Hi folks;
I have decided to disclose a little more about my condition. I have been
in ill health for several months, but didn't realize what was dragging me
down. A few months back, I noticed some difficulty swallowing especially if I
took to big a bite. I didn't think much of it as it's pretty common when
you get older. But it turned out, I have esophageal cancer.
It's a pretty big tumor, but the good news is there was no evidence of any
metastases on the CT scan. I have been undergoing a very aggressive chemo
program along with radiation. In fact I thought the chemo was going to kill
me first for a while. But I got through the fist round of daily infusions
(I also had a pump I carried with me for a continual infusion of a second
drug.) Damn these people are serious!
When I go for the chemo I spend several hours there as they first infuse
me (I have what they call a "pic line" in my arm where all the different
juice goes) with a variety of different meds that are meant to actually keep
the chemo from knocking me off. My allergies have cleared up!
Over the weekend and for about 4 days I was virtually bed-ridden. OK,
recliner-ridden. But I was so weak it was a real effort to get up and walk to
the bathroom. Yesterday they disconnected me from the continuous pump,
hydrated me with a huge bag of saline, pumped me full of steroids and I started
to feel alive again and I was hungry. I am still able to eat some things as
long as I'm careful, but for the first time in my life I'm encouraged to
pump in as many calories as possible. The fridge is bulging with ice cream.
They tell me that while I'm having good days to take advantage and try to
eat s much as possible.
I have lost weight but I don't think I'll be writing a diet book.
Once (if) I get through the chemo/radiation therapy (about another 5
weeks), there will be a recovery period and if all goes well a very serious
operation (basically they will remove my esophagus and a bunch of my stomach -
I have quite a lot to spare - and replace the esophagus with a piece of my
colon. They haven't mentioned how that will affect my breath, but if some
accuses me of talking out of my a.. I won't have much defense. 
Anyway, If I survive that operation, I will have a decent chance to be
around for a few years. That's all I was expecting, anyway, so I guess that
will be OK.
I will be keeping you folks updated on my progress as much as I can. On
the bad days, I just don't do much at all, but I have another week or so
before they hit with the good stuff again.
On the business front, I have one announcement and one pending. I am no
longer associated with vpinsider.com. This is not really my choice, but it's
probably best, the more I think about it.
As far as Video poker Player, I expect to have very good news. I believe
VPP will start publishing again soon, under new management owner (and one
that I guarantee you will like). I expect to still be a part of it and will
write as much as I can.
Thanks! I love you all!
Skip
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