In many ways the Country Plans Forum is like an extension of my family. I don't agree with everything my relatives believe in and the same thing happens here. But I love my family anyhow. In a similar manner I may disagree with some views presented here, but at the end of the day it comes down to everyone having the right to express their beliefs and receiving respect as a human being from the others.
I look forward to helping folks here with their projects as much as I enjoy the various other topics here. Actually I likely agree with more folks here on some topics than I do with some family members. As well as the building projects areas many of us enjoy the off topics area. One of the things I have enjoyed here is that topic drift is not only permitted, at times we seem to have try to see who was going to be the first to initiate drift. We also share a variety of interests with no direct relationship to building. Things like food, cooking, gardening, humor, firearms and politics come to mind. If the members here are not real family, they are at the very least real friends. Some of us have shared personal details from the mundane to more serious health problems and the concerns and difficulties they have caused.
In April I will be having surgery to remove a tumor in my mandible. More correctly, the surgeons will be removing a section of my mandible in order to remove the tumor. This is the 4th recurrence for this tumor. Previous less invasive treatments have not resulted in long term success. So I'm going to get a titanium plate, screws and a piece cadaver bone to replace the offending area. I am more concerned and nervous about this procedure than any of the previous four surgeries.
I have a pair of surgeons who are experts at this. Everyone I know in the medical field reassures me that this is not that big a deal. Rational thought tells me I should believe them. Logic states that I should be happy that there is a cure. The prospect still worries me a great deal. Maybe sharing this will help.
Thanks for listening.
MD thanks for sharing. I knew something was up a short while ago - something you wrote or just a feeling I had. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted and I completely understand your concerns.
rlr
I hope all goes well, Don.
As you, I look upon all here as extended family.
I know I will always find support here or just someone who will want to argue with me, or who will be a good sport and take a view that opposes mine .... even if they are wrong... [waiting] :)
Don,
I also view this place as family oddly enough, keep your chin up about your upcoming surgery, it ain't the 1950's anymore. Medicine has come long way, your going to be great. We'll all be saying a prayer for you.
MD, Im fairly new here but have had more than my share of go-rounds with the Dr's. Try to relax, trust the Doc's, ...basically think good thoughts. You'll be in our prayers.
Sorry to hear about your problem, and hope the procedure goes smoothly. Anyone in their right mind worries before surgery, so there's nothing wrong with that.
Think of the upside. You'll have new folks very interested in you as a person, and wanting to know more about you...
Every time you walk through a metal detector.
Hope all goes well Don. Make sure you let us know how everything turns out.
We'll be thinking of you Don. G/L
You have our prayers...and you do have the right outlook on life.
Good luck!
And you're right, I do consider you family!
Sorry to here of your troubles. It seems tumors are getting quite common now days.
It's good that your our Doc feels confident this will get it all.
Hoping for the best and Thank for sharing.
Yes Don, we are family. THis is the one place I come when I don't want to fight or listen to idiots.
Sorry for the health problems but you seem to be in good hands. Prayers are already sent and will continue to be. Please keep us up on your progress.
<HUG>
Don, I am right around the corner... don't hesitate to ask for help with anything! I'll pray for a quick recovery! Please keep us all posted.
My very best wishes to brother Don. You have helped so many people here. So if there is power in the thoughts and prayers of our members you should have some massive background support through this operation.
On the upside, with a titanium mandible you may soon be able to crack walnuts. :D
Don, since we are the same age, it hits me pretty hard when one of my "class mates" has trouble.
Any day that I miss checking in here is a day that I miss out on something.
I always look forward to reading what you have to say and will continue to look for your wisdom and experience.
I consider this place a group of friends, because I choose to be here. One can choose one's friends, not so with family.
Good luck to you and yours.
Quote from: MountainDon on February 19, 2010, 12:49:38 AM
I have a pair of surgeons who are experts at this. Everyone I know in the medical field reassures me that this is not that big a deal. Rational thought tells me I should believe them. Logic states that I should be happy that there is a cure.
Focus on that paragraph Don!
Get some exercise between now and the surgery. Try to rest and have some fun. Get your mind off of the surgery if you can.
We'll celebrate at Rudy's after your recovery... my treat! Heck, I'll even spring for dessert!
I am not usually very good a responses to bad news. I hope for the best for you and you will be in my prayers.
You ARE right, you ARE family!
Good luck from an old Marine.
Just remember, the metal parts
last longer ;D
Bruce
Titanium?! You might be too good for us once you get all fancied up with space-age metal. You'll be in my prayers that all goes smoothly!
Yep, you're family... :) my prayers & thoughts are with you.
Having had surgery last March, I have to say, everything went splendidly well! It's amazing what medicine can do now...
Hey, you'll be on your way to being the bionic man! ;D
You know Don, I have a friend that's a nurse at the VA and she gives me all the surplus parts they have (I don't ask). Lots are good for knife handle pieces.
I keep a few of the hips and knees in case I need one one day.
Sassy may be able to get you a Jaw and you can save a bundle doing it yourself. :-\
(Just don't get one of the Senate models. You don't want the Jawbone of an....Donkey)
Quote from: peternap on February 19, 2010, 07:56:47 PM
You know Don, I have a friend that's a nurse at the VA and she gives me all the surplus parts they have (I don't ask). Lots are good for knife handle pieces.
I keep a few of the hips and knees in case I need one one day.
Sassy may be able to get you a Jaw and you can save a bundle doing it yourself. :-\
(Just don't get one of the Senate models. You don't want the Jawbone of an....Donkey)
DIY surgery! Excellent choice! Bottle of Jack and some kitchen utensils in front of the bathroom mirror! If it works out you could maybe start doin' it under the table for other folks. Earn a little extra spendin' money. "MountainDon's Chainsaw Repair and Brain Surgery Center". :D
Wow! Thanks for all the loving words and the laughs. :) :)
The technical side of me finds the process rather fascinating. It's the other side that worries a lot.
FYI, they will make a 1:1 model of my mandible using data from the CT scan. They use the model to make and shape the titanium plate before we ever set foot in the OR.
The first thing in the OP they will do is remove 60 CC or so of marrow from my right posterior hip. Then they will roll me over onto my back and make the incision along the jaw line to expose the mandible. They will fit the titanium plate to the mandible, install the screws and everything. Once satisfied with the fit they remove the plate and set it aside. Then they will resect the mandible. A doner cadaver mandible is used to supply a section to implant. That section is then hollowed out to render a shell. My marrow is packed into it. I'm not certain if the bone is inserted into the mandible first and then filled with marrow or what. The titanium plate is then reinstalled and everything sewn up. He says I should be feeling pretty good in 10 days to two weeks.
I've done some research on my head surgeon. Dr. Mitchell is an oral maxillofacial surgeon with over 25 years of maxilofacial surgical experience. Dr. Mitchell has a very long list of credentials and awards. He was Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at several US Military hospitals including 4 years in Germany and Saudi Arabian Army Evacuation Hospitals in the late 80's to early 90's. He's seen a lot worse than this thing of mine.
I just have to remind myself of all that when I get to feeling low.
Tomorrow we (my son & I) will have some fun at the range. I got several boxes of 8MM at last weekends gun show to play with. :D as well as a bunch for the 10/22.
Thanks again to all.
Sounds like you're in good hands. Very reassuring.
I mean, you know anyone with a word like "maxillofacial" in their job title ain't no common fool. Makes the big bucks. You betcha!
Guy like that ain't drinkin' no rotgut whiskey when he needs to steady his nerves. Heck no! Chivas Regal Royale all the way, and all he wants, man!
Party every night, all night!
;)
Just don't let them touch your typing fingers. We'll all want to know how you are doing.
I still think you need to pack on 20 pounds before the surgery. I really think for some time you will not want to eat.
<HUG>
Stink maybe you should loan him your new juice machine and send a box of bendable staws.
We are going to have to start calling you "Jaws"
(http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:Dvp6_wbq4mGRjM::scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/news_images/4/77648_189190_4.jpg&h=94&w=80&usg=__hXEv_U8LsrcQxJSgLePatRltz54=)
stay well Don you're in our prayers
Quote from: MountainDon on February 19, 2010, 09:44:27 PM
I've done some research on my head surgeon. Dr. Mitchell is an oral maxillofacial surgeon with over 25 years of maxilofacial surgical experience. Dr. Mitchell has a very long list of credentials and awards. He was Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at several US Military hospitals including 4 years in Germany and Saudi Arabian Army Evacuation Hospitals in the late 80's to early 90's. He's seen a lot worse than this thing of mine.
This head surgeon working on your head , or he's the lead guy? He sounds old , hopefully he's got a young surgeon with a steady hand to do the cuttin!
Good luck Mtn D. we're all pullin fer ya ! And keep yer stick on the ice!
Good luck to your bride as well in the post surgery / re-coup period.
And take that advice and put on 20 lbs you'll need it post op. And you'll more than likely never get to put on 20 lbs knowing you'll lose it without "working at it " again. Hopefully , good luck Don.
What did the hippie say after he opened the letter from the hospital?
Man, da Bill!!!
Sorry, I couldn't help my self,
Bruce
"He sounds old , hopefully he's got a young surgeon with a steady hand to do the cuttin!"
I had an old surgeon once, I think there is something to be said for experience and craftsmanship, not to mention that he saved my life. :)
I figure he's maybe 58, but doesn't look it. He looks fit.
I've also bounced his professional experience off two friends in the medical field, one a teaching radiologist, just retired. They give him an excellent grade. In the surgical field there is a lot to be said for experience, just like with aircraft pilots.
firefox, Bruce, you're too much... rofl
I want to see the tools. ;D I wonder how much they cost. :o
Good luck on a speedy recovery. You'll be missed while you're gone.
Best wishes for a safe procedure and a speedy recovery!
Oh, and if you decide to go the DIY route, remember that eye-hand coordination is really goofy using a mirror. Maybe use 2 mirrors for a double reflection?
Remember, I'm pullin' for ya. We're all in this together.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Don. Even though we have yet to meet, I count you as a friend and hope to see Pine Ridge one day.
RW
ps: Does this mean your bite will be better than your bark? Conspiracy theorists beware!
I would also like to wish you well Don.
Any operation is serious, but it sounds like the drs are well experienced and I am sure all will go well.
Keep us posted and we will all be praying for your quick recovery.
I do know that after this surgery when I get mad at MtN D, I will not tell him to Bite Me. heh
As uneasy as I've been feeling about this whole thing I ran the surgery scenario by a good friend who is an almost retired radiologist. He's a very intelligent guy, he's also a rocket scientist. Really. He first became an engineer and worked for NASA, then decided he'd rather be a doctor. Then a radiologist.
He He ran the CT scan images and procedure by the skeletal radiologists at UNMH and here's his note to me.... (Oral-Maxilofacial surgery is a specialty unto itself and most docs from other fields know little or nothing about it)
Hi Don,
I checked with the skeletal radiologists. While they have not seen this technique specifically used on the mandible, they have seen it in tumor-related orthopedic surgery elsewhere in the body by oncologic orthopedic surgeons who specialize in bone cancers..
The titanium plate holds the pieces of the cadaver bone in place until healing occurs. The cadaver bone is dead (like the donor!), just calcium. The reason for taking some bone marrow from your iliac bone/hip area is that it has living marrow and embryonic-like bone elements in it that will hopefully promote strong healing of the cadaver bone to both remaining parts of your mandible, while the titanium plate holds things together for the several months that this healing will take.
This operation should be much better that the "usual" where they use a piece of fibula from the lower leg to bridge the gap of the resected bone. That works, but is a poor fit compared to the operation planned for you.
Sounds like your planned repair will be a very good one.
Bob
:D :D :D :D
Stink... that's probably a wide decision. ;D
Best wishes, MountainDon.
Quote from: StinkerBell on February 22, 2010, 08:53:11 AM
I do know that after this surgery when I get mad at MtN D, I will not tell him to Bite Me. heh
Could I bite you, Stink? --- no titanium in these jaws... [waiting]
My wife told me about when she was a little girl and this macho type dentist put his finger in her mouth and told her to bite down. Not wishing to hurt him she bit down lightly. The dentist then told her to bite down as hard as she could. There is now a note in her dental records in large red letters. Don't Test Bite
Dentist had to have several stitches in his finger.
She didn't mean to hurt him, but she is very obedient, except, of course, to me ::)
Bruce
Sounds like you have a Good Doctor and he has a good plan Don.
Now is the easy part. Take a deep breath, say a prayer and sit back and let it happen.
Ongoing prayers and I have a good feeling about this!
I am an active reader of the forums and always look forward to hearing Don's wisdom and calm. When this happend to my mother, she declared war and won. You will do the same. My thoughts will be with you as you take on this challenge.
Don, you're in my thoughts and prayers. So are the surgeons! :)
Mountain Don,
You have been an inspiration and mentor to me since I landed here only a brief time ago. Could it be Karma?? From our Family to Yours, may you have a successful operation and recovery......
On a side note, I just got home from St. Anthony's Hospital in Rockford,Il. My mother was flightlined in there about 8 hours ago from a smaller hospital in Northern Illinois. She had a nasty spill in a nursing home, took a bad shot to the head.....something about bleeding on the brain. She's 88 years old.
I'm gonna get a few winks ...go back to the hospital....make some decisions....and then wait.
sparks
Oh dear sparks. I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's fall and injury. I pray that events turn out for the best.
I Hope things turn out OK, Sparks