Pondering one's own mortality.

[sam60]

Our youngest of 4 grandkids was instructing me how to drive this morning.
Sorry the pic is CCW



She is a cancer survivor, and my tough little pal.

[DraginRat]

Chuck;

I did look at those links you sent. I am working on the fasting. I can do a day, but not sure I can do much more until I get to a point where I can be out and active most of the day. I think I eat more out of boredom than hunger. The other one may not work for me because my liver is damaged, and can't deal with a lot of fat. Anyway, thanks so much for your help..

Sam; she looks like a handful. Our youngest is like that. challenges EVERYTHING, and I do believe she does it just for her amusement. I find it really difficult to feel sorry for myself when I see all those kids going through so much more than I am, and at such a young age. I truly admire them for their courage and tenacity.

So anyway, I mentioned something about the liver leaking fluid into my adomenal cavity. Now it seems it has contributed to a hernia. Oh goodie. I tried talking to which ever Doctor I had an appointment with, but no one seemed interested. Finally decided to go through my primary care Doc, have her exam me and refer me to who ever does hernia things. Well, that would be a six week wait just to see her, plus how ever long it took to get an appointment with a specialist. This thing is getting worse every day, and the pain was getting to a point that it was difficult to focus on anything else. And, it was also difficult trying to get things done around her. So, about 2:00 this morning Peg drug my sorry butt to the ER. As I suspected, they don't do hernias either, but I did score an appointment with the General surgeon next week. And they gave me some boffo pain meds. I think hydrocodon. I will try one next time things get a little dicey, or if I really need to get something done and can't deal with the distraction.

Oh, and I had an appointment with the GI clinic. Did an "upper GI" and they found something with one of those really long and unpronouncable names. I didn't know I had it, so didn't notice any symptoms, which makes the pills they gave me a bit silly, since I don't know what was suppose to be happeniing, I won't know if it stops or not. Sometimes the life of an old fart can be really confusing................ok, lots of times.

On the positive side of things, I did manage to get a few things done around here. The list didn't get any shorter, but not getting longer either.

Oh, and a good sign. I must be feeling pretty good. When things are not going so well, I get a lot of e-mails trying to sell me viagra, or cialis. When things are going well,I get mail telling me that Russian women, BBW women (what ever that is) Thai women, and even a few older women want to meet me. I've been getting a lot of the later these days, so things must be going well.

OK, I tired to not whine too much, so I had better go before I lose my way.

Ken Gasbarri

[MSHappyCampers]

Thanks for the update Ken! Still praying for you! Hang in there!

[Chuck in PA]

Ken, Thanks for the update. Hang in there Ken. You are in the thoughts & prayers of many of us.

[530ktm]

Wow, I just saw this thread, hang in there Ken. I admire your outlook on life and the lousy dealings you have been dealt.

[DraginRat]

First of all, thanks to everyone for all the kind thoughts and prayers.

Now then, as a side note.

I've become accustomed to having conditions and procedures I couldn't pronounce, much less spell, but this is rediculous.

Got an appointment reminder today for a procedure called
esophagogastroduodenoscopy. I wonder if the Doctor can spell or pronounce it. It is also known as EGD, which is a lot easier to say and spell, but come on, do they really pay someone to sit around and think up these names.

AND, no Margaritas for 12 hours before the procedure. Who goes 12 hours without a Margarita.

OK, I'am done. Gotta find something to do for the next 10 days.

Ken Gasbarri

[PatStab]

I was reading this and since I will be 70 also I think about my mortality too.

You are an amazing person and I hope I have the grace to deal with
medical issues as well as you, you and your family are amazing people.

I hope everything goes well with you and you have many good days
ahead.

Now I will have to check back in and see how you are doing.

My best to you and yours!

[DonavonP]

Continuing best wishes for you Ken.

[Scottybdivin]

Originally Posted by PatStab

You are an amazing person and I hope I have the grace to deal with
medical issues as well as you, you and your family are amazing people.

I hope everything goes well with you and you have many good days
ahead.

Now I will have to check back in and see how you are doing.

My best to you and yours!

Ken, I couldn't have said it any better.

[Helipilot]

How many of you were in Vietnam from 64-70 during the Agent Orange applications. Most of my friends who were there with me have either died or have some form of cancer or adult onset type II diabetes usually beginning in their mid 60's.

I don't smoke, drink or use drugs and still got type II at age 67. Agent orange was the culprit.

[DraginRat]

Once again, I am NOT an amazing person. More like a little boy whistling past the graveyard. I am pretty sure there is something scary in there, but I am not going to think about it much, that is a lot more scary than reality (I hope)


So, the soap opera continues;


Two of the major Doctors tell me there is nothing more they can do for me. My Doctor over at SAMMC seems to have a positive attitude, and is planning ahead to after the end of the year. The other Doctors think I may very well see the new year, but certainly not two of them.


We asked about Hospice the last time we talked with them, and now are fully involed with a local hospice. I explained to them that I have no intention of dying on cue, so don't get mad if I am still here for a long time.


My numbers are mostly moving in the right direction, with the exception of the CEA. But, they have been going up and down for some time now, so can't really rely on those.


I don't seem to have any pain issues, or any issues what so ever with the cancer. I do have a hernia, and that is giving me a lot of pain and problems. They have given me some Morphine pills. They make me feel pretty good, but don't do a thing for the hernia pain. So, they are going to try some other things. But, still can't do surgery because they don't believe my liver can tolerate the anestasia. So, not sure what I am going to do about that, but I can't continue the way it is now.


We are moving down to Rockport in a week or two. The Doctors and I are in agreement about no further chemo or radiation in the foreseeable future. So, as things are now, we are just kicking back, enjoying life as it is, and getting some things done.


I have the race car set-up ready to sell, and just a few issues on the motor home left to do.


Have a contract with this organization that will take my carcass and dump it in a fields somewhere and see how long it takes the bugs to strip it down to the bones. We are hooked up with hospice like I said. They seem like nice people, and hopefully will take the burden off Peg those last few weeks when things get ugly.


So, most everything is taken care of and life is good. If left to my own resources, I hope to be whining and crying on here for quite some time.


Ken Gasbarri

[MSHappyCampers]

Still praying Ken! Hang in there!

[Fred1609]

Keep up the fight....you sure have a positive attitude....

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Helipilot

How many of you were in Vietnam from 64-70 during the Agent Orange applications. Most of my friends who were there with me have either died or have some form of cancer or adult onset type II diabetes usually beginning in their mid 60's.

I don't smoke, drink or use drugs and still got type II at age 67. Agent orange was the culprit.

Thank you for your service to our country!

So sorry you are having to pay a price now for protecting us!