Sawmill and Timber

Everything else! => Off the Topic! => Topic started by: joasis on October 08, 2017, 10:30:01 AM

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Title: You are not promised tomorrow.
Post by: joasis on October 08, 2017, 10:30:01 AM
Over a year ago, I was having issues with blood pressure, and suddenly dropping out...like a stroke but lasting only minutes.

Finally, making a long two years short, an MRI detected a brain tumor. a chordoma.  The local neurosurgeon told my wife and I that had a few weeks...go and take care of things and get prepared. No way to operate. The tumor was located directly on top of my spinal column, and inaccessible. Great news.  :-\  My oldest daughter, an RN, knew a doctor that told her of a specialist and at least go and see him. So we went, and he took a few pictures, and said he had no idea what it may prove to be and it would be risky, but he was good with trying.

And we did....he removed a tumor the size of a lemon through my nose by dissecting it with a guided laser and computer imaging. Turned out to be malignant, and they got it all in one pass.

Now, all this is why I have hardly been around for nearly a few years. That said, I am just now getting interested in woodworking and sawing again.....but I also will be living life for the sake of living.....my wife and I take more trips, and I am trying to slow down at work...let my son take more of the company over.

The point it to smell the roses. 
Title: Re: You are not promised tomorrow.
Post by: Stevem on October 08, 2017, 12:44:21 PM
joasis,
You might be interested in this link:  https://go.thetruthaboutcancer.com/ (https://go.thetruthaboutcancer.com/)
Title: Re: You are not promised tomorrow.
Post by: furu on October 08, 2017, 12:44:38 PM
The first thing I can say is congratulations on a successful outcome.
It was fortunate that your daughter knew of someone that could give you a second opinion and was willing to do what they did.
It is good  that they were able to get the entire mass.  Would have to presume that they did post surgery work to ensure the potential metastatic risk was reduced. Chemo most likely.  How did that go and how many treatments?  Was there any stereotactic radiation to  prior to surgery?

As the title of your post says: You are not promised anything in life.  Having a strong will to live and a willingness to enjoy your life as it is presented is so very important.  Again congratulations and hope that you are free of any long term side effects and that you stay healthy. 

Enjoy life and enjoy your family.  No one gets to the end and wishes they had spent more time at work and less time with the ones they love.
Title: Re: You are not promised tomorrow.
Post by: Ox on October 08, 2017, 07:16:32 PM
This is kind of like the guy who almost died and his next meal will be the best meal he's ever had.  You get to do this with your life.  I'm thinking you were spared because you are supposed to do something somewhere to help another person.  Maybe it's already done by helping your family by being here, I don't know.  This kind of stuff is mysterious and I don't think we're ever meant to know what our real purpose is.

It's good that you made it, are coming around and are living life fuller.  I know I enjoy your posts, and I'm sure everyone else does too.
Title: Re: You are not promised tomorrow.
Post by: joasis on October 08, 2017, 08:40:57 PM
joasis,
You might be interested in this link:  https://go.thetruthaboutcancer.com/ (https://go.thetruthaboutcancer.com/)

I have read the material before, thanks for posting it.

The tumor turned out to not be a Chordoma, but was comprised of a growth at the top of the spine, unknown history, except a rough life. It is unknown how many may suffer from it, may live and never know it, or it is misdiagnosed or missed, and kills silently.

I had a long history of PKA Karate, and boxing when I was a kid, plus a lot of skull jarring contact from racing and the rough sports I engaged in. My doctor said, and I tend to believe him, that many injuries can lead to causing the trigger for a tumor to grow.....and maybe at my age I should quit doing stupid stuff? Lol.

I have to remember I am not 26 any longer, or 36...or even 46. Getting into a fist fight was recreational....but not a good thing probably.
Title: Re: You are not promised tomorrow.
Post by: joasis on October 09, 2017, 06:58:44 AM
I re-read this and was thinking about how our lives change.

I have over 3800 pilot in command hours, fixed and rotor, and no more. No flying again. The blood pressure would do it without the other concerns.

I used to spar and still do a little boxing to stay fit. Now,.....I really don't want to take a punch now. 

My wife and I used to ride motorcycles together...and now, I prefer to take my old CJ7....but she really wants to pick up the biking again....don't know.

I will not go up on roofs, or climb ladders far off the ground now....it is a manlift or nothing. I don't feel sure footed any longer. Maybe just my age...but my grandfather would still climb up on roofs in his 70's.

I used to drive like there was no tomorrow.....now, speed limit or a little lower.  I guess I am not in that big of a hurry now.

And the best thing?

How about porch sitting. I used to marvel at my grandparents, and great grandparents....they could sit and swing or rock for hours.....doing nothing. I couldn't sit still. Now, I can sit and do nothing and appreciate the evenings....or the sunrise from our porch.
Title: Re: You are not promised tomorrow.
Post by: Ox on October 09, 2017, 10:28:49 AM
Awesome words in written form.
Title: Re: You are not promised tomorrow.
Post by: furu on October 09, 2017, 11:01:32 AM
Now, I can sit and do nothing and appreciate the evenings....or the sunrise from our porch.

I would argue that your first part of the sentence is entirely wrong. 

You are doing something, something very important.

You were enjoying life and marveling at and appreciating the world we live in and the beauty of the things that we have no control over but that we have been granted the joy of seeing and/or experiencing. 

Sometimes it is hard to slow down and smell the proverbial roses but that is what makes life so wonderful at times.  Just slowing down and/or stopping and seeing the beauty that surrounds us in all its forms.  I have the opportunity in my job to witness some of the most spectacular sunsets that can be imagined.  At times they almost seem routine but then there is one that just grabs you and you can't quite get over the sheer majesty of it all.  They are all unique none are the same.

I think it comes with age or having lived ling enough that you have seen so much that you can finally truly appreciate life.  For me when I get out in the forest and am working and see the whole of life in the forest from the smallest to the largest it impact me in a way that is very hard to define but even harder to put in words. 

It just is! 

A sense of peace and calmness comes over me and no matter how hard I have been working, at the end of the day I am at peace.