Renton… darlin… what’s up?
My friend Ron has been fighting bone marrow cancer that metastized into his lymph glands. It has been a long battle, and he is IN REMISSION. He was only a LtCol in the US Army - - not as tuff as you, luv! LOL
So tell us how you’re doin’ ok?
Smiles for you,
Renee
[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:
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very cool of you Iron Dwarf.
Sending positive thoughts your way Ren.
Hope you’re doing well, man!
Anyone heard from Renton lately?
Hopefully our Ren is in this position. 
Sending positive pulsations your way! (^:
(I had to be different)
If my aging, morbidly obese, smoking, deplorably irresponsible mother can beat cancer, you can too.
What’s going on homo? I mean homey ?!?
Anyone got an update?
Sorry guys - so much been going on in my life for the last while I ain’t been around much.
Thanks once again for all the well wishes.
So, things are looking very good. Very good indeed. I was on a clinical trial of some weird ass combination of oral Chemo mixed in with some regular IV stuff.
First few were OK - I was wondering what all the fuss was about or if chemo simply wasn’t going to affect me. Then it started.
I have a very intimate relationship with my toilet bowl now. We’ve stared at each other many, many times. For long periods. day and night.
I think the best advice given to me was by Alwyn Cosgrove who said that ice cream and sodas taste the same on the way up as they do on the way down. It sure beats dry retching. Especially when the puke tally is 30+ in a day.
Anyways, the tumour although it appeared fucking huge to me has pretty much had it’s ass kicked. I was even laughing at it whilst puking and thinking this is hurting you more than me. Only just though!
My last scan has shown nothing left even on the highest resolution available. My bloods are coming back a bit weird for a normal healthy person but apparently I’m doing OK given the treatment I’ve been through and things will continue to settle down.
I’m still on a mountain of pills but no more chemo for at least a few weeks pending scan and blood monitoring.
I think the worst thing has been sleep deprivation. I’ve felt drop dead tired and yet not been able to sleep. Sometimes for days. It’s affected my short term memory quite badly for some reason.
An example would be making a cup of coffee. I’d walk into the kitchen, and stand there sometimes for 20 minutes or so trying to remember what I was doing there. Then another 10 trying to remember all the component parts of making coffee.
I’d have to line things up and keep checking them until I was sure I had everything right. Finally I’d be ready and realise I hadn’t lifted a cup out of the cupboard.
Fortunately this was an extreme and rare thing but even now I can’t remember dates or number like I used to. I have no idea what dates my kids were born on for example without looking it up.
I’m hoping with time that will clear up.
As well as that I’ve had to quit my job for various personal reasons which I won’t go into openly here. Fortunately my few little side line businesses which only require a few hours a week to be done are keeping me and the kids in a good state of cash flow.
It’s actually helped I think simply because I’ve had no choice but to get on with things for their sakes. Like my mind has just dumped stuff like making coffee and remembering numbers and can focus entirely on just the few things that need to be sorted.
Anyhow - I’m down a lot of weight (218lbs at the moment) and cannot yet get myself to start eating again. I used to complain when I was bulking at around 7000 calories a day, now if I eat more than around 2500 I feel awful.
This seems to be slowly getting better though and although I’m still losing weight it’s slowed substantially.
Training has been hit and miss - just doing it when I can. I feel weak as a kitten. Just a few short months ago I was pulling 500lb+ deads, now my 1rm is around 320 which although i know I can work back up is really pissing me off.
When I can eat again properly I’m sure I’ll make better progress and pack some pounds back on.
So, next scan is in about 5 weeks. Got my fingers crossed that all is as good as now.
My drive for anything other than me and my kids is minimal which is why I’ve not been posting much. It’s not that I don’t want to as such, but I just sit at the keyboard and a few seconds later walk away. I guess the effects will wear off in time. I have my moments now when I get enthusiastic about things again for a while but then slip back into what has become normal for me. Just plain survival and fuck anything else.
I feel rather shit about it especially to a certain person who deserves much better but I think/hope she understands.
That’s about it as far as an update. In the grand scheme of things, everything is going great. It’s just hard to see it sometimes.
Renton,
I’m truly glad to hear things are on track! It sounds like it’s been an unimaginable battle, I can’t even begin to understand what it must be like - however I am really glad that you’re back on the road to your normal self. Well, I suppose that depends on someones definition of “normal”, lol.
Things can only get better from here on out, all that matters is you’re still with your family - and us ofcourse.
Looking forward to meeting up in the near future!
Thanks for the update Renton!
I hope you get well, get some sleep, and get some good food in you.
The idea of laughing between rounds of chemo induced vomiting because you know that you’ve got that dirty cunt of a disease on the run, that my friend is truly bad ass. Thats a story that I will remember for a long time.
Fuck Cancer.
Keep doing what you’re doing, get better, and then go get bigger and stronger then ever.
Thanks for sharing your story. I know you can beat this thing. (^:
Ren, I’m so happy and relieved to read your post! Welcome back, sweetie, I hope you feel like sticking around, but if you need to take another break, know that we’re all thinking of you and pulling for you every day. So good to hear from you.
Glad to hear things are going in the right direction!
You’ll be back to porkin’ fat chicks in no time!
I think we all understand the hiatus from posting while battling dark evil sorcerous diseases. No worries, and I’m sure that lady, whoever she is, is just happy for you still being around on this planet. As am I, as are we all.
Good job on you kickin the crap out of cancer, and I’m sure all of your symptoms right now will clear out eventually!
Glad hearing you’re winning the battle mate. Be proud, you’ll be fine soon enough.
Glad to hear things are going in the right direction, keep us posted when you can.
Hey man, good to see you’re still going relatively strong.
The job thing kinda sucks, especially at the moment, but as long as you’re able to survive with sideline income, then fuck it (incidentally, have you read the 4 Hour Work Week?)
I would offer to take you diving seeing as it’s low impact, but I don’t want you forgetting to breath through the reg