guitardude's weight loss adventure - Page 6

Überschwanz · 11-01-2007, 07:03 PM

Just tell us anything you need to man. We're all thinking of you.

italiananglo69 · 11-01-2007, 07:43 PM

As 10 said, you need to fight it. you have a very treatable form of cancer.
if you look at Ronald Reagan for example, he had several cancers including colon and lived to be 92.
I would stick to walking and light exercise for now, you will still lose weight this way and keep your strength/health up. also its a great stress reliever for you.

guitardude · 11-02-2007, 12:06 PM

Thanks for the support everyone.. I really appreciate it more than you know.

10, I will fight this cancer. I have to. I'm learning that possible origins of the disease can include too much red meat (which I've always been one to major on beef; hamburgers in particular), not enough fiber in the diet and being obese and sedentary. So in reality, I had this coming because of my lifestyle for the majority of my life.

I knew earlier this year that I had to do something about the way I've been living because I could "feel" my health declining, if that makes any sense. I'm still living with the testicular pain and the left heel pain and it's really starting to bother me. Well, they have always bothered me but not enough to get something done about it until now.

The new developments in my health bring a stronger sense of urgency to get the problems with my lifestyle dealt with in an expedient manner such that I don't go back to the old way of living. I think I'm going to do my workouts as normal with the exception of doing the crunches for a while. My back has been kind of iffy the past couple of weeks.

In fact, I'll go today after I've had a nap, see how it goes and will post after I get back from the gym.

Regards,
-guitardude

10 · 11-02-2007, 02:26 PM

My hat's off to you brother. So many people in your situation would say "fuck it", throw in the towel and just accept what is. You, on the other hand, have shown more determination, strength and character in your willingness to stick to what has to be a very tough fight. I applaud and commend you and I know everyone else here does too.

YOU are an inspiration guitardude. And who knows, maybe somewhere down the line when your physically where you want to be, you can perhaps coach someone else in your exact position. I find it so rewarding to pass on wisdom of things I've learned along my own personal life's journey to others I see in a situation I was once in myself. In any event, fight on brother!!

SonicCelt · 11-02-2007, 06:55 PM

Just stay at it dude and don't focus on too far down the road. Don't try to rush it either and try to play catch-up because of your lifestyle in the past or you'll burn out fast. I wouldn't have a lot of faith in somebody else but I do for you, I'm sure you got the fortitude and balls (sore or not

) Keep it one day at a time and keep us posted.

italiananglo69 · 11-02-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitardude

Thanks for the support everyone.. I really appreciate it more than you know.

10, I will fight this cancer. I have to. I'm learning that possible origins of the disease can include too much red meat (which I've always been one to major on beef; hamburgers in particular), not enough fiber in the diet and being obese and sedentary. So in reality, I had this coming because of my lifestyle for the majority of my life.

I knew earlier this year that I had to do something about the way I've been living because I could "feel" my health declining, if that makes any sense. I'm still living with the testicular pain and the left heel pain and it's really starting to bother me. Well, they have always bothered me but not enough to get something done about it until now.

The new developments in my health bring a stronger sense of urgency to get the problems with my lifestyle dealt with in an expedient manner such that I don't go back to the old way of living. I think I'm going to do my workouts as normal with the exception of doing the crunches for a while. My back has been kind of iffy the past couple of weeks.

In fact, I'll go today after I've had a nap, see how it goes and will post after I get back from the gym.

Regards,
-guitardude

Guitardude, Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea at all?

guitardude · 11-02-2007, 10:51 PM

Well, the nap turned out to be more than a nap...

I've just awakened and haven't been to the gym so I don't have anything to report on that yet. And, thank you all for the encouraging words. It truly is a privilege to be associated with Betterman and all of you.

italian, to answer your question, I have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea. I'll do some research and see if that may be a contributing factor to what's going on with me physically.

I'm going out of town for a couple of days but will post again after I come back.

Thanks,
guitardude

italiananglo69 · 11-02-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitardude

Well, the nap turned out to be more than a nap...

I've just awakened and haven't been to the gym so I don't have anything to report on that yet. And, thank you all for the encouraging words. It truly is a privilege to be associated with Betterman and all of you.

italian, to answer your question, I have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea. I'll do some research and see if that may be a contributing factor to what's going on with me physically.

I'm going out of town for a couple of days but will post again after I come back.

Thanks,
guitardude

when i gained all my weight a few years ago, i got checked out and found out i had it bad. i had a 4 surgeries done and it has vastly improved my health and weight. I know a lot of large men who snore have it and dont realize how damaging it is to their heart and even the ability to think clearly from being so REM(deep sleep) deprived.

guitardude · 11-09-2007, 12:00 AM

Here's an update guys,

I'm scheduled for surgery next Wednesday afternoon. I'm going to have to do a liquid diet almost all day Tuesday and nothing to eat or drink after midnight Wednesday morning until after the surgery. Not looking forward to that.

I went for a CT scan Tuesday and got the results yesterday. All was normal except for 2 small cysts on the liver. Don't know if they were benign or malignant. The insurance deductible for all this is pretty steep, too. But at least I have insurance so that is something to be thankful for.

My lower back is still giving me some pain and I've been trying to be careful about how I move around so I don't risk messing my back up further. Sometimes it doesn't hurt but then other times, I may have a dull to a medium sharp (if there is such a thing) pain. It's kind of like you know the pain is there and you don't want to move in such a way that it renders you immobile for several days (That has happened to me more than once before).

Anyhow, I'm just trying to prepare and focus now on getting though the surgery next week and getting recuperated as quickly as possible. I think I'm going to contact the foot doctor I went to back in September tomorrow and see if it's possible to do the foot procedure while I'm out for the other surgery. My goal in all this is to remove the physical obstacles keeping me from being the best I can be at this point in my life. More to come later.

Regards,
-guitardude

10 · 11-09-2007, 12:09 AM

Good luck man, we're all behind you.

italiananglo69 · 11-21-2007, 04:37 AM

anyone heard from guitardude? wonder how his cancer surgery went?

guitardude · 11-25-2007, 01:59 AM

Hey guys,

Just now am able to get back to an Internet connection. I was extremely busy with doctor's appointments, working and preparing for surgery since the last time I posted. Also had some extreme lower back pain for about a week before the surgery. The nurse at the surgeon's office said I might have a urinary tract infection so that is something I'm going to follow up on with my doctor next week.

I had the surgery on the 14th around 1:30 pm and it lasted something over 4 hours. They did laproscopic surgery and took 12" of colon and did a resection. Abdominal muscles were pretty sore for about 3 to 5 days then started becoming less sore.

They got me out of the bed on Thursday the 15th for PT and guys, that was HARD and it HURT. A lot of the hurt was coming from the therapist who was pushing a bit too hard. I won't go into details but let me tell you I was shouting out with pain. NOT fun at all. I still managed to walk a fair distance with the walker, though. Successive days of PT were easier and less painful in large part because they sent a different trainer every day and that trainer let me get out of bed at my pace instead of making me match what they thought I should do.

I was on nothing but water until Friday evening when they put me on a clear liquid diet. For Saturday and Sunday, they put me on a full liquid diet and started a solid food diet on Monday. Kidney functions were a bit slow to wake up but did start working good. Had a bowel movement on Tuesday and was released from the hospital Wednesday. The doctor said I would be out of work for about 4 weeks total so there will be more recuperation to do.

The pathology report was good and clear of cancer; I didn't have to have a colostomy or any chemotherapy and I'm not restricted in diet in any way. The doc said I could even drive as long as I was not on pain medication and I was surprised to learn this. So, I want to say a big thank you to all who said a prayer for me during this time. I know it could have turned out a lot different than it did.

I went down to Mom's for a few days for Thanksgiving and recuperation and just got back to the apartment today. I'm going tomorrow to stay with some friends for a while and don't know whether they have Internet connectivity or not. So, I'm not sure how often in the next 2 or 3 weeks I'll be able to post. I'm still moving a bit slow but it is getting easier to move. I plan to go back to the gym next week and do some very light exercise. Nothing too strenuous and definitely no crunches. I just want to get back into the swing of things.

Regards,
-guitardude

JonPop · 11-25-2007, 02:08 AM

So glad to hear you came through all right, David. See, the power of prayer works. Get well and get going again. If you don't have internet connect, write us when you can, you'll be in our thoughts. Take care, brother. JP

italiananglo69 · 11-25-2007, 03:17 AM

Glad you turned out ok Guitardude, you never are sure whats going to happen with surgery. Kepp us up to date on your recovery.

guitardude · 06-02-2008, 05:43 PM

Hi guys,

Don't have a lot of time to give details but I'm going through some life changes now that have been and are major stressors. I'll post some details as I have time. As far as the surgery is concerned, it was a success. The docs said it looks like all the cancer was removed from the surgery and visits to the oncologist have been good. I'm supposed to go back to the surgeon this December and my gastro doctor in about 2.5 years.

The problem with my foot still persists but it is not as bad as it was due to a custom orthotic being used in my footwear and I'm doing stretches though the day. I've developed some right shoulder pain in the past month or two. I'm not sure if it is joint or muscular yet but I'm hoping it's something that will work out in time.

It looks like as far as weight is concerned, I'm going to have to start over because my weight as of today is 343.6. That's a bummer but it is what it is. I do know that I can lose it again and go on to reach my goal of 180. It's just going to take longer than I expected.

I'm starting supplements today; more to come later.

-guitardude

JonPop · 06-02-2008, 05:56 PM

Good to hear from you David, as we all are. Do the best you can buddy, we are here for you. JP