The AM Forum

 :P

well, I have been in the hospital for 36 days and just got home. I wanted to let everyone on the radio side of things know but
I had no way of contacting  anyone here from the hospital and Gloria did not know how to. I had a seizure on March 3rd and fell out
but got to the ER. They did a ct scan on my head and found a large tumor on my brain. I got airlifted to Georgetown University Hospital in critical condition
and they did brain surgery on me on March 10. The tumor is  hi grade malignant but they got 85% of it in the operation and the rest they hope to beat down with chemo and radiation. I am sorry I could not let every one know until now.

I am able to walk with a cane and get around some but my left aide is messed up. I cant hold anything with my left hand. But all things considered I am doing OK. My head looks like I got kicked by a horse with a shoe on.  ;D

Since I have net access again I wanted to let everyone know.

Derb

Good to hear you're still 'live & kickin' Derb. I have a friend of mine that had the same thing. I knew he was going in to surgery. I told him to ask the doctor to put a piece of tissue in a jar. That way when someone pissed him off, he could give them a piece of his mind ;D. Good luck to you and I'll keep you in my prayers that the chemo does the rest without any ill effects.

Wow, what an experince!

Hang in there Derb. Thoughts and prayers are with you as you go after this sucker.  Medicine just keeps getting better at these things.

Good Luck Derb.
 Keep fighting it!

Wow, Derb...  sorry to hear that, OM.

We're all so fragile - just walking chemistry sets.

I hope everything goes well in the procedures and you're back feeling well after it all.

73,
T

MAN, I didnt need to hear this! That really SUCKS! I hope you are at least feeling acceptable. I was wondering why I never heard anything from you about the party. I was really hoping to see you there. Sometimes life just isnt fair!  if there is anything that I can do, call me. Regards and best wishes.
                                                                    the Slab Bacon

I REALLY NEED TO HEAR THE B.J.B. ON THE AIR AGAIN!!

Holy Sh*t, Derb.

Thank God you had that cat scan, even if the circumstances leading up to it sucked. These things are silent killers if they don't do something to give themselves away in advance, like yours did. The Force is with you, man.

I think I can speak for pretty much everybody when I say that even those of us who spent most of our time in long political debates with you are wholeheartedly pulling for you. You're already a survivor, and I hope it's a long and happy survival.

Keep your spirits up, and I've no doubt you'll kick the crap out of this in typical Derb fashion.

Best of luck to you in your recovery, hombre'.

--Thom
Goofy phonetics don't seem appopriate right now

Hi Derb:

I am very sorry to hear this.

I hope you feel better and you can get on the air soon.

One good thing I like about this site and ham ardio is the support you can get from radio friends.

The best of luck!

Dan
W1DAN

Sorry to hear Derb, best wishes for a speedy recovery...

Chuck

Derb,

Hang in there, man. You got a lot of fight in you.

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Hi Derb,
'sorry you are ill but it's good you are recovering and will continue to get better. Kick its ass amigo . . .
All the best,
Art

Derb,

It is times like these that words escape me.  I will say simply that medicine today can get these things under control beyond anything we had thought about even 10 years ago.  But the doctors do need help, so all of us, myself included, will be appealing to the almighty God, each in our own way, that He be with you and your doctors as you fight this battle.  He will surely help you to win!

Herb

Derb,

Best of Luck OM. 

73 es God Bless

Tim (Derb),

This sort of hits home for me.  I have to echo what Herb said.  Hang in there and don't leave anything to chance. Medical technology has improved over the last 10 or 15 years.    I lost a very close friend to brain cancer in 1990 and to this day I don't think the doctors turned over every stone.  Of course things were different then too.  My friend Don lost the battle at the age of 29.  Left a 5 and 7 year old  behind and a loving wife. To this day I don't think the doctors were adept at dealing with what he was dealing with but the details are another story.  I was saddened and mad for a long time.   The point I'm trying to make is get multiple opinions and diagnosis's.  Don't mess around.   I do want to say I'm glad things are working out for you at this point in time.  Be strong. Be dilegent. Don't give up.   I'll be strong in hoping and praying and I won't give up either..   You can beat this..

No fkg szht? What a chilling report.
Gad, not fair.
Maybe get good and pissed and direct it at the remaining 15 pct, poof! Gone!
That's my wish for ya, fingers crossed.

Derb,

I really appreciate you sharing something so deeply personal, that takes some real courage.
Some years back I lost a good friend to what was then a fatal disease and my biggest regret is that he dropped out of sight and did not communicate with anyone.

While I'm deeply saddened to hear your challange, I am pleased that you consider us all good enough friends to share such with and heartened that medical science has made some huge strides in the treatment of your condition.
One of my good friends suffered from the same aliment, and after treatment is doing quite well nearly a decade later, so hang in there OM.

Know that both you and Gloria will be in my thoughts and prayers and I'm trusting in the best.

73 Bruce 1UJR

thank you everyone. How could I not let everyone here know? You were a major part of my life for many years. I just burned out on doing the same  thing for 25 years. I miss the people, even if not thew radio itself.

but with the bad comes the good, I'll be getting married to Gloria my fiancee on the 11th.   8) So with everything there is good.

best way to monitor things with me is through my blog www.libertyforsale.com. The latest will always be there.

At first I was hoping that I was misreading. Wow, that's a real bad break. I am very sorry to hear this happened. However, I am glad to hear that the surgery went well and that you are recovering. I hope that you'll be able to knock this thing down completely and gain full recovery. I extend my best wishes to you. Stay strong and keep in touch.

Derb,

  I am just yellowfied to hear about the cancer, but relieved that you made it through your surgery. We are all getting to be "old buzzards" and most of us are suffering from some effects of old buzzardom in one way or another.

  Hang in there bro, both Mary and I wish you and yours the best. I am sure someday we'll work each other on 75 AM again, just like the old days... Here's hoping you get well soon Derb.

Tim,
     Words cannot express how I feel about the news and wish you the very best and a speedy recovery. You've been through an awful lot!

Congradulations to both you and Gloria and I wish for the very best for you.

If you don't have any gear left and decide one day that you want to get on the air; we can hookup somewhere and I'll lend you a station. Just add an antenna for some instant fun. The raincheck is good indefinitely.

Best Regards and many thanks for letting all of us know your situation.
Joe Cro N3IBX

Derb,

Just to let you know I'm thinking of you.

Don k4kyv

 Derb

   My prayers for a quick recovery. Good luck to you and your future XYL :)

Derb I made sure Dean knew of your struggle back to health this morning when I had the pleasure of talking with him on 75m.

He was totally shocked, completely unaware, and first asked if you were still living or not !

Once we got that straight, he said "my God I love that guy, what a bummer!"

And I said I would post to you his best hopes for your recovery.

Paul-VJB

Derb: Hang in there Bro. All of us are thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery. Joe  NM1V

OH MAN....Saying prayers for ya Derb.

We are all pulling for you.....

Brent W1IA

Sorry to hear this Tim. Hope you have a full recovery.

Derb, our thoughts are with you down here in NC. You can beat this, so hang in there!

TNX Paul. Tell Deano I am down to 325 pounds and no longer able to compete with him in the belly bump contest.  ;D

Hi Derb,

I wish you a speedy recovery and my best wishes are with you. 

Here is something you may want to make your oncologist aware of in case he isn't.  Proton radiation therapy.  It is specifically effective in brain and spinal cancers.  Check this out for further info on one of the two centers in the US that offer it.  It is the next generation in cancer therapy and has none of the side effects that all existing treatments have.  The other center is here in Boston at Mass General Hospital.

http://www.llu.edu/proton/patient/faq.html?PHPSESSID=fdc15ebc7f4d520704fc41b12461

I am in a start up venture developing the next generation proton therapy system that will make this technology available at lower cost. 

Chuck...

Derb,
Fight, fight, fight......... keep punching and kicking...... thoughts and prayers are with you Derb -
73 Al UX

Congrats on the marriage! Just keep on being da BJB  ! Through family expierience I have learned the best therapy is not to let that illigitimate son of a female dog thing you have with  your health run your life. Please get on the air man. You are truly sorely
missed ! :-*

Oh man... what a bummer!  Derb, I'm hoping you'll have a full recovery ASAP.   Perhaps you can use your convalescent time to get on the air, or at least listen in.

Prior to the seizure, were there any early symptoms that you didn't take seriously?

Hang in there buddy!

Eric - WB2CAU

Tim,
Best of luck with the treatment and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  Days of onions, days of honey, as the old saying goes.  Hang tough.

Paul K2ORC

Yes Derb ..... all my best !!!

So sorry to hear this, Derb.  My thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery.

And, congrats on the upcoming marriage! ;) ;D

Derb,
A positive attitude goes a long way.As a cancer survivor,I can appreciate what you are going through.I don't think anybody that hasn't gone through it can know all  that it entails.Best of luck to you and your new Bride................73,Lee N2UDF.

F&$K ME!  I've been away for a while. Derb, hang in there bro. If there is anything I can do, call or write. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

So Derb, didn't you guys tie the knot this week? Pix of the bride and groom! The best to you and your bride from the zrf's (if ya did it)

Hey,

we are doing it today (Monday the 17th) at 4pm in the Jefferson County Courthouse ( the same one where John Brown was found guilty of treason and hanged ) Pictures before, dinner after in Frederick at the Red Horse on the Golden Mile.

Congratulations, and best wishes to you both for a long, happy, and healthy life together!

Herb

Kool Beanz! ! ! !  Congrats and best wishes! ! ! ! !
                                                                    The Slab Bacon

Derb,
       Congradulations to you and the new Mrs. Derb!
                                                                        Joe N3IBX

Whoa!  Derb!  My prayers are with you.  You'll beat this thing, fior sure!    Congrats on your  marriage.  Life  throws curve-balls, sometimes.  (Trust me, I know!)    Hang in there.

! Congraduations  ..  I'll have several beers in your honor (along with a few for your brides honor)....

Wow Derb,

You can make it through this if you keep a good attitude and surround yourself with loved ones and friends. The Chemo is tough but they have great drugs now and the classic nausea is not so bad. Hell, I never even threw up. It is your head that you will have a problem with. Its OK to be negative, but do not dwell on it for more than a few hours. Think about the positives like your bride to be, your great treatment and family and friends and ham radio and fishing, music or whatever. 

Finding out you have something like that is like being punched out of line.

My surprise came two years ago in January. I went in for some routine bloodwork, went back to work, and at 6:00 PM that night I had a knock on the door. It was my doctor in an overcoat. You see it was snowing here in New Hampshire. Who says doctors don't make housecalls?

He said that I had leukemia and that I had to go to the hospital NOW. I asked if I would die from the cancer and he said hell no, cause I would bleed to death first. You see I had no platlets.

It has been a long road, I won't sugar coat it, but I am a real success story. I have been in remission for quite a while now, almost 2 years.

One problem - when you get cancer, you change. If you liked ham radio, fishing or any other vices that you can think of, expect to like them a lot more! My response to surviving was to go on a building binge and upgrade to extra.

Best wishes and kind regards,

Mike WU2D


 

Hi Tim;

Good Luck and congratulations! Wow!  :D

You can beat this.  And congratulations on your marriage last evening.

I got sick in Jan 2005 and they told my wife I would probably die.  I didn't.  I've never been able to go back to work but that just means more time for hamming. 

You can laugh or you can cry.  I did enough crying and now I laugh.  It really IS the best medicine.

Good luck.

Let us know if you want an antenner raised at your place, Drb, I'm sure we can mount a party to string up a diaper pole for ya.

I'm thinking about it. summertime is not the best but maybe in the fall when the time switches back to rdio season I'll get back on. Would hve to be a modern rig tho for lots of reasons - too many pets, cant carry the weight, etc.

prolly super modified ft102 with LIN YAR would be best. ( and a reverb/echo box ) :D

hi Derb,
      well I don't git in here much, Paul updated me, but reading in here its more
that I first thought.  My good buddy maul pounding black james bond, please be well!
I don't have yer current fone, fire me off some e-mail at..

   deanm1952@yahoo.com

..I will call you!

deano