Meeting the Challenge

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 5:01 pm

I just saw the post about losing Txpete. I only knew him from the forum here and I think we did some emails about some levergun things, not sure about that. He will be missed. In that post I see where Mike D is fighting the big “C” and I sure hope he does well. Mike, prayers are with you man. Hang in there.
The reason I’m posting this is not to detract but mostly to let everyone know what’s happening, on this end. Many of you here have called and talked to me about various Rossi 92’s problems. Some of you may recall how hoarse my voice was. This has been an ongoing on and off problem for the last 8 years with the local docs not being able to tell me much. Well, about oct last year it started getting worse so we managed to get an appointment with a well known voice Doctor in Houston, Dr. Stasney. He took one look and he knew then a biopsy to confirm it is cancer of the larynx/vocal cords.
That’s the bad news. The good news is it’s only an advanced stag 2, a kind of cancer that does usually spread and the really good news is they can cure me and I’ll most likely get the majority of my voice back.
The bad news is they only get one shot at the vocal cords so they are treating it aggressively. I’m going 5 days a week for radiation and one Chemo a week. I’m about half way into 7 weeks of treatment. What is amazing to me is how well these folks know the things to expect. I naively thought it would be just a sunburned neck, a sore throat and once a week an upset stomach from the Chemo. They said for about the first 3 weeks I could probably still get some work out. But, from that point on I would be awful tired and to just rest.
Well, that aint working for me. If I lay around I get stiff and hurt so today I am up and in the shop getting a few thing done and it feels really good.

Please excuse the long winded part of this but for those of you that have talked to me you know how much I like to talk about these guns and other gun related things. They told me I would temporarily lose my voice and I have so I’m already missing the talking part.
I just felt compelled to post when I saw were Txpete had past and MikeD is fighting the fight.

I’m trying not to be down but of all time for this to come up I have a beloved pet that is too sick to make it. He came to us as a stray after the Rita hurricane. At least we gave him a good home for awhile. We will have to leave him with the vet Monday so he can be put down.

I will be back strong soon but for now thank you for letting me vent.

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 5:16 pm

Prayers Sent for Ya Steve. I have only talked to You one time on the phone and You went way out on a limb to answer all of My questions. God bless .

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 5:24 pm

Prayers up for ya Steve (Hang tough)

Post by **Old Savage** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 5:26 pm

Best wishes for your treatment and recovery. Steve.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 5:27 pm

Prayers Sent....hang in there!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 5:28 pm

Prayers sent. get well real soon Steve.

LeverBob · Post by **LeverBob** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 5:44 pm

Good Grief...I hate satan & his little slices of death. You're going to beat this Nate, you just went on my prayer list. Go getcha another christian to lay hands on you. Jesus will heal you pard. Same with you MikeD.

LB

Postscript:
I would ask G-D for only one thing....that HE would give me one minute with satan in an empty room. Just one minute...please!

To tear huge chunks out of him before G-D lights the fire in him to end it all, Ezek. 28:18,19.

If'n y'all would read it, we would have to form a real long line and everybody would get their turn.

The punk deserves it....

Too many fine men & women suffer through his brand of terror. I hope I get my chance to return the favor with gritted teeth.

G_D bless all of you & stay the course, continue the fight with this kanucklehead.

LB

Beaker · Post by **Beaker** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 6:14 pm

Prayers up for ya.

piller · Post by **piller** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 6:19 pm

Prayers sent. I have heard of Dr. Stasney up here in the Dallas area. Keep fighting.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 6:28 pm

Steve,

Fight like you've never fought before!

My Grandfather was diagnosed with cancer at 73. That tough old Kraut lived to 95.
He refused to give up!

We can't lose you too!

That goes for you too Mike D!

Terribly sorry to hear about your pet. It's so hard to lose them.
Not a day goes by that I don't think about my Lab. It's been a little more than a year and
still hurts.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Amigo!

jason

iceman · Post by **iceman** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 7:02 pm

Keep up the good fight, attitude is half the battle, faith the other half.

Prayers for you, Mike, Canuck Bob and all the others we know and those we don't who are staring the big C in the face. Don't blink and above all don't give up. It can be beat, it is just a real tough battle. Hang in there and listen to the doctors.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 7:09 pm

Steve, not sure if you saw this thread but we have been praying for you my friend

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=35400

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 7:10 pm

Hang in there Steve! One day at a time

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 7:26 pm

Steve,

Keep fighting my friend. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and when I can prayers.

Never give up.

Joe

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 7:29 pm

Yes,My prayers for you and all of our friends here who need and want them.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 7:33 pm

Prayers sent for you and Mike, fight the good fight of faith and in the end we win the battle.

Stan in SC · Post by **Stan in SC** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 7:42 pm

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Stan in SC

rodeo kid · Post by **rodeo kid** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 7:42 pm

God Bless Steve, keep fighting, you can lick it!

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 7:56 pm

Prayers up here for you Steve.

Alan Wood · Post by **Alan Wood** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 8:18 pm

Steve prayers up!

As far as them knowing what you should expect that is exactly the experience I had 9 years ago when I had non hodgkens lymphoma. Told me that my hair would start falling out on a certain date and it did.

For those who have not face the big C before a bit of advice if you ever have the misfortune.
1. Keep a notebook of some kind with you and write whatever questions you would like to ask the oncologist in it when they come up. Otherwise the rush of new information when you see the oncologist will usually leave the question forgoten and unanswered.
2. Don't panic thinking that chemotherapy is horrible. Truth of the matter is that I was on a treadmill at work between chemotherapy sessions when I first saw one of those comercials about something that they say recduces tiredness etc. The only way that they could have increased the number of tests to see if I would benifit would have been to station a nurse at every major intersection in the area and take a blood sample when they saw me! And no it never would have benifited me.
3. Don't panic part 2 as far as naseau goes well a great deal of research in the medical industry is into chemotherapy induced naseau prevention. With the result that 9 years ago I had 6 chemotherapy sessions and never lost my lunch! The closest wasn't even chemotherapy but rather a new at the time biotech therapy.

I am not saying that it won't be unpleasant because it will but frankly the media over dramatises it. Sure sometimes the anti nausea doesn't work but at least give it a chance.

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 8:45 pm

Will keep you in prayer Steve.

Heal well friend.

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 10:15 pm

Praying you make a full recovery so you can enrich us with more of your knowledge and camraderie.

mod71alaska · Post by **mod71alaska** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 10:24 pm

God Bless you, Steve.

Batman1939 · Post by **Batman1939** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 10:54 pm

Steve,

Hang in there Man. Sounds like a good prognosis for full recovery. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

You were most kind when I had some Rossi 92 questions and you have been a Great Resource for many of us on this forum. We value your knowledge and friendly interest.

Gary

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 10:55 pm

Steve, thanks for your help on the phone and your DVD and parts. They sure helped my old Rossi .357. You, Canuck Bob and Mike are on my prayer list. God is still in the healing buisnes.

M. M. Wright · Post by **M. M. Wright** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 11:00 pm

Praying for you Steve. Hope to see you at another Landrun in the future. I'm praying for you too Mike D.

Nate C. · Post by **Nate C.** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 11:33 pm

Sent you a PM.

LeverBob · Post by **LeverBob** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 11:35 pm

When you're faced with trouble, just do like Harry Calahan, "Get dog-assed mean". Don't accept it.

This from a Chicago street kid...and a bullet proof Christian.

Face the punk (satan) & fight like an Angel....

LB
P.S. Never, but never condeed. Kick the livin' heck out of it pards!

You're Brother in Christ...

LB

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 2:49 am

Hang in there Steve! Prayers up brother.

Best,
Oly

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 11:02 am

You guys are great. I kinda feel guilty even coming here and venting knowing that in the scheme of things my issues are pretty trivial. I say that because everything the MD Anderson Doctors have told me has happened just like clockwork so when they tell me I'll come out of this better than I've been in 8 years I do believe them. These folks do miracles everyday.

The one thing I struggle with walking those halls is seeing all those sick kids. Many much sicker than I am and it just tears at my heart. It even rattles my faith trying to figure out how God can let that happen.

Guys, thanks you so much for your prayers but when you think of me please remember those kids.

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:42 pm

Dang, Steve. I went through that one 4 yrs ago. It was S-3 by the time it was discovered and the tumor had wrapped around my carotid and invaded my tongue. They came real close to removing my tongue but I was having none of that. The treatment was far more brutal than this current lung cancer therapy, but it was quashed and recovery was complete. I had 3 1/2 hrs of chemo on this last Thursday and I am doing well with it. I did the Certified Farmer's Mkt this morning, selling cherries and early pears. What a zoo!

Hang in there, a positive attitude does wonders for killin' that stuff. You are in our prayers, Nate. Keep in touch.

Hagler · Post by **Hagler** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 2:09 pm

Steve,

You are in my prayers.

Shawn

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 3:08 pm

Steve,

That's great to hear that they are all over it. I know you sounded pretty hoarse the last time we spoke. We're all rooting for your complete recovery and as far as I'm concerned, you can 'talk' on this forum as much as you want.

Cimarron Red · Post by **Cimarron Red** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 3:30 pm

Steve,

I wish you a speedy defeat of this demon, and, remember, you are in the thoughts and prayers of everyone on this forum and all of your customers and other friends, as well.

TravisM · Post by **TravisM** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 4:51 pm

Payers sent, Steve. I know that you have helped some of my best friends with your DVD's, parts, and service and I can assure you that they wish you a speedy recovery as well.

Chas. · Post by **Chas.** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 5:48 pm

This thread has been around for a few days, but I just now saw it. I'll pray for your speedy recovery, Steve, and for you Mike D. You both beat this thing and get well soon.

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:17 pm

Thanks everyone, your prayers are working. They scoped it last week and the doc said its just about shrunk to nothing. I have 5 days of radiation treatments to do this coming week with one chemo and I should be done if all continues to go well. They tell me I should start getting my voice back in about 4 to 5 weeks.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:35 pm

Steve,

Vent all you want! We got yer back, brother! In my prayers.

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:42 pm

This round of chemo is not as tiring as the one 3 1/2 yrs ago. Today, I actually walked a couple of miles in the woods, but it beat me up pretty badly, mostly because of the heat. One positive thing about sweating chemo out is that the mosquitoes don't want a thing to do with ya.

My last cancer of the throat missed my vocal chords but got my tongue and carotid. Chemo and rads for that was devastating. Hang in there, Steve, 'yer on the way to a permanent mend.

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:54 pm

God's speed with your treatment and recovery,Steve. Prayers up !!!!!!!!!

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 8:55 pm

Good news!

RustyJr · Post by **RustyJr** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:16 pm

Praying for your recovery and for your morale sir. Will also pray for the little ones that you are seeing.

RustyJr