Cancer

[LandElephant]

To My VRCC Friends and Family,

This will be short because I am still digesting the news myself.  I have colon cancer again.  Don't know what stage. I am having a Colonoscopy on Monday to find out what the size of the tumor is.  It is located in the same area as the last one was.


The course of treatment wil be Chemo and radiation first, surgery, then chemo and (depending on the Oncologist). My riding year is done.  I might get a short ride if the stars and moons align.  But they will be short in natural.


Will be in the hospital untill Tuesday if not longer. This weekend is pain management and massive dosages of antibiotics.


I appriciate all the prays and well wishes. But please lift up my family for they need also.


Charlie Morse
landelephant

[MAD6Gun]

 Damn Charlie that sucks. Think positive thoughts. Good luck...

[Rams]

Charlie,
Know that your Valkyrie family is in your corner.   
If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.   

Rams

[Pete]

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

[f6john]

Will do.

[Farside]

  Very sorry to hear of the cancer retuning. My anunt went thru her second colon cancer maybe 2 years ago and she has been doing well. Prayers for you and your family.  

[Chrisj CMA]

So sorry to read the news!  I will pray you respond well and get cancer free again. Showing up at the cancer floor really sucks.

Don't get too frustrated, positive attitude you know that.  

I'm getting ready for my third round of chemo Tuesday.

[Patrick]

Sorry to hear this. Have you had a Petscan ?

[Willow]

I don't like to hear that, Charlie.  Hoping for the best in recovery.

[Robert]

Keep you in prayer.

[baird4444]

      positive thoughts sent from the Western Slope

                    - Mike

[Dennis from Blythe]

Sorry to hear about this Charlie.  Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

[Valkorado]

I've read many of your posts over the years, you are a true rider.  Prayers sent that they have you back in the saddle putting on the long miles soon.

[Daniel Meyer]

Thinking about you and yours.

[..]

 

[Motodad71]

Damn really hate to hear this, cancer is so out of control these days. My Dad is currently dealing with brain cancer, I am having a very hard time accepting the reality of his impending numbered days here. Don't give up dude....give that cancer hell!!!

[98 T]

Charlie,  we've never met but I'm praying for you and I hope to see you down the road at a future InZane

Loth

[MarkT]

Sorry to hear this Charlie.  Best wishes to beat it and get back in the wind.  Mark

[flsix]

Very sorry to hear it's back Charlie.
We'll keep you and your family in our prayers.

[Valkski]

Sorry to hear this news charlie,will keep you in my prayers, be strong!
  Rich K ( Valk Ski )

[Skinhead]

Best wishes Charley.  Prayers on the way.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

You are a fighter Charlie . Wishing you only the best stay in touch .

[Karen]

Wishing you the best of care with this, thoughts and prayers.

[DDT (12)]

Charlie,

Thinking positive thoughts for you... Please share the good news after the probe with us as soon as the doc gives it to you!

DDT

[DirtyDan]

Be strong

Dan

[LandElephant]

To all,

Still in the hospital.  Had a Colonoscopy on Monday (05/28/18) and the results were good news/ Bad news.  The tumor is not inside the colon (good news) colon is clear and the surgery area from last year was in excellent shape. Bad News is I still have cancer. The tumor is now between the large intestine and the muscle wall.


While prepping for the Colonoscopy I discovered another large hard area.  CT Scan shows another abscess. A drain is being put in today.  If this keeps happening I'll start looking like a christmas tree.


No PET Scan yet. Once all this diagnosis gets done then I have a basic course of action plan. It goes:

1.) Go HOME! have my Oncologist build a plan. Generally five weeks of Chemotherapy / Radiation.
The purpose is to shrink mass area before surgery. If not then the  surgeon is just
mining flesh. Not good.

2.) Four weeks to recover.


3.) Surgery and six weeks to recover.


4.) Then a long term Chemotherapy / whatever the Oncologist wants to add.


I'll do my best to keep the VRCC family informed.


Charlie Morse

landelephant

[Skinhead]

Wishing you the best Charlie, Thanks for the update.  I will keep the thoughts and prayers coming.

Cancer Sucks!

[DDT (12)]

Charlie,

You are such an inspiration in courage, tenacity, and generally toughing-it-out when facing adversity! I highly value the quality time we've shared over the years, and I do look forward to more in the years to come. You have many good folks in our 'community' all pulling for you, and you have the man I've come to know and respect so much in yourself! A winning combination, in my view, and I'm confident if there is a miracle out there to be found, you'll be the one to do so!!! Thanks for keeping us posted...

DDT

[G-Man]

Glad to hear you are being managed well and are in good spirits as well.

[Gary]

Very sorry for your latest challenge. I hope you have another positive outcome and wish you the strength needed to step into this next chapter.

My thoughts are with you and your family coming at you from northern New Mexico.

[Patrick]

I hope everything turns out good for you.  Yes, cancer sucks.

[LandElephant]

To the VRCC Family,

I purposely waited till after Inzane to post this Update.  I've been home from Dallas about 17 days now.  I've seen my Oncologist twice, Surgeon once, and Infectious Disease Doctor once and here is what I can report.

It appears that I was misdiagnosis the last year as to what stage cancer I had.  The surgeon who did the tumor removal stated "I got as much as I could, but there is still cancer there. You are probably stage 4." The pathology reports cane back stage 2B and I was so excited that I wanted that diagnosis. So I was treated for stage 2B Colon cancer.

The treatment was Chemotherapy for 24 weeks.  Last treatment was done December 13, 2017 and I was given a return to work January 15, 2018.  Had I been on a treatment for stage 4 I would still be on chemotherapy today (chemo for life).  By stopping the chemo in December it allowed the cancer to start again and spread.  To use the old cliché "It is what it is."

What are the doctors here in Amarillo able to do.  Until I can get rid of this abdominal infection not much.  I'm in an infinite loop right now. I take antibiotics to get rid of the infection and have drains for the abscesses.  Finish the regiment, remove the drains, stop the antibiotics, feel great for a couple days then the tumors take over.  The infections are back, I'm in the hospital for 5 - 13 days and back on antibiotics.  The Oncologist here wants to do chemo for life now because I am stage 4.  Not a winning solution.

So I am heading to MD Anderson in Houston to be evaluated and to see if there are any other treatments, surgery, trails, or just the same as what my Oncologist recommends. So those are the facts.

I'm doing this because there are some on this board that want to know what my condition is and what is next for me.  I'm not doing this for anyone to feel sorry for me. not to pity me.

Those who truly know me in the VRCC family, know that I have struggled through many tough times.  But they also know that I made it a point to live a very full life.  I have no bucket list.  Back in 1972 when I was laying on my face, an angry young Marine recovering for wounds I made the decision that I would never be the guy who was 75 years old sitting on the couch saying "I wish I had done that." I have lived a full life. Raised a family. Hopefully respected as a man.

I have a lot of tough decisions to make once I finally get all the information about any and all courses of treatment for my cancer.  But everyone needs to know this "I will seek wise counsel to make the right decisions, but I have sought divine counsel to be comfortable in the decisions I make."

I thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes.  I'll take them.  But please remember my family.  This has not been easy on my children.

Thanks to all,

Charlie Morse
Landelephant

[Serk]

I wish I had something more insightful than this to add but.....


....crap.....

Hoping for the best, but..... crap.....

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I don't know what to say Charlie. We was sitting on a porch in Kentucky riding home from InZane and your name come up and the first time I met you on if I'm correct the very first Fall Color Ride I did out of Sweetwater , Tennessee. You are a hellofa man Charlie and I'm proud to know you and I wish you only the best.

[Patrick]

I sure hope everything works out for you.  As a stage 4 cancer surviver myself, I'll keep thinking and hoping it turns out good for you.

[Pete]

Thanks for the update and best wishes.

[DDT (12)]

I wish I had something more insightful than this to add but.....


....crap.....

Hoping for the best, but..... crap.....

Serk said it so eloquently "... crap..."

In a world filled with so much anger, angst, animosity, and acrimony, the voice of reason often goes unheard. Yours, while somewhat muted by the drowning-out noise of the uninformed and pseudo-intellectuals, has been one I've found both refreshing in its tenor and rewarding in its content, depth, and insight. I've relished every conversation we've ever shared. I've learned much from you, my friend, and I treasure our times together. I do wish you well...

DDT

[f6john]

Brotherly love and best wishes to you Charlie. Only met you once in Kentucky but it was obvious you were/are a good guy. Praying for a good outcome and the best quality of life possible for your future.

[Skinhead]

Cancer sucks!  It is one of the few things I fear.  Hoping for the best possible outcome for you and yours.

[Mr Whiskey]

"I will seek wise counsel to make the right decisions, but I have sought divine counsel to be comfortable in the decisions I make."

Love ya Brother!
You & yours are in our prayers nightly!
I'll catch ya in the wind down the road again somewheres, count on it
God Bless!