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!

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If you have any poo... fling it NOW!

cj2112

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?

maleficent

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...

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gonadman

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

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For me there is only the traveling on paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge is to traverse its full length. And there I travel, looking, looking, ...breathlessly.
-Carlos Castaneda

Siege

Good luck and you can do it.

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"Your name's Geek? Do you know the origin of the term? A geek is someone who bites the heads off chickens at a circus. I would never let you suck my dick with a name like Geek"

--Kevin Smith

This part just makes my posts easier to find

Nimetic

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.

Spotila

Best of luck to you!

ShaniFaye

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

I wish you as a speedy recovery as possible

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I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

Iliftrocks

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

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bill hicks - "I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out."

Grasshopper Green

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

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"They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king"

Formerly Medusa

amonkie

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

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Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

DonovanDuVal

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

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"I've been Donovan DuVal. Take care of yourselves, and each other."

Toaster126

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

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"The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me." (Ayn Rand)
"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." (M. Scott Peck)

FngKestrel

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.

Mister Coaster

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

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If you have any poo... fling it NOW!

Martian

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.

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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Willravel

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

Catdaddy33

I hope all goes well for you coaster..

spectre

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.

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"Fuck these chains
No goddamn slave
I will be different" ~ Machine Head

maleficent

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...

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Elphaba

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.

Sage

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

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Mister Coaster

***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.

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If you have any poo... fling it NOW!

Sultana

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*

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"Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath.
At night, the ice weasels come." -

Matt Groening

My goal? To fulfill my potential.

Sweetpea

my thoughts are with you

Keep us updated if you feel comfortable, okay?

(( big hugs ))

sweetpea

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Poppinjay

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

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I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

Mister Coaster

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.

__________________
If you have any poo... fling it NOW!

Sweetpea

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

sweetpea

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"I am the Type of Person Who Can Get Away With A lot, Simply Because I Don't Ask Permission for the Privilege of Being Myself"

Brilliant Idiot

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.

Mister Coaster

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.

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If you have any poo... fling it NOW!

newtx

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.