REST IN PEACE (Page 160 of 208)
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Originally Posted By FW_wife:
Well gang, I'm not sure how to do this. Never had to do this and hope I never have to again. I guess I'll just rip the band-aid off. There's nothing left to offer Jeff but love and compassion. He is giving it the ol' college try, and he's thrown everything at this sucker, but it will ultimately take him. He came to the hospital Monday and had a CT scan. The scan showed incredible progression in the size of the tumor - the exact opposite of what we all hoped. The tumor is now bigger than it was in the beginning and occupying most of his "Buddha" belly. He also has some blood clots for which they would usually insert an IVC filter, but his inferior vena cava is compressed by the tumor. They could attempt another route for insertion, but it would involve general anesthesia and he has been deemed too high risk. For now he is getting antibiotics for infection in his blood, breathing treatments, and pain medication. He is sleeping well for now, though has some panic attacks and must sit up occasionally. Next step, hospice. 
We were encouraged in the beginning of all this, knowing that lymphoma is curable. Then after the first four cycles of chemo showed a little more than 50% reduction in the tumor and the doctor was not happy with that, we knew he was up against something really tough. But never in a million years would we have dreamed we would be where we are today, just 7.5 months later. This... just... SUCKS. This is ri-god-damn-diculous. Jeff has done so much good and I can't tell you how honored I am, WE are, to have such loving, wonderful, stand-up people around us. I am glad I have gotten to meet some of you and gotten to share Jeff with you. Jeff is so loved and I am grateful for every day by his side. Of course, it hasn't all been roses, but is it ever? 
The fight goes on, though. I still encourage you and your adult kids to donate blood and/or stem cells if able. Give money to fund cancer research - American Cancer Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, WHATEVER! When this thread started I never expected I would find myself as emotionally invested as I have. Whether or not I am a better person for having been involved here is ultimately up to me, but count me among those whom your husband has had a profound impact. His example has forced me to take some hard looks at the way I lead my life and I thank him, and you, for sharing that example with us. He is a remarkable man. This story isn't done yet and I suspect more good will be done before it's over. Keep up the fight. |
Originally Posted By HermanSnerd:
In reality, those two hot chicks that you just met that want you to come home with them for "a good time", are merely the bait for the huge guy hiding in the closet wearing a Batman suit.
In reality, those two hot chicks that you just met that want you to come home with them for "a good time", are merely the bait for the huge guy hiding in the closet wearing a Batman suit.
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I heard all this live from Reta at the hospital this morning. To say it's been weighing on my mind is an understatement. I told my wife about it and I was getting choked up and I told her "I don't know why it bothers me so much, I hardly know this guy"; I guess there are just some things and some people with whom you cross paths that can effect you in ways you wouldn't expect. The fact that Jeff and I are the same age probably has a lot to do with it; if you're healthy, which I'm blessed to be, it's real easy to take that for granted. I don't do that anymore.
I wish everyone here could stop in and see Jeff just for a minute, just to see how much it means to him to have visitors. It really does warm your heart. As Lug1 said, though, it's hard on Jeff; he's having trouble breathing, and he seems pretty out of it. I'll keep praying for him, and Reta, and their family, and pray for a miracle or at least peace for all of them. |
I have to return some videos.
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Reta, I know those were tough words to type, and I can only imagine how tough they were for you to receive. It takes quite a bit of courage and character to convey a message like that to an internet community of almost complete strangers. Although, I do hope you and Jeff view us as loving friends instead of strangers. I know it feels that way for me!
Many of us here have dealt with similar situations in the past, some with good outcomes but many not so good. Personally, I lost my Mother to cancer of the liver ten years ago, she was 52 years old. I was blessed to be able to spend almost all of her last 6 months with her every day, and the whole experience changed my life forever. Jeff's battle brought a lot of those memories back to me and it hurt, but it also reminded me of how far we have to go in the bigger fight to find cures and treatments for these horrible diseases. Jeff, I plan to finish the rifle around trigger #15 very soon. I imagine I'll have it forever, and I won't ever be able to bring it out without thinking of you, and of my Mother. DAmmit. Dusty in here again! |
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Originally Posted By Eric802:
I heard all this live from Reta at the hospital this morning. To say it's been weighing on my mind is an understatement. I told my wife about it and I was getting choked up and I told her "I don't know why it bothers me so much, I hardly know this guy"; I guess there are just some things and some people with whom you cross paths that can effect you in ways you wouldn't expect. The fact that Jeff and I are the same age probably has a lot to do with it; if you're healthy, which I'm blessed to be, it's real easy to take that for granted. I don't do that anymore. I wish everyone here could stop in and see Jeff just for a minute, just to see how much it means to him to have visitors. It really does warm your heart. As Lug1 said, though, it's hard on Jeff; he's having trouble breathing, and he seems pretty out of it. I'll keep praying for him, and Reta, and their family, and pray for a miracle or at least peace for all of them. Jeff texted me and told me last night and i haven't been able to think about much more, I'm trying to find some cheap plane tickets out that way. |
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I wish I had some kind of superpower that could help. I wish that so very badly. 
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Holy fuck, you out 13ed the rest of your class. -Schlange
Umm.. we are not slugging it out, I'm raping you like you were Macaulay Culkin and I'm hosting a party at the Neverland Ranch. - Mikhail_86
Umm.. we are not slugging it out, I'm raping you like you were Macaulay Culkin and I'm hosting a party at the Neverland Ranch. - Mikhail_86
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I have 2 friends that are near the end right now, one from cancer one a really healthy looking guy from Lou Gehrig's and my only real comfort is they like Jeff are Christians. I am not a very good typist, nor speller for that fact, but I have been to Heaven so I know what its like and its amazing. the power, the Love, beauty. its beyond words. it will be 39 years ago in May that I died along with my buddy but it just like 5 minutes ago. I don't know why God sent me and Donnie back that day, but he did. I certainly did nothing that deserved it, I was selfish, pot smoking, drug, sex and rocknroll guy, that could be pretty damn mean to others if you pissed me off, but he did. He only told me to tell the others, I have never figured out what I am to tell people but maybe its how awesome Heaven is. mike |
I wish I was half the man my dog thinks I am.
RIP SSG Marc Anthony Scialdo KIA 3-11-2013 Kandahar
RIP SSG Marc Anthony Scialdo KIA 3-11-2013 Kandahar
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Originally Posted By coldair:
I have 2 friends that are near the end right now, one from cancer one a really healthy looking guy from Lou Gehrig's and my only real comfort is they like Jeff are Christians. I am not a very good typist, nor speller for that fact, but I have been to Heaven so I know what its like and its amazing. the power, the Love, beauty. its beyond words. it will be 39 years ago in May that I died along with my buddy but it just like 5 minutes ago. I don't know why God sent me and Donnie back that day, but he did. I certainly did nothing that deserved it, I was selfish, pot smoking, drug, sex and rocknroll guy, that could be pretty damn mean to others if you pissed me off, but he did. He only told me to tell the others, I have never figured out what I am to tell people but maybe its how awesome Heaven is. mike Awesome post. |
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I'm not really sure what to say here, but I'll try. Please forgive any rambling or mumbo jumbo. I too have been emotionally invested in this from the beginning, I read the initial post just a few minutes after Jeff posted, and while I haven't been overly active in the thread, I do check it everyday, hoping for good news. My own experience with cancer was nowhere near as bad, the tumor in my head was malignant only due to the fact that it was slowly growing and starting to compress my optic nerves and while it would have eventually killed me, it wasn't this fast growing blitzkrieg Jeff and his family are having to deal with. It took 28 years to even give symptoms of a problem, and I got lucky that Proton Beam Radiation works on it, but chemo doesn't. I never had to go through the hell that is chemo, and I was glad about that. Like everyone else, I will continue to pray that Jeff gets better, and we all get to see another miracle. I say another, because of what we have seen happen in GD. I know I haven't been here for even a year, but this place always entertains in various ways, you all know what I mean. I'm not ashamed to say my eyes have welled up numerous times thinking about you Jeff, and the obvious love you have for your family, your desire to take care of them, be the man your family needs, yet having to face the fact that maybe you can't, because of something outside of our control. I truly wish I could be there in Texas, to support in any way I could. It's my pleasure to give what I can, I just wish it was under different circumstances.
It's said that God works in mysterious ways, and while we don't always get the answer we want, God knows what he is doing. For any who have come to find Him during this time, as well as any who are on the fence, or any who might have a less than favorable view of God or religion in general, understand that God uses people and situations, both good and bad, and don't be discouraged at the news we have most recently had and become angry. For many of us, our lives are much better, we've been reminded of what matters, and we have come together as a community, 13ers and all. Some of you have become better parents or spouses, some have stopped to reflect on what's truly important, some have come to know God, and some have come back to Him, but I think everyone who has read or heard of this situation has had their eyes opened, at least a little, and become better for it. Be thankful for that, and hold onto it, because God works in mysterious ways. I was raised going to church, really, forced to go by my parents. I haven't been in years, my family prays for me, my grandpa was a Pentecostal minister for many years, as well as an uncle. I have wrestled with this since the beginning of this thread, and having the church background I do, I understand these things. I personally believe everything I was taught in church, and I have seen in the past how hardship and tragedy have affected people in a positive way. I just have not come to the point that I want to accept Him yet. I don't want to be a hypocrite, and I feel I would be at this point. Stubborn pride I guess. Maybe I'll get out of my own way, and see you on the other side Jeff, I pray hopefully many years from now. Know that you and your family are loved by us, and I would suspect that no matter what happens, they will be taken care of. Chris |
Molon Labe
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the only thing I can do at this point is pray for Jeff and the family. my thoughts and prayers are with you all. although I never met Jeff he has made an impact on my life from a distance. he has made me want to be a better dad, better husband and better person. thank you Jeff.
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Equal rights for all, special privileges for none.
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Originally Posted By d13s3l:
thank you for the update i will continue sending prayers & best wishes hopefully the tumor will realize it is just being stubborn & will start abiding by our prayers & such.  Being the eternal optimist I will go with this and add another round of prayers. |
Team Ranstad
Tennessee Squire
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A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Arfcom call sign Keg
Tennessee Squire
Patriot Guard Rider
A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Arfcom call sign Keg
| Thought I was going to do something special on my 20k post..maybe a big thanks to Arfcom for all the yuks over the years...but all that intraweb BS pales in comparison to real life..So I'm just going to do something real and say a little prayer..a prayer for a miracle...and if that miracle is not meant to be then please let Jeff's remaining time be as peaceful as possible. |
There, I said it...Don't tell me you weren't thinking the same thing!
I just want to go to the backyard, get a stick, and clean this thread off the bottom of my shoe....
I just want to go to the backyard, get a stick, and clean this thread off the bottom of my shoe....
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| Well I just came in for an update (been following the thread from day one), read the last three pages. Very sorry to hear what is going on. Jeff and Reta I think about what you are going thru everyday and I will continue to pray for Jeff to get better. |
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
My heart hurts but that will not stop my prayers. You know who Chesty Puller is, Jeff ? Well, he was one badass Marine & I always think of his quotes ( below) when myself or someone I know is fighting a battle. You keep fighting until you think you can't fight any longer and then gather your strength and kick some more ass ! You can do it ! "All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time" - Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC |
My wife and I are praying for you...yesterday my wife got me this balloon for my bday and floated it outside my home office....I wanted to share it with you....hopefully it will provide you a little smile even though that may be hard to do.... |
“Until we have a commander in chief who knows what he is doing....let Allah sort it out!” - Sarah Palin
| I'm as stunned and saddened over this news as I was when Mom announced another surgery was useless for her cancer battle. Jeff, Reta and family, your are still in our prayers and will be for a long time to come. I hope that Jeff's hospice experience will be as positive and comforting as what Mom had. Some of the hospice personnel are truly angels on this Earth through their works with the ill and their families. God bless Jeff and Reta in this particularly sad time. |
Arfcom: I came for the tech, I stayed for GD
Proud member Team Ranstad 2012/2013/
Proud member Team Ranstad 2012/2013/
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Originally Posted By VoodooChile:
Thought I was going to do something special on my 20k post..maybe a big thanks to Arfcom for all the yuks over the years...but all that intraweb BS pales in comparison to real life..So I'm just going to do something real and say a little prayer..a prayer for a miracle...and if that miracle is not meant to be then please let Jeff's remaining time be as peaceful as possible. God answers all prayers. Sometimes it's just difficult for us to understand the answer. Jeff, Reta, we'll keep praying for your strength and peace. |
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Reta,
Cancer took my BEST friend on Earth,(my Dad) when I was 23. Then it took my older Brother was I was 52. I expect to end up the same way. I hope ,and pray that Jeff is healed. If not, I hope and pray that he has a easy time for the rest of his life. All you can do is love him one way or the other. Prayers still being said. God bless, you and Jeff. |
1942 M3 Autocar Halftrack
M3A1 Diamond T Halftrack
57mm Anti-Tank
http://www.junk-halftracks.com
President West TN Military Vehicle Collectors
NRA Endowment Member
M3A1 Diamond T Halftrack
57mm Anti-Tank
http://www.junk-halftracks.com
President West TN Military Vehicle Collectors
NRA Endowment Member
Where can I get some scotch around here?
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REST IN PEACE (Page 160 of 208)
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