I have been absent most of the past year, thought an explanation was in order.

I started having issues with coordination and balance in July of 2020, at 69 yrs old. It started with difficulty shifting gears in my Cayman. My left leg just did not respond as well as normal. And hiking Glacier NP was very tough.

I adapted in the meantime and in October, went to my GP. He concurred I was experiencing significant diminishment on my left side. What followed was a few months of MRI's, three spinal taps, CAT scans and blood tests, which yielded no answers.

Finally on December 15th, 2020 we did a brain biopsy. The tissue sample was sent to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and the Alvord Brain Tumor Center at the University of Washington, Seattle. I was diagnosed with an "infiltrated glioma" brain tumor, stage 4, which is rare and difficult to treat as it is inoperable. The prognosis from Mayo was 6-15 months! THAT was a kick in the ass. But, I had no underlying conditions to complicate treatment and, as they say, "your mileage may vary". The tumor was the result of genetic pre-disposition and the doctors at both Mayo and UW emphasized it was unpreventable as well as difficult to detect and diagnose.

After the biopsy I had paralysis on my entire left side, couldn't walk or balance at all. This started my wheelchair time. My poor wife loading me up in the CRV for seemingly endless appointments. We thankfully have the Sletten Cancer Institute in Great Falls, 42 miles away. She pushed me through the snow and cold five days each week to my radiation zapping sessions. One day it was -38 degrees! But we did the treatments and I was improving.

Did 42 days of chemo medication, which hurt my vision long term, my appetite and played hell with my guts. I eventually bottomed out 40 pounds lighter.

I started Physical Therapy in February with an AMAZING PT staff in Great Falls. Within a few weeks we started seeing improvements. At first I walked like a 90 yr old, but I was walking! Eventually, I improved and as of now, don't require any further treatments.

I also have a portable tumor treatment device that sends low voltage electrical pulses through my brain, preventing the abnormal cells from reproducing. It seems to be working as I am steadily showing improvement. Still tough to see and I have to be careful walking as well. But I have a life and a future.

What's my "take away" after all this?

Few things in life as important as the people in our lives we love and care for. Money and the stuff we collect is all trivial.

I look back on life and I'm proudest when I recall past acts of kindness or friendships. Sorry to have rambled on, but it has been a hell of a past 18 months.

Sorry you had such a rough time in 2020

I had a rough time, too, but not nearly as rough as your's! Not even in the same ballpark.

Glad to see you seem to be beating this. And, yes: The people in our lives are far, far more important than the things in our lives.

Best wishes for continued improvement and a better 2022!

I’m glad you are still with us. Your wife sounds like a champion as do you. Here’s prayers to an improved 2022.

My best wishes to you too.

Keep up the fight!

Really sorry to hear all that. Hoping for the best for you.

wow - what a year. I'm glad to hear you have stabilized, and I hope 2022 brings additional blessings.

Every time I see something like this I’m ashamed of the petty crap I complain about. Hope you continue to improve!

I’m praying for continued success and for your wife as the caregiver.

Friend, it so great to have you back. I rarely start the “whatever happened to…” threads because I know that members come and go, but yours is a presence that was noticeably missed.

I keep your Sean Connery thread bookmarked in my ‘favorites’ and return to it from time-to-time when I need a smile.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...935/m/1390079952/p/1

Welcome back FN!

And a special extra hug for your wife from all of us here.

Happy to hear that despite your challenges you remain positive with a decent medical outlook.

And yes, your constable snapshot story with Connery is quite memorable!

Welcome back FN! Continued prays for your health.

Wow, what a ride, FN! Glad you're doing better. Wishing you a healthy and happy 2022!

Thanks for sharing, glad you are feeling better.

I know you will have a better 2022 and continue to get stronger.

You are right its not the things we have its the way we treat others around us.

HK Ag

Welcome back, and prayers for continued improvement.

Hang in there. Prayer sent.

Heck of a note! Happy to see you posting!

A friend rather suddenly had a brain stem cancer diagnosed; it is not something you check until it presents itself. The biopsy paralyzed one eye AND they didn't get the sample. His upside as he describes it, the cancer is so slow growing he is just as likely to die of 'natural' causes.

FN, first off glad you are still with us. And yes, the stuff we surround ourselves with is just stuff.
Thanks for the reminder that life is precious and those who care for us are what’s really important.

I wish you a full,speedy recovery.

Best wishes for a better 2022!