just diagnosed with the BIG C...

the orangewizard · Post by **the orangewizard** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 6:19 am

Hello everyone,I hope you're doing well! I have learned a heck of a lot about music,amps,guitars,tubes,bands,songs,albums,you name it,in the six months or so that I've been a member of this forum! As I've gained more knowledge,and confidence,I've tried to give back!!! I have you all to thank for this,as I didn't know sh@t!Anyway,I learned today that I have a malignant growth in my jaw,and to say that I'm scared as all heck,would be an understatement!!! I know that cancer will eventually touch all of our lives;it is one moth@r fuc@#r of a disease! If anyone reading this has any experience,strength,or hope to share it would be most appreciated! Sometimes,the right words can really mean the difference between hope,and giving up!!! Not that it's any of you's problem,but some encouragement would be great here! Thanks!!!

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 6:24 am

I'll keep you in my prayers.

Amoun · Post by **Amoun** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 7:30 am

bad news, look on the bright side, a lot of people survive stuff like that nowadays c.f. even a few years back medicine gets better all the time.

Friend of mine was diagnosed with inoperable cancer of the oesophagus a couple of years ago and not given much hope. He responded well to the chemo to the extent the tumour became operable and he is still here.

hope this doesn't sound patronising but it might be worth seeing if some of the people that did pull through like bob champion have written books on the experience that you could draw strength from. I get the impression a lot of it is to do with their state of mind, just don't give up

the orangewizard · Post by **the orangewizard** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 7:58 am

Thank-you John B ,I really believe in the power of prayer! Rock n,roll music has always gotten a negative rap about somehow being Anti-God or something,I;ve NEVER seen it that way!!! I've heard David Gilmour,Eric Clapton ,and Bono sing,or play things that DEFY what we,as humans can come up with;if it's not inspired by GOD,I dare you to come up with an explanation as to to what makes these people SO GOOD! I could't write a song like Roger Waters,nor play a solo like Alex Lifeson if my life depended on it! What power do these men have,that we all d'ont??? I don't buy the happy horse**** that it must be Satan,This music has inspired too many people to move ahead in a POSITIVE direction for that to be the case!!!Sorry to go off on a tangent this way,but it's what I feel that counts! Maybe it's PAIN that's the X-factor,I don't know! OPEN 'ER UP FOR COMMENTS,IF THIS D'ONT INSPIRE SOME,THEN I KNOW THAT I AINT PART OF THE CLIQUE!!!!

shindigmachine · Post by **shindigmachine** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:13 am

fight it man, my grandfather just got over prostate cancer like a trooper, and he's 76! and i hope to god you can do the same! take care!

the orangewizard · Post by **the orangewizard** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:23 am

Back in 2001,I was in the second row of u2's concert here in Columbus,Ohio! The EDGE'S intro to Where the Streetes HAVE NO NAME ,just about stopped my heart!!! His playing took me somewhere emotionally that I had never been before! THAT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT I WANT TO HOLD ONTO THROUGHOUT THIS!!! PEACE!!!

space-boy · Post by **space-boy** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:08 am

I'm very sorry, man. You have to fight. I have lived it in my environment several times (my mom and dad, and one of my best friends...). The treatment is possibly one of the most unpleasant ones you can get in modern medicine, and if you go on radiotherapy you'll feel really sick. But that's the way it is. The prize is getting rid of the desease. Hold on your family and friends, don't give up and tell us afterwards that you're rocking again!

Post by **bclaire** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:14 am

I know quite a few people who are cancer survivors- sucks to hear about your diagnosis and I wish you a speedy recovery. There will be tough times ahead, but hang in there and let us know of your progress...

s.tooz · Post by **s.tooz** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:18 am

Back in 1988, my little brother was just four. He was diagnosed of a ipophisys malignant tumoral form. To make a long story short, now he's a 22 years old healthy guy. Cancer has been completely removed and defeated. You can do it. Don't ever give up.

alessandro

Andy H. · Post by **Andy H.** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:21 pm

Hi Wiz. Sorry about the scary health news. Yeah, that is one big reality check. I've just been away for a few days in Barcelona with my wife - nice place, nice trip - and scanning the forum today this brought me back to reality too. Been thinking about you this morning and I wanted to respond here before posting anything else.

I work mainly with cancer patients. I'm in a lung unit and most of the patients there are living with one form or another of the disease. And the main thing is that, though lung cancers are still some of the hardest to treat, these people are getting treated, and they are getting on with living too. Amoun is right - both are important, and your state of mind makes a helluva difference.

The people I work with are great. Awesome in fact. The doctors are really open and inclusive with the patients - and for that matter with us nurses, and all the other people they deal with. First name terms is one thing, but man, I've also seen the boss docs here taking out rubbish bags, changing sheets, all that stuff. Not because THEY had to, just because it needed done, and they were the only people free at that moment in time! And the patients respond so well to that - it makes a huge difference as everyone gets the feeling that there is a real team working together which is what people need.

The whole healthcare system here in Holland is pretty unlike what I was used to in the UK, and what I know of the US. Here it is way more geared towards 'people' rather then just 'diseases'. It is also much less of a lottery finding a good doc who can really talk to you properly without hiding behind all the specialised technical terms - medical jargon - and the whole hierarchy of power thing. I'd say try to find people who really talk to you, and who let you talk to them, because people like that are going to be a big help.

One of the worst things about any sort of serious illness is fear of the unknown. People who are, yes caring, but who are also matter of fact about what is going on can really help you get through, and get on with living life. I hope you can find some of these people, docs, nurses, other people with cancer, whoever.

Also try to find out as much as you can about your own illness. There are many (200+) types of cancer, and many are very effectively treatable. And yeah, while the treatment(s) aren't any fun, they are just something that is going to have to happen. They are also often way more effective and way easier to handle then in the past. Not everyone getting radiotherapy for example feels really ill with it.

I hope that it'll all go well for you, and that you'll get a lot of strength from knowing that there are many people on your side. And that whatever it is that the Gilmours, Claptons and Lifesons of this world have, wherever it comes from it is real, positive, and very powerful. Keep feeling that magic and you'll know it ain't all bad.
It ain't!

Rooting for you Wiz!

Andy.

irish_admiral · Post by **irish_admiral** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:32 pm

Chin up mate, we'll be praying...

Bluz57 · Post by **Bluz57** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:41 pm

I have put you on my prayer list.Keep us updated on your progress.

gaines · Post by **gaines** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:23 pm

Wiz,
I've heard some crazy things in my life where folks overcome things and beat all odds. Don't ever give up hope. Life is nuts man. I've known folks who have had cancer and beat it completely. Cancer will touch all of our lives in some way. But this disease isn't a death sentance. If you believe you'll pull through, you will. It's as simple as that. we have amazing medecine and wonderful doctors. Your health is in good hands. I know it must be scary, but we're all in this thing together. Take comfort in knowing that we're all riding with you and I'm sure that i speak for everyone that we genuinely care about you and your well being. I believe that you're going to be just fine. Seriously. Stay strong as you can because you CAN beat this. Then all you have to do is write some songs about it and become a millionaire.

corky newman · Post by **corky newman** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:57 pm

what a bitch the big C is...man I hope you all the best in a fast recovery. Try to change your diet to get your body less acid and more alkaline if you can..I have heard by many friends who beat the big C that helped alot...goodluck bro..keep us informed on your progress...corky

LeonC · Post by **LeonC** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:32 pm

You can win this fight. We had a neighbor with mouth cancer. They were able to remove it. He needed a little help with some of his speech afterwards, but he learned to get around this and continues a happy, productive life. I hope you're able to keep your head up, keep the positive attitude and fight the good fight. Best of luck with this. I'll hope for the best and send good vibes your way from southern California!!

just diagnosed with the BIG C...

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