Dealing with life's challenges

Sometimes life throws a challenge in your direction. Two such challenges I’ve been dealing with for some time are the inguinal hernia that started in 2013 and hydrocele that started in 2019. Projects like roofs, concrete work, and building barn doors can cause real problems with these conditions.

Recently life has thrown yet another challenge on top of these. I’m currently expecting to be released today from the third hospital in 15 days. I still have the hernia and hydrocele but am also dealing with something in addition to these that honestly terrifies me. I’ve been mostly absent here recently dealing with hematuria and passing clots which can be very painful. Add to this a building inspector with a grudge and life becomes very difficult requiring me to push myself far beyond my limitations but any reason for not meeting his demands is thrown back at me as an unacceptable excuse.

The result of the biopsy is in and it indicates bladder cancer.

The first appointment with the oncologist for a full body scan to determine if it has spread is Tuesday morning.

Inguinal hernia, a huge hydrocele, and bladder cancer. I don’t think I can handle any more challenges thrown at me.

I am sorry these challenges came into your life, but I hope that you can deal with these with strength, resilience and endurance.
Sending best wishes through BLF! Stay strong!

I'm sure you can handle these challenges, though it will be tough at times.

I hope you will be doing better soon!

Hang in there tekwyzrd. Are you long time NE Ohioan? Maybe the Browns will offer some cheer soon!

Isaiah 43:2 always comforted me through my ordeals and trials (brain tumor, amongst other things). Praying for you. Hang in there.

tekwyzrd - what racoon city said: it will be tough at times.

It’s important to acknowledge that from the start. And the same goes for all in your position, bar none.

What you have done in reaching out to us is a good start. Reach out to other communities that are going through what you are experiencing, having others out there and listening and sharing will be an important part of you staying well and maintaing resilience.

Look forward, keep good relationships and get well soon.

Hang tough old boy. Construction takes it’s toll on the body. Hope you feel better soon.

As a fellow cancer sufferer just released from federal prison fighting my second battle with cancer, I feel for you tekwyzrd. Some days I almost feel like Job (biblical) with what I've been through and still going through. And like i just told RC, it can always get worse, but lets' not go there. I pray for you brother. I know it's tough but hang in there. If I can do it you can too. Hope can never be taken away and it will sustain you.

Keep us updated on your results from the upcoming tests.



I know that I can't handle any more challenges that life on this earth throws at me. I can't handle them, I don't like them, I don't have to like them, I don't have to handle them. I am intelligent; I know when I have been overcome by the power of darkness on this earth. I know when to stop hoping in almost all things that can be seen, and when it is time for me to hope almost completely in things that can't be seen.

Things that can be seen: See my current signature.

On 6/8/19 my wife got in an elevator at the hospital she works in . Pressed the button for the 8th floor. The elevator went up to 8 and then dropped to the basement . Violently slamming her to the floor of the elevator
It eventually reset itself and went back up to the 8th floor. Feeling quite dazed she got out and went back to work .

2 days later she was in a great deal of pain and could no longer work.

Since than she has had cervical spine surgery , hip surgery (after 4 months of recovery time she is still in a wheelchair). She developed Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome in the right side of her body. Leaving her right hand in a permanent fist and in constant pain on the right side of her body down to her toes.

Has had 8 nerve block shots placed in her neck to relieve the arm pain, all of which have done nothing . Next option is getting a nerve stimulator placed , if that doesn’t work it’s either live with the pain or amputate the arm .

And we saw a lower spine surgeon this morning and he is recommending more surgery

To add insult to injury the hospital recently sent a termination notice leaving us without healthcare benefits.

Simple things like being able to cut your own food , open a water bottle, Shower yourself are no longer possible.

Life does present some serious challenges .

I do not think I’m qualified to judge your current situation, but in 4½ year I got:

TURP: after total blokkage of urinary flow. Removal of basal cell carcinoma on my back. Operation on my inguinal hernia. Operation on my spermacèle (tough riding a bicycle)

I strongly suggest you first take care of your existing problems. If that hernia get bigger, and it pops out all the time, it might ending up blocking your intestines. That can even lead to a “dead” piece of colon. Introducing a new chain reaction of discomfort. The whole procedure takes ½ day (spermacèle does idem). A bit sore, that’s all.

You’ll need the extra strength for dealing with the bigger ordeal. Keep up your spirit, and your faith.

6/29 appointment with the oncologist. Muscle invasive bladder cancer. I’ll be calling later today (6/30) to schedule a pet scan to determine if it has spread. Then comes the iv port. Current plan is chemo then surgery.

I was prescribed tramadol. It did nothing for the pain, made me hot and sweaty, and the tinnitus is really annoying. :weary:

Our live depend from what we eat, what we work, did we rest enought, sport activity etc.
When we are young, we are giving health for money.

Sorry to hear it has invaded the muscel. I hope the PET scan will be negative outside the bladder.

Another cancer survivor here (lymphoma, IIb, chemo in 2014). Wish you lots of luck.

My state recently passed a medical marijuana law don’t know about Ohio, but it might be worth looking into that possibility of getting an Rx, some folks say it helps with the pain.

i always wondered about them pharmasweaticles.

I’m very sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Wishing you the best of luck.

I'm not a doctor, however, Tramadol does work for most people. Make sure you are getting at least 50mg per dose, and what has worked for me in the past has been 100mg per dose. Try and not go over 300mg per day. But I've had to take 400mg per day during the worst of times.

Ohio law requires an evaluation by a dr authorized to approve use. $175 to $250 for the evaluation is what I’ve found in my searches for info, plus $50 annual registration.

They gave me 50 mg to be taken every 6 hours. After the third dose I also had hematuria. The content of my left nephrostomy bag looked a bit like slightly diluted cranberry juice cocktail. No more for me. It all stopped about six hours after the third dose. Dr had me bring the Tramadol to his office for disposal and prescribed Norco 5/325. It’s not as effective as the Percocet 5/325 they gave me in the hospital but better than the side effects from the Tramadol.