Well I am back.
 

Spent the 18th through the 28th in the hospital, had surgery on the 19th; a recovery issue that left me in ICU from the 20th to the 24th, then a fairly nice stay for the 25th through the 28th.

The doctors, students, and nursing staff were of some of the best I have ever dealt with. My lead doctor and surgeon was one of the best I have had ever, very straight talker, told the risks without asking, did not hide anything and had a great attitude. His two students were also two fantastic people. I was more than glad to participate in both of their studies assuming there would be enough left over tissue for them to use to further their hypothesis; the hard part was deciding which student would get tissue first if there was not enough for both. Also good to know both were also still doctors, just further training.

Surgery went well, took about 11 hours total due to my bodies abnormal anatomy. Nothing odd to report there. You get some drugs to relax (optional but say yes). They then give you some more drugs via IV and hook up the O2 mask and ask you to breath deep, that is where you go bye bye.

Recovery started well made it through the hour of main recovery where they watch you every second. Then a bit latter I think I may have went green button happy. For those that do not know what the green button is, it is a self administered pain reliever system. When it lights up bright green you can push it and get a blast of feel better juice. Well for one I informed them I had an intolerance to morphine so they switched that out to dedloden (spelling), however I am not sure if they adjusted the timer on the green button. Either way typically if you push the button to often typically you just pass out and do not stick around waiting for it to light up to push it again like I was. Needless to say I had a drug reaction that landed me in ICU. I also lost a full days of memories, I really hate that.

ICU, well name says it all Intensive Care Unit. They bug you ever few seconds, monitor everything they can. Come in and ask you trick questions like whats today's date knowing full on you have lost a day or two but do not realize it. Crap like that. Ok spent a few days in there only remember about 24 hours of it total and most was the final 12.

Standard hospital room was pretty good. For more part solo room which is always great. This hospitals food was actually damn good as was the menu selections and other amenities offered. Not to mention almost all of the nurses and staff are all students so they are typically much younger.

Regardless ended up with fairly good news, decided to change some stuff about my life even before and after I knew my results that I shall stick to. Was very happy to leave, and had already preplanned on spending x-mass in hospital as I have known and been dealing with this whole issue for a few months.

So as the title says I am back, sorry if you felt I ignored you. Also I am going to be changing a lot of the way I do and handle things from now on.

Good to hear the surgery went well ASM and I hope you recover well.

Welcome back :D

glad you're back. get rest and get well -bmb

I am ashamed to say I didnt know you where sick - anyway, seems like you are ok - Thats the main thing.

Take it EZ....

good to have you back

welcome back and good health

welcome back and best of health for 2008!

Glad you're ok!

i was going to post the other day if anybody had heard an update from you - but thought better of it. glad to hear you are on the mend and hopefully no more hospital stays for a long while. :thumbsup

Damn man glad things went ok. Wish I would have known, I could have worried about you..


Anyway. Here is to a new year, better health, and better things.

Have a healthy and happy New Year.

Now while you recoup, you've got some catching up to do here. A lot went down while you were out. :1orglaugh

welcome back ASM:)

I kept the whole ordeal very private with only a very very small number of online people who had a clue. I did mention I would be in the hospital in two holiday threads but that was about it.

I did this as I did not want to see another auction/donation thread etc pop up or some other issue that I did not wish to deal with while very sick and slightly worried.

Truth be told about two months ago I learned I had a small mass in my bladder, after they removed it and had it sent to pathology I learned I had an invasive bladder cancer. The mass itself was about the size of a ping pong ball by the way but its not what on the inside that matters its what its roots may or may not have penetrated.

My local urologist sent me to his friend who is a urologist at Stanford hospital, specially since my anatomy was so abnormal a non skilled urologist may have killed me on the or table.

They have since removed my bladder, prostate, and rerouted my kidney tubes to a stoma. After waiting for my pathology which came back very quick which is typically not good, I found out I am basically cancer free again.

I hope that doesn't reflect here because you're one of the very few people who's responses are actually worth reading. :2 cents:

Welcome back! Glad to know the surgery's a success.

Wow, dude I don't know you but, I am glad everything went ok.
I've had a cancer scare before I know how stressfull that whole
ordeal can be.

Best of luck for a excellent 2008!

Good to see you back ASM..

Will you still be making Vegas?

Scary get well mano.

Very happy to read your ok and Cancer FREE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually I plan on being even more open and helpful if at all possible. I have always been ok with death, the idea never bothered me much after I had many close calls since age 12. What got to me during this ordeal was that I had sort of drawn up and not let as many people in. I used to really love sharing and helping others, honestly expecting nothing back. Expect much more of that from me, just if I feel that I am being used I also will not be so easy to forgive.

Due to doctors orders that I got before I went in I learned I could not be able to attend. I will have to spend a few weeks on my backside for the most part. This is why I sold off my Palms room about two weeks ago, though I bet I could of made even more if I held out :winkwink:

I had a lot of meetings planed and people I wanted to hook up with as I want to get my latest site kicked off. So I hope to be able to due that via board presence. Yet I will attend Phoenix hell or high water though I need some advance dates if anyone is listening, I can keep my mouth shut promise.

Well lets not go that far, lets just say no located cancer within my body and any and all cancer I had was removed.

Not to mention I have the bonus of never having to have a prostate exam unlike the rest of you men in your future.

It's a Bitter Sweet deal. Wishing you luck and a Happy New Years :thumbsup

Welcome back :)

I wish you a speedy recovery.. you are my hero. I am not cancer free but the treatments work.. just the surgeries suck and not being able speak, etc.
But it is your victory, so wish you all the best and not for 2008 only!

Welcome Back kisses to you sweety. Glad everything went well. I wondered where you had been. Keep your spirits up and hope you are back to 100% as quick as possible.

Super Hugs,
Jen

Welcome back ASM and I'm glad to see you are OK :)

Welcome back ASM :thumbsup

I will be honest. It was not easy not speaking about it while I was around here and other places. I litterally only told less than 5 people online about the ordeal and only pieces of it.

I really did not want many people I know to stress out over it as one of the operations which was my most recent was a major operation. Talking the type where you really need to have all your paperwork in order because you very well could end up going to sleep and thats it, poof your now whatever you designated in your paperwork. My operation which is major for the normal person was made overly complicated by my internal anatomy which has changed a great deal so instead of the standard and somewhat scary 7 hour operation, mine went near or past 14 hours under the knife. I had two units of blood before going in and another 2 while under the knife. Everything went well though thankfully aside from the whole recovery issue and I awoke with two less organs than most of you.

Also facing the unknown of knowing you have cancer but not how bad can almost drive one insane. You know you have these cells growing in your body possibly killing you and you are required to sit and wait for tests and a possible surgery date and even then more tests and time before you know for sure what your new timeline on this planet shall be.

I felt it best to keep it between myself, my wife, a few relatives excluding my younger brothers and sisters, and a few online people and that was it. In essence almost two months of moments of sheer terror to wanting to just sell off everything and live as simple of a life as possible.

It is a real internal learning experience. For me I cared mostly about how it would effect others though. I was in a mad scrambling mode to get all my paperwork noterized and in order to make sure my wife was taken care of. I then decided no matter the results, I was going to change. Many of these things are simple and will never be noticed while others are more outward and are more based on helping others.

welcome bnack

welcom back :)

ASM, glad you made it, I know I'm one of the few thats been part of your personal life and I can say we all benefit from your continued involement in our industry.
I didn't think for a minute that you were going anywhere, you have too many people in your corner, a great family and a loving wife. With support like that, you can do anything!!

Anyone who wouldn't agree You're an inspiration, must be deranged.
Good to see You're back in action :thumbsup

May 2008 be great! :)

Wow, glad you're OK now. Very scary stuff.

"green button happy", most of my Cali friends are "green bud happy".

Happy New Year buddy.

Glad things went well dude

We're so happy to have you back! I was so worried for weeks now -- this is such great news. I was so excited to see you come back on last night, it doesn't feel the same without you!! :)