Half A Loaf...

[DDT (12)]

I got ‘the call’ yesterday… I was eager to get some good news and confirmation that no cancer cells had been found in any surrounding tissue… Yeah, a clean bill of health would have set the best possible tone for the finishing touches to an otherwise relatively mild surgery recovery; and, it would have positioned me for the next joyous leap forward into full-blown road-trip imaginings… Close, but no cigar…

I know these types of calls and discussions are never easy for surgeons, but they are essential. I appreciated his efforts to strive for ‘accuracy’ with his news, while at the same time struggling to prevent his patient from lapsing into unwarranted melancholy… While the news was not what I had wanted, it was ‘an overall good report’, he’d explained.

There were some cancer cells found in some of the samples of surrounding tissue removed during surgery. Dang! They did get the source, though, and the surgery itself went well. What remains does not appear to pose any imminent threat. It will, in all likelihood, require further treatment. What type of follow-up treatment, if any, will be recommended, along with dosages, frequencies, etc., cannot be known just yet. The PSA to be drawn in about six weeks (to allow things to settle down and sort themselves out) will reveal much; and, it might suggest more testing.

I then steered the conversation to the more practical aspects of the matter… What does all this mean in terms of life-expectancy? Are we talking weeks, months, years, decades… what is the best guess? “Oh, many years,” he responded. No immediate threat at all, and there possibly could even be no lasting ill-effects.  We simply can’t know right now, but that will become clearer as we move along… “Your condition is very treatable, and you should continue on with a normal life…”

I spent the remainder of the day pondering all of that, trying to ‘read-between-the-lines’, parse every word spoken; seeking to filter through his message and my interpretation, in order to separate wishful thinking, ‘hopeful words’ of encouragement, and futile attempts to put a positive spin on a dark situation… Can’t be done… Oh, to some extent, of course, we can render a more accurate understanding through an exercise like that, but with so many variables and missing bits of information… Nope, the future remains murky and uncertain… as always….

All of life is like that, though… There are no ‘certainties’: Predictable, rock-solid dates, times, outcomes, or some sort of clear, easily understood road map with events-to-come all plainly laid out for us.  We have today and maybe many more… or maybe not. Who among us knows? Yeah, the knowns are a bit clearer for me today than they were last month, but… what does that mean? What does that change?

I told the doc about my plans to make an extended tour of the west next summer on my motorcycle… and I asked if this would impact those plans? “Not at all,” he responded! “You’ll be good to go then, so make that trip, and have a great time… It sounds like fun!”

Jerry went out yesterday, and he decided to ride his scooter to wear off the ‘new’ on his just replaced tires… Truth be told, he’s suffering, like we all do, from PMS, and judging by the breadth of his smile, he’d found a suitable tonic! Sensing my own concern for recent news, he offered to let me take his girl for a spin… What a thoughtful and wonderful thing to do?!

So, where does this ‘new’ information leave me…? Am I going to die? Yep. When? I dunno. Is this drama over? Nope. Will I be able to continue my love affair with our girl? Yep. For how long? I dunno. Other than having a bit more understanding of my condition at this moment, how is today really any different than any other? It ain’t… What should I do now? Well…

There are many different possible paths from which one might choose, I suppose, but here is the one I’ve selected… I’m going to take each day as it comes, play the hand I’m dealt the best way I can, accept my fate with grace and dignity, learn from mistakes and misfortunes, celebrate every breath I draw, and eagerly look forward to all the good things yet to come… In other words, I’ll be making no changes at all…

DDT

[scooperhsd]

Bruce - the best thing to do is to enjoy life to the fullest, no matter what the circumstances. So, ride as long as you can, and continue to make those good memories (and please report on your trips !!)

Best Wishes

[The emperor has no clothes]

1/2 a loaf is better than just the heels for sure. You are handling this all with amazing grace, your eyes wide open, and just like I knew you would. Thanks for sharing the update. Glad to call you my friend 

[Willow]

… Nope, the future remains murky and uncertain… as always….

All of life is like that, though… There are no ‘certainties’: Predictable, rock-solid dates, times, outcomes, or some sort of clear, easily understood road map with events-to-come all plainly laid out for us. ...

So, where does this ‘new’ information leave me…? Am I going to die? Yep. When? I dunno. Is this drama over? Nope. Will I be able to continue my love affair with our girl? Yep. For how long? I dunno. Other than having a bit more understanding of my condition at this moment, how is today really any different than any other? It ain’t… What should I do now? Well…
...

   It is a mixed bag but you do have a good perspective on it.   

[MarkT]

Well Bruce I guess we take it as it comes.  Certainly he could have had worse news.  Sounds like you're golden for now and you get to continue the odyssey!  Lookin forward to seeing you at Inzane!  And again when you're in this neck of the woods.

[..]

Life happens when you make plans.

Keep rolling with it. 

[Daniel Meyer]

Well durn Bruce...we were pulling for the best of course. We get limited input about such things I suppose...and while not the "best"...well, you're still with us my friend, with no end in immediate sight...which is actually a pretty normal state of things.

There are many different possible paths from which one might choose, I suppose, but here is the one I’ve selected… I’m going to take each day as it comes, play the hand I’m dealt the best way I can, accept my fate with grace and dignity, learn from mistakes and misfortunes, celebrate every breath I draw, and eagerly look forward to all the good things yet to come… In other words, I’ll be making no changes at all…

I like this plan. Perfect, in fact.

We've fought the big C in several aspects and folks in my family, with most methods available for each particular incarnation. The one thing I've seen that makes more difference than anything else is attitude...attitude markedly influences reasonable treatment choices, the life and enjoyment even while enduring the chosen options, and even the success of the treatment.

And you, my friend, have attitude going on.

Ride on!

[Rams]

Obviously, excellent adventures await you and those you share the journey with.   Keeping doing what you do best.   Looking forward to splitting some wind with you.

Rams

[John Schmidt]

I have to agree with Daniel, and your perspective on life in general. One thing I keep in mind is my dad had his removed at age 72, had the same type report a few days following, died at 93 from the flu he caught from my sister. So....here's to more miles of smiles! 

[JimmyG]

Bruce,  sorry to hear about cancer cells being found.  With today's treatments, I'm betting on a continued long life for you, Steph and I will keep you in our prayers that all goes well for you.  Hang in there pard

[f6john]

No doubt that many souls will pass from this earth before your time is up and many of them will go in their sleep with no idea anything was wrong. Sometimes knowing there is an issue is better than being oblivious to a potential problem. I love your outlook and the opportunities that await you as you continue your wandering.

[Thunderbolt]

Just keep on with the task that you assigned yourself in clearing the roads of bugs so that other don't have to Bruce.  Good thoughts for you my friend.

[Hook#3287]

In other words, I’ll be making no changes at all…

Excellent plan 

[Valkorado]

Carry on, Bruce!   

[Oss]

Had to give this response a lot of thought

could not come up with anything except to say I am so happy
that you will be able to fully enjoy life as before

You indeed have a most infectious Positive mental attitude

Get well soon and resume killing bugs my friend

[DirtyDan]

Bruce

You are still an inspiration for all of us

Ride while you can

Dan

[Wizzard]

Bruce, your perspectives give me courage. Keep living life to the max.
I am not The glass is half empty type nor am I the glass is half full type. I am getting to be the "where is my glass" type. 

[henry 008]

Bruce

You are still an inspiration for all of us

Ride while you can

Dan

+1 

[Ice]

Bruce, my dear friend, I love your outlook, keep the positive side up and keep on rolling.
Again we never know when the journey ends, however you have many moons left to see, even if the MD report was not all positive, it was not all bad either.
Ride on my friend and worry about the things you can control and don't let the things you cannot control, control you.
Look forward to sharing the wind with you one of these days again.

P.S. Keep the Bruce chronicles coming.

[Daniel Meyer]

Bruce, your perspectives give me courage. Keep living life to the max.
I am not The glass is half empty type nor am I the glass is half full type. I am getting to be the "where is my glass" type. 

Pretty sure Bruce is of the last sort in this pic:

[Charlie McCready]

Hey my Virginia brother....Sounds like the 'leftover' cells are very treatable with high success rates. I've heard the seed implants are very successful.  And your attitude is great. Wishing you the very best. Hang in there, be safe. Don't forget the biscuits and gravy !!

[RP#62]

Bruce, your perspectives give me courage. Keep living life to the max.
I am not The glass is half empty type nor am I the glass is half full type. I am getting to be the "where is my glass" type. 

Pretty sure Bruce is of the last sort in this pic:

From an engineering perspective, the water containment vessel is twice as big as it needs to be.

-RP

[Farside]

Sounds like the 'leftover' cells are very treatable with high success rates. I've heard the seed implants are very successful.  And your attitude is great. Wishing you the very best. Hang in there, be safe. Don't forget the biscuits and gravy !!

  I agree with Charliemac. Your doctor feels you're in good shape to get on with your life. Very treatable and you are living the dream. Carry on and enjoy your life. You have so many more places to go, many more people to meet, many more years to come. I'm loving keeping up with you!
   My best buddy in college died at 24 years old. He had done more in his 24  years than most in a life time. He is living in Gods Kingdom now. I look forward to seeing him along with many others when that time comes for me. Meanwhile I'm really looking forward to meeting up with you and others in MS for some fried chicken.

[Reb]

Great report, thanks for sharing.

I'm thrilled!!!!! To hear your life expectancy is on equal par with everyone else's... A big question mark

We all have the same final destination In life, how soon we meet that destination is always the question...

thanks for sharing Bruce!