You-Hoo! Songsmith!

[chilipepper]

Have to admit to a bit of worry here: haven't seen you on Facebook or our precious RPM forum much in the last few days. How are you feeling? Judith: is he resting like he should? We need you to take good care of yourself, Tom. Let us know how you are doing. Even a tough day would just mean we pray for you more. We all treasure your participation and as "family" we need to know how you are.

[dodgehemi]

A BIG 10/4 on that

[ricklou]

We know that Tom has not been feeling the best and is in our thoughts.

for the Songman

[songsmith1950]

Thank you. I really mean that. Missed the last three workdays to nerve damage pain from having the kidney out. A bit in the dumps about that I guess but mostly just taking it as easy as I can. Gotta go back to work and get back into it somehow.
Next Wednesday I have preop for the procedure on the 29th. I have appointment at 8:40 with the pain doctor, 9:20 with the surgeon who will be going in again to take out whatever cancer may be there, and then hospital preop afterward to have bloodwork and all done.
This time he is going to use a direct application of chemotherapy or radiation, not sure which, inside my bladder to try to stop the cancer from coming back. He said it has been effective in a lot of cases so we are hoping.
May have to go on disability if the pain keeps getting worse. Diagnosis is deep nerve damage from the kidney coming out. The doc said he had to cut extremely deep to get the tube out that goes from the kidney to the bladder and also for the kidney itself. He told us that when cutting that deep the nerves don't always heal again and that is what is happening with me now.
I am going to get them to do another catscan on that side and area to make sure there is no other pain source there. They told me the cancer would not come back there but it feels like the kidney that is no longer there is cramping and burning most of the time.
Activity aggrivates it quickly. I also need to take neurontin which is for nerve damage. I began taking 300 mg three times a day and was increased to 600 3 times. I can not take 600 and work. It makes me zone out too badly. I was working one day after taking that dosage and began to solder a small part. The next thing I knew I was looking at the soldering iron tip resting against my thumb and not even feeling the pain from it. Burned a hole in it, and it surely did hurt later. But I can't do that again.
That is the long version, my friends. The short version is that life is a little painful and scary on a lot of fronts right now.
If they can't stop the bladder cancer sooner or later removing it every three months will destroy the bladder and they will have to build another one.
That and knowing that if they can't do something before long Obama's healthcare insurance tax will take my insurance away from me as I won't be able to afford it anymore. After all, I am not a union guy.
Sorry about the politics but my anger about that is overflowing. I am one of those Obie and company would let die.

But, aside from that, I am very excited about 2010 and RPM and being cousins with Rousch and company. This is going to be a great year for us and I look forward to that more than you can believe. That is a bright spot that I look to, along with family and friends.

Also worried about Joe and hoping he will find something soon. At least I do have a good job right now so he and his family need prayers right now more than I do.

But again, let's just look forward my friends.

I am still making the Koolaid. I may have to sit and stir slowly but by George we will surely have our Petty Blue.

[chilipepper]

Thanks for the update. That's about what I suspected was going on. My husband was prescribed that same medication for deep nerve damage during a back surgery but gave it up because of the side effects.
Just know that we all are supporting you with prayers. We can notch it up a bit during these difficult times.

[pmossberg]

Hello Tom,

Rest assured our prayers continue for you and your family.

With God's grace, you will pull through this!

Paul

[revilo]

God bless you, Tom. All I need is another job, and I have complete trust that God's plans are to profit me. You, my friend, are high on my prayer list. We here will pray regularly and fervently for healing and peace for you. Obviously we have never met, but I wish we could. I would consider it an honor to be able to sing with you on one of those nursing home visits. Be well, Tom, and trust in God. The pain of this life will never be felt again after we are called to meet Jesus on that day when He comes to claim His own. We will sing His praises together on that glorious day.

[Judith Williams]

Hi everyone. I am here to verify that Tom has been resting. He has been out of work three days due to pain that I honestly believe he brought on himself. I have been taunting him and saying that he was trying to be Chuck Norris at work, and it just isn't healthy. He wants to believe he can do everything he could do 20-30 years ago and it's not so. Especially with nerve damage and after being inactive so much during the procedures he's been through and the healing time that followed. I would give anything if he could just quit work and all, but because of the need for good insurance, he has to keep working. I think he just needs to be reminded not to overdo it... and he doesn't need to go and visit the gym and try to do a marathon. A good short brisk walk is ok, but he doesn't need to get on the treadmill and let it rip. Okay enough ranting... but yes, he is ok. Just painful times right now. The procedure in a couple of weeks will say more about his insides. I'm praying for good news. Please keep him in yours as well? My love to all here. He treasures the friendships he's made here, believe me. Thanks for your caring and dedication.

Judith