I just received this email from David. I met him when we worked together back in 1998-2000. He always wanted to purchase a bike and I convinced his wife and he got a Dyna Wide Glide. I remember we rode together to Biketoberfest in 2003 and stayed in the same hotel room. We work in the same industry so we speak once in a while. I knew that he had fought with cancer two times and the last time was with a throat cancer (he sold the bike during this two-year fight) and he won the fight both times. At my surprise he got again and in the lungs this time. His words have an important message............he is a real man!!
Please don’t put this out on the street but I am sharing this info with my close friends.
Well since people have been asking … here we go…but I’m telling you in advance…hold on.
Most of you know about my last cancer fight Yes I said last and that implies another. So the new fight I have on my hands, or should I say “ in my lungs”. They have been watching a few spots in my lungs very closely for the last year. They have been growing very slowly and a total of 5 are there now. I am going in for surgery on Nov 7 to have the 2 spots in my left lung cut out. YEP cut out…removed… of my lungs, it is major surgery and they will go in thru my back just below the shoulder blade and split my back ribs apart cut some muscle..don’t remember what it was called but they cut it just the same. He then reaches in with both hands…YES BOTH. Then deflates the lung..not sure how and really don’t want to know. He and his partner take turns 3 times each feeling the deflated lung and comparing notes on what they feel and what should and should not be there. Now the delicate part….hahaha…I did not know this but a deflated lung is about ¼ of an inch and feels like silk….anyway they find the spots by feel and my last scan as a road map….then using a tool…yes there is a tool special designed for this ..again not sure I want to know much but it is apparently a fancy pair of scissors. It staples 2 titanium staples side by side as it cuts the middle so the wound it closed actually before it is even cut…they simply cut out the spots…he said SIMPLY not me….and yes the staples stay in forever..all I know I get morphine…YEA…something to look forward too, and something called a upper epidural. It is higher up, just below the neck and shuts everything off below that point??? yea I asked why also…I will be a sleep for all this right?? And yes you could hear the concern in my voice at that time.. he replied, it is for when you wake up. The meds can only help so much for the pain …well let’s just say you will need this done…ok I am a little scared now…
I will stay in the hospital for 5-7 days and then home for at least 30 days rest. Then light duty.
They will look at the spots and determine what to do next. Chemo or go in on the other side then chemo or…or…or…
You know after all the other crap I have been thru this is nothing….that is a very sad statement of my past isn’t it…I have been thru so much that this seems like nothing….and I have become numb to all this…I would have never thought that was humanly possible but to a degree it is true.
Believe it or not the surgery is a relief to Barb and I…the waiting was HELL…Not being able to do anything, not knowing what it’s going to do..that’s the hard part.
Take it from me, hug your kids and significant other and live, love and laugh. It will end 1 day and no matter what, you will always want more time so don’t waste a day worrying. Don’t let anything take a day from you.
Love you all & Thank you for your prayers.
I will talk to you when I catch my breath….hahaha
David Maggiore