but I believe that there is much more business for George Roper in these parts.
Obviously you are in the thoughts of many, many people.
God Bless You All.
Posted by tad at February 6, 2006 09:34 PM
God bless you all and a speedy recovery.
Fight On
Friend...
Posted by Michael at February 6, 2006 11:04 PM
Thanks for the updates, Woody.
Good luck, GM. I wish you and your family the best.
Posted by Mavis Beacon at February 6, 2006 11:43 PM
GM --
No dumb-ass cancer or the loss of a lung's got the wherewithall to take a guy like you from us, so just hang in there, heal up and get yourself well.
You're in my prayers and, being beloved by many, are in theirs as well, my friend. You can only win.
Like a certain governor would say,
You'll be BOCK!
Posted by Seth at February 7, 2006 02:05 AM
Woody if you are checking the comments could you email me please.
theuglyamerican1@hotmail.com
Posted by the Ugly American at February 7, 2006 09:00 AM
GM, keep kickin' along. Sending along a story about this very thing......
Posted by kender at February 7, 2006 10:08 AM
Still saying my prayers for George. And his family too. Praying for their strength and George's success in getting through this.
Posted by Oyster at February 7, 2006 01:00 PM
Woody, will you email me when you get a chance?
Posted by Oyster at February 7, 2006 01:02 PM
Very sorry to hear this news. I along with everyone here am hoping that everything goes well.
Thank you for taking the time to post this news. This must be a very difficult time for all.
Posted by dougf at February 7, 2006 08:33 PM
West Texas prayers on the way for you and your family and, when you are feeling better, maybe your super substitute moderators will start a joke thread ...
Posted by DRJ at February 7, 2006 10:00 PM
... although the jokes shouldn't be too funny. We don't want you to laugh real hard while you've still got stitches.
Posted by DRJ at February 7, 2006 10:02 PM
