BetterMost, Wyoming & Brokeback Mountain Forum
Our BetterMost Community => Chez Tremblay => Topic started by: Phillip Dampier on June 23, 2006, 04:33:14 pm
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I realize I am not the only bringer of bad news in the forum in as many days, but considering my own PM box of messages wondering where I've been as of late, I wanted to bring everyone up to speed with my ongoing encounters with the health care community.
About a week ago, I found myself dropping to the kitchen floor, which created a loud thud and a good deal of surprise on my part as I found myself unceremoniously leaning against a cabinet. Since around Memorial Day, my blood sugar level has been dropping and it reached the point where I've been diagnosed hypoglycemic (we're talking numbers almost as low as Bush approval ratings). In my ongoing quest to never go with the crowds, I have suffered from a decline in mood and energy which becomes the worst during the summer months. This atypical style of depressed energy and plentiful sighing occurs exactly opposite to what most people experience - winter doldrums when the days are short and the sun is on a milk carton under the headline "Missing." I've dealt with it during the mid-summer for at least a decade now.
My choices have been: Dr. Phil "Get Over It", to bounce through life with the sad little cartoon bubble and take Brightenmoodynol, or wander aimlessly on a beach with my head down as the sun goes down until I pop Nosuicidenol XL and then I can smile and laugh with my ethnically diverse group of actor friends while we plant pretty flowers on sunny days, or for those who have heard the sad stories of Watusi Jenkins in the Anything Goes thread of random funny bits, I could always get my "head shocked." :)
But now it turns out that the pretty teeny tiny pills with the whopping big co-pays aren't necessarily for me when it appears the problem may be physical first and emotional second.
Anyway, as I am being poked and prodded, I have been out of my element, which is to say not on here. But I'm not really going anywhere - I am just being renovated, or so they tell me.
Unfortunately, I spoke in the plural in referencing my involvement with the health care community. For those unaware, my mother is suffering from stage IV tongue cancer which we are fighting back against with the help of the good people at the Roswell Cancer Institute in Buffalo (a group I highly recommend). This has put considerable strain on my family and myself. I have also learned today that my father's colonoscopy has turned up a suspicious lesion on his colon which could be cancerous. The timing of this could not be worse, of course. However, as this was uncovered during a routine colonoscopy (something highly recommended for those nearing age 50 - catch things early before they become a major issue), we are hopeful.
I appreciate folks noticing my reduced presence here, but want to keep everyone informed that it is not due to a lack of interest or involvement.
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Phillip,
Thanks for the update.
I am sorry to hear the news regarding your health and that of your parents. I hope you get well soon. The same to your parents. We will be thinking of you.
Jenny
Edit:
Ooops, missed the one about your dad. Sorry, best wishes for him.
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Jumpin Jimminee! That is alot to heap on ones shoulders guy!
Glad you told us. I'm sure just typing all that lifted some weight off of ya.
You'll be in our thoughts with get well wishes for you and your family.
Meanwhile, We'll have our best man keep an eye on ya.
(http://static.flickr.com/49/159252929_bdd7ba948c_m.jpg)
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All the best Phillip. Lots of love and positive engery comin' your way....and don't worry we're all keepin and eye on things around here for you.
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Phillip,
Thank you very much for the update. I'm sorry you're having to deal with so much at one time. To paraphrase Victoria, BetterMost is a well-oiled machine, so no need to worry about us. I'll keep healing good thoughts for your Mom, your Dad, and for you.
I hope you know how very much we love you 'round here. Take care, Friend.
Lynne
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Thanks for checking in, Phillip. We've sure been missing you around these parts. I'm so sorry about the reasons.
All good thoughts are heading your way and your Mom's and Dad's, too.
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After 4 months, I should be better able to say something positive. Just going to echo what others have said - will be thinking of you and yours. Get better soon, and get back .. when/as soon as .. you can. And thanks for the update.
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Dang! Philip! Keep strong and if Brightenmoodynol don't work, make sure to try BiBieMnol!! I hear it does wonders, but you can get addicted! Other adverse reactions are a bunch of crazy Brokies waiting for good news and your return - when you're ready, that is!
Best wishes to you and your family!
This to cheer you up!
(http://i4.tinypic.com/15fku81.jpg)
~ j U d E
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Hey Phillip,
I wish you all the best at this time - to you, to your mom and dad!
You are with us in thoughts, prayers, wishes ...
Take care, :-*
Milli
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Phillip,
I'm so sorry to hear about all that's hitting you right now, but thanks for sharing. Please know you, your parents and entire family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ann Marie
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I'm very sorry to hear that Phillip, especially about your mom's disease. I've had experiences dealing with cancer in the family and I know what is about. I'll be sending out some healing energy to you.
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I'm very sorry to hear that Phillip, especially about your mom's disease. I've had experiences dealing with cancer in the family and I know what is about. I'll be sending out some healing energy to you.
Same here. Sending you thoughts of hope and health.
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Thanks to everyone! I am finding getting out of the house to be a reasonably good way to re-energize. John and I have been doing day trip driveabouts. Last weekend we ended up down in Naples, NY which is known for its grapes - wine and eating. That's part of Finger Lakes wine country in western NY. We don't have mountains on this side of the state, but the enormous hills caused by glaciers definitely reminded me of Brokeback Mountain, so in a way, it served as a pulse check and it did determine that, yes, I am still obsessed, but in an evolving way. I did my Friday errands with country & western music coming out of the XM Radio in the car, which is also an absolute sign that BBM changed me because prior to that, C&W music to me was like garlic to a vampire.
The downside to that music is that the themes in it remain hardly uplifting. In one afternoon, I got to deal with lyrics about a mother passing away while trying to comfort her daughter (as she had done throughout her life), a young man who impregnated his girlfriend at 16 throwing away his entire life and career (and ending up driving a truck and cheated on her in a truck stop), a man who saw his own childhood that slipped away as he watched his son play, a relationship post-divorce and, papers in hand, what that meant when compared to the early days of the relationship, etc. No wonder Jack cried. In the immortal words of Shirley: "Cut that music off and put on something with some soul in it up on here." :) Seriously, that is the big downside to the C&W music.
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That's a lot of weight on your shoulders, Bud-know that we are standing with you.
Know what you mean about the C&W music.
Rouxbee
O0
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Just feel us all there with you Phillip, in the quiet times, and know that we are all thinking about you and your mom and dad. I am in the medical community and I see miracles and new treatments every day. Never give up hope.
gaylee
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Same here. Sending you thoughts of hope and health.
Dear Phillip,
Count me among those sending thoughts and caring your way. If I were already home in Buffalo, I could pop by Roswell Park with a BetterMost bean casserole and arrange for a bunch of Brokies to serenade your family with rounds of "Water Walkin' Jesus." ;)
Seriously, I know personally how horrific the challenges that you are facing right now can be. I have the reverse of the usual seasonal affective disorder affliction, in that it hits me HARD HARD HARD in the summer.... and in winter, I am as chipper as can be no matter how gray the skies get. That is one of my reasons for leaving the tropical swamp of our nation's capital for home, where the humidity is not so high as to cause one's skin to rot (no hyperbole here -- that happened to one of my St. Bernards last summer!!). I have also dealt with the stress and devastation that cancer brings up close & personal. (I recently posted some of that experience in, of all places, the Polling Place regarding the summer solstice). I also know what a fantastic place of grit & hope Roswell Park can be. I'm glad your mom is with them.
Please keep us posted, and consider yourself hugged by the BetterMost minions. -- Alec
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May I recommend the new duet album with Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris "All the Roadrunning" which reminds me of the BBM soundtrack a little with the guitar (tho a Stratocaster this time) and Emmylou's beautiful voice. Some of the songs are country-ish and others are like old Irish hymns, bluegrass, or mellow rock. A few are a little sad but most are very positive and some are downright romantic. Overall, I think it would lift your spirits! Hope your health detour is short, the summer solstice and full moon have affected me more than usual this year. I wonder if having BBM on my mind nonstop has had something to do with that? I'd invite you to come to Colorado for a constitutional, but it's hot here too and the Ponderosa pine pollen is everywhere, lending a golden sheen to the light (and to my furniture and wood floors!).
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Dear Phillip, thanks for sharing the bad as well as the good with us. You have a positive outlook on things as well as a great sense of humor, and that will stand you in good stead through all this, I'm sure. God bless, and know we're pulling for you and your dear ones. :-*
Meryl
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Take care,Philip.My prayers are with you.
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Can you feel the vibes I'm sending from Bawlmer, hon?
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Add my voice to the chorus of well-wishers. I'm truly sorry to hear about the difficult time you and your parents are going through. We're all thinking of you!
all the best,
Amanda
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Wow, Phillip, this is a lot to be handling. Thank you for letting us know, and I'm glad to hear of your little drives and visits to the mountain country. I'm glad you and your parents are gettting good care. I know what you mean about summer mood swings--I've done my battles with depression much more often in the summer too, for some reason. It's not fair is it?
Please take it one step, one breath, at a time. I'll even go out on a limb and recommend a book called The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle, if you want some help getting into the present moment.
No matter what, please know how much we love and care for you here at BetterMost. I'm sending my best healing energies to you and yours.
With love,
Jenny
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all the best to you and yours Phillip.
Kelda
x
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Phillip, let us know what we can take on to help. Also, for uplifting, beautiful music, I've got a great Live 365.com radio station to suggest. ;) Clarissa
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Dear Phillip,
So sorry to read of your hard times right now.I know exactly what you mean about seasonal highs and lows. As soon as November comes and the days are so short it starts hitting me. I don't really adjust to it until December is over .Every year it never fails.
My mother died of cancer 10 years ago. And yes Roswell in Buffallo was a wonderful hospital. The cancer was just too advanced by time she had it diagnosed. Early detection is the only way.
My dad died of cancer(brain) last Friday night. I guess I am still in shock. But he had a long fight and I feel he is now resting peacefully. It seems like your parents have caught it early and therefor it will make all the difference.
You seem like you have alot going on right now in your life. Alot to handle. Just know your not alone. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Geri
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Dear Phillip,
So sorry to read of your hard times right now.I know exactly what you mean about seasonal highs and lows. As soon as November comes and the days are so short it starts hitting me. I don't really adjust to it until December is over .Every year it never fails.
My mother died of cancer 10 years ago. And yes Roswell in Buffallo was a wonderful hospital. The cancer was just too advanced by time she had it diagnosed. Early detection is the only way.
My dad died of cancer(brain) last Friday night. I guess I am still in shock. But he had a long fight and I feel he is now resting peacefully. It seems like your parents have caught it early and therefor it will make all the difference.
You seem like you have alot going on right now in your life. Alot to handle. Just know your not alone. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Geri
Geri I am so sorry to hear about your Dad! You have my heartfelt sympathy. I lost my Mom 2 years ago April and I still miss her every day.
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Glad to hear that Pennsylvania didn't go all Katrina on us yesterday. We'd all be some sad soggy doggies if our Brokie server got inundated (not to mention Phillip and John!!)
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We escaped the flooding in southern/central New York. It has rained with afternoon thunderstorms everyday, right around walk time, so I have been walking at one of the area's "dead malls" on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Yesterday I was at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo with my mom from 8:30am-9:00pm. It's an hour fifteen minutes away from us in Rochester. They are trying a different chemo. Unfortunately, it was very painful for her at the tumor site, but perhaps that is a sign it is working.
Also unfortunately, we learned yesterday that my father has tested positive for colon cancer and will be admitted to hospital within a week to begin surgery to remove one affected area of the colon. We do not yet know how extensive the cancer is. If it was caught early enough, long term prospects are reasonably high. If not, things will be more iffy.
Having to deal with two parents each with different cancers at the same time is, as you might expect, quite overwhelming. We just have to take things day to day.
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We escaped the flooding in southern/central New York. It has rained with afternoon thunderstorms everyday, right around walk time, so I have been walking at one of the area's "dead malls" on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Let me guess: Long Ridge Mall? Greece Towne? Or was that all combined into one years ago and the whole thing is dead?
Yesterday I was at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo with my mom from 8:30am-9:00pm. It's an hour fifteen minutes away from us in Rochester. They are trying a different chemo. Unfortunately, it was very painful for her at the tumor site, but perhaps that is a sign it is working.
Also unfortunately, we learned yesterday that my father has tested positive for colon cancer and will be admitted to hospital within a week to begin surgery to remove one affected area of the colon. We do not yet know how extensive the cancer is. If it was caught early enough, long term prospects are reasonably high. If not, things will be more iffy.
Having to deal with two parents each with different cancers at the same time is, as you might expect, quite overwhelming. We just have to take things day to day.
I'm another who's thinking of you every day, Phillip. My husband just went through this kind of thing last year and the year before with his Mom. He's still recovering from what a very difficult time it was for her and for him and his whole family. My heart goes out to you and to them.
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Phillip,
I bet one of the hardest parts for each of of your parents is it's hard to be as supportive as they would want to be to each other right now.
You and your family have a passel of people caring about you.
Clarissa
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Best wishes to all of you Phillip!! :-* :-*
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...today brought better news - my father will still need surgery, but from what was explained to me, the tumor is limited in scope and size and has not spread, so an operation should resolve that matter. If so, that will take at least half a load off!
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...today brought better news - my father will still need surgery, but from what was explained to me, the tumor is limited in scope and size and has not spread, so an operation should resolve that matter. If so, that will take at least half a load off!
Great news Phil! Glad to hear it!
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Thanks, that's great to hear!
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...today brought better news - my father will still need surgery, but from what was explained to me, the tumor is limited in scope and size and has not spread, so an operation should resolve that matter. If so, that will take at least half a load off!
That sounds like excellent news, Phillip. Thank you for keeping us updated. As always, you and yours are in my thoughts.
-Lynne
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AMEN and YEEHAW!! :-*
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So glad to hear it. And so appreciative always that you find time for all of us here as well. I hope all your time here is more pleasure than pain.
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Glad to hear the good news. We sure could use some right now.
Thinking of you and your loved ones...
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So glad to hear there has been some positive news!
Best wishes and positive thoughts to you all!
Jeff
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...today brought better news - my father will still need surgery, but from what was explained to me, the tumor is limited in scope and size and has not spread, so an operation should resolve that matter. If so, that will take at least half a load off!
Oh Phillip that's wonderful news. The best. :D I am so happy for him and your family. Lots of love and healing energy coming your way my friend
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:) I am happy for you Phil and your family that the latest news is relatively good - my mom has beat cancer three times and one of them was colon cancer, so I know what you are going through - take it as it comes and know that others share your pain - be well, my friend................