All is Well

CivilMatt said:

feeling pretty good

Ruben & Jude,

“All is well” or at least they are improving.  It is still early in his recovery; he will be feeling better and wanting to ride soon enough. 

Keep moving forward and enjoy your new normal.

Matt

Yep, one day at a time and moving forward.  We're adapting to the new 'normal' on a daily basis, since everyday has a 'new' issue/change.   

I can only hope, pray and trust everyday will be better than the last. Each day has it's own anxieties, but TODAY we're good!

Take care my friend. (You're in Oregon, right?...... I'm still hopeful we will move back to our precious little home in Medford.)

Jude

phrannie51 said:

Yeeaaahhhh for Rubin...

and you also, Jude!  Glad to hear he's getting back to his old self (tube withstanding, of course ).  He's right about the Dr.'s not saying much....I'm so grateful mine were open minded enough to let me have what I thought I should have....all gleaned from the pages of this forum.  They SHOULD come here, so they can already have ideas for how to get us through this, with ideas from all over the world. 

Won't be long before you both are on those Harley's tooling the coast.

p

I'm hoping the VA is listening, since they are so tied into cancer protocol's and statistics. I hope the information we constantly fed them about what we've been doing that was different than what they're use to will help open their eyes to 'other' methods and techniques that are effective and really DO work.  I was very candid and up front about remedies we found helpful from this forum like the use of L-Glutamine, along with the fact that we did not shy away from herbals like canibus (not to say it was recommended from this site). Hey, it is what it is and we have the right to do what works, protocol or not.

Take care, God Bless. YOU are such a blessing and a great support person. So many others are too. I read posts often, but don't comment much, because I don't feel worthy. 

Hugs   

Jude

fishmanpa said:

Glad to hear it!

That's a great pic of yous guys (it's a S Jersey/Philly thing).

Glad to hear things are going well. I hear you about faith. Mine has been tested time and again. They say trials and tribulations make us stronger. We should be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound don't you think? 

Keep on keeping on and I hope to hear the rolling thunder of two bikes in the near future.

"T"

Thanks T. It kinda broke my heart to change our picture from what we looked like before we started this journey, to what we look like now. But we're both doing much better now that the treatment is over and things are beginning to get back to 'the new normal' as 'we' call it!

I've read your posts (as well as many others) to Ruben throughout his treatment. He was encouraged, strengthened and moved forward because of all of you.    ((0))

How are you doing? Singing yet?? As a matter of fact, the first time we met with the ' big guys' at the VA in Los Angeles, one of the first things he told them is "we know of a guy that told his team to save his vocal cords cuz he wants to sing again.  I want you to do the same for me, because I love to sing." That guy was/is YOU. T, Ruben sang for two hours straight last night!! Do you know what a blessing you are??? I hope so.

BTW.... when I first joined this group you said you were inspired to write a song........I'm waiting!  LOL 

Take good care my friend. God's Blessings on you, as you are a blessing to us. (I know I get a little mushy, but that's me...... and I'm a rebel at heart..... so I can flip on a dime! God help me!!! )

Jude

CherieLW said:

Glad to hear things are

Glad to hear things are well!  Prayers will continue!

Thank you sweetheart. I know you're Dad will get there too.  Did you find a gift for his birthday today? I was going to add a comment.......... we just bought our nephew a little transister radio with hear phones, it cheered him up and gave him such joy. (He has end stage stomach C.)

Take care, and keep up the good work. I'm sure you are your parents pride and joy.

hugs... Jude

fishmanpa said:

12 weeks out

Hi Jude,

I just posted a 12 week update on my Facebook and sent to my email list as well. 

My voice, while recovering is not back. I have my speaking voice which is fine but a little hoarse. By the end of the day at work, it's worse. While I can sing, you can hear the raspiness in my voice and I don't have my high register nor the control/strength I had pre-treatment. When my ENT/Surgeon scoped me in June, he discovered some scar tissue from the surgery which has made my throat narrower. I'll be seeing my Speech/Language Pathologist (as well as my RO) on Aug. 6th for a swallow study and we'll address the scar tissue issue. He feels that with therapy I'll be able to break it up. 

I had gigs booked for August and September but sadly I've had to cancel them. The reality is that I'll probably be recovering the remainder of the year and the fate of my voice is up in the air. Besides the quality of my voice, I'm dealing with stamina issues. I'm no where near being able to play and sing for a two hour show. Time will tell if I'll be able to re-gain my pre cancer form. 

I've barely picked up my guitar since last December with the exception of a few weeks prior to playing a wedding on July 13th. I truly miss performing. When I was up in the Park for the wedding, the management and staff were very glad to see me and all were asking when I'd be able to return. It was a wonderful feeling to be missed like that. 

All I can do is continue to put one foot in front of the other and get better. I'm still waiting to hear about my PET scan appointment. If I don't hear anything by next week, I'll be calling to find out. It should be sometime in August as it'll be almost 4 months post Tx. 

Thank you so much for your kind words. I've not written anything in months nor have I had the inspiration as you might expect but hopefully that will change soon. A lkot of folks have said that I need to do another CD and especially after what I've been through. Time will tell.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

 

 

If anyone can get there, YOU CAN. You may have a different tone/texture to your voice, but I' ve got a good feeling it will make a statement that people need to hear.

God is better than we know, and you have a gift to share. I'm looking forward to receiving God's gift thru you.

"Mr. T" aint got nothin on YOU. 

P.S. You have a CD??? Where can I get it??  Ruben and I want to hear the man who inspired us.