Cancer Stinks! But...

[Wudstix]

Nice course.  Look forward to meeting you at LTR.

[stagetek]

Hang in there. God Bless !

[Al Dente]

Congratulations and prayers for your continued recovery.  Look forward and stay positive.  May God's hand rest upon your shoulder.

[varmint101]

May you get to enjoy the smells of cedar and string wax for years to come! God bless and that's a fine looking '59!

[Ken Taylor]

Thoughts and prayers sent from Waskaganish in northern Quebec.

You seem to be a very nice and optimistic person. Great to hear that you can once again enjoy the outdoors.

Thank you sincerely for posting your story.

No comparison, but I have an appointment coming up with an oncologist to begin radiation treatment for my prostate cancer.

[Stinger]

Pete, I'm convinced that it's a positive attitude that makes the difference.  You obviously have that.  I am happy for your outcome and hope for your continued progress.
I went in for a fairly routine MRI for some lower back pain in Jan 2022.  It showed sciatica and some disc degeneration, but the doc called me and told me that the MRI showed a large mass in my right kidney and they needed to do a CT scan immediately.  Two days later they diagnosed the very large mass as cancer.  Two days after that they did a CT scan of my chest and found numerous spots in my lungs and lymph nodes.  I had absolutely normal blood work and felt perfectly fine.  I was floored to find out I had advanced stage 4 renal cancer.  I agree with you - hearing that sort of knocks you you down hard.  They quickly formed an exceptional team of doctors and the lead oncologist ordered up an immunotherapy regimen.  Renal cancer does not respond to chemo or radiation. I was determined that I could beat this and didn't want to hear about life expectancy predictions.  The drugs are new enough anyway that the studies those are based on are irrelevant. I specifically stayed off the internet reading all the nonsense that is out there on treatments and longevity and focused on listening to the doctors and getting through the treatments.  By June I had enough of the infusions that my body could endure no more.  The drugs had destroyed my thyroid and adrenal system.  No big deal as those can be controlled with meds.  I worked like crazy to get in the best shape I could given the circumstances and was able to do an elk hunt in New Mexico in October.  That was with a rifle because I just didn't have the proficiency with a bow.  Two weeks after the hunt, they removed my right kidney.

Okay, long winded, but in March they did CT scans of my abdomen and chest and found no evidence of the disease anywhere!  I truly believe a positive attitude and the prayers of many helped me I immensely.  Oh yeah, the tremendous advances in cancer treatments these past few years have made a huge difference in people living long and fruitful lives.  I am not cured and know that it could come back at any time, but I chose now to live life to the fullest.  Seems to be just what you are doing and I applaud you for it!

[JR Chambers]

God Bless you guys.

[Phillip Fields]

In Sept 2015 Drs. discovered a large mass in my left kidney. It turned out to be cancer and the Drs. removed the kidney. The Drs. were sure they had removed all the cancer. Fast forward 5 years of clean MRIs/Cat Scans and the Dr. thought she saw something on the scan done in December 2020. They did a follow up scan and found definite signs of abnormalities in my lungs. They did a biopsy and in Feb, 2021 I was told that kidney cancer had metastasized to my lungs.

They started me on immunotherapy. I was on the first course for several months until my body would no longer tolerate that particular drug. Since then the drugs have been changed several times and I'm tolerating the current ones fairly well. In Dec 2022 it was determined that the kidney cancer had further metastasized to my pancreas and bones. Even though I had the metastasizes to my pancreas and bones, the metastases to my lungs had gotten no worse and some tumors had shrunk. I had radiation treatment on my bones. Latest MRIs/Cat Scans/Bone Scans indicate that I am either maintaining or improving. I'm still a long way from being out of the woods but with continued prayers and support from family and friends I will continue the fight.

I didn't hunt during the 2022 season, but am hoping to get out there for this season. I did manage to do a hog hunt in Texas back in April

[Maclean]

Cancer is the scourge of humanity.

Sending prayers of strength and healing. Hang in there!

[PASQUINELL]

Phillip stay positive. Take each day he gives us as a thank you of sorts. I go on August 7th for a CT scan echocardiogram and a blood draw to see where I'm at.  I take Chemo every day and it is whacking my organs but what choice do I have? Stop Chemo and open door for cancer or pound the other organs. I to went on Keytruda which was a game changer for me but after a year it messed with my skin so bad the doctor had to stop prescribing it for me.

I bought a Kodiak a few weeks ago and plan on climbing my ladder stand again come October. I could care less if I shoot a deer and will  enjoy what God is  giving me each and every sit I do. Hang in there guys and stay as positive as you can . Give thanks for each day we are up and doing our thing.

[hawkeye n pa]

Prayers for you and stay strong, you can do this!

[Bowguy67]

That's really awesome! Thank God. I also believe in the positive attitude yielding positive results. You've all heard my story so I'll spare you but here's another. (Someone is reading that needs to hear more stories like this)
A friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor. They gave him 2 years. At 4 years he was completely blind and in a wheel chair living with his mom. This was a very independent successful man. They said nothing could be done. Well My buddy can see, walk, drive, is back to work, and cancer free. It's now 5 years. He said cancer wasn't getting him the whole time. Please guys anyone who is in doubt and worried about an outcome that negative energy brings bad results.

[David McLendon]

Cancer does suck, I'm not happy with it either, but I chose not to be a victim.  I have cancer, but cancer does not have me.

[TGbow]

Prayers for your recovery. Glad you are shooting again.

[blacktailchaser]

yes it does...i am glad to hear you are doing better...i dont want to take over your topic BUT i am on my 5th year of recovery with tonsil cancer...in fact this is the year i get to hear you are fully recoverd....just good to hear some good results from cancer...it can be a bad thing for most people BUT i all so think there is blessings in the world of cancer and i am thinking you are probley living life differant...great looking bow i have wanted one for along time...but i want all the trad bow out there..LOL..BLESSINGS john

[PASQUINELL]

That's great to hear John! 5 years... awesome!

Well I'm now in the market for a light poundage Long Bow.  I like a one piece with a small shelf.... may need a place to live when the wife gets the Cc bills for arrows I've ordered etc! Gotta have a Long Bow though!!!!