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The End of My Cancer
Special to FreeRepublic ^ | 16 August 2010 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

Posted on 08/16/2010 10:46:29 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob

On 23 April I had a routine colonoscopy, and found out that I had cancer. I knew then I’d have to write this column once I knew the outcome. I had 25 days of chemotherapy, simultaneous with radiation therapy, followed by surgery on 11 August.

The pathology reports came back yesterday. They were, as my surgeon said, ‘the best possible, given the circumstances.” They were clean margins and clean lymph nodes. The margins are the areas all around the site of the surgery. The lymph nodes are where cancer usually spreads first, from its original site.

In laymen’s terms, I am cancer-free. Going in my purpose for this column was, and still is, to save some lives. Three of the most common cancers in America today are colon and prostate cancer for men and breast cancer for women. All three have a common characteristic. They can be often and easily cured if they are detected early.

Let me repeat that, and pardon me for shouting, but THESE CANCERS CAN BE EASILY CURED IF THEY ARE DETECTED EARLY.

What stands in the way of early detection? The tests for these cancers, especially colon and breast, are obnoxious. Everyone winces and shudders when the tests are mentioned. I know.

I felt the same way when a routine examination with no symptoms showing, saved me from colon cancer once before. That one was only pre-cancerous. But it would have developed to the point of killing me years ago, if I had let it go.

After one time at the rodeo, you get cautious. I got routine exams on a routine basis. The readers of my columns are, I know, older and better educated than most. Many of you are woman or men “of a certain age.” Or, you may have risk factors for cancer in your personal or family history.

If there is any reason in your age or risk factors why you should have a routine exam for any of these cancers, set this column aside and make the call. A day or two’s worth of discomfort, yes, and embarrassment, is a small price to pay for a couple decades of not being dead.

I’ve written about my situation as if it was, or had become, a day at the beach. It isn’t and it hasn’t. Chemotherapy and radiation both tear up your systems. When my father died of cancer, forty years ago, both of those treatments were crude, in their infancy, and nearly as harmful as the cancer itself. Today, the reverse is true. Both treatments have been refined, and are used together to shrink the cancer in advance of surgery. That’s exactly what happened in my case.

With the good news I got yesterday, I ought to be in a good mood. Well, there is this gastric tube down my nose that is continuously draining my stomach. That is to compensate for the fact that my colon has not fully awakened from its slumber. And, did I mention that I’ve given up all pain killers to aid in that process?

Try being stitched up down your front like a baseball. Add to that your must cough to clear your lungs, to avoid pneumonia. Then add that I have refused any pain shots. Since 11 August I have eaten nothing but ice, and two cups of apple juice. Life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue.

I am not, however, complaining. As Maurice Chevalier said of old age. “It is fine, considering the alternative.” The alternative is what I came to talk with you about, today. There are people reading this right now, whose lives can be saved, if you get an exam right now.

Let me repeat that, YOUR LIFE MIGHT BE SAVED IF YOU GET A CANCER TEST TODAY.

I expect and hope that about five people will have their lives saved by my relating my experiences in this column. And, yes, the title of this column was a deliberate pun. If this works for you, please let me know.

Note that I haven’t mentioned my doctors or nurses. There were nine doctors, and many more nurses. I am grateful for the excellence of their medical care.

Changing subjects abruptly, part of the goal of my surgery was to be ready on 12 September to March down Constitution Avenue with 38 of my fellow citizens, dressed as the signers of the Constitution. I get to be Ben Franklin. There should be about a million Americans there. I hope the American press might even notice and cover that event.

- 30 -

About the Author: John Armor practiced before the Supreme Court for 33 years. John_Armor@aya,yale.edu His latest book, now in print, is on Thomas Paine. www.TheseAreTheTimes.us

- 30 -


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; Philosophy; Unclassified
KEYWORDS: 20august2010; armor; billybob; cancer; cancercure; cancertreatment; coloncancer; colonoscopy; congressmanbillybob; johnarmor; surgery
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To: Congressman Billybob

Hope you make the parade, you are marching in the place
of many Americans, myself included.

As one who has had a Radical Node Removal it’s a good thing
you missed it. I have a scar that runs half way around my
body.

No gastric tubes when I had my surgery but all the ice
I could chew, the pain was tremendous until finally
even morphine couldn’t cut it. Eventually a night nurse
asked if I wanted a catheter, slipped it in and the
pain disappeared, all that water was pulling on the
incision. I love doctors but sometimes they can be
quite stupid.

My best to you.
Tet.
Cancer free for thirty years.
They call me a surviver.


81 posted on 08/16/2010 2:41:53 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: Congressman Billybob

Congrats on the outcome! From a fellow “C” survivor. I’m still dealing with Oncologists’ but the outcome has been good for me too.


82 posted on 08/16/2010 3:09:24 PM PDT by BigpapaBo (If it don't kill you it'll make you _________!)
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To: Congressman Billybob
Great news and congratulations! I lost my mother about 25 years ago to colon cancer, because by the time they realized what was wrong, the cancer had already metasthesied to her lymphnodes, and from there, throughout her body.

You're right, early detection is the key to survival. Glad to know you'll be here for many years to come!

Mark

83 posted on 08/16/2010 3:18:32 PM PDT by MarkL (Do I really look like a guy with a plan?)
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To: Congressman Billybob

“Let me repeat that, and pardon me for shouting, but THESE CANCERS CAN BE EASILY CURED IF THEY ARE DETECTED EARLY.”

You will get no argument from me. During my routine physical last February my doc found a nodule on my prostate. The biopsy showed it was cancer. Started Proton radiation therapy the end of May, finished the end of July, everything so far looks like a cure, PSA score is half of what it was when I started the proton therapy.

So, everyone who doesn’t do it, get off your ass and see your doc.


84 posted on 08/16/2010 6:18:37 PM PDT by ops33 (Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Retired))
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To: Congressman Billybob

Been there, done that Billybob (except for the chemo), ended up gutted like a fish but no bag required! To all you old farts out there - GET THAT COLONOSCOPY SOONEST, the alternative ain’t pretty!!


85 posted on 08/16/2010 8:35:36 PM PDT by cracker45 (I don't believe in coincidences!)
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To: Congressman Billybob
W00t! Congratulations! Good to have yer sorry butt around for a few more decades. Ooh...bad metaphor...

An echo here - folks, don't dread the colonoscopy. Mine turned out to be a very educational experience courtesy of a brilliant Doc with a wicked sense of humor - she was so good I do believe I could have done it without the Versed.

It's information. Information is good.

86 posted on 08/16/2010 8:52:25 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Congressman Billybob

Congrats, CBB....


87 posted on 08/16/2010 8:55:47 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty (Build a man a fire; he'll be warm for a night. Set a man on fire; he'll be warm the rest of his life)
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To: Congressman Billybob
What more can I do but let out the Freeper victory cry.....HOO - YAH !

Leni

88 posted on 08/16/2010 9:04:29 PM PDT by MinuteGal (Bill O'R - 10/20/09 "BHO is not a Marxist"....8/5/10 "Classroom nutrition should be legislated")
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To: gore_sux_2000

” Not looking forward to it but it is good to be aware.”

As someone said in an earlier post the worst part of the test is the prep.(it feels good to be “cleaned out” once it’s over). I slept through the test and several hours afterwards! Don’t remember anything about the test to be honest.

My doctor asked me a couple of questions when they rolled me into the testing area and the next thing I know I am waking up at home. My family tells me that I talked to them on the way home but I don’t remember it. Must have been some “good drugs” .


89 posted on 08/16/2010 9:14:56 PM PDT by kcvl
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To: Congressman Billybob

Thrilled to hear you are on the mend. :)


90 posted on 08/16/2010 9:17:23 PM PDT by pbear8 (the Lord is my light and my salvation)
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To: jagusafr

We shared a laugh. I love Dave Berry. Did you read his article about potato guns? If not you have not laughed yet!


91 posted on 08/17/2010 4:40:42 AM PDT by Sunshine Sister
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To: Congressman Billybob

I’ve just heard that Congressman Billybob passed away this morning due to complications.

I’ll miss you, John...you were the best.


92 posted on 08/20/2010 11:39:34 AM PDT by Thunder Pig (Join the Macon County Tax Day Tea Party! http://franklin-nc.net)
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To: Thunder Pig

I hope that’s not true.


93 posted on 08/20/2010 11:44:55 AM PDT by palmer (Cooperating with Obama = helping him extend the depression and implement socialism.)
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To: palmer

Unfortunatley, it is. I’ll have a blog post up about him shortly. Even the local progressive blog has paid tribute to him. http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/08/20/john-armor-died-this-morning/

Just Google Thunder Pig and you’ll find my blog. My post should be up by 3.30pm.


94 posted on 08/20/2010 12:15:49 PM PDT by Thunder Pig (Join the Macon County Tax Day Tea Party! http://franklin-nc.net)
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To: palmer

Here is my tribute to Congressman Billybob http://bit.ly/JohnArmor

May he rest in Peace and his reward great.


95 posted on 08/20/2010 12:52:14 PM PDT by Thunder Pig (Join the Macon County Tax Day Tea Party! http://franklin-nc.net)
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To: Thunder Pig

Very sorry to hear that. RIP John.


96 posted on 08/20/2010 12:56:21 PM PDT by palmer (Cooperating with Obama = helping him extend the depression and implement socialism.)
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To: Congressman Billybob

Congratulations and Blessings !


97 posted on 08/20/2010 12:59:43 PM PDT by Patton@Bastogne
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To: Congressman Billybob

Rest in peace, old friend.


98 posted on 08/20/2010 4:18:48 PM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: aruanan
About VERSED ~ it's great stuff. Alas, there's a small group of less than 1% of the population for whom it's not so great. They don't metabolize it ~ so it gets absorbed into body fat where it comes out and puts them under over and over and over.

Then, if you are 60 years of age or older, you need about 1/4 the normal dose.

Otherwise, this stuff is like the world's most popular sedative and has almost no side effects.

99 posted on 08/20/2010 7:06:04 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: Congressman Billybob

You will be missed.


100 posted on 08/20/2010 7:10:05 PM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
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