I feel pretty good today so I'm going to take advantage of it and touch base with everyone.
I'm not sure how much info about my day to day condition I can post without boring everyone out of their gourds, but I'll try to be brief. One reason I think this might be important is that there may be someone else out there who is traveling the same road, and my experiences might help.
I don't dwell on horror stories like so many people on the support Web sites. I never look at the whole forest; I concentrate on one tree at a time. When I open my eyes in the morning, I thank God for the gift of another day, and it's the only day that's important.
I'll try to clarify some of the things that became misconstrued over the last two weeks:
The whole body bone scan showed only one bright spot ("bright" equals "bad"). I expected that. It's in the area where the tumor destroyed the femur so there had to be some cancer cells left after the removal of the femur.
The area of the lungs effected by the cancer is in the middle lobe but it has NOT collapsed the lung. It's simply exerting pressure and decreasing the capacity of that area. This is causing shortness of breath, but I have some meds now that relieves the symptoms. The doctor said he could barely detect any change in size of the cancer nodules from the last CAT scan a few months ago.
[Connie, you can tell that old hound that's lucky enough to share your bed that I'll be around to pour the water bucket on his head at the tail gate party next year]
After all this time, I start chemical treatments on the 26th. I am sooo ready!
We can beat this thing, but we have to have the tools to do so.
This is a family effort, and I can feel the love and compassion from all over this land. I don't know why God chose me for this bountiful blessing, but I recognize it and I appreciate it.
Thank you, family, for all your thoughts and prayers.
God bless you all.
TC
I can only speak for my little corner in NC but I know that the prayers and the love and the respect and the admiration from here are strong and ongoing.
(((((TC)))))
Keep fighting. My sister-in-law was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma about 18 mos ago and she went through hell. We thought we were going to lose her. She just got her 1 month check-up after finishing chemo and she's clean.
TC,
It's wonderful to hear from you and I'm glad you're having a good day. I've known several people who have undergone chemo and for most of them it wasn't near the bugaboo you hear about.
I'm glad to hear you're putting ODAT and that attitude of gratitude to good use. I'm sure God gave you those lessons to help you deal with the stuff you're dealing with now.
I'll keep you in my prayers, both for healing and for few side effects.
Texas Cowboy, you and yours are in my thoughts and prayers! I sent you a FRe-mail about a prayer list. Please let me know, and God Bless!
Great to hear from you and how you are doing. Will pray extra hard for you on the 26th as you begin your treatment. You are going to be fine. Thanks for the update. We're pullin' for you and know your faith and ours will pull you through. Go get 'em!!! :)
Ohhhh, Cowboy. I hate that you have been having a rough time but know that we are here for you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
We missed you at the picnic this year but are looking forward to having you join us next year.
I look forward to more good news soon. Take care of yourself and keep giving 'em hell.
You're the bravest person I've ever met, TC....
God hold you and keep you close...
Ms.B
And may God bless you, TC. I will remember, one tree at a time...it the only path to the clearance.
More prayers and best wishes from Texas. You need to hurry and get back here. We are praying for you.
"This is a family effort, and I can feel the love and compassion from all over this land."
I like to think we've created a circle of prayer and love all around you. It's wonderful that you can feel it. Perhaps you can (or do) take us along with you wherever you need to go. May as well. Sounds like most of us are there with you in spirit, any old way.
Want to know why? It is my personal opinion that hundreds of us have been so deeply touched by the quality of all that you have to give and say, that you've moved us to want to be alongside you. Others have written that they feel it's their honor and privilege to be in your prayer posse. I felt precisely the same way. You are not and you never will be a burden, my friend. You're a treasure as a friend and as a human being. And that, as they say, is that.
Please keep using your incredible energy and determination to feel "more betterER," as my daughter used to say. Texas is getting messed up without you. Maybe you ought to hurry, you think?
Hugs from RFF & Company
Good to have this word straight from the horse's mouth, TC..
(kinda like that old TC series..:)) 
Don't need to tell me about your Attitude and Determination, dear friend...it's a trait we have shared several years, not subject to change, disruption, derailing, Cindy Sheehans of the world, Kerrys/Kennedys/Clintons/GenghisKhans...
okay - a stretch with the latter, long dispatched to nether regions - LOL
I am exultant with you, and always walk holding God's hand -- and yours.
You and I focus on His Cadence Call, and no other....
Hugs for your precious Faith and Joel and The Others;
and of course for you...
~ M ~
God bless you, ElRoy. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
More power to you TC.
Prayer bump...
It's a deal! Just be sure to wear your "special shirt" :-) We love you!
Prayers will contine, T.C., for you and all involved in your healing.
More prayers up for your complete recovery, my FRiend.
Eagles Up!
Thanks.
It was a hot summer's day, and Luke was in the marina fishing and having a few beers aboard his boat, patriotically named the "Fourth of July."
He was waiting for his friend, Opie, to arrive so they could go for a cruise. Opie was late, unfortunately, because he had to pick up his wife from her appointment with the obstetrician.
Her examinations were cheap because the doctor, a fellow named Juan, was Opie's cousin. Anyway, the appointment went over time, and Opie was late getting to the marina.
Luke had been drinking all this time, and was feeling no pain. When he saw Opie finally walking down the pier, he jumped up, staggered to the side of the boat to wave to his friend, and nearly fell in.
Opie got there just in time to grab Luke. Thus, it was that O. B. Juan's kin, Opie, saved Luke from falling to the dock side of the Fourth.