McFuzz's Mentor Group 2011 - CLOSED (Page 103)

IceManScott - 2011-11-03 2:10 PM

Thanks for all the positive vibes.  Here's the latest from a meeting I just had with the doctor.  Pretty good actually.

The meeting with Dr. Michael Young went well.  Several interesting points:

     1. The biopsies taken last week failed to confirm cancer. That doesn't mean it isn't cancer. In fact, Young still thinks it is and will proceed as if it is.  It just means the pieces taken for the tests were cancer-free.  That MIGHT mean a benign growth.   Either way, it has to come out.  It will not heal itself. The surgery is the same in either case.

        Surgery entails a 4- to 6 inch incision, resection of a large portion of the right side of the colon and removal of lymph nodes to check for spread.  

        A good sign - the tumor is growing inward and blocking the colon rather than outward. That means it may not be growing through the colon wall and spreading.    

        2.  Operation is Wednesday morning, Bro-Menn.

        3.  I'll be in the hospital 4 to 7 days.  Four would put it on Saturday, an unlikely day for release, but we shall see. All depends on me, when I get up to walk (try to stop me) and when my body's machinery kicks back in if you know what I mean.  I will need some time at home but that could be as short as another week. I could be back at work in as little as two calendar weeks.   

        4. I will have a pain catheter that will drip pain killer right to the affected spot. Therefore, I will not need other pain meds in the hospital.  

        5.  No special diet will be needed afterward.  Big surprise there.

        6. Tests on tissue will reveal if it's spread and whether chemo is needed.  More good news - the chemo they use for colon cancer is extremely effective on cancer and mild for the patient with flu-like symptoms rather than extreme illness.  Hair doesn't fall out.

        7. I could be riding the bike again within 4 weeks, which would put me on track to be ready for TriSharks June 2. If chemo is needed it could slow me down another 8 to 12 weeks, but I could still salvage the race year.

        All in all a pretty darn good report given the situation.  

        Kathy and I thank you all for your support.   

 

stephsprint - 2011-11-12 7:00 AM First Half Marathon tomorrow. I've been really sick since I got back from my Las Vegas trip. I feel better but it won't be an easy run. My husband said he will run/walk with me. How sweet is that? I just want to finish it. It's the first leg of the Big 3 and Florida 4...with 13.1 Miami Beach, ING Miami Marathon, and the Sarasota Half marathon. Yes I'm doing them all. HA! Hope everyone has a great weekend and takes care of themselves. The Holidays are coming!

amd723 - 2011-11-12 7:21 AM

Good luck tomorrow.  I will think of you completing your firs HM if you think of me as i try to complete my first HIM   Hope the wind dies down for us!

amd723 - 2011-11-12 8:21 AM

 

Good luck tomorrow.  I will think of you completing your firs HM if you think of me as i try to complete my first HIM   Hope the wind dies down for us!

stephsprint - 2011-11-13 5:34 PM How was it? Which one was it? so windy....

amd723 - 2011-11-14 8:57 AM

I agree the wind was brutal, congrats on your finish.

I did Miamiman.  It was a great, but hard race.  Here's the link to my race report  http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

Thanks for the race report! That must have been hell! Good job!

stephsprint - 2011-11-17 3:54 PM Some JERK dumped a bunch of thumbtacks on a bike lane on virginia key today. dozens of cyclist were changing tubes all over the key. I am so glad I ride with a group. I only had to change the front tire.

IceManScott - 2011-11-19 11:36 PM

Happy to report doctors can be WRONG!  Best word in the English language?  BENIGN.  Yes, friends, it was a bowel obstruction the size of a walnut that had to come out.  But, it was NOT cancer.  It was just a big blob of tissue in the wrong place.  No followup at all after getting staples out this coming Tuesday.  I had 2 feet of the bowel removed and beat the doctor's prediction of a minimum of 4 days in the hospital by one.  Out in three and he admitted me could probably have let me go earlier but just didn't feel right about letting someone go two days after major surgery.  It is good to amze doctors, I've decided.  I get to start up ASAP after the staples are out.  Coach and I decided I will ramp up steadily on my own through December and rejoin the workouts the first of January.  I plan one or two half IMs in 2012.  Unsure which.  Branson in September is nearly a sure thing.  Might do Racine in July or Wisconsin Dells Rev3 in August.  Unsure which.   Goals will be to bust 6 hours.  We plan to do half IMs in 2013 and hit Kona in October of that year ...finishing up a vacation with spectating at the Championships or volunteering.   Then maybe another IM in 2014.  maybe Wisnson again.  maybe Fla.  Maybe Louisville. Maybe Ariz.  Dunno. 

Anyway, glad not to have the specter of cancer over my head for another 5 years.  Going for broke. 

IceMan. 

suzimmer - 2011-11-19 10:20 PM

Hey there McFuzz.  Just thought I'd share this proud mom news with you (and everyone else who may tune in) since you are an EE down in Peoria-land.  My son, who is an EE major, (senior) at Bradley, just received a fantastic job offer, which he is going to accept.  So, he will graduate in May and will have a job waiting for him.  One kid down, one to go. 

stephsprint - 2011-11-20 7:04 AM First 16 miler yesterday. I'm sore today...but it's thrilling to set a new mark every week or so. Everything hurts, but that's why we have ibuprofen and ice.

stephsprint - 2011-11-20 6:56 AM YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!

IceManScott - 2011-11-19 8:36 PM

Happy to report doctors can be WRONG!  Best word in the English language?  BENIGN.  Yes, friends, it was a bowel obstruction the size of a walnut that had to come out.  But, it was NOT cancer.  It was just a big blob of tissue in the wrong place.  No followup at all after getting staples out this coming Tuesday.  I had 2 feet of the bowel removed and beat the doctor's prediction of a minimum of 4 days in the hospital by one.  Out in three and he admitted me could probably have let me go earlier but just didn't feel right about letting someone go two days after major surgery.  It is good to amze doctors, I've decided.  I get to start up ASAP after the staples are out.  Coach and I decided I will ramp up steadily on my own through December and rejoin the workouts the first of January.  I plan one or two half IMs in 2012.  Unsure which.  Branson in September is nearly a sure thing.  Might do Racine in July or Wisconsin Dells Rev3 in August.  Unsure which.   Goals will be to bust 6 hours.  We plan to do half IMs in 2013 and hit Kona in October of that year ...finishing up a vacation with spectating at the Championships or volunteering.   Then maybe another IM in 2014.  maybe Wisnson again.  maybe Fla.  Maybe Louisville. Maybe Ariz.  Dunno. 

Anyway, glad not to have the specter of cancer over my head for another 5 years.  Going for broke. 

IceMan. 

discipleguideservice - 2011-11-22 12:40 PM

Great news, Scott!!

I just paid the entry fee for IMKY 2012 yesterday.  Kind of hard to get too excited just yet with the threat of snow looming in the midwest for the next 4 months... but at leaste it is set in stone now that I will be there.  Good motivation to keep a good base through the winter.

 

My main goal for IMKY will be sub 13, but if the stars line up, I will shoot for sub 12.  I also want to be down to 170 lbs for race weight.  That will be 10 lbs lighter than my last IM.

 

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

discipleguideservice - 2011-11-22 9:40 AM

Great news, Scott!!

I just paid the entry fee for IMKY 2012 yesterday.  Kind of hard to get too excited just yet with the threat of snow looming in the midwest for the next 4 months... but at leaste it is set in stone now that I will be there.  Good motivation to keep a good base through the winter.

 

My main goal for IMKY will be sub 13, but if the stars line up, I will shoot for sub 12.  I also want to be down to 170 lbs for race weight.  That will be 10 lbs lighter than my last IM.

 

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

stephsprint - 2011-11-24 3:07 PM 5k PR today! My first Turkey Trot! 4000 participants. It was nuts, and quite fun. Thank you all for being such good BT buddies. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and take it easy out there shopping or power napping or whatever you're doing!