just to let you know (As Of feb 7) in my last post

   I posted the update to my physical condition over at the songs forum. I'm posting here
just to let those of you who don't frequent that forum to know that all the the things that
you've done to support me in the many ways that you have is life changing in so many ways.
(In a great way). I'm at the start of treatment for the cancer as it turns out to be
much more devastating than I'd have wanted to hear but as I might have mentioned
over there you people have made a huge difference, so much so that words may not express
(just) how much I feel inside about what you've done and how much it means to me.

  Of course there are those of you who may have gone through similar situations or
maybe even worse that I feel like me even speaking of mine is to be condensating .
(but) I have found that the support, friendship and the help that you have provided
is something that I not only needed (when speaking of people need people) and
that is the nature of life.

  I've always been somewhat of a loner in the since that I don't want to bother
anyone so to speak. Janet told me that (when I was speaking with her) a while back
that (people want to know) and that people care etc. That thought took some getting
used to. It comes easy (for me) to care and help others when I can, but I feel
humbled when I'm on the receiving end of that.

  The basics is that I'll have to get a device installed surgically in my chest with a tube
to a vein just above my heart to start Chemo and a tube in my stomach to be fed by
along with radiation and hope that the treatment will be a success. The finacial
contributions that you've made could not have come at a better time too as that
will help in me getting through a time where all the money has gone out with nothing
coming in.

  I'm in the midst trying to get aid, temporary disability etc but that hasn't started yet.
That in itself feels awkward because I'm so used to working for my living and to be
dependent upon things has me wanting to (be back) to where that I can make
my living.

  Thank you all so much for everything that you have done as this whole situation
is one that I'm on the receiving end of knowing what it's like when a person needs
a friend. I was hit (head on by a large dump truck a few years back) by the city
so it being a metropolitan type entity they cover themselves so to speak. It was more
or less like (too bad) (sorry). I made it through tho. In that situation it was more like
everyone wanted to show (how much) they didn't care. Even my employer
(I was in a small work truck) So I got the cold shoulder from even the people at work
too.

  Anyway thanks and bless you all for everything.

Keep up the fight!! 

Getting the feeding tube and chemo connection (I forget the terminology, so much I will have to re-learn) all in place now is important, you want as much prep done while you still have your strength. Trust me, the radiation and chemo is brutal, but the end result is worth the trouble. In case it has not been mentioned by the radiation doctor, there may be a point during the treatment where you will want to take a break. For me, it was around week six. So they gave me a week off, then restarted. That break was needed, but I also wanted to get it finished, so it kinda re-focused my determination. Ask questions of all your doctors, and if you have a "case-worker" or similar representative, "use" them, that is why they are there.

The application for disability may take a little time, again, just the way the system works. We had a person come into the house and sit with us, helped us get all of the forms for disability, charity and the veterans all filled out with all of the back up like IRS forms from last year, everything needed to get the help available. The one thing this person told us that really helped was that disability would cover everything retro-actively, so that from the day you were diagnosed you have been covered. Just let the bills pile up. Don't even worry, they will all be covered in the end. Again, ask questions. If you don't ask, information will not be volunteered.

I know what you mean about not wanting to take disability or assistance, I am exactly the same. In fact, the first doctor appointment after the radiation was finished was when I asked when I could get back to work. I was surprised at the answer from all three doctors, that it would be a long time. The very best case, eveything goes quickly and not even the slightest complication, I will not be ready for even a part time job until late summer. So you might want to get your self into the mind set that you will be out of the working world for the better part of a year to eighteen months at best.

None of this is gonna be easy, but knowing what is ahead, preparing for the journey both physically and mentally, and keeping a positive attitude are the tools that will get you to the other side of this.

Best of luck, and keep us informed.

Later
Albert

Philip - and everyone else reading this thread:

we are taking up donations for Jimmy.  I've already sent him $1100 and there's still more coming in.  Jimmy has been out of work for a while and his unemployment ran out and he has no insurance, so we're trying to help him out.

anyone interested should go here:
http://www.beaglesound.com/jimmyman

thanks!

Jimmy, I'm going through this too, I cant advise on the finance stuff like Albert has done for you as I live in the UK and of course the 'system' is different here. The treatment seems identical though and I can tell you that it can and does work and you have everything to go for. I also have the line in the chest called the groshung line and it makes administration of the chemo painless and well worth the procedure to put it in.

Just to cheer you up, let me know about the 'arm rub' that fellow patients give you during the treatment. I have noticed this when I go for my chemo every 3 weeks at my local hospital and I find myself giving it to other patients too. Its a human thing which almost certainly is a natural acknowledgement of what you are going through and incredibly comforting to meet others who know exactly what you are going through without words being expressed or even needed.

You are in my thoughts and words pal, I really know how it goes.
 
< arm rub to you Jimmy >

Peace love and understanding

Garry Kiosk

Hi Albert, I have just finished cycle 3 of 8. Should have started number 4 on Thursday but they noticed a possible infection in my line so I have to wait until tomorrow to find out the result of a swab test.

My hearing has not been affected at all, plenty of other side effects though, and its the nerve damage to finger and toes I have to watch out for, it would be devastating not to be able to play guitar or keys properly but even that would be a price worth paying if it meant being restored to health.

As for the "arm rubbing" maybe its a Brit thing.....

Best wishes to all of us

   In reading the remarks of those of you who are going through, or have gone
through "your" own physical situations I've learned a lot, and to as well be in contact
and speak with those of you such as Albert/ gamlers choice and Gary/"The kiosk project"
as they have or are going through those times that also helps in so many ways.

  I'm not one to feel like I've got it bad, or to feel that anything short of feeling
"absolutely grateful" for receiving help is to be taken lightly. I got some money today
from the financial assistance from forum members here and it is just so heartwarming
to think that people do this for others. Being on the receiving end of this "really
"hits home".

  I've been in many ways "wondering" "what am I going to do? My available
funds had about come to nothing and I think that in some ways a person
can be "stressed" without really thinking of it as that. When I got the financial
contributions today I was like "oh my gosh?" as I realized "just how much"
that is going to help.

  Although I hope that the financial aid from medicare and such that helps or does
pay into the cost of the treatment and Dr bills etc when it does that aid doesn't
help in the ways that sustain those areas where sustain is needed to live. I say
all this because where a person might think of this type of help of "nice and all"
goes far far beyond that to me and my situation.

  Like a few dollars can be worth everything because it "does so much" and makes
so much difference.

  I can look back now and also see that my situation should not have taken so
long to get to this point of finding out that it's cancer. It was when I "finally"
saw the right person during oral surgery on a tooth that said hey "this needs to
be checked into".

  I'm feeling more challenged right now as it's getting harder to swallow and the
pain medicine isn't as effective as it was (maybe my system is getting used to it
more) so I'm always feeling pain to some degree. The mornings when I'm waking
up is the worst when its been a little longer since taking "the last" medicine.

  I really feel "that want" to be back where I felt like writing, recording etc. but
of course that will be at another time. I can feel the prayers from you all. It's
something that I feel in my heart and even physically at times as though the
prayers are making a difference.

   Everything that you all are doing be it the prayers, friendship, support,
information, financial or otherwise is making a difference. As much as I
may not have any new news as far as how the treatment is yet going
(I'm just getting started) there is some newness to the fact that something
is happening. Like something is moving foreword.

   Reece I know that you want all the Glory to go to God as a result of
your starting a "fund" for me but you have been and are extremely instrumental
in helping a person in need. As well as representing the kind of person that
is of extreme value to the world. And Janet you too have done the things
as well that places those values in life.

  And then to add all of you who have done and mean to me as much as you
all do it is just awesome.

I think it is incredible that we all know each other well enough to, for example, trust Reece to send you the money. :-)

Jimmy, that is meant as a huge compliment and it is speaking about You, Reece, and this community at large.

Stay strong and stay in touch.

best regards,
mike

Hey Jimmy,Gary and Albert,

Thanks very much for the update on where you're at in this difficult trial.  Remember you're bigger than anything that can happen out here.

You're all in our prayers. 

Rick

My best to you man.  My prayers to you and yours.