Whew!

Well, if it's true that what doesn't kill you can only make you stronger, then I should be ready to bench press about five thousand pounds!

It's been an absolutely hell of a year health-wise around here, and I'll try to briefly (typing ain't a lot of fun these day) fill you in. As some of you know I've been fighting kidney cancer which has sort of bounced around since my kidney-removal operation last year. I'm currently on chemo-therapy and have had a "Porta-Cath" installed. It's like having a 'fire hydrant' implanted in yourself, when there's a fire....they just hook up the hose! I wear a belly pack with a computer-chemo-pump, and they just plug it into the 'porta cath'.

That's just the beginning!

So far this year, I've been:

irrigated four times (don't ask)

Probed up both wazoos by those dreaded steel rods with cameras!!

Endured successful bladder cancer surgery.

Three bone scans

Four MRIs

Four Ultra sounds

Two re-hydrations

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I'm pretty much of a loner when it comes to dealing with sickness (I absolutely HATE talking about ailments) so lots of good friends have had to deal with a minimum of information, and for that I apologize, but we all have our ways of coping. Some pray, some employ alternative healing techniques, and others go back to age-old remedies. I deal with a kind of "know yer body" approach, combined with LOTS of laughter and jokes (too many for some!!) and I'll probably get through this although it is no sure-thing, believe me. Whatever happens, I'm dealing with it as best I can. I may not be on Mudcat as much as before but I'll probably still give a look in every couple of days until this chemo is over (September)....hopefully then I'll get back to my favourite hobby on a regular basis.

Cheers and thanks

Rick