James Daulton
Footballguy
I've been on an extended (year) "vacation" from this place and the amount of change in my life over the last year is staggering if I stop and think about it. This thread isn't meant as a look at me, feel sorry for me, or anything like that, more of a reminder that we should all appreciate this precious gift while we still can.
I had colon cancer at 21 and was super lucky in the way it grew inside my colon rather than out so that I had symptoms and was able to get it removed with no spreading. Now over the last 2 decades I also found out that I carry a gene that makes me really succeptable to colon and other digestive track cancers. I've had colonoscopies every year as the primary way I was checked for a recurrence. Well, the last few years have shown more and more polyps with those polyps getting bigger and bigger. The decision was made right around this time last year that to ensure that nothing snuck through between testings, I should have my colon removed. I had the 9 hour surgery just over a year ago, spent 11 days in the hospital with 5 of those days with an NG tube. I don't recommend that if you can avoid it. I had a colostomy bag for 7 months, don't recommend that either if you can avoid it, and then 6 months ago had the 3 hour reversal surgery and spent another 5 days in the hospital. The bag was removed and my waste goes from my small intestine directly to my butt. As you can imagine this brings with it a whole host of issues and re-learning for the body.
Anyhoo, during this time, I was promoted at work to an executive position I've always wanted, my one kid was accepted into PA school, and my other kid graduated and has a dream job at ABC news. So along with all the pain and literal crap I've had to deal with the past year, there's been tons of great events as well.
So take a moment and smell the roses friends. You never know when your life will get upended and the last thing any of us want is to take regrets with us. Plus the world is much bigger than us so take a moment to celebrate the achievements of others and to touch the world in a way so that it's better for you being here.
Kind of like what Joe does with his charity work feeding the poor and what Big Bottom does with his childhood cancer work and countless others that aren't coming to mind right now.
It's good to be back and I hope I'm a better man than I was when I was last here.
I had colon cancer at 21 and was super lucky in the way it grew inside my colon rather than out so that I had symptoms and was able to get it removed with no spreading. Now over the last 2 decades I also found out that I carry a gene that makes me really succeptable to colon and other digestive track cancers. I've had colonoscopies every year as the primary way I was checked for a recurrence. Well, the last few years have shown more and more polyps with those polyps getting bigger and bigger. The decision was made right around this time last year that to ensure that nothing snuck through between testings, I should have my colon removed. I had the 9 hour surgery just over a year ago, spent 11 days in the hospital with 5 of those days with an NG tube. I don't recommend that if you can avoid it. I had a colostomy bag for 7 months, don't recommend that either if you can avoid it, and then 6 months ago had the 3 hour reversal surgery and spent another 5 days in the hospital. The bag was removed and my waste goes from my small intestine directly to my butt. As you can imagine this brings with it a whole host of issues and re-learning for the body.
Anyhoo, during this time, I was promoted at work to an executive position I've always wanted, my one kid was accepted into PA school, and my other kid graduated and has a dream job at ABC news. So along with all the pain and literal crap I've had to deal with the past year, there's been tons of great events as well.
So take a moment and smell the roses friends. You never know when your life will get upended and the last thing any of us want is to take regrets with us. Plus the world is much bigger than us so take a moment to celebrate the achievements of others and to touch the world in a way so that it's better for you being here.
Kind of like what Joe does with his charity work feeding the poor and what Big Bottom does with his childhood cancer work and countless others that aren't coming to mind right now.
It's good to be back and I hope I'm a better man than I was when I was last here.
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With you gone, the Ravens chat immediately dropped by 25%!!
