The AM Forum

Hey, all;
What happened to Da Slab Bacon? It's like he got to 3885 posts and quit. Was that a sentimental point?  ;)

I believe Frank has been very busy setting up his machine shop.  The story I  was told was that his regular job was a bit shaky and he decided he needed to set up a business of his own.  I have not heard or talked to Frank in several years. 

Hopefully when things settle out we will hear him back on with some RF.

Joe, W3GMS   

Heard the same from Frank a few months ago via email.  Setting up shop and busy. He's fine yet as far as I know. Perhaps we can entice him on wFDN, 3733khz around 5:30 pm EST evenings if that roundtable is still active. Busy time of PM for me so tough making that sked.

I talked to Frank over last weekend and he has a new health
issue that was to be looked into the first of this week (Monday
the 28th).  

Haven't checked back yet but the problem is significant so we
should be prepared for anything...  (His L.L. #  410 / 668 - 0437)

Oh, and by the way, he is still working with the same outfit and
the business is still shaky so I'm guessing his health insurance
is still current...

Thanks Ralph, I'll give him a ring this weekend and see how he's doing.

Not good reading. Frank has been plagued with a recurring medical issue for the last two years.
Fred

Frank's on the WFD net right now. 3733 kHz.

Well, I just talked to Frank on the LL and he's doing well, and by well I mean his spirits are up even with the health issues. We only chatted for a little while since company showed up but at least I have is LL and email so I can keep in touch.

I have been feeling fairly good lately, but I recently got some news that I wasn't ready for. (go figger)

About a month or so I had my routine bloodwork done, and something nasty showed up. They found a protein in my blood that was a marker for liver cancer.
And it was at a very high level. They redid it a month later (last week) and the level of this protein had increased further. Next came a CT-scan and it confirmed it. I have liver cancer. This kinda sucks, but I have never been one to back down from a fight!

I had a long phone call with my liver specialist's assistant on friday which confirmed the diagnosis. I am right now waiting for Hopkins' board of specialists to decide the "rules of engagement", and should know for sure either this coming monday afternoon or tuesday morning.

The suspense of the unknown has been driving me nutso since the diagnosis. So I cornered her and asked her if I am looking at a death sentence. (The thought of cancer always brings out the worst expectations) She said it is always possible, but not likely. She seems to think I should get through this. I am on and have been on the transplant list for several years now. But........ She said that we have to patch up the existing liver for now until I get a transplant. she seems to think that that I should get through this and move on. (I sure hope she's right.)

She seems to think I should be a prime candidate for a TACE proceedure. TACE stands for Trans Arterial Chemo Embolism (or something like that) If you simply google "TACE procedure", there is a bunch of info on it and it sounds pretty interesting.

The suspense of the unknown is driving me crazy! You kinda feel like "just do something" Knowing that you have cancer and just waiting is tough on the head. I said to her to do it, just do it now! Lets just do it and get it behind us!
I also told her to not skimp on the chemo juice, give me the full blast if it makes for quick results.

I will update this thread as this plays out, but for now, that is the whole story

Frank

Frank,

Good to hear from you, its been awhile.

Thanks for letting us know about this latest problem.  I'm sure you'll get through this.

Keep us posted on your progress.

51watt Fred

God Bless you Frank.
You and Carol will get through this FB.
-Your a seasoned vet with a great attitude for the battle ahead.

Best wishes Frank!

We are sorry to hear the diagnosis but if anybody can whip this
lousy ailment's ass it'd be you my friend! Best wishes as always and Godspeed.

Good luck.  That would drive me crazy.  I wish you the best.

 GOOD LUCK FRANK 8) I WISH YOU THE BEST 8)

I'll keep you in my prayers Frank.
Do not give them green lights to go full blast chemo. I do not know what "cocktail" I had for my simple stage II Lymphoma. It is devastating to your body and your mind. They will know what you can handle. If chemo is the game plan they should be testing your heart....MUGA (?) and test your bone marrow to make red blood cells.
It all depends what mixture of drugs and their battle plans.........trust your docs.
I am not mister-know-it-all Frank. It will depend on the "cocktail" ( chemo mix of various drugs) that they think you need to get through this.
Sorry that we have this in a public forum; but you are one of us and we are fellow radio guys that have seen other situations on AMFONE. We'll be the cheerleading section.
Thanks for letting us know what is happening; instead of going "private" and we have to call a cellphone or send PM's through another member.
This tells us you are ready for the times ahead and get through this with a victory.
Fred

Hi Frank,

     Good thing it's 2013 and not 1970.

There ain't a liver in North America can bother you.

Best of luck.

Dave

If it was 1970, Frank would be 16 years old and have a healthy liver.  ;)

Stop ruining my posts with facts.

All the best for a healthy recovery, Frank!   

T

Get well!

Philip KA4KOE

First of all, thank youse guys for all of the support and best wishes! ! ! ! !
It is greatly appreciated, I'll take all of the support I can get in these scarey times!

After more lengthy conversations with my liver guy, this seems to be the plan of attack: From what I was told, the TACE procedure is only a stopgap measure. With my liver condition even after the current tumor is killed, the cancer will more than likely reoccur somewhere else in the liver. The only permanent cure is a liver transplant. So............ This is a game changer!

So far it looks like I am going to be bumped up for a liver transplant. They are going to TACE me first to kill the tumor that I have. I was told to expect the call in somewhere around 6 months. I don't look forward to this! From what I was told so far, it looks like 4 to 6 weeks in the horsepistol, and somewhere around 6 months for full recovery. Seasoned with millions of checkups, tests and consultations. It looks like I will get through this if there are no hickups along the way. It does not sound like it is going to be fun, but I have never been one to give up easily.

Frank

Frank,

We never had the opportunity to chat or even exchange words in the forum. I still feel that I know you and am with you all the way.

For what it's worth: there are two, and only two, first rate places to go on the east coast when C strikes. One is Sloan in NYC and the other Hopkins. You are fortunate to have the experts right there; make them work for their pay. Make them explain everything to your satisfaction and keep copious notes.

Side story - my best friends (husband and wife) both were diagnosed. She went to Sloan and he went to Hopkins. Of course, he doesn't love her as much as I do  :-*    Both are doing fine after six years.

Hang in there

Frank,

Flashback..  History..  Who you were, are, and will be. My bet is on you Pal! History does repeat itself.. and dat's some damn good odds, right?

Best,
Jeff W2NBC

Frank,

I missed something in your post.

Are you having the TACE procedure done in 6 months or the liver transplant in 6 months?  I would think the TACE procedure would be ASAP.

Let us know.

Fred

Hi Frank,
   As a lung cancer survivor, I've been through the chemotherapy routine. I had my entire right lung removed seven years ago and went through 6 months of chemotherapy.
   I know there are different regimes, but in my case, the chemotherapy was not much of a problem (except having to get to the oncologist's office three times per week). The side effects were mainly fatigue but I was still able to do my job as a patent examiner.
   I only know you through this website, but, from what I know, you are a fighter and a person with a positive attitude toward everything that comes your way.
   These two traits are all you need. Get well, my friend!

Ed Cain

Hi Frank!

Do your best to get Well!
I wish you Good Luck!

/Morgan

Hello Frank,

I wish you only the best of fortune and health to you.

- Mike

Frank, I never met you, but I follow some of the threads here on AMfone.  Got my fingers crossed and am pulling for you.  Us hams have got to stick together!
de Jim

Frank will not only kick its ass, he'll eat its lunch - provided it doesn't have any tofu or other weird crap in it.

Sked was too tight to drop in last week Frank, but we'll be talking soon. Managed to have dinner with Johnny, at least.

Frank,
Sorry to hear about your health issue
Best wishes. Keep us up to date. Will
try and catch u on WFD

Chuck

Thanks again everyone for the support! ! ! !

Well, I spent most of Friday at Johns Hopkins getting all of the preliminaries going. I met with the head of the transplant department, A handful of other doctors, and a very cute and sweet girl that is going to be my transplant coordinator.

The news is somewhat interesting, I thought I had 1 tumor but I actually have 2 of them. One is about 4 1/2 cm and the other one is about 1 cm. I will supposedly be contacted Monday by the TACE coordinator to set up scheduling for the procedure. I will have to meet with them first before the procedure. they should probably TACE me next week sometime. Now it gets better............

According to the transplant surgeon, Because of their "scoring system" The cancer actually makes me ineligible at this time for a transplant....... Go figger! The small tumor is small enough that it doesn't count, the larger one is too big and disqualifys me, go figger. And, my liver function is still too good for someone that has cirrhosis..........

So here is the plan of attack that they have laid out: I get TACED and they wait a month to check me. I go in for more bloodwork and another CT scan. If the tumor has not shrunk or not shrunk enough, I get TACED again, then CT and bloodwork after another month. This goes on until They get me a compatible liver. ( most likely will become somewhat routine maintenance until I get a transplant) It should take at least 6 months or so to find one. Now.....to add the proverbial fly to the ointment....... I have type B blood which is not real common, this could work for or against me in finding a compatible match. But If they get their hands on one and no one else needs it (less demand for type B) It may work in my favor and expedite things. We'll have to see.

Also the transplant specialist cleared up some of my fears about the transplant surgery. He has told me that that the hospital stay (if all goes well) will only be 7-10 days, then 3-4 month recovery at home, and go back to work a month or so later. Heavy doses of anti-rejection drugs at first, along with massive doses of steroids, and a few anti-biotics sprinkled in to finish off the cocktail. Tapering off to just light doses of the anti-rejection drugs for the rest of my life. They made it sound like it won't be so bad. they have told me that the anti-rejection issues with a liver transplant are much less than those from a kidney transplant.

More news to follow as it happenz...............

Frank

It is impressive that they have such a detailed plan!

OK Frank
sounds a little complicated, but the liver is one of the harder organs to deal with, apparently. Very delicate to work on and remove cancer.
Hang in there Frank
Fred

Hey Frank,

Thanks for the information.  My blood type is B Positive so if you need any blood just let me know.  Also if I become an SK before you find one, your welcome to have my Liver.   Anything to help a fellow AM'er out!

73,
Joe, GMS

Hmmmmm............. Velly intelesting!
Thanks Joe.

However I think they would frown a little on it if one was to walk in with organ in hand and them to install it for you..... Kinda like walking into a restaurant with a steak in your hand and asking them to cook it for you....... ;D  ;D

Well, here is the latest. I met with and had a long consultation with "Interventional Radiology" (The TACE people last Monday) They layed the whole deal out to me. I am going to require at least 2 TACEs, possibly 3. (One per tumor) Due to some kind of medical politics, they can only give a certain amount of this Hi-Test chemo juice per month, so if they try to get both while they're in there, one may gat a bit shortchanged on the juice.

So it is get TACEd, wait 3-4 weeks, get another MRI and get TACEd again, repeat until both tumors are shrunk or killed.

My specialist was very adamant that they wanted MRI images to TACE me, but..... From all of the previous years in the automotive trade many years back, I have a bunch of metal in me. (not condusive to MRI imaging) Well..... after having 10 X-rays last tuesday They have determined that I am safe for MRI imaging. The only metal left is 2 pieces in my left arm. So I'm now cleared for MRI imaging.

So, here is the schedule as of today. MRI and bloodwork on Tuesday, 12-2 and first TACE on Wednesday 12-4. Followed by more of the same........

Now, to add insult to injury, I was let go from my job (of 25 years) this afternoon at 1:30 PM. Go figger, when it rains, it pours.

Frank

I am signed up to be a organ donor.  Martha has strict instructions that you get my liver.  Unfortunately if I am dead, I can't hand it to you personally!!   We have to put a little humor in all of this  :)
73,
Joe, GMS 

Hi Frank,

Hope all goes well in the procedures, OM.

Just a thought and maybe you have already explored this possibility, but there is an evolving  technology that permits a beam to burn out tumors  in three dimensions. IE, it will actually stop and go no farther in than programmed. Pin point to a particular spot.   The unit is the size of a small building and last I read several hospitals are now or will share a central unit in Mass.

Chuck / K1KW works at a company that is developing and producing it. I understand it is close or in operation.   Send him a PM if you are not familiar with it.  There's always new hope and another path to pursue.

T

Tom,
  If you are talking about a gamma knife, another friend of mine owes his continued existince to one. He had a brain tumor and they zapped from several directions at once. Requires very good "mapping" and being able to hold the target perfectly still. Each beam is low power so as to not harm good tissue, but where they intersect the effect is that of a higher bower beam.

Bill

If it involves protons, I helped build one of the first commercially available machines Summer before last.

A NDA prevents my saying more...

It does work, especially on solid mass tumors.  No isotopes are involved.

Major suckage about the job, OM.  "Just downsizing" or was it just for you?  25 years is a long time to hang with an operation and then just be cut loose.

Best of luck, live long & prosper, as Spock said.

73DG

Bill and Dennis,

Yes, as it was described to me it involves protons.  (or was it photons?)

I've seen the idea talked about on the web ten years ago, but evidently the technology is starting to become accurate and practical. I understand it is a $20 million machine.

Probably like a TRS-80 in its infancy at this point.  Works, but will improve dramatically in the years ahead.

T    

Ah, shit.  I'm so sorry to hear that, Frank. 

FRANK
25 years and good bye???
I hope it's not a health care issue that they terminated you. Seems very suspicious.
Thanks for the updates. The plan sounds complicated, but you will get though it.
Fred

Ditto. It's not like you need more crap to deal with in the midst of all this. This is happening to a lot of folks now, unfortunately. Get through the medical obstacle course first and foremost. Everything else needs to be secondary.

First of all, many, many, many thanks to every one of y'all for your support! !
I can't thank youse guys enough, it really does good for the soul! !

Now, for the change in attitude. (No, I'm still the same old ornery bastard I've always been!) But......................

I was really bummed out about losing my job last friday. After 25 years, it hurt pretty bad and I was having trouble coming to terms with it. After some soul searching and thinking about it, I have come to terms with it and look at it a bit differently now! As far as I'm concerned, I am now officially retired! ! ! 

For the last year or so, the stress of trying to save a company that is just barely an RCH from going belly up was really getting the best of me. I was getting to the point of not sleeping, eating a really bad diet, and all of the other shit that usually kills some of us! ! ! ! Well...... I finally came to terms with the whole mess yesterday and started to feel good about the whole mess and now consider it just simply a "bump in the road".

Lets face it, at almost 59, with a medical history of diabetes, liver disease, and now cancer, I'm now pretty much "damaged goods" and unhireable. The TACE doctors have told me that the chances of surviving this are better than not, and I should get through this. And now officially retired, whats not to like! ! ! !

As far as My job went, I now feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders! I actually got the best night's sleep I've had in years last night. I woke up and felt fantastic today! !  Better than I've felt in 4 years! Now looking forward to enjoying my retirement! (If the war dept doesn't drive me nuts) Time for some serious Frank time! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Frank

Ya know Frank,
The stress gone from the worries of work might help you to focus on your inner strength to get through the trials ahead. You don't need something else to drag you down.
You're FREE. Now get well
Fred

Frank, I think Carol will now become your Best Care Department.
  ...and think of all the neat stuff you can do together now.

Through thick and thin,
  Second wind
Will see you through
  Good times too.

Frank,

I'm really sorry to hear about all the bumps in the road that you have been facing, but I'm sure that you will come out fine.  Retirement is a good thing and you can concentrate on all the neat stuff that you have been wanting to do.

Best wishes to you for a very positive outcome and hope to hear you on the air.

73,  Jack, W9GT

Frank,

Hope everything is going well.  Don't worry about the lost job, they did you a favor.  You need to focus on getting well and maybe they saw it the same way. Hope to hear you on 75M. Who is going to bust my chops better than you?

Fred

Carrying a struggling company can drain the soul from you!

Take this as an opportunity to care for yourself and family.  You never know what may turn up later.

best, bill

Very suspicious ??? Check legal options.Some companys you can retire on (medical disabilty ) ???

Frank, Been following this post with heart felt concern. Really happy that you put the job situation in its proper perspective. Now you are armed positive energy to overcome the health issues. Funny how these things work themselves out. BEST 73'S OM - JIM

Talked with Frank this evening on the telefonium. He was in the horsepistol @ 6 hours after his tube procedure.  He was in real good spirits and says howdy to all.

Thanks for the report Budley.   Frank is a very upbeat person, so not surprised of him being in good spirits.   

73,
Joe, GMS     

Frank, I am also in the Automotive trade and had to retire early. If you made it to 59 you beat me by a mile.
Wish you all the best.  I now feel I have no time to work. Too much else to do. Hope you feel the same.
Don  Class A mech, ASE Master Mech and ASE Automotive Master Machinist
After I retired from "The Floor" I was contracted to teach trade school on a part time basis by a nearby College. Very fulfilling and good $$$$$$$. I know right now it is the least of your concerns but something down the road you might at least throw your name in the hat. What could it HEURT?

Hi, Guys! Much thanks for all of your support! ! ! ! ! !
 
Here's the latest: I went in this past Monday for an MRI, boy, that is a noisy bastard! ! !  It sounded like the "ground loop" from hell! ! ! Then, Wednesday came the procedure! ! !

I went in at 10:30 AM, but they didng do the actual procedure until around 1:30. First of all was the shaving of all of the "dangly parts." (Now sporting a bikini cut) Then came the IV and the dope! ! ! !  I do not know what that stuff was, but it was definitely some paraful shit! ! ! I was so doped up that I didn't know or care what they were doing to me! Every time I was about to nod off they would make me take deep breaths to keep me awake.

I was still pretty doped up in the recovery room when Buddly called, I really don't remember much of our conversation. (sorry Buddly) They then took me up to my room and I slept it off.

Thursday morning, I really didn't feel any different than when I went in. The War Dept picked me up around noon and we went home. About an hour after we got home, it started hitting me and got progressively worse as the day went on.

I still have had no pain or nausea! ! Just fatigue beyond anything I have ever experienced before. Kinda like the "washed out" feeling you get with a really good dose of the flu, but way worse. Also, absolutely no appetite! All I have done since thursday night is sleep or scrawl out on the couch.

They told me that I will prolly feel this way for 1-2 weeks, before returning to some sense of normalcy.

When I analyse how I feel, I just can't imagine what Derb must have went through! ! ! 

Looks like I am going to be facing 1 or 2 more of these after this spaced at 3 week intervals (I have 2 tumors)

There is the whole store so far, I'm going back to the couch.........

Frank

Yeah, nothing like being the secondary in giant mod transformer!

So Frank you don't remember promising me half your earthly possessions?

F,

Did you check on getting some 'pulls' from the MRI machene?

klc

Frank

Don't forget to pick up the CORBA coverage.  I think that lasts 18 months.  Yes, it's expensive but, in my opinion, worth the sacrifice.  You should not be bothered with preexisting conditions.  A good positive attitude and best medical care + family support goes a long way.  Then you have your buddies here pulling (and praying) for you. 

I would have called but don't have your phone #.  Any time you want to correspond you can PM me here or email me according to QRZ.COM

That teaching position in a local college sounds like a great second career to check out once you are "back on your feet."

GL es 73, Al

Or the plunger in the worlds largest solenoid coil! !  (That's kinda what the machine looks like.....)

First of all, many many thanks to all of youse guys for all of the support and encouragement! ! !

Had bloodwork done last thursday. Then went in on tuesday to get injected, inspected, detected, neglected, and rejected......... I got an MRI in the morning then had a conference with the Interventional Radiologist after lunch. He layed some very good news on me!

The bloodwork had shown that my AFP protien level (a cancer marker) had dropped from over 1800 before the treatment to 259 after the treatment!
Then he showed me the MRI pictures and showed me where the largest tumor was. Yea, was! It was wiped out and gone all for a little necrosis and scar tissue!

The TACE chemo procedures target one tumor at a time. That shit kicks ass and takes names! ! ! !  Now in 2 weeks they will "target" the other tumor. I am still somewhat feeling the after effects as I am still a bit washed out and fatigued. (But happy) So far our prayers have been answered, and there have been a whole lot of them said!

But......... tuesday's MRI showed up a 3rd tumor about the size of a pinhead. He said that they have to wait until it gets bigger in order to "target" (treat) it. And as slow as they are growing it will be months (or longer) before they need to do anything with it.

Once the second tumor has been treated and I shake off the residual effects of the chemo, it should be somewhat "life as normal" (if there is any such thing for me) until the transplant, or they have to get the 3rd tumor.

According to my Interventional Radiologist (and my liver specialist) My fatty liver cirrhosis is a "fertile field" for these types of cancer to grow in. So, I am still waiting for a transplant. But the good news is that they can repeat the TACE procedures as often as necessary to keep it in check! Kinda like "routine maintenance". Johns Hopkins is the bomb! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Frank

I'm glad that you are getting some encouraging results from your treatments ... let the good times roll ...73 ... John

But watt about the  'pulls' ???? ??


klc

Also, FB with the good news. Don't let this cancer thing beat you down.

Frank,

That last report certainly is very promising! The TACE regimen sounds like it's treating you like a good friend who is kicking some ass on your behalf. Hope you recover quickly after each round and hope to hear your strapping signal up north before too long.

73,

Rob W1AEX

Frank,
Good luck and God bless - and Good News, Too!  Hope you were able to stay insured via COBRA.  Sounds like you're on the road to recovery (or at least headed in the right direction.)
73, Jim

Hi Frank!
It's nice to read the good news!

/Morgan

Frank,

Good to hear that thinks are moving in a positive direction.  Hang in there and hope to hear you on 75M when you're up to it.

Fred

Very good news!

Got a telefonium call yesterday evening from Johns Hopkins Interventional Radiology that they had an opening this coming thursday @2:00PM from another patient that canceled out. I said what the hell and took it. Looks like "I'm back in the ring to take another swing!" They're gonna beat the hell out of me again.....

"Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead! !"   ::)   ;D

Thank you all again for all of the support, it really goes a long way to pull one through times like this! ! !

Frank

We are all pulling for you Frank.   Hang in there and take every opportunity to get your health back.  You are strong and will succeed in anything you attempt.  Keep a positive attitude and you will reign supreme.  We are all praying for your success and health.

For thousands of years, courage is possibly the most valued virtue in a man.  You've got it.   Keep it up and good luck with the procedures, OM.

T

Never Give up, never surrender!

 
Tom,
       I don't know that I have any more courage than anyone else caught in my situation. I have been tossed into the "fight of your life" situation, and never being one to back down from a fight, I put the gloves on. I don't see myself having any other choice but to stand up and fight! I would think anyone else caught in my situation and not quite ready for the "dirt nap" yet would do the same thing! I still have a lot of things I want to do before I lay my head down for the last time, and I'm willing to fight to do them.

Since getting the "diagnosis" back in November it has been an emotional roller-coaster for me. Most days it lingers in the back burner of my mind, some days I don't even think about it, and others, it is ALL that I think about. Any one else out there that has been in these shoes knows exactly what I'm talking about. If you don't stand up and fight, it's over, and I'm just not ready for that yet. I've still got a lot of living to do before I lay my head down for the last time.

The day that I got "the diagnosis" I looked my liver specialist's assistant right in the eyes and asked her: "Is this a death sentence, or is this something I will eventually get through." It pretty well freaked her out because I didn't flinch or show any emotion when I asked her. Meanwhile, my wife was falling apart.......
I was scared shitless, but I had to keep my wits about me in order to figger out what was going to be the next move.

I have lost too many of my friends (and a handful of relatives) to cancer in one form or another long before I got my own "diagnosis". Several of which I took pretty hard! Dave (K3ZRF) had been a long time friend, and I/we miss him severely! Mack (N4VGB), when he first came on here I bitch-slapped him around pretty hard, but we got to become pretty close through it all. I still miss all of the emails and crack comments and perverted emails we sent back and forth. We shared a very similar sense of humor and helped each other get through some pretty bad times. He always referred to us as "a pair of old war-horses." And was really a riot once you got to know him!

And then............ There was The Derb! (N3DRB for those that didn't know his call) The loss/passing of Derb really tore me to pieces! ! ! ! !  I was in the hospital myself recovering from one of my blood-barfing bleedouts. (The second time that I bled out and died) Timmy called me to talk. He opened with "I just cant fight this shit anymore" He was just so beaten down from all of the surgerys, radiation, and chemo that he didn't have the strength to go on anymore. He said next: "I just want to thank you for always being my friend, no matter what ever happened, or I did or said. I will never ever find another friend like you!".  He also said "There have times when I have been a bitter pill, but you never gave up on me as a friend and I want to thank you for always being there!" He told me that all of the cancer treatments had beaten him down to the point where he just didn't have any will to fight left and he was waiting and wanted to die and just get it over with. I fell apart right there in my own hospital bed. I couldn't stop crying, it just tore me up, totally. It is a conversation that I will never forget, as long as I am on the "right side of the grass!"

Having already bled to death twice from my cirrhosis. I was actually hauled out of my house with no pulse or readable BP. I have come to not fear death as much as many others do. I had always been an adrenaline junkie in my younger years, I have survived 2 bad car wrecks, 3 bad motorcycle crashes, I've been shot at, beaten and left for dead, blown off of a 20' ladder by 480 and many other occupational and hobby related mishaps. (Not to mention the 100s of times I went into the haybails racing flat track as a kid!)

Now, with all of this said, I really question if it is actually "courage" or simply a lack of fear. I am starting to view this all as just another fight in the list of many. It's kinda like when you were a youngster and you did something stupid. You knew you had a good beating coming. The waiting was the worst part! Let's just do it and get it over with and put it behind us! The light at the end of the tunnel is NOT the headlight of an oncoming locomotive! !

There is a very fine line between Courage and Stupidity! Sometimes we often end up wondering which side of the line we are on! I know I have quite often asked myself which side I was on!

So is it courage? I really dunno....... To me, it's just another hurtle that I have to get over. The sooner I can get this behind me, the sooner I can try to resume some semblance of "life as normal".

But...... I really want to thank EVERYONE for your support through this! ! ! ! !
It really does make a BIG difference! Thank you all so much! ! ! !

"Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead! ! "

Frank

 

What ever it is, you're doing it brother. Keep doing it!

Damn Frank, you remind me of my Dad! (it's a gooder thing)

A few days before he died, last Christmas, being in and out of consciousness, he asked me with all clarity, "Buddy how long does it take to die?" Jeeeez...... how do you answer that one? I told him a blink of an eye or a life time.
He looked at me and said, "I've had the lifetime. It was a good one. You're proof of that. Now, let's have that blink."
Stared ol' Reaper in the eye and said "bring it"!!!!!! He was 83 and had fought the cancer for 15 years!

Courage comes in many ways. In you I see the same. Fight like hell Pal. Yes, Dad died. But his 15 year fight had more good fun times than not because that's the way he wanted it. You and I are the same age and I know from chatting with you there's lots of fight, lots of good time ahead. I'm blessed beyond measure being among those you call friend.

ps....... the back is healing good. The screws are holding well. My wife's new knee works great but they forgot the zerk fitting!

Them grease things are Zerks, not zerts.  After the guy that came up with them.

73DG

Fixed!

You're a tough dude. You'll make it. Surviving 480V (which I term a "closed casket" funeral if you don't), is a miracle in itself.

Pulling for you man.

Philip KA4KOE

Hmmmmm..... just drill and tap, the small ones are 1/4-28 thread.......  ;D  ;D


Hell, the 480 wasn't all that bad, neither was the fall off of the ladder. But........
That sudden stop at the end was a real @#$%&*@#$% ! !   :o   ;D


The grim reaper may always be waiting around the corner, he might get me but he will never get my dry, twisted sense of humor! (Or my big heart)

Frank

Call it morals, call it descency, I just dunno! ! ! ! !

The other day I was at Hopkins waiting in line (a long one) at their Outpatient Center to have some bloodwork done. This woman came up in a wheelchair, and was having a really hard time navigating / dealing with the wheelchair. (She was really struggling with it.) Apparently someone just brought her there and left her there. She was having such a hard time with that wheelchair and I felt really bad for her. After standing in line for a long time, I just stepped out and gave up my place in line to push her to where she had to go.

When I came back the others that were waiting in line were amazed that I would get out of line to help someone else (a total stranger). A few of them made comments about it. I told them, How would you feel if that was you and no one helped you when you needed it? ? ? I didn't have to think twice, I did it somewhat automatically.

Begrudgingly they let me back into the place where I was in line. Several were impressed, and several were pissed. (majority ruled here)

I haven't forgotten this, and it sticks in my mind. Why wouldn't someone help out someone that really needs it? ? Has this world become that much of a "ME" society? ?  Kinda just makes you wonder.........

Frank

Frank
you did a good thing. And that's what is lacking in our society today. YES.the world has come to ME and ME alone.

Frank - Your courage is an inspiration. When I start to P & M about my medical issues, I consider how minor they are compared to your battle. You've made it much easier for me to "man-up" on several occasions. Keep swingin Frank!

Frank, you are simply my standard candle. God Bless you and Carol.

Multi-pitch!

Buddly, I was referring to the lack of grease fitting for your wife's knee.......

But that pix of your back makes me cringe! It just looks like it hurts! ! ! !
Get well, bro, (and stay the hell away from metal detectors........)

OUCHIE!  That thing really works, right?

Al

Yikes, Buddly!

That looks like something out of a Civil War doctor training photo...  ;)

Speaking of football... considering the recent concussion awareness and the many athletes (like yourself) who are suffering the after-effects from years of being hit - I wonder if the sport will still be around 50 years from now?  

Maybe players will be required to run around in protective bubbles?


T

I played organized tackle football for six years (full helmets and pads). I lettered four years in high school. I also played a lot of sandlot tackle football with no pads or helmets. Never had an injury. But I blew out two knees and busted an ankle playing pick up basketball. There are no safe sports. Much of what is on the "news" regarding football is hype and out right falsehoods. The NFL is making way too much money to go away, even if all the "news" stories were true.

Same here Steve plus 4 years semi-pro. Bottom line is we all know what we're getting into when we strap on the pads. We knew concussions could be bad news and I've had my share. The game will change with all this nanny state crap but it'll be around quite a while. Too much money involved as Steve said.

Tom, you are right but I call it Medieval! Still, I feel a whole lot better than I did.

I have two screws in one of my knees. They could be taken out with relatively minor surgery since their job is done. Screw that!   :)

Metal detectors are A-OK but an MRI could be a major league PITA!

Steve,

And  have 4 'nails'  in my leg from an accident in '08. 

I was told the same thing,  that they could be removed easily.   Then my surgeon pulled me aside and said if they aren't bothering you,  don't risk another surgery.

The pin bothers me in the cold,  but not enough to risk the knife again :-)

Mine is from a double tib fib compound fracture (4 breaks total) on my calf.   Jumped off a motorcycle.   At 130 mph.

--Shane
KD6VXI

Speaking of surgery,  it amazes me how lightly some guys on skateboards and extreme snowboarding value their safety.  (and doing flips off roofs)

One bad fall and we're in agony - pain for the next few weeks and hobbling around for months. Breaking bones is definitely an extreme sport... ;)

* For fun think I'll go luging down the street tonight in the blizzard, just missing the snow trucks,  caw mawn.

T
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgXRP3wwloc

Wow! At that speed, it is amazing that you are still here. Keep the metal. Who knows, it might be valuable some day!

You guys make me feel better.  :) Knees are shot, 2 fused vertebrae in my neck, etc etc. Yet I know I'm not bad off, not even close.

Slab, there's a John Wayne quote that says something like 'Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway'. I doubt there's anyone out there who doesn't get frightened when confronted with a threatening situation. The difference is in how you deal with it: face up and give it your best shot, or curl up in a ball, close your eyes, and hope it goes away.

By your own description, you meet the John Wayne definition. And clearly your choice to stand and fight is producing the desired result.

BTW, until recently I was still getting email from Mack. No doubt, you were too. I remember chuckling the first time it arrived after he passed, thinking 'beyond the grave, that's some trick'. Obviously someone hacked his old aol account, but it sure got my attention!

Slab, yer a gudun but be careful, only the good die young. My 2013 was a whole year where every day was Friday the 13th, but I'm not going to slide down below the 75M AM window and P&M about it. What I will say is 2014 looks promising, for once the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train, things are looking up for you too.

One other thing I'll say, that lady in a wheelchair proves what I've seen too, these days it's hooray for me and to hell with you. It's good to know there are a few good folks like you still out there when one needs a friend you're there lending a hand. Just make sure they give it back, someday you'll need it.

That's just you my brother as long as I've known ya ! Fight the good fight never give up and go down swingin'. BTW you guys ever do the WFD net anymore ? Inquiring minds would like to know.

Humus humilibis inflectan  arroganibus :)

Got round 2 on thursday.........

The nausea has finally subsided. (Thanks to some good meds) and I have actually eaten fairly sell (considering) today. This was the first food since wednesday night. I almost feel human today, have actually felt myself improving as the day has worn on.

But that fatigue......... I feel totally piss-beat and spent! Hopefully, since this was a smaller tumor they were "targeting" they may have used a little less chemo juice and hopefully, I'll be able shake it off more quickly. (Sounds good, anyway).

This time I had a fair amount of nausea, where the first time I didn't. But the first time I had severe bloating and this time I don't. When I met with the Interventional Radiologist last week, he told me that all of the side effects I had experienced with the first round were "textbook". He told me that this time because they were "targeting" a different part of the liver, closer to the esophagus, the side effects would be "different". Seems like they got this shit down to a science!

I won't know the results until I get the follow up MRI and consultation in around 3-4 weeks. It takes that stuff a little while to do it's thing. Meanwhile the suspense is killing me............

Again, many, many thanks to all for your support through these tough times! ! !
I can't say it enough!

I'm piss-beat and headed back to bed...

Frank

Young folks are invincible and kids are built to fall down and get right back up........nothing hurt

FRANK \
Thanks for the updates. I know it is not easy to get in here and reply and deal with life right now..
Just a day at a time
Fred

Got last "treatment" last thursday afternoon. They told me that it would be a little "different" and it was......... This time I had some nausea for the first few days after, not real hard core, but best described as maybe a "queasy stomach". But the meds they gave me prety much killed that.(I was actually able to eat by the 3rd day!) By today I feel pretty good again, and have the appetite of a friggin horse!

This time was, by far better than the first round. The fatigue is pretty much gone, and I actually feel quite "human" again...... All I can figger is that since this was a smaller tumor, they gave me less chemo juice to treat it. the first tumor was about the size of a ping-pong ball, and this one was about the size of a grape. Now, comes the waiting game. I won't know how sucessful the "treatment" was for 3 weeks to a month, until they call me in for follow up bloodwork and another MRI.

Thanks again, guys for all of the support, it really does help one get through these rough times! ! ! ! !

Frank

Frank,

Lets hope that "Bambi Bat" they used squash the tumor is like a bug being smashed!  GONE......

I know you will continue to be positive and based on how well you have done so far, I am sure this latest treatment will be a success. 

Joe, GMS

Frank
It's amazing what we have to deal with do overcome cancer. My last two visits for "the cocktail", I was leaving the clinic sick. Flu-like feeling for about a week and then bounce back.....just a little.
It actually took two years for me to feel "normal". To have dreams and a little action in bed. Chemo wrecks you down to your soul.
Just keep getting back up Frank
Fred

Yabba Dabba Do !

I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down

I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down

a little bit of Tubthumping there for Mr Frank's good health going forward.

Good news is hard to come by these days, so it's always good to gear. Ya just can't keep a good ham down, he just gets up and spits RF in the devil's eye. Eh, keep the cat, I don't want one that bites.

Frank,

When I got zapped with heavy duty chemo back in 2003 at Dana Farber after being diagnosed with leukemia, they managed the nausea so well that I never even blew chunks once. That Nexium stuff and other anti-nausea drugs worked. At the worst they almost had to put me on a breathing tube, but I made it through that bad night with the oxygen at full blast with a mask taped to me.

Keep fighting hard. I really hope the best for you. Hey I came out the other side. They don't even follow me any more. They call it a cure. Rare words for cancer.

Mike

Some weed works great for the effects of chemo.

 Hi guys,
           I guess it's time for an update......... 

I went in for the "deep throat job" 2 1/2 weeks ago and got 6 more rubber bands put in my esophagus. (Upper endoscopy / EGD with banding) to treat my esophageal varices. (Esophageal Varices is a by product of liver disease) This now makes 69 rubber bands than have been put in my esophagus. I now hold Johns Hopkins record for the most bands! This usually leaves me kinda nauseated and sick for a few days.  Then..............

Went in for follow up this past tuesday for the liver cancer and got mixed news. the "targeted" tumors are dead and basically necrosis / scar tissue. But.......
My AFP protien levels (cancer marker in my bloodwork) Have risen back up from 259 (after the first "treatment") to just over 500. Now, keep in mind that they were over 1800 before the first treatment, and 259 after. I was expecting them to be near nill, bit lady luck wasn't riding on my shoulder that day.

The rise in the AFP level and confirmed by the MRI that I have 2 more tumors to deal with. (I was hoping for a couple month reprieve) According to my Interventional Radiologist, my cancer is responding well to the treatments, and they seem to think they might be able to get both of them in one shot. (I hope)
so I'm scheduled tor another "treatment" on the 31st of this month. One is about the size of a grape and the other a raisin.

The fatigue levels and my total intollerance to the cold are taking their toll on me. (caused by the chemo) But, something in my bones is trying to tell me that this will be "routine maintenance" until I get a new liver. They have told me that my type of cirrhosis is "a fertile field for these things to grow in."

This whole cancer thing is a definite emotional roller coaster with mixed feelings, and both good days and bad days. Sometimes it can really emotionally take it's toll on you! !

Between The physical symptoms, the fatigue, Losing my job because of it, and getting swallowed alive with hospital bills not covered by the insurance company, running out of money (I haven't had an income since December), it starts to leave you with a feeling of worthlessness. Especially when you are no longer able to provide for your family.

Between the fatigue and the depression, I just haven't felt like doing much of anything lately. It has it's moments, and sometimes it gets the best of you.

I am damned and determined to fight this thing till the bitter end, whatever that may be! I have absolutely no plans of giving up! It just has it's "moments".

"You can stand me up at the gates of Hell and I won't back down! ! "

Thank you all very very much for all of your care and encouragement! I will pop in here from time to time to let everyone what's going on.

I can't thank you all enough!

Frank

Hang in there Frank- You have many many friends and people who are thinking, praying, performing unique pagan rituals and everything else for you. If da Bacon can't make it then no one can. I don't think Mr Cancer thought about who he was taking on and it is evident by the way you are beating him back. He may have come back for one last punch but he is clearly weakened by the numbers and in his heart he knows he is toast.

5 years ago my sister was diagnosed with a very deadly and rare form of cancer. Odds were not in her favor. She spent a year, yes a year in Temple in Phil, Fox Chase Cancer Center, undergoing every procedure imaginable including removal of her spinal fluid. This fall she has her 5th year full body MRI and if it is clear, then she has made the statistical bench mark.

Things will turn around on all fronts with time. You have enough talents so that when the time is right you will find employment.
Keep yourself chillin, accept the depression as a natural reaction to an extraordinarily confluence of circumstances and know that better times are coming.
73
Carl
/KPD

Thanks for the update OM. It has been a long haul and it's hard for most of us to imagine what you are going through. Hang in there.

Yeah man, hang in there Francois. 

Enjoyed hearing your melodious tones y'day evening on WFDN with your 3733 progress report.   As I mentioned on the air, the reason you took the door down from the radio room was so that all your pals could crowd in an give you beau coups of encouragement.

And your right. Those that haven't gone through it are not aware of a whole mess of things, but we're all pulling for you.

Prayers up for you, Frank. ;) †

We continue to wish you the best, Frank.  It's not easy to keep up the good fight when they keep beating us up. You are a brave man.

T

Bacon,

   I have read almost every post you have written for many years, and that goes back to NFB from modulator tube screen dropping resistors in the AM Press Exchange days. I always look forward to another update on your fight against the evil ca.

  As far as the finances go, look at some of the Dave Ramsey material concerning medical bills, cancer, etc. Here is one that might come close to your situation:

http://www.daveramsey.com/index.cfm?event=askdave/&intContentItemId=122445

  The original audio replay is there at the bottom.

  Also, don't be too proud to avoid passing the hat. If things get dire, Paypal can help..All we need is an email address. It has been done before here in the QSO section. A small modest amount from many in a large group can become enough to help out.

All the Best,
Jim
Wd5JKO

Hi Frank,

Well it was good to get an update.  Just the day before you sent it out, I said to Martha "I wonder how Frank is doing" since I had not gotten an update in some time. 

Having never been through such an experience I can't directly know what your going through, but hear what your saying with full strap!   The only thing that goes through my mind after reading your post is to dwell on the good part of what is happening.  As you said, some good and not so good.  I know it must be tough to keep upbeat about this, but if anyone can do it, you can do it Frank.  Just one step at a time until you beat it.  My guess is that when you get on the air and chat with some friends, it helps.  So I encourage you to force yourself to do that since it helps. 

Your in our thoughts and prayers and give it hell OM ;-)

Joe, GMS       

Excellent idea.Its not a handout, its simply late payment for consultation fees on radios.....:)
Carl
/KPD

Count me in. 

73,
Joe, GMS

What they said...

Hi Guys,
           Just had another round of chemo this past monday (3/31) This was a rough one, I barely made it out of the horsepistol, and am still looking for the truck that ran me over! ! ! ! ! This one was the worst so far!. it knocked me six ways from sunday!

My "targeted" chemo treatments are supposed to have minimal side effects, well someone should have told the chemo juice that! I got the "treatment" somewhere right around 4:30 monday afternoon. By the time I got put in a room it hadn't hit me full blast yet and I didn't feel too awfully bad, but........

I passed out and woke up somewhere around 4:00 am. By then it had hit me full blast. I was one sick MF! !   I HAVE NEVER BEEN THAT SICK IN MY LIFE! ! ! ! I was heaving my guts up (the only reason I didn't barf was that there was nothing inside to expel) and the pain was almost unbearable. I was pickled in both anti-nausea meds and IV pain killers. I have never been that sick in my life! !

The hospital didn't want to release me, but I was damned and determined I was going home that afternoon.
And 1 day was all that my crappy-assed insurance company was going to pay for. I just wanted to die, I felt so bad! But I wanted home. Reluctantly they released me. (pickled in anti nausea meds and oxycotin!) Just the bumps in the road were the shear limit of what I could stand.

When we got home It took both my wife and my neighbor to drag me up the front steps, and I made a B-line for the bed. My wife tucked me in and brought me the barf-bucket. I heaved and shivered myself to sleep.
All I did from tuesday afternoon till saturday morning was sleep! The sickness had somewhat subsided by friday night and I just couldn't sleep anymore.

By friday night My wife forced me to try to eat a little light food. I was amazed, but it stayed in and actually seemed to lessen the pain a little bit. Now, keep in mind that I have eaten absolutely nothing since the previous sunday afternoon! I only even drank enough water to get the meds in me!  After eating the first bits and feeling a little better I ate a little more. It all stayed down, so saturday (and today), I started cramming it in trying to get my strength back. (and the plumbing working as well). I actually feel 100% better today other than the extreme fatigue (which I know will take a few weeks to get over). I have stopped all of the anti-nausea and pain meds as of today.

So far this round was the worst yet. But I'm now starting to feel a tiny bit better each day, although I know the fatigue will be around for a while to come. I can deal with that a whole lot better if there is no sickness.

Both my wife and myself, our thanks and our love goes out to all of you that have been pulling for me! ! !
I just can't say it enough! God Bless you all!

I Have developed a special compassion for any and all cancer patients out there! Anyone ho has had to go through round after round of radiation and chemo. ( like Derb) My love and prayers go out to all of you!

The next follow up will prolly be in a few weeks. They like to give the chemo juice a chance to do it's thing before the next round of MRIs. I wait with baited breath! ! !  I'll let everyone know how that all plays out when it does.

Frank

God Bless you and Carol too Frank.
Susan and I wish you the very best.
...no words.

Frank,

Good luck. You are a better man than I. If I had to go through this, I'd probably opt for the 45ACP solution.

Philip

Well Frank as we discussed on the phone, you said the treatments are difficult.  At times its good one doesn't know how difficult its going to be.  Hang in and get on the feeling better side of things!   I never saw you back down from anything so just get these behind you.   Hopefully they can get things managed and you will get on the transplant list soon.   That's the upper rung on the ladder to jump for.   

Joe, GMS

It's good to hear from you Frank,
Getting in front of the 'puter lets us know that you are not down for the count. My bout with Lymphoma and two operations reduced my weight about 40 pounds. I looked terrible and skinny at 150lbs. I didn't eat much for 10 days. And the doc said it was going to be rough to start eating. So keep the Ensure going and try to eat what you can tolerate.
My last two "treatments" of poison, I had that yukky flu feeling and felt weak as I left the facility. It took about two weeks before I was at 70% power.
I do not know how you are doing it, Frank, but keep pushing.
Life sux; but we work together and pray that the medical misery is over soon.
Fred

Great to hear from you, Frank.  Hoping to hear that you are getting stronger and stronger.

Let's hope this treatment does the job, Frank.  We are all stuck in the time warp of technology... this is the best "blood-letting" technique they have right now, unfortunately.  It sux for sure.

Hang in there, OM.

T

Frank, gimme a hollar if you or carol need anything at all.  Would love to help ya out (can't help with that plumbing issue unfortunately!).

You don't know me from Adam, but once I called you and you talked me through troubleshooting my Viking.  I'm praying for you.  I hope that you don't have to go through anything like what you just went through again.  

Frank,
You are part of our daily prayers

Frank - Glad to hear you're through the latest hurdle toward recovery. It takes a yard of guts to go what you've been through and come back for more. Iam not much of a praying man, but you are in my prayers. Carol too.

Many thanks to all of youse guys!

To any and all that have had any major health issues, this quote continually sticks in my mind:

"Getting old ain't for sissies!"

Thanks and God Bless to all of you for your support!

Frank

Ain't that the truth! And as miserable and annoying as it gets, it still beats the alternative.  ;D

Keep pushing back, Frank. Never give it the satisfaction.

BTW, hauled out the old Onan W2C Sunday to revive it and thought of you. It's a little worse for wear, too!

I spoke to Carol today,  Frank has contracted an unknown infection as a result of his weak immune system from the chemo. I just found out today that he's been in the hospital since Tues. Hopefully he's home by now, Carol said he may be released today (Fri.) There is also a possibility that the cancer is spreading.  :'(

I won't go into too much more detail, hopefully Frank can tell you himself,  but for those of you who believe in prayer Frank and Carol really need your prayers.

Thanks all..

de YellRX

Prayer is the only thing left sometimes. The Master Engineer is the only hope.
We'll be checking this thread often. There are some illnesses that can not be beaten. I remember the sad situation with DERB.....Let's hope Frank can beat it.
Fred

On our list. Sorry to hear this bit of news.

+ here

I went in for some follow-up on tuesday May 20th. Had a meeting with my interventional radiologist and got some mixed news. Some of which is not sitting well. The last tumor that they TACEed is on the way out, leaving only one more to go after, but my AFP protien (cancer marker in my blood) has shot up through the roof! They don't know why that has happened and are a bit puzzled. There is still one more tumor to get and they are deciding the course of action to treat it. But they are afraid that it may have spread to who knows where. The one last tumor in my liver should not cause it to be as high as it has rizen. So it was more tests to try to see if they find any more hiding anywhere before treating the last one in my liver. If they find anything, the interventional radiologist sez that I will be turned over to an oncologist for full systemic chemo. I don't look forward to that if it comes to it.

Now, keep in mind that I am still shot in the ass from the last round of chemo and hadn't shaken off the fatigue yet. I was actually starting to feel a bit better when the infection hit me. Tuesday after leaving the horsepistol from the follow up, I felt fairly OK. Then around 10:30 PM it hit me! It hit me like an oncoming locomotive! ! ! With absolutely no advance warning that it was coming! It was like you flipped a light switch from feeling normal to literally so sick I couldn't hold my head up. I started shivering, shaking, shuddering and finally colapsed! All within less than 10 minutes time! It took my wife and Rick (N3HIA) to get me to the horsepistol. I was so weak that I couldn't even stand up! 5 days in the hospital on massive doses of antibiotics, both IV and oral. I came home on Sunday May 25th. I am now home on "Home IV Therapy' still on massive doses of both IV and oral antibiotics. I now carry my little Gucci bag with a battery powered pump and bag of IV juice wherever I go. It's a bit of a pain in my ass, but it's sure beats the hell out of being in the hospital. I am supposed to be on this crap until thursday when the home IV nurse will pick up the equpment and remove the PICC line from my arm. One more time, this crap has left me pretty much washed out on top of the remnants of the last chemo.

I will let y'all know the outcome of the new batch of tests when I get them.

"Getting old just ain't for sissies!"

Once again, many, many thanks to all of you for your care and support through these hard times!
I can't say it enough.

Frank 
(sometimes called The slab Bacon)

Hey Franky, stick in there, we all are on your side...

Amen Brother.

The very best to you and Carol.

Frank I hope you can get some recovery time so that your body can get some strength back. These treatments and constant attacks are really taking its toll. Keep the Faith and I hope you are able to eat food that stays in your system or you can tolerate Ensure.
Ensure and a hamburger with cheese on the meat, no bread, got me through the sick and weak part of my Chemo. It wasn't nice. Flu like sickness and weak near the last three treatments. Felt good after a week; then a week later another treatment.
Glad that you are able to give us some news
Fred

 8)
 Frank Keep fighting and dont give in

                 God be with you
                           John

Frank,
Good news is that you made it home again. Sorry this cancer has not taken the hint yet and left. But "Rocky", you keep getting back up and giving it another round. Thoughts are with the two of you and you know there are many praying, rooting and cheering you on. 

Carl
/KPD
(http://missglamdan.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/rocky-balboa-quote.jpeg)

I get knocked down but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down.
I get knocked down but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down.

Hi guys,
            here is the latest update.........

Talked to the Home IV people this morning, they will be coming tomorrow to remove the permanent catheter for the IV antibiotics. Thank God! This thing is getting to become a real P.I.T.A. That and the side effects of the not so liver friendly antibiotics have become very annoying. But thankfully that ends tomorrow and hopefully I can make some vain attempt at getting back to some semblance of normalcy.

Now on to the more important stuff......... I got the results of the last batch of tests with some mixed news. The chest CT scan was OK-fine and the cancer hasn't migrated to my lungs. So I guess that is somewhat good news. (especially after being a smoker for 45 years.....) But they still don't know what has caused my AFP protien level to go up so high. So I'm still waiting to hear fron the team of specialists. (I spoke to their assistant yesterday.) but it looks like another batch of degrading tests are forthcoming......... By the time they get done with me, I'll be injected, inspected, detected, neglected and rejected............

If they can determine that the cancer hasn't spread anywhere outside of my liver, they were planning to treat the last tumor with some new procedure that uses microwave energy to actually cook it in place. They told me that the recovery time is just about nill and it will be done totally as an outpatient. (I'll believe it when I see it!) They want to wait a few months before doing any more TACE treatments to let my body recover a bit.

I'll let everyone know when I know more, but that's the rub so far.

Frank

Sounds positive Frank. Keep up the good fight. You know we're all pulling for you and sending our prayers.

Mike

But, speaking for myself, respected. I don't know if I could go through the same thing and still be as positive as you are. You are a wonder Frank.
My best to you and Carol.

Keep up hte good fight.

Bill KA8WTK

That's amazing Frank. If you're up to it, find out the frequency of the microwave tumor-cooker. mad scientists want to know.

" If they can determine that the cancer hasn't spread anywhere outside of my liver, they were planning to treat the last tumor with some new procedure that uses microwave energy to actually cook it in place "

I guess you'll need fava beans and a nice Chianti.

You'll beat this thing and then we all can have a nice party.


klc

Those are my thoughts too. I do not know if I could go through a surgery for cancer and/or radiation and chemo treatments again. It actually felt like I was slowly F A D I N G ...A W A YYYY as Timtron would say.
God still does Miracles , Frank

Fred

Hang in there Frank you're made of tougher stuff than this
BS ! Our thoughts and prayers are always with ya Brother !
Fight the good fight and never give up :)

Well said Bill. I've been wondering the same thing about myself. You are an inspiration Frank. Keep fighting brother.

Hang in there Frank! I want to hear you back on your 4X1 soon!

Terry

After 5 hours of back breaking MRIs and todays meeting with my newly assigned Oncologist I got a little good news and a whole lot of bad news.............

The good news is that it hasn't spread anywhere outside of my liver. The bad news is that my AFP protien is now off of the chart and double what it was a month ago. As of next week I will be starting on full systemic puke your guts out chemo and will have to stay on it for the rest of my life. (this is not sitting very well with me). They are having a meeting of the board of specialists this afternoon to decide my fate. The Interventional Radiologists are most likely going to do another "Intervention" treatment to kill the last large tumor, and then the chemo will be to attempt to keep it under control in a "maintenance" application. the chemo does have some rather nasty side effects to deal with. (Not to mention the cost of $600 per dose if I had to pay for it! ! ! )

The Oncologist has assured me that I AM terminal and it is simply a matter of time until it gets me. He couldn't put a time span on it at this point. The determining factors will be:
1. How well the cancer responds to the chemo.
2. How well and how long I can tollerate the chemo. (I will be on it to the end, and that just plain sucks! ! )
3. Now for suckamus maximus, while discussing things with the Oncologist, he has assured me that now due 
    to the progression of my cancer, I will NEVER be eligible for a liver transplant now. (that didn't go over
    very well)

At this time I am not very happy with Johns Hopkins. for supposedly being the best hospital in the world, their nonchelante treatment of my cancer has left me with a lot of wondering if they could have treated it more agressively earlier on, and maybe I wouldn't be in this predicament. With all of the politics involved in organ transplants, to end up being told that you are no longer eligible just outright sucks. Especially when It would make me whole again. When the oncologist told me that, I was furious and his answers starting getting a bit vague. (I knew I had him "on the ropes") I proceeded to tear him a new one, and let him know how I felt. A transplant a couple years back would have fixed the problem and I wouldn't be here typing this now. I will start on the rest of the "team of specialists" tomorrow.

Yes, I'm pissed! ! !  I'm pissed off beyond words! I knew a while back when the young, cocky Interventional Radiologist started talking Oncologist, the outcome was not going to be good.  (He's next in line for the ass whoopin!) I have had this gut feeling for a while, and basically expecting this.

I'm gonna stand up and fight this till the bitter end! ! (Or at least as long as I'm able) I haven't lost that fighting spirit yet. Many, many, many thanks to all of you for your thoughts, prayers, and support! I know I'm gonna need them in the days to come and will take all that I can get. God bless you all! !

The "emotional roller coaster" is definitely doing it's ups and downs and life is "having it's moments" but "you gotta play the hand you're dealt.......)


Frank

Hej!

Frank, I don't know what to say.
I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

You should know that you are in my thoughts.

Frank, you are the finest of men.
Spirit, Love and Determination
Define you.
God Bless you and Carol.

Frank, god speed to you...

I can relate...my wife is in a very similar situation with Ovarian cancer.
In all likelihood, she will be on chemo for the rest of her life. We have done all the front line treatments and most of the secondaries, so it's now on to the major east coast cancer centers for clinical trials and, as our oncologist says, "novel treatments" . Her cancer has now "metted" to her lungs, and according to her oncologist, surgery is not an option. When asked why not? they get very vague....she has that fight to the end spirit just like you do, I think that spirit comes with the disease most of the time. All you can do is keep on keeping on... I admire and respect the courage of everyone that is forced to go through it.

Jeff

Frank,

Since the start of this topic, your comments and reactions are very touching.
Altough we don't know each other, I would like you to know, that even accross the pond, thoughts are with you.
As others have said before , I admire your courage too.

Hang in there and keep faith!

Martin

Frank,

I was hoping to hear some better news.  Sorry to hear the latest, why am I crying?

Keep up the fight.  We're all praying for you.

51watt Fred

Jeff,
       Please give your wife a hug for me and wish her my best! ! ! ! 

I have lost way too many close friends to this shit in recent years. sometimes it just seems that life isn't fair, but you gotta play the hand you're dealt and wait to see how it pans out. Unfotunatly, I have been dealt 5 odd cards that don't play together any how or way. I just have to see if I can play a good bluff to get through this hand.

My wife is not taking this very well at all. She really fell apart last night. Watching her fall apart actually hurts way more than knowing of my own immenent demise.  In the last 24 hours, I have felt just about every emotion that a human is capable of. I am still quite a bit bitter over the old "what did I do to deserve this", I have been sad, angry, not to mention the feelings of being helpless and worthless. (I kinda knew this was coming) But, I keep grabbing myself by the BA's and hauling my ass back up out of the mud. However, I am damned and determined to fight this to the absolute bitter end! It is going to have it's "moments" and I am pretty much prepared to fight through them. I just hope my wife can summon up the intestinal fortitude to make it, because it's gonna be a rough one. (We've now been together for 31 years and married for 28!)

I will say it again, many, many thanks, and God bless to all of you for your support in these rough times!

Frank

If Karma works, you have a lot coming your way... Hang in there. Science changes things daily.

I had a immediate family member who was given little chance from an aggressive form of the big C. Spent 1 year full time in different hospitals. Had the  stuffing beat out of her between chemo and radiation.

She comes up on 5 years clean this fall.

The extra day you can take may be the day that a new course of drugs etc comes up.

Carl
/KPD 

Frankie,  Sorry to hear what you going through,
my thoughts and prayers..

Chuck

Frank, may I suggest massive doses of garlic? Seriously, suffice to say, it is hit or miss with the big C. I have co-workers who went to JHU for treatment and they had good results. I wouldn't throw in the towel just yet. I don't know if you looked at places like Fox Chase up in Phila. or any specific cancer center. I had a lot of friends with success stories and good remission from there. Some of these people were given their 'Last Rites.' I'm not trying to raise your hopes but hopefully give you another option to consider. Hell Fox Chase is close enough that Joe, N3IBX would probably personally see to it that you have room, board, transportation. Try to seek out these specialty centers. I have seen too many others be sent home to hospice because of lack of treatment options from a general hospital. Good luck and Godspeed!!!!

I second that. Fox Chase is a very impressive organization and worked wonders for our family.
Carl
/KPD

Frank, you seem like a guy that is not too old.. 31 years relationship.. I do not really know you. But I want to say my mother who was in her late 60's, started having back pain and was found to have a whole kidney and adrenal gland eaten by cancer, and they removed those things and she has been on chemo since, maybe 10 years now. She had thought about adding natural remedies for additional help. I don't know what she takes but she discusses those things with her doctor to avoid interaction issues.

I won't say it has been easy, she has gotten really sick from the chemo a few times, and the program has had her to be on chemo and then off chemo for her body to recover (white blood cells?), and the chemo as been changed several times according to MRI results (she has little spots of cancer at various places in her insides, and the sizes of these are what is judged). The goal is that "those little spots" as she calls them do not get any bigger, balanced with her ability to tolerate the chemo, and this has been met, some have diminished, and none are getting bigger. The cancer has been checked regularly with CAT scans or MRIs kind of chemo has been changed and tuned up by her doctor to suit her situation. The scans are now much less frequent once the right meds have been settled on.

I can not or will not compare two peoples' diseases, but I would say that although my mother is not a weak person, she has never been a badass or a heavy lifter and she is at this point a quite frail little old lady and is almost 80. And it has been 10 years. That is the point I want to make. The doctors would not giver her a life expectancy estimate either. When she started this, we had no idea. Maybe it was a crap shoot but I think they know a lot more about what cancer responds to what treatment now than they did in the past. Still they never predict. What if they had told her 3 years, and she worried herself to death in the 34th month.

There have been times when she has felt very badly, and she has had opioids basically a notch or two up from vicodin without the liver-risking acetaminophen, but she's not addicted to them, does not use them all the time, and they don't seem to mess her up. It makes her feel better when she's having those really bad days from chemo. There is no shame in her eyes or ours in depending on dope to relieve suffering of illness, it is the duty of doctors to relieve suffering. Just saying, there are things to help get through the gut wrenching.

She's not done yet. She still enjoys her family stuff, goes to church, shopping, has her cats which she says makes her feel better (and I agree pets do), etc., and does everything an 80 year old would do except she does not drive any more due to other medical issues. So my dad driver her where she wants, and he does the grocery shopping, etc., and we pitch in with help.

So my point is she is going to die from something else and her fight with the cancer is a stalemate, maybe like what you indicate they have told you? She is terminal obviously, but the chemo and comforting medications has given her 10 years and counting, and she says that is a lot when taken one day at a time.

We did cry about it when it was new but we all are long past crying about the horror of her illness and how it could have happened to someone who led such a wholesome healthy life but rather we are, and have been, going forward as a family with all the love and the good things of it, except my mom has to take some really nasty medicine and visit the doctor a lot more than before. My mom smiles a lot and enjoys her life most days, and this has been once we all got over the initial death sentence. It was a bumpy road but the doctors figured out what chemo works best and that is the guard at the gate against the end.

I'm not going to pound on this but it aint over till its over and I bet you got a long time left like she has had so far. I really hope so Frank. I honestly do hope so for you.

Frank,

Hang in there buddy. I have no words of wisdom I can offer but will say you are in my thoughts each day.

Take care,

Rob W1AEX

Horrible, horrible news. Have you considered the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City or Thomas Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia? Ask one of their oncologists about the possibility of a liver transplant. If the cancer has not spread outside your liver, there is still hope.

Hang in there and get yourself to Holy Mass every day as long as you are physically able to attend. Prayer works wonders.

Phil K2PG

Good thoughts Phil. Getting closer to God during rough sailing helps.
Frank ,
was there ever any thought about Cancer Treatment Center of America. They try a completely different radical approach to cancer treatment. I agree that John Hopkins is supposed to be close to the top of the pile. Their delays and politics were not to your benefit.
You are in my prayers dear Frank.
Fred

Frank, no matter what happens  we are with ya and are kickin this dumbass
illness in the ass.Keep up the good work and fight the good fight.It's all good !

Frank,
Don't let anger, regrets or thoughts of what might have been consume you.

Do things that improve the world. Be with people who make you happy.

All the best, Bill

Hey Frank,
You were one of the people who befriended me when I first got on the air some years back.  I've never forgotten your generosity of spirit, your humor on and off the air, and the way you and Carol opened your home to those post-Timonium gatherings.  I was a guest in your home on several occasions and have great memories of the rigs, the food, the fun conversations and those antique engines you'd fire up in the back yard. 

Please know that you've helped to create a lot of happy memories and are thought of by folks in places you may not even realize.   

All my best to you and Carol,
Paul Goodman, K2ORC
Virginia Beach

You keep fightin' and I'll keep prayin'!!

Buddly, you keep praying and I'll keep swingin as I am entering the biggest battle of my life! If I can walk into this with the lord watching my back, what do I have to worry about! ! ! !

Many many thanks to all of you for your support through these tough times! God Bless you all!

Frank

After a handful of heated phone calls with my specialists. (And I do mean heated) (I was literally threatening them with death and dismemberment, what the hell do I have to lose?)The "bored of specialists" rediscussed my case on this past wednesday night.

They now plan to kill the one large tumor that is left in my liver with a relatively new procedure called "Microwave Obulation" (I may not have it spelled right) And then chemo to prevent any of the small cells from growing into full blown tumors.  And then it's chemo for the rest of my life, however long that may end up being. They can't TACE it because the artery that fed it just went poof and disapeared, which has been the whole dilema of this mess. The chances of my survival will be directly proportional to how effective the chemo is and how well/long I can tollerate it. Here's mud in your eye........... I can/will never be in remission or cancer free. I will hopefully be one of those who are living with instead of dying from cancer. But....... There is still a large amount of luck factor here. I will still keep everyone abreast of how it all is going. The chemo will still beat the hell out of what is left of my liver and it WILL eventually fail. when it does I will just simply crap out. If all goes well and I can tollerate the chemo, I could get a couple more years out of the deal. If not, well, y'all know the rest, and it will come quickly.........

Believe it or not, after all of the shit I gave them on wednesday, they actually called me back this morning! (thursday) I cut loose on them with no mercy, after all what the hell do I have to lose? ? When they explained their battle plan it was word for word how I told them I thought it should be done! Go figger.......

Now........... I have to find a way to sneak into the procedure room and tweak and peak the microwave generator so I get the whole shot! Also, since they are actually going to cook a small portion of my liver, do y'all think I should bring an onion with me for the procedure? ? ?

Thanks again and God Bless to all of you for all of your support!

Frank

"
In a procedure called radiofrequency ablation, electric current is used to heat and destroy cancer cells. Using an ultrasound or CT scan as a guide, your surgeon inserts one or more thin needles into small incisions in your abdomen. When the needles reach the tumor, they're heated with an electric current, destroying the cancer cells.   "

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-cancer/basics/treatment/con-20025222

F,

I'd start to look around for some more opinions. A little Mayo may help. What the hell do I you have to lose?

KLC

Hi Frank and greetings from Arizona ,
I havnt been on AmFone for awhile  , so I dropped in tonight to see what was new and I saw your latest posts and the health problems you are going through . I did some research on liver cancer ( I have 2 friends who are battling this nasty disease )  and found a relatively new treatment they are using called " immune checkpoint inhibitors " .  Its very new and some of the articles were dated just a few days ago .  Some of the cases showed some almost miraculous results and fast too . Maybe you are familiar with it already but if not its a thought . Look it up and see if its of interest .  Worth suggesting to the doctors at any rate . It pisses me off with the attitude of some of these doctors ,  been though the same brush offs as you altho not with anything as life threatening .

hang tough and wishing you the best from Arizona
Bob Tadlock  N7BDY 

I'll pull some nice Vandalia's out of the garden and priority overnight them for ya Frank!

 

That's the Frank we know and admire! Maybe you can home-brew one for use as you see fit?
Go get em!

Carl
/KPD

Nah, I'll just bring the 4X1 rig....................

STRAP! and HEAL!
Now you're talking Frank.

Bill

For what it's worth, Frank:

http://mic.com/articles/93339/22-diseases-that-can-be-effectively-treated-with-marijuana

some folks are getting results with this stuff

Dave
KF7JAF

We will keep praying for your health and comfort.

Ended up back in the horsepistol again a couple of days ago with the mother of all backaches........
5 days of the worst backaches I have ever had and I end up back in the hospital again. One more round of back breaking MRIs turns up a bunch of herniated disks and the possibility that the cancer may have spread to my spine. Oh happy, happy day.............. Not to mention another group of JHH specialists to now have to deal with and give the opportunity to "drop the ball again"......... This whole mess has now went from the ridiculous to the sublime! I proceeded to read them all the proverbial "riot act" BEFORE they even thought about treating me. Even now down to the board of "pain management" specialists. I even told them how I wanted it played to MY rules and when I was leaving per MY schedule! I have just plain had enough of their BS!  Since the department of "Interventional Radiology" has "dropped the ball" and doomed me . This is supposed to be one of the top rated hospitals in the world and THE place most go to for the "second opinion". Their blithering stupidity and lack of follow up has doomed me to an early end and I am obviously not the proverbial "happy camper" about it. Since I am allready phuqued, I now have a severe "castration complex" and now we play by MY rules!

Now, the story only gets better........ It looks like Besides being on chemo for the rest of my days, I will also be pickled in Morphine too boot! At least the Morphine buzz is pretty good It may end up being a bit of a mixed blessing. But............ It is the only thing period, that puts the backache to a tollerable point! Believe it or not, lower back pain is one of the listed side effects of the chemo juice that I am on! Go figger.......

and....err... furthermore..... to add the final slap in the face tor the total insult to injury effect........... My wife calls me in the horsepistol today and asked me hw much more bad news can I handle. With the ultimate sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, she then tells me that my mother had passed this morning. Needless to say, I just fell apart. While crying and praying I just simply asked on high What next, where does it end! !

Now, as well to add to that sinking feeling in my gut, after threatening death, dismemberment and castration last week, I was able to get an appointment scheduled for the Microwave Obilation proceedure on this coming friday (2 days from now)  rather than having to wait 2 more weeks So this whole mess now has me right between the proverbial shit and a sweat. "Here's mud in your eye"! ! ! !  I'll let y'all know how it all works out! ! ! (If they don't kill me in the process)

It now looks like I will end up selling off a bunch of surplus equipment soon, as soon as I make up something approaching an accurate list I will post it in the "for sale" section here (this aint gonna be fun)

Frank.............

Wow Frank ! What a day.  I don't quite know what to say but for now;  my sincere condolences to you and Carol for your mother.  She'll always be with you.

You are still our Frank, in control and calling the shots. Way to go!  -The very best to you and Carol in these trying times.  Pulling for ya man.

Frank,

Sympathy for your Mom...

Give 'em hell and take the reigns from here on out.
I know even the "best" treatment centers can let you fall between the cracks unless you're on 'em like white on rice.

My Wife hasn't had quite the experience with Dana Farber as you are having with JH, but she has to stay on top of things for sure.

God's speed and strength to you

Jeff

Keep swinging for the fence, Frank!

Best, bill

Frank,

   I read your post early this morning. Then I go for an early MRI appointment myself. In the tunnel, I am thinking and praying for you, and then it shifts to me, along with others with less than stellar news. Trying to be more positive, I start imagining how the MRI machine is designed, and whether there are 8877's in there, or perhaps solid state. The conscious mind then drifts into AM negative peak limiter circuits while wondering if that MRI machine could benefit from one.

   It might be good therapy to imprint the schematic into your mind of that 4-1 screen modulated rig of yours. Then imagine differing circuit parameters that might improve the linearity, or frequency response of that modulator.

Hang in there Frank,

Jim
Wd5JKO

Frank-
My sincerest condolences about your Mother.
You are in my thoughts and prayers everyday.
Steve WA2DTW

Continuing to present your situation in prayer.
Skip

I am very sorry to hear about your Mom. Some days (weeks?, months?) it just seems like all you get is bad news.

Keep fighting Frank!

Bill KA8WTK

I am on the phone with Carol and the final chapter is drawing near. Frank is currently in the hospital and they are trying to work out a way he can come home for the last time (Franks wishes). The best help for Carol would be for prayers and someone local to to contact Carol regarding visits or help.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Carol, and to Frank that he can be at peace knowing his wishes and prayers that Carol is taken care of when he passes are answered. I just don't know what to say in times like these. Thanks for letting us know.

I'm sorry.

Godspeed Frank.  Good luck,  Carol.

--Shane
KD6VXI

Very sad... I HATE his disease.
Godspeed Frank....Carol, may God give you strength

Peace Carol and Frank. God bless you both.

Rob W1AEX

Wow, I am shocked since I did not think things were going to move this fast.  Based on what I perceive of Franks situation from reading the dialog as much as I hate to say it, it may be a blessing based on his stage of his illness.  

His mother is no longer in any pain and the tough part about death is how we can deal with it as we mourn the loss of those that we love so dearly.  

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Frank, Carol and all those that are trying to deal with this.  Frank and Carol are the finest, good hearted people that I have ever known.  

Joe, GMS
  

I opened the AMFONE tab and see that there is a new entry to this thread and I knew it wasn't going to be good news.
I do not know if anyone is reading these to Frank, or what condition he is in at this time.
It was good to know you dear friend, and we met many times at Gaithersburg and the all nighters on the air on 75M.
This moment came too soon and I hope you have thoughts of peace within yourself and that you have made peace with God.
Take dear Frank.
Fred KC4MOP

I've spent hours on the phone with Frank talking about God and I am at peace knowing he is a believer . I pray for the the survivors that he leaves behind and that someday I'll see him again.

Frank,
Thoughts and prayers go out to you and Carol. Know you have many caring and thinking of you two
Carl
/KPD

That was very good of you, Randy to do that. It probably took a lot of courage. There is so much Anti-God lately. Then you and Frank and me, for sure, will meet again.
Fred

 Thanks, but I can't take all the credit, Frank was already a believer so that made it easy, we just found out we had even more in common. We spent more than one occasion talking about prophecy and how the times of today seem so much like warning signs.

 I'll probably never know what Carol is going through to be on the edge of losing her spouse and best friend.

 I went to Church today and they prayed for Frank and Carol, and for strength for both of them.  Whatever God's will is, we have to accept it even if we don't understand it. He has a plan, and with faith in God, and His promise, we will surely see Frank again, if not in this world then in the perfect world.

 I dunno what else to say, if I get too religious I'll probably get kicked off.

Tnx for posting Randy.
I too have been praying for the two of them. My friend Joe (IBX) has been keeping me updated.
Godspeed
Terry N3GTE

Is Frank home from the hospital yet?

Joe, GMS

God bless Frank and Carol.

God bless them both.

Frank's wife Carol called me on the phone this morning.  Not a lot of new information other than Frank is still in the hospital but wants to come home.  At this point they are just keeping the pain under control and he will have no more treatments for his cancer.  The hospital is not in favor of sending him home but I have a feeling that Frank and Carol will win that argument! 

His pain is being managed much better now and as Carol put it, he seems like  Frank now.  He is no longer on Morphine but some other pain control. 

Hospice will  be brought in but not at that point as of yet. 

More later as I hear any updates from Carol.

Joe, W3GMS     

Thanks for the update Joe

Your welcome and I wish it was better news.

Joe

I too wish it was better news.

I hope Frank and Carol get their wish for Frank to come home..
I'm betting it will happen when Hospice is called in...I had several relatives in similar situations and every one of them got the "go home" wish. God Bless them both

Let's hope hospice doesn't start their drug injections to hurry the final process. They basically assist a person to the next world. When the senior care facility wanted to put my mom on Hospice we demanded that they not start the morphine trip. They, "hospice" , said we never do anything like that. Mom stuck around another 3 mos and then her body gave up. I'll remember those two hours by her bed for the rest of my life. I was the first to come into this world from her and I was the last to see her leave this world.
It's getting depressing to hear of people younger than me cashing in their chips. Sorry for my reply.
Fred

Fred,

I lost both of my parents to cancer here at home. Hospice never did anything like that. They are great people who have a real calling. They were a great help and comfort to my parents and to me.

I hope for God's love and grace for both Frank and Carol.

Mike

The hospice workers were a Godsend for my mother and our family over the last few months of her life.   No reason for them to 'hurry patients along" since it is a loss of customers!  Bless them all.

I think there are greatly varied situations of what Hospice does when it is called in.

It some cases, it may be perceived as negative as described above.
But in a case like Franks, where I am sure he is in excruciating pain most of the time, Hospice can provide the peace and comfort to allow the loved ones of the person to have some quality time as the end draws near

Hi Frank /Bacon, still saying a daily prayer for you, and hoping you can go home.

PJ

I will call down at his home today and see if I can get an updated status. 

Joe, GMS

Let him know that we are all keeping our fingers crossed etc...

/Morgan

Will certainly do that Morgan.

Joe, W3GMS

I spoke with Frank earlier this week. He is home, but feeling very drained. He said he has no energy at all. He said he deeply appreciates all the thoughts and prayers.

Once again, thank you all for all of the support and kindness.

Well, the cancer has now moved into my back, and I am pretty much crippled. I am living on heavy narcotic pain killers and the pain is at a tollerable level. The fatigue is soooo bad that it getting difficult to function, and I have absolutely no strength or energy at all. I am still trying  keep up the fight, but it,s difficult. I'm still giving it my best shot. My faith has been what has got e through  so far. This last 9-day in the hospital has pretty much knocked the wind out my sails and left me to the point of being helpless. If it  wasn't for my wife I don't know what I would do!  Also the totally unselfish help and support from all of my close friends! ! !  

I am now totally convinced that I was a science project that went terribly wrong, but it is way too late to change anything now. The #3 rated hospital in the world has done everything wrong in my treatment, but it's too late now to to do anything now.

I am now on Home Hospice care and it now looks like I have only a couple of months left. I hope to make the best of what I have left. At least I'm home in my own house.

I will try to keep posting until as close to the end as possible.  

Thank you all for all of your kind wishes and support.

Frank

 

Sorry things landed up this way Frank. You are one tough ### and an example of doing things your way.

Great you made it home.

Hopefully there are enough hands to give Carol somewhat of a break once in a while.

Just went through this with my dad in April and the hospice people were a godsend.

Nice seeing people brought together here with support and a mention or two of faith.

Frank,
So glad you are home with Carrol, and angel that she is, sounds like you are well cared for.

You got a lot of friends on the side with you during this journey. Hope you can feel that care and that it provides you with some comfort.

Carl
/KPD

Frank,  it's good to hear from you directly,  I check this thread a few times a day for updates.   

Sorry for the hand that was dealt to you.  While most of us here can fix and get back up and running almost anything, I feel helpless when something like this comes along.

God Bless you and Carol,  we are all praying for you.

Fred

I just got off the phone with Frank.  He was kind of busy getting ready for some visitors and such so we did not talk long.  He sounded very good on the phone and was proceeding with what he needed to get done. 

As you all know, Frank is a very strong person and its sure comes through when you have a tough situation to deal with. 

73,
Joe, W3GMS 

 :'(

73DG

I don't know Frank but I could never be as brave as he is. We all too frequently give out the term "hero", but here is one man who has EARNED it.

Thank you for the update Joe. Frank is definitely a strong guy and with Carol at his side he is going to make the best of it.

God bless them both.

Rob W1AEX

Amen

I guess it's time for another post..........

After 3 trips back to the hospital to get the fluid drained from my abdomen. I now have  to lave it done about every 4 or 5 days.
They usually remove just over 2 gallons! This will be "routine maintenance" for the rest of my limited days. The fluid makes it extremely difficult to breathe.

I am now totally housebound with trips to the hospital being a major production and leaving me totally spent. I get around the house OK with a walker but they are a major effort, so I'm usually in my "lift chair" recliner. I still welcome (treasure) company, visitors and phone calls!

All of the signs say that the end isn't too far off, but I'll keep fighting as long as I'm able

Many, many Thanks to all of you for prayers and support through these tough times! God bless all of you.
I'll try to keep posting updates as long as I can.

Frank

Frank, since I joined AMfone some 4 years ago, your posts here has given me a lot of nice to know, need to know and "other knowledge". Just want to say thanks! It's a pity that you will stop posting stuff here.
But, your posts will be a valuable source of knowledge for many years to come.
I just feel that this is something I had to say.

Frank, you are in my thoughts now and in the future!

Take Care!
/Morgan

Ah Frank, wish I was closer and circumstances different but I sure wish you and Carol the very best.  If you can, go out and fire up one of the horizontals. Make noise and tell 'em like it is!

Yeah, that's the stuff!
I can hear you all the way over here on this side of the mountains.

Although I have no reason to suspect that my rendezvous with eternity is any closer than decades away, I have decided that I want to die in my own home.  Frank is to be commended for having the foresight and the tenacity to have thought about this, and to fight the overwhelming tendency of the medical profession to monopolize our last days and hours in an institutional setting.  He is also fortunate to have a cherished partner in Carol who is advocating for him and, no doubt, doing a lot of the heavy lifting to keep him at home.
The rest of youse guys need to think on this lesson because, sooner or later, we are all headed for the other side of the ionosphere, and we need to take control of our affairs and make our desires known before some stranger starts making our decisions for us.  Talk to your peeps, and write things down.  Even get things witnessed and notarized so that your peeps can make your wishes known in the event that you can't.

 I ADGREE 100%

Good luck,  and glad your home.

To hell with all the doctors.   Enjoy the last bit,  you've earned it.

Fire up the transmitter,  if you can,  for a good hoo rah.   Might be the last,  might not.   Who cars.   As the race drivers say,  run it like you stole it.   Big carrier,  big peaks.

My mom was given 20 percent chance of a year.   We planted her (her words)  5 years later.

Stay as active as is comfortable,  within reason.   Do the things go you AND Carol enjoy,  then have some fun on the transmitter.

Hope to work you.

--Shane
KD6VXI
Left Coast

Hey Frank!
So very happy to hear you are home and up to posting. You have stayed true to yourself.
Know that you and Carol are getting lots of positive thoughts from a good many people. Keep that "bacon shakin" for us!
Carl
WA1KPD

All the best and good thoughts Frank!

I had a nice phone conversation with Frank this morning before the nurses moved in and ended it. :(

We talked about many subjects, and he sounded just fine through it all. 8)

Kudos to a kind, funny, learned, and all-around great guy!

73DG

For those of  you following my story.....

Had to get the fluid drained out of my abdomen again this morning. With the frequency of needing this now every 3-4 days, I have elected to have a permanent drain/catheter put into my abdomen so I can do this at home as needed. This comes with a certain amount of risk, but I feel the benefits far outweigh the risks.

The biggest risk is infection, as it would go right into my abdominal cavity and kill me very quickly. (big deal....) and I might die on the table from the general anesthetic.

The biggest gain is that I wont have anymore night time crises where I fill up with fluid and am struggling to breathe and can't eat because my belly is full of fluid. (I still love eating)  I will be able to drain myself at home as needed, thus improving my quality of life. (I look forward to this!)

I am scheduled for this procedure on this this coming wednesday.  If all goes well, I will will post another update shortly after.

Thank you all so much  for all of your support! God bless you all!

Frank

Ok Frank,
Follow the instructions closely for your procedure of draining so there aren't anymore bumps in the road.
I too, missed those crazy times at the Gaithersburg Fester. A nice way to end the summer and see good ole friends and the wonderful food. I burn out too quick to be an all nighter type but, I remember hearing the bands, 75M mostly, active with exchanges as the other operators kept the transmitter running all night long.
Fred

 Yeah, I miss the G'burg fester too. That was a lot of fun. I remember when Ed, N3LHB brought his T-368 to one event and they were yakking away on 75m, I looked that the transmitter and caught smoke coming out of it. I pointed at the transmitter and said ED SMOKE! So Ed tried to pass me his cigarettes, I said no the transmitter is smoking!.  The linkage in the air cap was the problem they got it fixed and back on the air within minutes. Good group of geniuses in their own right.

 Frank, good to hear you're back home again. I'll give you a shout on the old yellafone this week. God Bless.

Sadly, I'm helping Frank sell off his stash of equipment and parts.  See http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?topic=36996.0

I had the honor of visiting with him and Carol for some time today, and he's doing quite well, considering.  I'm just extremely honored to have known Frank and for him to consider me a good friend.

Thanks for helping Frank Johnny.  Somebody needs to do it and I can't think of a better person to assist. 

Martha and I are planning a visit down to see him and Carol, but we just don't know the date yet. 

Joe, GMS

Hey Frank keep up the good fight and the good spirit my friend !
Always have you in our thoughts and prayers,will give you a holler on the telephonium.
All The Best to you and Carol my brother :D
Billy

Frank,

It's sad to finally arrive at the point where we've done everything we can, but it's still not enough for a full recovery.  

I can understand  the fluid build-up problem you have. Years ago we took care of my aunt thru hospice and she had the same thing. Glad you found a way to drain it at home. Good going.

It's been a great run and you continue to be an  important contributor to the folklore of our AM hobby niche.

Keep the updates here as long as you can.... and  keep up the good fight.  

T

Frank,

I wish you only the best in peace and contentment. I agree with Shane, fire up the transmitter and let the positive peaks fly!

You and your family are in my prayers.  Thanks for helping me out with radio problems.  Get back on the air.

Oh foobar!

Frank, whew... Don't know if it matters to say it or not, but truly I always enjoyed listening to QSOs when you were on board, and dug working you and being part of ur group down the other end of 75m every once in a while. Good stuff. Wish I could have gotten free for one of your get togethers, but I guess that's what lots of people say.

Wish there was something else I could say that would make any difference.

For all of you that have been following my plight............
Once again thank you all so much for your kindness and support, it is truely appreciated!

Since coming home from Hopkins about a month ago, I have developed a fluid build up problem in my abdomen. (This is common with advanced liver disease) When it starts to get bad, the bloating makes it difficult to eat, then it becomes difficult to breathe, then It feels like I'm suffocating. This really sucks! This was requiring at least 1 trip a week to the hospital to get "tappeed". Each time I  was tapped they drained right around 8 liters of fluid from me! Now being basically housebound, these trips in to be tapped were a major pain in my ass. Not to mention that every weekend I would sweat bullets that it wouldn't hit "critical mass" and require 8 hours of misery in the emergency room!

This past wednesday I elected to go in and have a permanent drain put in my side so I can drain myself at home! The benefits far outweighed the risks and has already improved my quality of life. When I came home from Hopkins a month ago, they gave me 2 weeks, a month later I am still doing well and am not ready to throw in the towel yet!

My home hospice care people have been wonderful in taking care of me!

Frank

God bless you Frank, you're one hell of a fighter. Glad to see your spirits are still high. I''m sure there are plenty of lows as well, but you're living the best you can under the circumstances. Prove those Doctors wrong..

Take care,
YellRX

Frank,

Thanks for letting us know how you're doing.  You're in my thoughts everyday and we are all prayer for you.

Fred

Great to hear from you Frank and you keep kickin butt!

Good move on the tap, as it seems to improve your comfort level. Hospice people are a spacial breed of person, that's for sure.

The two Vikings I bought from you are both alive and well, but not in my shack. One ended up several years ago with KB1IAW Paul in Maine ant the other is with Rob W1AEX in CT. Both of them happily in use.

Glad to hear from you my friend and my best to your bride!

Carl
/KPD
 

One thing I forgot to put in the last post is a very special Thank you to W3JN for his tireless efforts to liquidate my collection of junque!

A very special thank you to Johnny as I cant say thank you enough! ! ! ! !!

Frank

To paraphrase:  "A friend will help you move.  A good ham friend will move your Boat Anchors!"

:)

To all of youse guys that have been following my plight, I guess it's time for another update. (God bless you all!)

Thanks to all of the fantastic care that I am getting from Gilchrist Home Hospice services and my worked to death wife, I am actually doing quite well for all that I have on  my plate. The care from Gilchrist is nothing short of utterly fantastic! They are ALL warm, caring, genuine, and patient with me.

I am still totally, housebound, weak, and battling with the fatigue that comes from advanced liver disease and some of my meds and pain killers. (When the cancer migrated into my spine, that was the crippling blow.) Also the extreme dizzyness caused by some of the meds and painkillers. (Like a good dose of the bedspins one sometimes gets after a good night of drinking)

All things considered, for all that I have on my plate, the Hospice nurse and doctor said that I am "stable" and not deteriorating at any rapid rate. I still have a good appetite and a voracious appetite for really good or exotic food! As a matter of fact, I have put together  "bucket list" of things that I want to eat/taste before I die! This is driving my poor wife nuts! ! ! Unfortunately, due to the fatigue, I am no longer able to cook them myself. (can anyone say crawfish boil  ;) ;) ;)  )   

Yes, I still have my dry and somewhat twisted sense of humor! When you lose your sense of humor, you might as well just give up!

I get tons of visitors and well-wishing phone calls, sometimes to the point of getting a bit hectic. But.......... I treasure every second of it more than words can express, and will take all that I can get! So, if anyone wants to stop by or call, I more than welcome it! It really helps the days go by. It also has put me in  state of mind that I now don't give much (if any) thought to my impending doom, dramatically improving my "quality of life".

God bless all of you that have cared about me and followed me through my plight, God bless you all.

Frank   (sometimes called the Slab Bacon...... )

Frank, nice to hear from you!
I'm not sure is this will match your specs to be put up on the list, but here it comes...

Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes with a nice brown sauce with cream.
Suggested liquid is a nice cool lager.

Can tell you that last November I was in China (work) for almost a month, they have lots of very nice stuff there that can be put in to the mouth and swallowed.  Well, honestly there a few things that I wouldn't even try to eat.

Frank, May the force be with you! (I'm watching Star Wars together with my sons...)
And remember... No is not an answer, Failure is not an option!

I was taught this at an age of 4, I can clearly remember the exact event. I was "helping" my grandfather to repair my bicycle, a flat tire. My first!
Repairing a puncture is not easy for a 4 year old, so after a while there were probably too many NO and so on from my side. My grandfather told me that if I want to use the bicycle again I have to try harder, with the help from him of course.

Take Care!
/Morgan   

Frank, I'm glad your getting lots of calls and visitors. From all over the Whirl too.
 Imagine that !  

I wish you and Carol the absolute very best. You are certainly the standard candle when it comes to keeping a stiff upper lip along with your finely tuned, acerbic sense of humor.

Sharp of eye,
  Quick of wit.
Ol' Man Frank
  Just Won't quit!

So 'AHE
 " Don't " mean ache,
Frank 'n Carol
  Have what it takes.

Isn't it wonderful that we can all be together here through the marvel of this technology. I'm sure many of us think the same and would dearly like to be with you Right Now.

Frank,

So very great to hear from you, and glad that your appetite is hearty. Enjoy every taste, every moment and know that those of us who cannot be there- you live so darn far away- are with you in spirit.

Your HX-50 will have a good home next to the HQ-170 VHF I have. They should look real sharp next too each other. Now to embark on getting it on 160. I tried to call Hammarlund to order the conversion kit, but no one answered the phone. Their customer service seems to have gone all to heck.

Enjoy the food and times and again it is wonderful to hear from you and that you are making the most of life.....

CU agn

Carl
/KPD

 

Keep on enjoying life as much as possible, Frank...

Tell the reaper to take a powder... ;D

Jeff

Nice to hear from you Frank.

I like my hash browns crispy with runny/over medium egg yolks dribbled all over them right before taking them off the griddle. Ever try that?

I was honored to have the Sicilian pasta dish Aglio e Olio with Frank, Carol and Johnny-W3JN are few weekends ago. It's amazing how fresh sliced garlic sautéed with olive oil over pasta can taste sooooo good. Maybe next time we'll have some pickled eggplant.

Browned butter,  over fettuccine,  with mazithra cheese.

One of my all time favorite,  for sure.

--Shane
KD6VXI

Frank, The Lord is giving you some extra days/weeks/months/ or years??
Enjoy whatever is here and we'll cheer you along on your journey.

Fred

I think he might be worried that Frank is going to show up and start kicking butt and taking names.......

Hello All,
           I received a call from Frank's wife Carol early this morning and was told that Frank has been going downhill very fast. He may not be concious of where he is or what is going on. His bodily functions have begun to shut down and it doesn't look very promising. If I hear of anything good or bad I'll be sure to post it on this board to let everyone know what is going on.

For the record, Frank is still with us, we're not sure for how long. It looks as if this may be the end of the line for him. He really needs our prayers right now!

Hello All,
           This message comes with heartfelt sorrow. I just spoke to Carol, the XYL of Frank Esposito KB3AHE and she informed me that he quietly passed away this afternoon.  Please pray for both Frank and Carol.

Thank you.

God bless Frank and his family.

It sounds like he was visited by friends and family quite a bit over the past month or so.
I hope there were many laughs and good time shared by all. You could see in his posts he had come to terms with his fate.
I hope that allowed him to really enjoy the time he had, even though it was too short.

Joe,

Thanks for letting us know.

News we all knew was coming, just hoped it wouldn't be anytime soon.

RIP Frank,  you'll be missed

Fred
KA2DZT

RIP Frank.  Although I never worked you or met  you in person, you have made a very positive impression on me here on AMFONE.NET.  You are obviously well loved and will be missed by many.  Prayers to the family.
John

Hello All,
           I have the following information for anyone who wants to attend the Memorial Service for Frank Esposito,KB3AHE.

Date: Saturday November 15

Time: 11:00AM

Place: The "Prince of Peace" Lutheran Church, Philadelphia Rd. Rosedale,Md. 21237

Please note that this will be a Memorial Service for Frank. Plans are currently being made for a possible celebration of his life and I will post that information, place,date,time, etc. when that information becomes available to me.

Thank you,
               Joe Cro N3IBX