The warranty has run out on my body!

[3Phase]

Ed, think of the docs' gloomy warning as a challenge. If Lance Armstrong can beat cancer and win that French bike race you can ... you know, you'll probably have to practice a lot but it should be a lot more fun than riding a bicycle!

[b.walker5]

"The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" 1966 by Robert Heinlein. Ed, you would like it if you have not read it. Discusses Libertarian ideals in a future society. The "fair dinkum" is a self-aware computer that runs the Moon complex.

Now that's funny , I would thought that when talking Australian that would have been a "god" complex.

Sorry Cueball, couldnt resist that one. To the rest, it's just the relationship we have between Aus and NZ and no chance to poke the borax should go wanting

Ed, Your news is a great result to get considering other possible outcomes. The body is an amazing animal and can adapt to many things and with the right mindset, which it sounds like you have, life will be different but it dosent have to be bad.

Chin up brother and look forward, not back.

[Special Ed]

Day Seven

7 days to go. Today I spent 4.5 hrs with an IV in my arm getting "Hydrated" plus some chemical that is supposed to push the calcium in my blood back into my bones. Tomorrow I get to "mark the spot" for the new urine outlet in my abdomen that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. Let's see, left, right, high, low? Right above my tally-whacker? Should I let my wife in on this decision?
Surgery bad. drugs good!

Edgar
I have a new respect for spell check! I misspelled "tally-whacker." Not only did spell check let me know I had miss spelled "tally- whacker," but it gave me two possible correct spellings: which do you think is correct, with or without the hyphen?

[planedick]

Was wondering

Not to belittle your problem, but I was wondering how that is going to work out with the kilt?

[DGXSER]

I just want to know whats with all this discussion about you wacking the thing. You could go blind if you keep that up, or so my mother always said.

Seriously though Ed, it is good your keeping a good outlook on this. Not that I ever felt as if my situation was life threatening, although the docs thought it was for a few days, but I know that my progress and recovery have been much quicker partly due to my attitude that things may be different, but its only worse if you think it is.

Keep up those good spirits and look forward to hearing about your next ride or meet in a few months.

[Brent]

Get well

You have my best wishes Ed. As you may be aware, my Daughter has just come through a major cancer issue and I'm only too aware of the anguish and uncertainty it causes. One of the things I learnt to fully appreciate was the near miracles that medicine and surgery can perform these days. 40 years ago my mother died of breast cancer, when removing a breast was radical new surgery, and she didnt have it done. These days it's common place and millions of lives are saved every year. I just read something that said the 5 year survival rate for bladder tumors is now over 85%, whereas as little as 10 years ago it was 50% and 20 years ago it was only 20%. Chin up, keep positive. it's not the killer it used to be.

Just a tip. Get very informed. Ask your doctor lots and lots of questions, to the point of being a PIA. Gather as much information as you can, good and bad, from everywhere, and fully understand whats happening and whats being done about it. And also about how to deal with it after it's over. Understanding it and staying positive, and not being blindsided by suprises, is one of the keys to staying as healthy as you can throughout, and having a speedy recovery.

I'm not a religous man, so me praying wont help but my thoughts, and those of my Daughter, are definately with you.

Brian.

Hi Ed,
I second what Brian said about information & encouragement. I will mention a get well request for you in my prayers, I have faith that they will be heard, I Believe that i would like to ride with you again; South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Virginia City, Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Let us know how health fix goes & especially when you are up for such a ride.

[Special Ed]

Thank you one and all. I have become aware that I am not the only one with medical issues, and I wish everyone the very best.
My operation is tomorrow and I probably won't be back on line for several days, but as soon as I have recovered enough I will be back!
Special Ed

[3Phase]

You'll be fine, Ed, we'll see you when you come back!

[Toolmaker Tim]

My sister just had the upper part of her thigh bone removed because of a tumor. They originally thought it would be a total hip replacement, but it turned out to be less drastic. I pray that you have the same good fortune. As Scott said, we'll be here when you get back.

[DiverRay]

Quick update on Ed. He gave me a call today and said everything went well. He has a direct line to GOOD DRUGS, and a button if he needs a little more! Sounds like the same old Ed, just a little tired. I'm going to stop in and see him Thursday. I'll let him know we are all pulling for him.
The one funny thing he had to say was he is on a "no food" diet until he can pass gas! I guess that is how they know his insides have been sewn up correctly. If it can hold the gas, it can hold food!
I'll be out of town without a computer Friday morning through Monday night, so you will have to wait for Ed to get home to post any more.

[3Phase]

Thanks, Ray!

Whew! Poor Ed, all alone with a magic button and having a gas! It's certainly better than some of the other options!

[DiverRay]

Scott,
When you next get up this way, I think I'll let you have your hat back! You have probably been looking for it. It's been hanging in the garage, I think you probably put it up and I have not moved it.
I DO have a Motoretro magazine for Ed to read, so he should be happy for a little while.

[3Phase]

Hah! I was wondering where that hat went, I thought I lost it! Yay!

[latexeses]

DiverRay,
When you talk to Ed, tell him to ask around to see if he can get a bowl of chilli and prunes.

[DiverRay]

When you talk to Ed, tell him to ask around to see if he can get a bowl of chilli and prunes

Penny made some Chilli Tuesday, and put two tablespoons of my HOT Santa Fe spice mix in it. She could almost eat one bowl, but I had three! Problem with it is Ed would have to go back into surgery to replace the burned parts!
I'll be talking with Ed in about an hour, so I'll let him know everyone is still making fun of him.