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Macomb County

It's funny, my radiation doctor is very excited about my progress. Cancer is being killed, I'm gaining weight and cutting down on my pain medication. However, my chemo doctor is guarded. I'm only at the beggining and have a long way to go. I start 4 months of aggressive chemo in 2 weeks.

It's like one doctor doesn't want me to lose any hope and the other doesn't want to give me too much.

I'm curious. How have people on the site gotten through their darkest hour? I've done some reading, but so far, I can't say any of it's be a great help and comfort.

3/5/2012 7:34:05 PM

Minnesota

One day at a time. Make a recording in your head telling you you can over come this, play it constantly, especially at testing times.

3/5/2012 8:03:52 PM

San Diego

Jack,

I went through significant health issues for many years, to the point that I was scared for my life. Got down to 125 lbs and I was describes as walking death, and I felt like that description too. One thing and one thing only got me through, my faith in Jesus Christ and reading God's promises in His Word everyday. The Psalms were my favorite place to visit in the Bible, very encouraging. I'm not sure where you stand in your faith, but without Christ and His Word, I would have given up all hope and been dead long ago. You can email me privately if you want to talk. I wish you the best in your journey! Jim

3/5/2012 9:51:41 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Hi Jack, glad to hear your treatment is going well. I'm still praying for you.
The bible has brought me through my darkest hours. It has been my experience that it brings comfort and hope to the soul like nothing else can. What better place can you turn than to your creator, to let Him speak to you. Many give up too soon telling themselves they can't understand what they are reading but believe me, I've been there done that too but kept on reading anyway. If you are diligent to keep reading, it will start to make sense much like a puzzle coming together...the more you read the more the pieces start to come together. It's not an ordinary book you can glance over. You've got to dig in like searching for treasure and before long you will start to find what you are looking for and more...much more. The Bible is just as relevant today as it was long ago. That's why it's called the Living Word. I would recommend you start reading through the book of Psalms.It is filled with comfort and hope.
I know of a pastor who was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer right about the same time you found out about yours.
His attitude about the situation is really something to behold. In his words, "This is a win/win situation. If I survive I get to stick around for a while longer. If I die I get to go live with the Lord where there is no more sickness or death". It is really refreshing to hear someone speak with such confidence and conviction.
I hope you too can find that same confidence and conviction. .....dig in Jack!

3/5/2012 10:15:17 PM

Littleton, Colorado

Hi Jack. I walked through this "deep valley" with my Dad last year as cancer took him away from me. That's the bad news. But the promise of eternal good news, having read through the Bible each year for over half of his 92 years, is what kept a smile on my Dad's face right up to the final day of his life (July 6th). I call it the "owner's manual". If I'm working on my Chevy pickup, I go to the exact manual for that year and model. If I'm working on me, I go to the Bible! Come to think of it, maybe the most effective tip I could ever share with another pumpkin grower is: I love to sit among my pumpkin plants and read the Bible to them. Pumpkin plants are a very kind and gracious audience! I think my plants really liked the book of John. 2010 was a good year for me, & I read them a lot from that book of the Bible! I know there are a lot of us praying for you Jack. I hope you know that this "God of the Bible" who claims to be the Creator of all things, and claims to be the only true God, also tells us in this book that He cares about the tiniest details of each of our lives. I had a really good example of an unwavering faith in this---in watching my Dad's final days!

3/6/2012 12:05:36 AM

British Columbia, Canada

I know how you feel Jack. I had cancer in my salivary gland when I was 6 years old. Thankfully it was removed and did not spread or come back. Scariest weeks of my life.

3/6/2012 1:03:35 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Jack, you'll do it, just tell yourself that and believe it. There's always another day and you're sure as h*ll gonna be there to greet it!

3/6/2012 3:20:52 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

Jack, I haven't faced a problem like yours, but next week I go in to the hospital for my 10th surgery in 12 years. I have a rare torn muscle injury in my hip, and my doctor isn't being optomistic either. He only promises that he won't make it worse. If the surgery fails, I may be facing the rest of my life with a very sore hip and likely retirement before I'm ready. But I know that the sacrifice that one man made on a terrible hill top 2000 years ago has bought me an eternity without pain and heartache. If the surgery is successful, I will be eternally grateful, but if it doesn't I still have a great future to look forward to.

3/6/2012 8:33:57 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Jack: We are all standing in a long line. Some of us are closer to the front than others and that is the only difference between us all. Every living thing will die when that time comes and the only certainty is that it will come for us all. It never has been about how long a person lives. It is more about how you live. Over the years I have taken care of many people who were terribly ill. Some got better and some did not. I spoke with many of them about their personal situation and the possibility of death and how they were dealing with it. Most of these people were patients I took care of years ago when I was young. I can tell you this. They are all dead now. Getting old or getting sick or at the end dying, is something we all must go through. Everyone born will sooner or later die. Do not be afraid of death. More importantly, try to enjoy whatever time you have left whether it be a long time or a short time. People will remember you more by how you handled whatever life gave you and how you lived your life. Believing in something helps. I would say to live whatever time you have left as best you can. It could be a long time or a short time. We all face that. And noone knows the answer. None of us came onto this earth with a guarantee of anything. When we leave we take nothing with us. Where we go next is not clear. Think of all who came before us. Have faith in whatever you believe in. Be prepared for whatever comes next. Talk to your friends. They will support you through these times. Your religion should help as well. You were brave to post your difficulties here. Don't let fear rule you and probably just as bad is the uncertainty about what is next. With your support system, you have no choice but to deal with it. And always, there is hope. And for some of us faith. I hope these thoughts help you. Marv

3/6/2012 9:00:46 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Very Nice Marv...Jack...keep your head up...you have many friends....

3/6/2012 10:09:34 AM

Minnesota

Practice playing your Guitar, learn some Grateful Dead or Bach! practice makes perfect.

3/6/2012 12:34:14 PM

Macomb County

Thanks everyone. I'm amazed by the depth of experience and insight on this site! Especially after thinking only in terms of pumpkin growers.

3/6/2012 10:28:54 PM