Bad News for Mister Coaster
 

I have been debating wether or not to post this here on TFP for a while now, as this is a very sensitave subject, but here it is...

Last week I received some very troubling news. I have been diagnosed with cancer. Specifically, melanoma of the iris. The good news is that it appears to be in the early stages, this cancer grows/spreads extremely slowly compared to other melanoma, and I will most likely make a full recovery. That recovery, however, will only happen after tests, tests, and more tests, possible radiation and a surgery or two.

I will be going in Dec. 1 for the first round of unpleasant tests with oncology. As of right now, everything is still up in the air and my emotions are really going haywire. One minute I'm joking around, the next minute I'm crying like a little bitch. It's not going to be a fun Holiday season for me, but as long I manage to come out of it cancer free, I'll consider it a good one. I'm going to fight this all the way, I'm not going to leave my 4 month old daughter without a daddy.

So say a prayer or two, if you are so inclined, and I'll keep this topic updated as I learn more. Thanks!

You and your family will be in prayers. I know that's scary shit, and nothing I can say can change that. Where are you having your treatments/tests done?

Doesn't matter what it takes to get you there...

That adorable little pumpkin of yours is one of your major reasons for doing it... There's a whole lot of healing power in the human spirit... and a will to live... I'd say wanting to see a 4 month old on to adulthood. (someone's gotta keep those boys in line... :) is a helluva will to live

You got it... Prayers... well wishes.. good thoughts... and a sympathetic ear when you get down... and a kick in the butt when you need it are all awaiting you...

Speaking from personal experience, its a tough road. But the most important aspect is your state of mind. Look to the future and do what it takes now to get there. When you hit the low points, just keep thinking of your girl's smiling face and the joy you will have watching her grow. It will make your family very close. The human mind is the most powerful force in the world- make it work for you not against you.

God Bless and all our thoughts are with you :)

Good luck and you can do it.

Of the iris... I didn't even know that this could occur.

That is scary.

What do to... Ur. Well it's times like this when I wish I was religious. I'm thinking about it though - I really hope you go ok

Heck, I've known people to have bits removed. They're still here. Take heart from that.

Keep posting. Don't give up... People do care, even if they're not sure what to say or do.

Best of luck to you!

Dave and I will certainly add you to our prayer list Mr. Coaster!!!

I wish you as a speedy recovery as possible :icare:

Good luck man, early detection is a good thing. Keep positive.

I wasn't aware of this type of cancer either. You will be in my thoughts, Mister Coaster.

After dealing with melanoma among my family, I have but a glimpse of you ocean of emotions right now ... take it one day at a time and know we are here for you ... your daughter has the best daddy she could ask for :)

I'm not a praying man, but I wish you all the good will and fortune in in the world, for beating this thing.

Best wishes and a speedy recovery to full health for you, Mister Coaster.

Good luck. Just keep in mind that our technology is extremely advanced. They found it, they can remove it. It's up to you to conquer it.

Thanks everyone for the kind words and encouragement, here's the latest. I had an appointment (UCLA Medical Center, Jules Stein Eye Institute) all day yesterday for tests, exams and a meeting with a melanoma specialist. At this point, all he can say is that it is a "tumor" which either may or may not be cancerous. While this brings me back to square one, (being that there's something in my eye and they don't know what it is) it is some good news because he seems to think that there are a lot of these tumors that end up being non-cancerous. He doesn't want to go ahead and cut it out because doing that can/will permanently affect my vision, and it seems as if my vision is better than 20/20 in that eye. I think I passed the 12/15 chart.

He has advised me to wait and have them monitor it to see what it does. He wants to see me again in 3 months. I feel great, and I don't think there's any chance that IF it is cancer, that it has spread. So I'm not out of the woods yet, but he says I should put this at the bottom of my list of things to worry about.

I kind of see this as a mixed bag, because it gives me some hope that it's not cancer. But at the same time, it could still be cancer and they have chosen to wait, which seems like a bad idea to me. Either way, I don't have to do anything about it until well after the Holidays

Dude, sorry to hear it.

Just take it one day at a time. Don't assume it isn't cancer, but don't assume it is, either. Trust your specialist; these guys have a lot of training and experience dealing with these things and if he says it's better to wait right now, then trust his advice on that.

Don't fret over it either. I know it's hard to let go of the fear and anxiety and everything else, but there's no sense in letting this ruin Christmas for you and Mrs. Coaster and the little Coasterette. Just have fun and enjoy yourself; accept that this is there and there's nothing you can do right now and move on with your life.

If it helps, melanoma is a very treatable form of cancer with a high success rate in treatments. The crucial part is catching it early and even if this is cancer it would seem that you have done so. Many melanoma patients have a relatively minor surgery to remove the tumor and are then cancer free for years, even the rest of their lives. So even if it does turn out to be cancer (and you don't know that it is yet) your odds are pretty good. And with a fighting spirit like yours, they're just that much better.

Good luck and best wishes. Try to have a merry christmas.

Gods blessings, I'll light a candel for you and pray. I'm sure you'll live a long, healthy, happy life.

I hope all goes well for you coaster..

I'm a three time cancer survivor, and if you need to talk, feel free to PM me.
This quote really stood out to me. You have a good attitude, the key is to be strong, stubborn, and not give up at any point. Good luck, I hope this turns out okay for you.

Is there a chance you can get a second opinion... IF it is cancer, then three months seems a long time to wait...

Prayers, good thoughts and wishes and allt hat going in your direction...

I second the "second opinion" recommendation by Mal. Another three months and my hubby may not have been operable. Learn everything you can and be as aggressive as you need to be to get the best care.

I thank the wonderful advice and support I have received via pm. It's given me a positive direction, and I wish the same for you as well. :thumbsup:

My father in law went to a doctor with a persistant leg cramp. Doctor did some tests, said "I think you might have leukemia." FIL stormed out of his office, saying he was a total quack. Went to another doctor, doctor said "Yes, you definitely need to be checked out, go make an appointment with the Duke Medical Center (in Durham, NC, one of the best)." FIL called Duke, Duke said "we can't take you now, we'll see you in two weeks." FIL said alright, then called one of his friends who worked in Houston TX at a really prestigous med center, got on a flight the next day, Doctors in Houston said if he'd waited the two weeks to go to Duke, he'd of been dead.

Moral of the story is- get a second opnion.

Best of luck :)

***Bump***

Well, its been 3 months, and I go back tomorrow for more poking and prodding. As much as I don't want this to be cancer, I do really hope I get an answer one way or the other. At least that would swing things into action. This whole thing about not knowing for sure what it is really makes it tough.

Mister Coaster, you are in my thoughts (as well as in the same town as me!).
I sincerely hope that all is well/goes well. Thank you for keeping us up to date, and please do continue to do so.
*hugs*

my thoughts are with you :icare:

Keep us updated if you feel comfortable, okay?

(( big hugs ))

sweetpea

Mr. "Pumpkin Picasso" Coaster.... I will certainly take time to pray for youand send out general good vibes.

I'm back from Jules Stein and the word for the day was "unchanged." There is still no official diagnosis of cancer, so that's good. But they will never actually know until it gets cut out and biopsied. And they don't want to cut anything out until it "behaves" like a cancerous growth, which so far, it has not.

So there is no reason to go foreward with treatment, only observation. I passed 20/15 eye chart again, so my eagle eyes are intact, and I feel good. I go back in 6 months for another observation unless I notice anything different between now and then.

Thanks all for the kind words, thoughts and prayers.

That's good to hear :) I'll keep you in my thoughts :icare: And hopefully, it will keep stable and you'll pass again great in 6 months.

sweetpea

Coaster, I'm so impressed with you during this. I especially love that you posted this thread. First, because it allows us to give you encouragement and support, which we want to do. Secondly, because it allows other people to learn and be encouraged by your journey.

My prayers go out to you. It sounds like you're handling the situation with strength and forward-looking mindset. That's half the battle. :)

Posting here is very theraputic. It feels good to just let it all go out there. I mean, when I told my boss about the original possible diagnosis, the very next step was to fill out a goddamn form about the fact that I had mentioned a medical condition. Just another lame-ass "cover our butts" legal BS thing that I had to do because some ass hole sued their boss sometime. It's all so impersonal. I need this genuine "interaction", even if it's all just online.

I wish you the best Mister Coaster. Prayer is the best medicine. There is only so much the doctors can do. But with prayer all options are wide open.