Jim out of...oops...BACK in surgery

[MommyZero]

Checkin in, thinking of you.

[Da Wall]

Hello again all you good folks.

Well, I saw my radiation guy today and it looks like they are leaning towards radiation therapy. He stated that it would be best to undergo this procedure since he does not want to take the chance of it spreading or becoming worse than it already is. Luckily ofr me there will be no chemotherapy treatments now, however hey are a possibility in the future. It will consist of 5 treatments per week for 6 weeks. Apparently the procedures last about 20 minutes and I can go to work afterwards.

I had a job interview yesterday and they offered me the job on the spot, which was nice. My old gig was a s**t show and I was glad to not have to go back (long story). I called the GM of the place where I would be working and asked to meet with him today. In all fairness to them I had to disclose what I was going through. I am honest sometimes to a fault. The good thing is that I may be able to work around my work schedule and still receive my treatments and reiterated hat fact to them. Hopefully they will be able to continue to offer me the position. I am waiting for a phone call from them.

All in all I was happy with what my rads guy said today. He was optimistic that even if they cannot shrink it, they can control the thing to a point where I can lead a normal life (whatever that may be). Although my eyesight is still a mess, I can function and am continuing to learn how to adapt. I really have no choice.

If I do not get a chance to post before the holidays, I want to wish all of you and you families a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful, healthy, prosperous and joyous New Year.

[evildink]

Jim, good luck my friend. I wish you all the best. You are in my thoughts.
Hopefully I'll get to see you when I'm in town in Jan. Hang in there buddy!

[Steven]

Hey Jim, keep strong and best of luck with your health and your new job. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

[makbeer]

Stay strong Jim. Any company, treatment schedule or not, would be lucky to have you on their employee roster.

Cheers mate.

Steve

[leaferguy]

Jim, all the best, man. We're all really pullin' for you

[DRE75HABS]

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Jim. All the best for the new year!

[Da Wall]

Well folks, hope you all had a great New Year and I want to wish you all the very best for health, happiness and prosperity in 2008 and beyond.

I start radiation therapy on Thursday and am not looking forward to it. There is just something about cooking a part of my brain like a TV dinner that just does not appeal to me very much. I know it has to happen and hope that it shrinks this thing or at the very least controls it and minimizes its effect on my melon. The doctors are optimistic that this will help.

I will be taking a 6-week cycle, 5 days per week. From what I was told it was a multi focal point radiation where multiple beams intersect at the centre of the thing. It lasts about an hour where 20 minutes of it is prep time, 20 of it the actual procedure and 20 for a "cool down" and rest period. This "cool down" period freaks me out since no one ever wants their brain to "cool down". I relate it to when you accidentally nuke your leftover pizza for too long and take that first bite and realize you will be stuck with tongue/roof of the mouth burn for the rest of the day.

There are no true side effects as I was told less than 2% of people experience any at all. There could be some drowsiness but my doctor said it was rare as I would be able to function normally and work directly after the procedures. That in and of itself is another point.

As for work, well, as I said before, I was offered the position to manage a local pro shop and it appears they have pulled the offer from the table. It would have been ideal for me since it involves hockey, it is close to my home (since I cannot drive any more). As I stated before I mentioned what I was going through (even though by law I did not have to disclose anything). I asked them for my schedule to organize my treatment schedule around work and they have since said that they are now thinking about reorganizing the structure and persuing another candidate and if second interviews are required that they would contact me. I basically waited 3 weeks for this as I had put off looking for another job and delayed organizing my treatment schedule as I waited for them to get back to me. Just not fair at all.

I am now exploring other options, but this situation has really put a drain on my emotions. Just think...being honest is not all that it is cracked up to be. I am now kicking myself for telling them what I was going through, but I did so with all the best intentions. I feel like absolute crap as this is not a great way to start off a new year and new job search with this thing in my head.

Well, I am off to get some work done around the house (renovations are still going on and if I do not get them done soon, my wife may have a nervous breakdown..."Honey, it's just a wall that I tore down. It's not like I took the side of the house off. Look how open the kitchen looks now.").

Later everyone.

Jim

[hcw3]

Jim,

I'm sad to read all of this, you deserve better.

Maybe a positive spin on this thing is that 12 months from now, I sincerely doubt you will say "I wish I would have worked more during chemo". I know it's a necessary evil.

I can relate on the renovation thing two, my entire 1st floor is basically gutted at the moment. I didn't take down the side of the house, but I made the usable area 1/2 as big.

Keep us up to date!

Harrison

[albertaboy]

Jim,

I am not really in a position to offer advice based on my personal experience, simply because I have not had to go through what you are going through.

Having said that, know that we are all 100% behind you. I am sorry to hear the job offer got pulled; it would have been a good 'outlet' for you. Something better will come along - don't stop believing.

Really though. Stay strong. Push through this.

You will get through this. Radiation is just a bump in the road. Right now, because you're neck deep, it's tough to see what lies ahead. It will get better. You will look back at this in five-years and remember that it was tough, but that you made it through. Don't stop believing that it will get better. Visualize yourself better. Every night, visualize the tumor slowly being eaten away.

Fix your kitchen.

Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything. We are here for you. I am not close to help with moving/heavy lifting, etc, but I can guarantee you that if you need help with anything (around the house for example, another set of hands...) all you need do is ask.

[justagoaliedad]

We are all feeling for you right now.I can only imagine the frustration you are going through right now but I'll return your advise to me right back at you.You must be stronger than ever for you sake and your family.Think of this as an opportunity to be more involved with your children.Let them help you with the renovations so that together you can enjoy the results when you have finished.
In the future,your grandson,Jimmy,will find this thread in the archives because he is a goalie also.He will realise what a special man his grandfather is,and it will inspire him to be the best goalie in the world.The backplate on his mask will be the picture of your head after surgery with the smiley stitches because he wants to take a part of you with him in net because you are his inspiration.
You have inspired and helped a lot of people with your attitude and courage throughout this ordeal.Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Willie

[DRE75HABS]

Best of luck Jim, don't worry about being honest, it is the right thing to do, or you wouldn't have done it in the first place. You are truly an inspiration to everyone else who may suffer a setback of any kind, I wish the rest of the world would share the outlook on life that you do.

I'm in Vancouver, but if there's anything I can do, let me know. While I may not be able to alleviate all your worries, I can certainly help, and I'm sure others here can too, please don't be too proud to ask, as I would rather divert some of my funds/gear to someone who has shown they are truly worthy of being helped through a hard time.

[hcw3]

integrity, sometimes it's all we've got!

[kevinsane]

If you need a good laugh, the Leafs play tomorrow.

[azdave]

Best of luck Jim. Hang in there. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Next job interview ask the BB for references. Wouldn't it be cool to go in with a book of references as thick as the yellow pages?