What is Life all about....

[elnutsmalljaws]

I know you fellas probably get tired of hearing about my trials and tribulations but maybe somebody can say something that makes since of it all. Surgery Dec 3 then again on Dec 28, been in the hospital for 12 additional days (6 days 2 seperate times) since the New Year began for dehydration, anemia, diarrhea and scar tissue pain. My wife and I had a sitdown 2 hour meeting with my Doc today and he nor his collegues can't seem to find out why it keeps happening and now I get to go back on Wednesday for a full day of test including a CT Scan, Upper GI, Endoscopy and Colonoscopy. If that does not work to help find the cure he is considering sending me to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland Ohio for a 3-5 day workup to help find out what is going on. Lost 32lbs since Dec 28, no appetite, can't get any food to stay down so it is back to drinking the Ensure shakes to get some nutrition (sp). I don't understand it. Lost all hope and faith plus with the continued CT Scans all I am doing is sealing my fait to get Cancer in the near future with all the radiation that I am being exposed to. Probably had somewhere near a 100 CT Scans and that is WAY too many for anyone to have. Just wish I would get better so to live somewhat normal life. Not looking for anyone's sympathy but sure do wish somebody would tell me what it is all about. Got to fish a total of 8 days for the Calendar year of 2010, and somewhere around 24 for the year of 2009 and 16 of that was December 2009. Might as well give the boat away to somebody that would get it wet because I don't see me doing that anytime soon. Just venting a bit because LIFE STINKS

[bigrod]

Everything I have seen you write on here I can't believe they haven't sent you to the Cleveland Clinic a long time ago. Get your ass up there and get some fresh eyes on your problems, not to mention they are probably better suited up there anyway! Hope things work out for you soon.

[bassin_bug]

I know you fellas probably get tired of hearing about my trials and tribulations but maybe somebody can say something that makes since of it all. Surgery Dec 3 then again on Dec 28, been in the hospital for 12 additional days (6 days 2 seperate times) since the New Year began for dehydration, anemia, diarrhea and scar tissue pain. My wife and I had a sitdown 2 hour meeting with my Doc today and he nor his collegues can't seem to find out why it keeps happening and now I get to go back on Wednesday for a full day of test including a CT Scan, Upper GI, Endoscopy and Colonoscopy. If that does not work to help find the cure he is considering sending me to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland Ohio for a 3-5 day workup to help find out what is going on. Lost 32lbs since Dec 28, no appetite, can't get any food to stay down so it is back to drinking the Ensure shakes to get some nutrition (sp). I don't understand it. Lost all hope and faith plus with the continued CT Scans all I am doing is sealing my fait to get Cancer in the near future with all the radiation that I am being exposed to. Probably had somewhere near a 100 CT Scans and that is WAY too many for anyone to have. Just wish I would get better so to live somewhat normal life. Not looking for anyone's sympathy but sure do wish somebody would tell me what it is all about. Got to fish a total of 8 days for the Calendar year of 2010, and somewhere around 24 for the year of 2009 and 16 of that was December 2009. Might as well give the boat away to somebody that would get it wet because I don't see me doing that anytime soon. Just venting a bit because LIFE STINKS

I am sincerely sorry that doctors haven't been able to find something that will cure you. That statement seems so lame but it's hard for me to understand how people can travel into space and land on the moon but medical doctors can't find a cure for you. If one CT scan doesn't reveal your problem maybe a second will but, in my opinion, to keep doing the same thing over and over expecting different results is absolutely stupid. MRIs and CT scans are big money, easy money, for hospitals and doctors and I think that's why so many people are exposed to excessive radiation, me included.

We all understand that you are a great fisherman and fishing is dear to your heart but your life consists of far more important, and valuable, things than fishing. You are in the midst of what has become a long delay but nothing says that you won't soon get well and be back out there doing some serious catching. Instead of letting the doctors "consider" sending you to Cleveland Clinic, why don't you INSIST they do. It's your health and your life, who is more qualified to make that decision than you?

I don't get tired of hearing about your trials and tribulations but I do get tired of hearing you say that "life stinks." Every day, good or bad, is a gift from God and He has a plan for you; it is to do you good, and not harm.

[DJD]

Hmmm noone knows the meaning of life but I know for sure that terrible things happen to good people. My 75 year old Dad went through three years of terrible healthcare, pain, misdiagnosis and eventually death. I watched him go through operation after operation and get bullied by insurance companies and bad doctors. He trusted the doctors and that is what killed him. He was too set in his ways to get him to commit to a second opinion. So I'm convinced when you smell a "rat" in your treatment or healthcare providers then run to get another set of eyes on your case.

[zx150]

Hmmm noone knows the meaning of life but I know for sure that terrible things happen to good people. My 75 year old Dad went through three years of terrible healthcare, pain, misdiagnosis and eventually death. I watched him go through operation after operation and get bullied by insurance companies and bad doctors. He trusted the doctors and that is what killed him. He was too set in his ways to get him to commit to a second opinion. So I'm convinced when you smell a "rat" in your treatment or healthcare providers then run to get another set of eyes on your case.

I agree 100% get another Doc to take a look. I would go to the Cleveland or Mayo. If they say the samething then you know you are doing all you can do. But I bet they will try something diferent and if it works great.

That is what I would do if I were in your shoes, just my .02.

[MrSplitshot]

I can't help much on the meaning of life. Sometimes wonder about that one myself...but I can say this:

Sometimes I will sit at my desk for hours and pour over every little detail of a report trying to figure out what to do on something....I will analyze it forwards, backwards, from every angle I can imagine....and still can't figure out exactly what to do to fix the problem. I'm at stalemate, have cussed 37 times, and have thrown a pen across the room.

Then, somebody will walk in, look over my shoulder, and go..."Hmmmph, look at that right there. [pointing to something on the report] That's weird."

And there it is, right in front of me the whole time, the last piece of the puzzle. My point is that sometimes, no matter how good you are, a fresh set of eyes on any challenge can break the case.

If you can go somewhere like Cleveland Clinic for a fresh set of eyes, brother, I would do it. It certainly can't hurt. Keep hangin in!

[elnutsmalljaws]

The Mayo clinic is not an option because they don't accept my Humana Insurance. My surgeon is literally the best in the state of Kentucky for I have investigated him before and during all that is going on. I have spoken with U of L, U of C and Vanderbilt and pretty much they will all take me as a patient but they also said that the care that I will recieve is very comparable to UK. The difference in what I have seen is my surgeon has been published over and over again in several medical journals plus his reputation proceeds him. The problem I am having with the Cleveland Clinic is there is no way I can go there for long term care. It is just too far from Frankfort and we absolutely don't have the money for that. Another problem I am having with any other care at all is that my insides are not like any of yours. My organs have been buried below my intestines so that it is easier to get to them for all the Hernias that I continue to get. I had a surgery called "Organization of Compartments" a couple of years ago and so you can't just look into a medical journal and see how my insides are organized. I scare the best of doctors to death based on my medical history. It is not a good feeling when you see a these 1st, 2nd or 3rd year residents or interns and give your medical history to them and you can see the wheels turning in their head that they want no part of me and my problems. When you have 7 different attending physicians, these are doctors that have practised for over 9 years each, hold meeting just about you to discuss options and potential cures. We talked about referrals and I truly believe him in if there was anyone in Lexington or the surrounding areas that he felt could offer any opinion on me, he would not hesitate to send me there. He welcomed the opportunity of the Cleveland Clinic to look at me and even said that they can usually do an entire workup in 3-5 days. Said they don't send many there but the ones they do around half of them come back with nothing more to add than what UK is already doing. The most of the other half are sent there for surgeries that UK just does not perform and feel Cleveland is the best option. I just think I am screwed up and can't be fixed by anyone. If I can bend over and pick up a 10 ounce bottle of saline and rip a muscle in half, or sneeze 5 different times and bust hernias, my insides are in bad shape.

[hydrashorts]

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=625266 Life can be a very tough struggle at times. This post on another site may give you some insight. Perhaps this gentleman has some wisdom to share. Will be praying for you.

[DJD]

Man that's a tough story. I couldn't help but get touched by it. Life can beat you down but stories like that really make you appreciate things more.

[zx150]

Elwood that is tough. But if you are one of the half that they can do something for than it would be worth it. I am just trying to stay positive for you brother. I will keep saying prayers for you at night.

[redneckshadrap]

You are in a battle...I don't know what's toughest, the will to keep going or the will to give up. You have endured more than I could. Of course I haven't walked in your shoes. I have been fortunate enough to be there to walk side by side with you at times. So have some more folks on this board. Don't know if that helps or hinders.
THe meaning of life.???? I think my avatar tells all you all about what I think about my meaning of life. It was only about 4 months ago that I truely discovered it. My daughter has been my savior. And when I get down, things don't go my way, ect.ect....I look at what she battles everyday of her life with Autism.

Everytime I look out the window and see that pond..you cross my mind.
Everytime I think about that lawyer berating me and I took it like a man per your advice you cross my mind.

YOU MATTER!.....And you fit into a part of the meaning of life that I live everyday...Thank you buddy...

[HURRICANEBOB]

oops....see above