Thanks to NPN members... Good Personal News from Wayne Jones
Discussion
32 replies
Posted by Wayne Jones on November 29, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Dear NPN members,
Back on October 2nd, I posted a note “Why I Dropped Out For a While ...” telling you that I had been diagnosed with a type of cancer that is sometimes a “difficult one..." and promising to report back to you about my progress. I noted that I was just beginning treatment and "praying for some healthy time in 2009 and beyond." The responses in that thread lifted my spirits and really helped me over the past two months.
I am now happier than you can imagine to report that my prayers are coming true. THANK GOD and thank YOU. The good wishes, encouragement, and prayers of the NPN family and my other family and friends, as well as the medical establishment are pulling me through this ordeal.
Just today, I vistited the doctor for another chemotherapy cycle, and the news was the best!
1. The constant watch for symptoms that would require emergency surgery is over. It appears that I was healthy enough so that my healing kept up with the tumor shrinkage that could have left holes in my intestines.
2. Results of my recent tests were fantastic: No evidence of residual tumors – They are GONE! The oncologist said that this does not always happen with mantle-cell lymphoma, so he seemed just as thrilled as I was!
3. The chemo is working so well, we will shorten it by six weeks. (Still knocking back the cancer that will remain in the bone marrow, but it generally develops very slowly.) He can't predict how long remission will last, but it could be years! Sometime in February, I should be able to get over the constant fatigue and start exercising again. I should be able to start traveling again and even kayaking in the spring -- with my camera, of course! Not sure how much the organ damage from chemotherapy will affect me, but hopefully that will not be very noticeable. Nerve damage (numb hands and feet) may take a year or more to improve, but that's something I can work around. I am really looking forward to a normal life again!
As I said back in October, I thank God every morning for allowing me to be part of another day.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
Please remember those who answered that thread of October 2, 2008 who told us of their own experiences with serious illness, some of whom are still dealing with it. They are im my thoughts and prayers, and I hope yours, also.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on November 29, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Wayne, what better news for the Thanksgiving holiday? Congratulations - I'm sure you're smile is even bigger than mine!
Posted by Lon Overacker on November 29, 2008 at 1:25 AM
Wayne,
And a HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you!! No one could be more happy than you, but I think we can collectively offer a sigh of relief for you - this is great news Wayne. My wife lost both her father and a brother this year to different forms of cancer, so we now the toll it takes emotionally and physically on everyone.
May you continue to recover fully and my best to you and your family.
Lon
Posted by Ken Atkinson on November 29, 2008 at 6:59 AM
Wayne, that's the best holiday gift anyone could ever hope for. It's sometimes amazing what miracles a positive attitude can help accomplish. Best wishes for you and your family for the holidays and the coming year.
And thanks for the advice on Lake Placid-I was hoping you would jump in.
Ken
Posted by Ed Cordes on November 29, 2008 at 7:58 AM
Wayne you certainly have had a Happy Thanksgiving I am convinced that personal attitude and the support of friends has as much to do with healing as medical science. Medicine gives us the tools but the attitude and friends give us the will. Remember I am a doc and I firmly believe this.
We are all glad you are doing so well. We look forward to seeing some images soon.
Posted by Bill Chambers on November 29, 2008 at 8:34 AM
This is GREAT news Wayne! What a great Thanksgiving present. Keep up the great attitude, and also keep up informed of all upcoming news as well.
Wayne, that is great news!!! What a wonderful gift you have received. I know your feeling when you heard that word cancer, and now hearing the word remission is even more emotionally moving. Keep doing what the doctors say so we can all enjoy your beautiful gift of vision and the lovely images you produce.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on November 29, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Wayne, that is wonderful news! Keep up the good fight and hopefully you'll be out and about with your camera before you know it.
Posted by Larry Lynch on November 29, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Wonderful news Wayne. I am so pleased and happy for you. Keep up your terrific attitude and look forward to those wonderful Spring days ahead with your camera. Nothing but the best to you.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on November 29, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Congratulations Wayne! It sounds like your prayers have been answered. Keep up the great attitude and get back out there with camera in hand and your troubles behind you! Best wishes now and in the future!
Posted by Steve Foss on November 29, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Wayne, that's damn fine news! All the best continued wishes being sent from my little corner of Minnesota.
Posted by Gary Gulash on November 29, 2008 at 11:41 AM
It's Saturday morning and I read your update, great news to hear Wayne, put a huge smile on my face to hear things are going well!
Posted by Mark Hudon on November 29, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Great news, Wayne!
Posted by Greg Cope on November 29, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Excellent news Wayne!
Posted by Angela Classen on November 29, 2008 at 1:02 PM
What a great Thanksgiving gift! That is awesome news. Your positive attitude was definitely a plus and helped you fight harder. Keep us posted and let's see some shots from you soon!
Thrilled to hear your good news Wayne. Soon you will be out and about and we here at NPN look forward to seeing your photos. Take care and best wishes to you and yours.
Posted by Stan Rose on November 29, 2008 at 4:54 PM
That's fantastic news, Wayne! I wish you the best of health and happiness in the new year to come.
Wonderful news, Wayne! I wasn't aware that you had cancer, but I am really glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery. I wish you many wonderful canoe trips and accompanying photos in the coming years!
Well Wayne, this is certainly the best of all good news to hear. The latest advancements with many treatments these days truly are life savers as it has been proven many times now daily. Good to hear this, and please enjoy life as it should be. Take care!
Posted by David Cobb on November 29, 2008 at 11:44 PM
That's great news Wayne, and I wish you the best for 2009!
David M. Cobb
Posted by Frank Winters on November 30, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Wonderful news to read, Wayne. And thanks for sharing your experience with us. You wrote: "I thank God every morning for allowing me to be part of another day." Thanks for reminding us that that is how we should all feel each day. Maybe the upside of your illness is getting the reminder about just how precious life is. Best wishes for a continued and recovery.
Frank
Posted by Richard Wong on November 30, 2008 at 4:04 PM
That is amazing news Wayne. Good thing you didn't have to wait long to receive it.
Best of luck.
Posted by Bruce Painter on November 30, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Thats great to hear Wayne. I pray continued speedy and full recovery.
Bruce
Posted by Guy Tal on November 30, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Great news, Wayne! I'm really glad to hear that. Hope the good trend continues.
Guy
Posted by Nathan Buck on December 1, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Terrific news, Wayne. I missed the original announcement (since I've barely been on the site since June), but having caught up with events it's great to hear this latest, positive update.
Posted by Danny Laureys on December 1, 2008 at 9:21 PM
That's great news Wayne, and congratulations on that! Life is too short, and its great to hear that you will be back in action enjoying it to the fullest. Cheers!
Posted by Edward Nunez on December 2, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Discussion
32 repliesBack on October 2nd, I posted a note “Why I Dropped Out For a While ...” telling you that I had been diagnosed with a type of cancer that is sometimes a “difficult one..." and promising to report back to you about my progress. I noted that I was just beginning treatment and "praying for some healthy time in 2009 and beyond." The responses in that thread lifted my spirits and really helped me over the past two months.
I am now happier than you can imagine to report that my prayers are coming true. THANK GOD and thank YOU. The good wishes, encouragement, and prayers of the NPN family and my other family and friends, as well as the medical establishment are pulling me through this ordeal.
Just today, I vistited the doctor for another chemotherapy cycle, and the news was the best!
1. The constant watch for symptoms that would require emergency surgery is over. It appears that I was healthy enough so that my healing kept up with the tumor shrinkage that could have left holes in my intestines.
2. Results of my recent tests were fantastic: No evidence of residual tumors – They are GONE! The oncologist said that this does not always happen with mantle-cell lymphoma, so he seemed just as thrilled as I was!
3. The chemo is working so well, we will shorten it by six weeks. (Still knocking back the cancer that will remain in the bone marrow, but it generally develops very slowly.) He can't predict how long remission will last, but it could be years! Sometime in February, I should be able to get over the constant fatigue and start exercising again. I should be able to start traveling again and even kayaking in the spring -- with my camera, of course! Not sure how much the organ damage from chemotherapy will affect me, but hopefully that will not be very noticeable. Nerve damage (numb hands and feet) may take a year or more to improve, but that's something I can work around. I am really looking forward to a normal life again!
As I said back in October, I thank God every morning for allowing me to be part of another day.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
Please remember those who answered that thread of October 2, 2008 who told us of their own experiences with serious illness, some of whom are still dealing with it. They are im my thoughts and prayers, and I hope yours, also.
And a HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you!! No one could be more happy than you, but I think we can collectively offer a sigh of relief for you - this is great news Wayne. My wife lost both her father and a brother this year to different forms of cancer, so we now the toll it takes emotionally and physically on everyone.
May you continue to recover fully and my best to you and your family.
Lon
And thanks for the advice on Lake Placid-I was hoping you would jump in.
Ken
We are all glad you are doing so well. We look forward to seeing some images soon.
David M. Cobb
Frank
Best of luck.
Bruce
Guy
Nathan