I talked with Alan prior to posting this so it doesn't get deleted so he suggested the General Forum.
I know I don't post here often but I still know a lot of people here, met many of you in person several times so I figured I should post this on 3si as well.
Well, I have talked about this in the StL section on US3S but figure it's time to share this with everyone else. Last Monday, I was diagnosed with cancer in my left arm (upper humerus, in the long bone). More specifically, it is Adenocarcinoma that metastasized from somewhere else in my body. I had a CT scan done on Thursday and met with another oncologist on Friday. He found that it started at my stomach, then spread to my liver and my arm. I am having a scope done on my upper GI on Tuesday and that will say for sure if it started from my stomach. I start chemotherapy on Oct. 11th with sessions every two weeks.
Prior to all of this, I have not been sick in the slightest. I went to the doctor because my arm was hurting a little bit. I thought it could have been an injury from playing hockey or something that I didn't remember. He poked around, found nothing. Ordered an X-ray and saw a small spot. He ordered an MRI. That turned into ordering a bone scan and blood work which resulted in me being sent to an oncologist. This turned into a biopsy on the bone in my arm and generated the results I received on Monday of last week.
I am 37 years old, never smoked, never drank at all, never did any drugs at all and the doctor is clueless as to how this could happen. I have two kids, 11 and 6 years old, lots of siblings and family that are an everyday part of my life, phenomenal friends, a great career, new home, toys, etc...basically all the things to make a guy feel happy and accomplished. Now, this has popped up out of nowhere.
Financially, it's kinda rough because TONS of trips back and forth to StL, medicine, OTC medicine, etc really starts adding up. Luckily, I have great insurance. When I feel good, it's easy to keep a fighting spirit in my head...when I feel under the weather, it really starts f'ing with my mind and my psychie.
My hopes are that, because I was not sick even in the slightest, that I caught it all early enough and it wasn't able to do any major damage. Obviously, my fear is the worst to fear when the doctor tells you that you have cancer. I can't help but to keep thinking of my kids, that's probably the hardest part of all of this.
{ADMIN EDIT for the people that don't read to the end first
RIP 3/16/09}
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwire
It is with our deepest condolences that we announce that Keith Johnson, Stealthawd, passed away this evening. As many of you know, Keith has been fighting a horrific battle of cancer since August of 2007. Let’s just say that he put up one hell of a fight and was a trooper the entire way. Heck I’m not even sure that many could even tell he was sick in passing.
Keith was a very active member in the 3s community and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He will be remembered as an outstanding friend, a wonderful father, and a dear husband.
We are so very thankful and grateful that Keith and his wife were able to join the St. Louis crew in attending the NG last year and will never forget those AWESOME memories…….
Please keep his family in your prayers….
We will post funeral arrangements when we hear more.
Thank you for your concerns,
Von, Chris and the whole StL 3s family
/quote
we are trying to keep all the replys in one place so we have a thread going on Keith's board if you would like to post some thoughts for his wife and kids to be able to read at a later date
US3S Dodge Stealth and Mitsubishi 3000GT Forum - He will never be forgotten |
Keith Johnson (stealthawd) RIP
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