"UPDATED "SURGERY Date Set for Oct 16th – Another SUNDANCE Update

2

Comments

  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    sfmarie said:

    Keep on Fighting
    Craig,

    My husband is a HUGE Dallas Cowboys fan. He grew up in Tyler Texas!

    You have been a wise, strong and inspirational person to so many people, you have no idea how many lives you have touched.

    I will pray for you and a speedy recovery for your surgery.

    Marie

    Craig
    I had this huge long letter for u and lost it... I don't even have chemo brain.... ok..that's scary. Basically all it said was I was bummed bout my Cowboys..... u will do fine in surgery... i always pray 4 you... u and ur gal will b fine...keep us updated...i luv u

    Jennie
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    You and Me Bro!!
    I'm with you Craig. We're both entering new stages of this journey so we'll walk the way together as pilgrims for a while. You in Arlington, Texas, Me in Vancouver, Canada!

    Thank you for sharing so deeply. It shows how much you care for, and trust, all of us in this community. I'm sure we all have places where we connect with your story.

    BTW... I was born not to far from you. Fayetteville, Arkansas.

    Peace and blessings... Rob; in Vancouver

    "Life is short, and we do not have long to gladden
    the hearts of those who travel the way with us. So let us be swift
    to love, and make haste to show kindness."
    Henri Frederic Amiel
  • nudgie
    nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
    Friends
    and family are always there no matter what happens. Knowing someone loves you will and can get you through the hardest times in your life.

    You are so right. My hubby and I got married in 1982; I was 17 and he was 20 yrs old. During the first 7 years of our marriage we got separated once each year and at year 7 we had divorce papers done, but when it got close to the "official" date, we realize our love for each other and have been together ever since.

    There is a path for each of us in life and sometimes we will never realize what that path is until it's too late.

    You are an amazing person and have alot to offer and if your wife does not see that are realizes that, she is missing out on the most important event of her life; love :)

    On the 24th as you hop up on that gurney, close your eyes, breath deep and think of your semi-colon family and surprisingly you will smile :)
  • betina61
    betina61 Member Posts: 642 Member
    Graig
    You are such and incredible and sensitive person, I am honor to have you as my friend, I love reading your LOOOONG posts,I am already praying for you, for a sucssesful surgery and fast recovery. The story of your Sundance is remarkable,could you share a picture of him?
  • Hatshepsut
    Hatshepsut Member Posts: 336 Member
    betina61 said:

    Graig
    You are such and incredible and sensitive person, I am honor to have you as my friend, I love reading your LOOOONG posts,I am already praying for you, for a sucssesful surgery and fast recovery. The story of your Sundance is remarkable,could you share a picture of him?

    Fears, frailties and needs for comfort
    Sundance:

    First, your candor in discussing your hopes and fears and human foibles was very moving. Too often, we separate ourselves from others in need because of ideologies and theologies (or the absence thereof). Your words in your post recognized that, absent those barriers, we are all so very much alike---linked together by our common fears, frailties and needs for comfort. Reading your words, I also have no doubt that your wife’s courage and gentle care for you gives you strength and a very real reason to fight this disease. While I understand how painful it is to talk about a spouse’s illness, I hope you will consider leaving a printed copy of your post on her desk where she can decide whether she wants to read it--privately and at a time that is right for her.

    Secondly, your tribute to your dog Sundance is beautiful. You obviously had a very special and loving bond with your dog. How lucky you two were to have had each other’s company, albeit for far too short a time. In our home, there is a similar bond between our five-pound silky terrier, Misty, and my husband. She can’t sleep unless she is next to him at night. When he walks down the hall in our home, it is understood by all parties that she walks ahead of him—glancing over her shoulder as she goes to be sure he is there and he is ok. As with you and Sundance, it is impossible to put into words how important she is to his life and to his healing.

    Finally, I will keep you in my thoughts until your surgery is successfully completed. We live in amazing times insofar as surgical interventions are concerned. Your surgeon’s hands will be guided by the huge body of knowledge and experience that he (or she) personally has and that the medical community collectively possesses.


    With friendship,

    Hatshepsut
  • This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • cowman
    cowman Member Posts: 61
    Thanks Craig
    Thank you so much for sharing your personal thoughts and experiences. It shows me that as caregiver and my husband as patient - we are "normal" as we have had many of the same frustrations. However, it seems as we get through each one we are stronger. Prayers are with you for your surgery.
  • GOOFYLADIE
    GOOFYLADIE Member Posts: 232 Member
    You get it
    Hi Craig,
    I am an 11 year stage iv colon cancer survivor. I had a year of chemo, a right hemi-colectomy with a large mass size of a grapefruit removed. All positive I have been posting that it was 19 of the 36 lymphnode but I ran across some paperwork over the weekend it was actually 16 of the 32 ; so I apologize for giving mis information. To me, more than one is too many but I want to be as accurate as I can. Any way, a year after chemo I finished my degree and received my Bachelors of Science in Business Management. Some how, I managed to turn every paper into a cancer paper. People would freak when my accounting class became cancer papers?? It became a place for me to vent and throw the numbers the doctors and stats had been given me and for whatever reason it worked. You have manage to sum up alot of things I went thru and I took it farther with want doctors to show more empathy and compassion to their patients.
    I have read posts from many, that they too had to coincide with some real doozies. I appreciate the fact that you really open up and share. I was the youngest one in the chemo room at the time and I felt I had no one that understood. Because they were all older, they had already done the things that I was just starting in life, and they were already enjoying retirement and grand babies. I am sorry for the english in here, but I try to get everything out. Most the time it comes as verbal vomit and I go back and disect it to see where the adjusting need to go with dealing with cancer and survivorship and wondering how and when or if it's going to come back. I really don't think of it coming back so much, as much as when I get sick my oldest son always freaks thinking mom's got it again. My life I am always holding everyone together and I am constantly proving to family I am fine. I have lots of side affects. Osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, I currently have 4 discs in my neck, that are causing alot of upset. 4,5,6, and 7 5 and 6 are gone 4 and seven are barely there with the bone digeration on top of that they are worried about me getting paralyzed. I have nerve damage in my right arm and they something funky is going on with the muscles now. I was never sick, before I got cancer. I was basically a vegetarian with a good steak every now and then. I also like dessert but, have never had a real sweet tooth. So all the info about how you eat does not fit the picture for me. So I choose to still eat healthy, indulge on special occasions and live life and be happy. But I just wanted you to know you have lifted so many people on this site. I don't write I think, near as much as I should because the cancer verbal vomit just comes out. Thanks for sayings things I couldnt say 11 years ago when this was not available. You are "Making it a Great day" as I always say. Holler if you need to jabber.
    Goofyladie (Cass)
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member

    You get it
    Hi Craig,
    I am an 11 year stage iv colon cancer survivor. I had a year of chemo, a right hemi-colectomy with a large mass size of a grapefruit removed. All positive I have been posting that it was 19 of the 36 lymphnode but I ran across some paperwork over the weekend it was actually 16 of the 32 ; so I apologize for giving mis information. To me, more than one is too many but I want to be as accurate as I can. Any way, a year after chemo I finished my degree and received my Bachelors of Science in Business Management. Some how, I managed to turn every paper into a cancer paper. People would freak when my accounting class became cancer papers?? It became a place for me to vent and throw the numbers the doctors and stats had been given me and for whatever reason it worked. You have manage to sum up alot of things I went thru and I took it farther with want doctors to show more empathy and compassion to their patients.
    I have read posts from many, that they too had to coincide with some real doozies. I appreciate the fact that you really open up and share. I was the youngest one in the chemo room at the time and I felt I had no one that understood. Because they were all older, they had already done the things that I was just starting in life, and they were already enjoying retirement and grand babies. I am sorry for the english in here, but I try to get everything out. Most the time it comes as verbal vomit and I go back and disect it to see where the adjusting need to go with dealing with cancer and survivorship and wondering how and when or if it's going to come back. I really don't think of it coming back so much, as much as when I get sick my oldest son always freaks thinking mom's got it again. My life I am always holding everyone together and I am constantly proving to family I am fine. I have lots of side affects. Osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, I currently have 4 discs in my neck, that are causing alot of upset. 4,5,6, and 7 5 and 6 are gone 4 and seven are barely there with the bone digeration on top of that they are worried about me getting paralyzed. I have nerve damage in my right arm and they something funky is going on with the muscles now. I was never sick, before I got cancer. I was basically a vegetarian with a good steak every now and then. I also like dessert but, have never had a real sweet tooth. So all the info about how you eat does not fit the picture for me. So I choose to still eat healthy, indulge on special occasions and live life and be happy. But I just wanted you to know you have lifted so many people on this site. I don't write I think, near as much as I should because the cancer verbal vomit just comes out. Thanks for sayings things I couldnt say 11 years ago when this was not available. You are "Making it a Great day" as I always say. Holler if you need to jabber.
    Goofyladie (Cass)

    Wow
    Craig reading your post was so emotional to me. I know when you first joined here you had wished that you had done it so much sooner as you had no one to talk to and then found all of us. This struggle that you are going through along with the upcoming surgery is going to be felt by all as we are all a family. You never ever have to feel like you are traveling this path alone or that no one understands where you are coming from or your feelings.

    I know about the anger with the spouse. Sometimes, I just get so angry because I think "he just doesn't get it," or he says "you are doing so well" (yeah right and how DO I FEEL - like crap), how he can go and do things because he has the energy and sit home because I just can't expend all that energy that his outing will take out of me, and how you always have to put on a front for everyone. Your wife stopping to get breakfast was her way of saying "I'm sorry for what I said." We sometimes say things just because we are so frustrated that sometimes we just lash out. I'm not always very kind to my husband either and he has been there for me for every thing. Some people just can't deal with a lot of emotions or stress so we feel more emotional. You sound like a wonderful couple, and I know that this is just because of this roller coaster that you are on.

    Thank you for being such an inspiration to me and this board. You have contributed so much of your struggles, life and emotions with us, along with all the knowledge that you have and for that you deserve a big hug. You are a very valuable member of this family and yes, you will be posting after your surgery wonderful news of how successful it was. I am honored that I can call you my friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Hugs! Kim
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member

    You get it
    Hi Craig,
    I am an 11 year stage iv colon cancer survivor. I had a year of chemo, a right hemi-colectomy with a large mass size of a grapefruit removed. All positive I have been posting that it was 19 of the 36 lymphnode but I ran across some paperwork over the weekend it was actually 16 of the 32 ; so I apologize for giving mis information. To me, more than one is too many but I want to be as accurate as I can. Any way, a year after chemo I finished my degree and received my Bachelors of Science in Business Management. Some how, I managed to turn every paper into a cancer paper. People would freak when my accounting class became cancer papers?? It became a place for me to vent and throw the numbers the doctors and stats had been given me and for whatever reason it worked. You have manage to sum up alot of things I went thru and I took it farther with want doctors to show more empathy and compassion to their patients.
    I have read posts from many, that they too had to coincide with some real doozies. I appreciate the fact that you really open up and share. I was the youngest one in the chemo room at the time and I felt I had no one that understood. Because they were all older, they had already done the things that I was just starting in life, and they were already enjoying retirement and grand babies. I am sorry for the english in here, but I try to get everything out. Most the time it comes as verbal vomit and I go back and disect it to see where the adjusting need to go with dealing with cancer and survivorship and wondering how and when or if it's going to come back. I really don't think of it coming back so much, as much as when I get sick my oldest son always freaks thinking mom's got it again. My life I am always holding everyone together and I am constantly proving to family I am fine. I have lots of side affects. Osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, I currently have 4 discs in my neck, that are causing alot of upset. 4,5,6, and 7 5 and 6 are gone 4 and seven are barely there with the bone digeration on top of that they are worried about me getting paralyzed. I have nerve damage in my right arm and they something funky is going on with the muscles now. I was never sick, before I got cancer. I was basically a vegetarian with a good steak every now and then. I also like dessert but, have never had a real sweet tooth. So all the info about how you eat does not fit the picture for me. So I choose to still eat healthy, indulge on special occasions and live life and be happy. But I just wanted you to know you have lifted so many people on this site. I don't write I think, near as much as I should because the cancer verbal vomit just comes out. Thanks for sayings things I couldnt say 11 years ago when this was not available. You are "Making it a Great day" as I always say. Holler if you need to jabber.
    Goofyladie (Cass)

    Goofyladie
    Your words are heard and appreciated so so much. What a pleasure it is to meet you.

    Jennie
  • luv3jay
    luv3jay Member Posts: 533 Member
    WOW! That's all I can say,
    WOW! That's all I can say, Craig! Keep doing what you do, my friend!

    -Sheri
  • serrana
    serrana Member Posts: 163 Member
    I understand
    Dear Craig
    I think your words say what we all have felt or are feeling now.....
    You are not alone, we are there with you.

    It is good you give yourself permission to feel that salad of feelings. We know that on this rollercoaster it will be like this, which is why we need to "talk" to each other like you just did. Rollercoasters rarely crash, they are just a heck of a ride.

    The disappointment of having another procedure or treatment is heavy for sure.
    Been there, done that this month.

    Hang in there, you have lots of good living left to do.
    Serrana
  • eric38
    eric38 Member Posts: 583
    Craig
    Your post seems to indicate that you think you are close to the end of your journey but you are a texan and you know we are too stubborn or too dumb to know when to quit. You still have plenty of fight left in you. You are tough and you are one of the timex old timers. It will take more than a few beatings to take you down. I have no doubt that your surgery will be successful and you will come out of it on top. It will just be another ko for the undefeated champ. I`m not discounting your pain , anger , and discouragement. Those are normal feelings, but the south will rise again! I agree with the others that you are a blessing to this board and you are a blessing to me personally. You cannot leave us anytime soon and you will not because there is so much more fight left in you. If you forget that i`ll have to give you the big old texas boot to the posterior region.
    Thank you so much for opening your heart to us. As I have said before - You are the man.

    p.s.
    I`ll make it a point to get together before your surgery and when you come out on top I will come and see you in the hospital, if it is not too much of an intrusion.

    Eric
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    eric38 said:

    Craig
    Your post seems to indicate that you think you are close to the end of your journey but you are a texan and you know we are too stubborn or too dumb to know when to quit. You still have plenty of fight left in you. You are tough and you are one of the timex old timers. It will take more than a few beatings to take you down. I have no doubt that your surgery will be successful and you will come out of it on top. It will just be another ko for the undefeated champ. I`m not discounting your pain , anger , and discouragement. Those are normal feelings, but the south will rise again! I agree with the others that you are a blessing to this board and you are a blessing to me personally. You cannot leave us anytime soon and you will not because there is so much more fight left in you. If you forget that i`ll have to give you the big old texas boot to the posterior region.
    Thank you so much for opening your heart to us. As I have said before - You are the man.

    p.s.
    I`ll make it a point to get together before your surgery and when you come out on top I will come and see you in the hospital, if it is not too much of an intrusion.

    Eric

    Craig,

    Remember that we are here for you just as you have been for so many. I am so glad that you are here this time...Having those who truly understand the physical and emotional battle somehow makes the days a little easier to handle.
    You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Smiles,
    Dawn
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    betina61 said:

    Graig
    You are such and incredible and sensitive person, I am honor to have you as my friend, I love reading your LOOOONG posts,I am already praying for you, for a sucssesful surgery and fast recovery. The story of your Sundance is remarkable,could you share a picture of him?

    Sundance PIX
    I sure can Betina.

    Just click on my name Sundanceh on the avatar - click on my Expressions - you will see 4 or 5 pictures that I posted out there of Sundance - you will see them.

    I forgot to mention in my post that he was a Golden Retriever - we had him 13 glorious years!
    From a pup to an ol' man - he passed away in my lap and a little part of me went with him that day.

    And call me CRAIG - C and no G :)

    Thanks Betina - always look forward to seeing a reply from you!

    -Craig
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Wow - Right Back at You :)
    As soon as the Cowboys dumped the opener in their new Taj Mahal...

    I came back and saw all of the responses that were waiting to be read.

    I must tell you, in all honestly, that I sobbed reading all of those beautiful posts that you left for me that night and into the next day.

    Such emotion came rushing out and tears literally running down my face and I had to dry my eyes just to be able to try and see the screen - more than a few times actually.

    How can I say that I appreciate each one of you? ((((SEMIS;))))

    I want to thank each and everyone of you for taking your time to say something on my post - it's been said that I write from the heart - but I have to say that YOU do too :)

    Anyway, your posts inspired me and touched me deeply - the connection that I feel for you all runs as deep as the ocean blue!

    For now - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

    -Craig
  • tbeagle
    tbeagle Member Posts: 5
    Sundanceh said:

    Wow - Right Back at You :)
    As soon as the Cowboys dumped the opener in their new Taj Mahal...

    I came back and saw all of the responses that were waiting to be read.

    I must tell you, in all honestly, that I sobbed reading all of those beautiful posts that you left for me that night and into the next day.

    Such emotion came rushing out and tears literally running down my face and I had to dry my eyes just to be able to try and see the screen - more than a few times actually.

    How can I say that I appreciate each one of you? ((((SEMIS;))))

    I want to thank each and everyone of you for taking your time to say something on my post - it's been said that I write from the heart - but I have to say that YOU do too :)

    Anyway, your posts inspired me and touched me deeply - the connection that I feel for you all runs as deep as the ocean blue!

    For now - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

    -Craig

    hi Craig
    I'm new in this community and to this fight. I lived in Arlington 18 years. We moved to the the northern part of the county when the crowding down there got out of hand. But I'm local to you and if you don't mind I have so many questions for you. My first is, you said in your post that you 'spoke at the hospital'. Was that at a cancer support group? Do you mind if I ask where?
    I looked for a way to contact you directly but I didn't see it. I'll be thinking of you on Oct 15. I've added you to my prayer list.

    Thanks Craig. Love your posts! Thanks for sharing.
    PS-Don't you know Jerry's mad about that game?
    Susan
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    tbeagle said:

    hi Craig
    I'm new in this community and to this fight. I lived in Arlington 18 years. We moved to the the northern part of the county when the crowding down there got out of hand. But I'm local to you and if you don't mind I have so many questions for you. My first is, you said in your post that you 'spoke at the hospital'. Was that at a cancer support group? Do you mind if I ask where?
    I looked for a way to contact you directly but I didn't see it. I'll be thinking of you on Oct 15. I've added you to my prayer list.

    Thanks Craig. Love your posts! Thanks for sharing.
    PS-Don't you know Jerry's mad about that game?
    Susan

    Being a fella...
    who lives in NY, all I can say is

    What's BIG and BLUE?
    :-)

    I think if I lived nearby I'd be black & blue...
    Just as long as we beat cancer, right???
  • Janet3
    Janet3 Member Posts: 59
    Oh Craig!
    Well, I started reading your post last night as the game was starting. I immediately started crying. It was an emotional day with my mom's 4th chemo and all. So I quit reading and tried to enjoy the game. Well, Tony screwed that up. I went back to your post - arghhhh - crying again. Got to work this morning, feeling blessed - my mom having no side effects with this 4th round of chemo - odd but Halleluah! Anyway, I was feeling so good, I went in to the clinic and my first patient cancelled so I went back to your post. Oh my goodness - I finished it but I was crying - the ugly cry - and a Dr down the hall heard me and came over, let me cry on his shoulder. Well, I had to leave the post, too emotional to respond. So here I am again. Enough about me. You, you, you....are the most inspirational person I know. Haha I don't know you but I feel like I do. When I first came to this board, a post of yours was the first I read. Since that day I think of you often, pray for you daily. You are a tough guy. Your story is so much more than inspirational. I have learned much more than I ever expected to on this board and I attribute that to the very first post I read which was yours and it kept me coming back. I don't post much because I am a caregiver and I know you brave ones fighting the battle don't need to hear from me. Blah blah blah, enough about me. You must stay positive. After all of the battles you've fought and won, why would you give up now? I understand you feel angry, depressed, and all of those crazy emotions but attitude is so important in this fight you are in. Focus on the positive. Darn it, I'm depending on you like so many other people are. This is maybe the most stressful situation a couple can be in. You know it's just so much fear, for your partner and for yourself. I know my situation is different as it's my mom but I have the fear and anger also. I mean, I don't want to her to have to suffer through all of this treatment when it all seems so uncertain. It just so emotional on both sides I guess, whether the fighter or the caregiver or family. I loved that comment about you 'cut through the crap gentleness'. Seems like a perfect description to me. Oh my this is ramblng. You know I'm a dog girl (no you don't - I have 9 dogs and I love everyone of them like my child - an unimaginably important part of my family) so I feel your connection with Sundance. Just know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers daily. An extra prayer for you on the 15th. Remember to stay positive, focus on all the good things, enjoy each moment of every day. You'll have many many more days ahead.
    Janet
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    tbeagle said:

    hi Craig
    I'm new in this community and to this fight. I lived in Arlington 18 years. We moved to the the northern part of the county when the crowding down there got out of hand. But I'm local to you and if you don't mind I have so many questions for you. My first is, you said in your post that you 'spoke at the hospital'. Was that at a cancer support group? Do you mind if I ask where?
    I looked for a way to contact you directly but I didn't see it. I'll be thinking of you on Oct 15. I've added you to my prayer list.

    Thanks Craig. Love your posts! Thanks for sharing.
    PS-Don't you know Jerry's mad about that game?
    Susan

    Hi Susan :)
    I went back through the post and saw you had some questions, sorry for getting back to you late.

    On your 1st question, Yes it was a cancer support group. It was down at UTSW Medical Center off of I-35 @ Inwood.

    You can contact me by going to the main screen - clicking on New Mail - click on Write a Message - in the To field, type Sundanceh - then add a subject line - and then use the body to ask me your questions - when done press send.

    Take care - Craig