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2011-07-28 05:40

The Phantom

Registered: Jan 2004
Posts: 360

I'm back baby....

Hey everyone.

Just a few words that I need to tell you of.

Since November of 2010, I was once again diagnosed with Cancer (basal cell carcinoma or Skin cancer). I had pictures of it on Facebook, not sure if they're still up, but that's not why I'm posting this..

Last week (07/22/2011), I went in for surgery to have it removed. I can't tell you how much of an area that was removed, but the end result was 11 stitches.

Since November, I haven't been as active in the scene as I wanted to be. A lot of my inactivity was based on numerous visits to various doctors, only to get sent to some other doctor and so on. I've seen more doctors in the last 6 months than most people do in a lifetime.

I haven't been very productive because the cancer was on my left shoulder blade, and often started hurting or itching or just being a pain in my shoulder, and as always, it wouldn't start until my assembler was loaded. So I took a break. A long break. Also, the cancer took a lot of my energy.

I have another visit to my doctor August 1st. This visit will determine whether the cancer is gone, or if I'll have to undergo more surgery. I am not hopeful because this is my 2nd bout with Cancer and it does funny things to a person. I wish they would simply inject me with Chemo and get it over already. Besides, I could use the hair loss :D

I just want everyone to know that I am back to coding and drawing and have several things I want to do before this year ends.

I don't know why I'm posting this. I guess I just wanted everyone to know what was going on with me.

For YEARS, this cancer has tormented me. I wouldn't take off my shirt in public anymore. I wouldn't swim anymore. It put me in such a reclusive state that I shut myself off from the world. It seemed anytime I took my shirt off, I would get asked questions from adults and children. As soon as I told them it was cancer, they backed away and acted as if I were contagious. It's not a good feeling.

Today, I feel more energy than I've felt in YEARS! I don't feel bogged down, my mind isn't clogged anymore and I feel like I can conquer just about anything I set my mind to.

I look forward to making a demo or 5 in the upcoming year(s).

Thanks for reading.

Eric Campbell/The Phantom

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2011-07-28 21:51

FATFrost
Account closed

Registered: Sep 2003
Posts: 211

Lets all make a demo to say how much we care about each other and send a message to someone we have lost? After all, we create because of our emotions don't we? i'm up for it!!! and i had a blood clot in my leg and they nearly chopped it off btw!!!! ;)

2011-07-29 01:38

Jon
Account closed

Registered: Apr 2005
Posts: 247

Best of luck, Eric. I hope all goes well on the first.

J

2011-07-29 04:29

Kickback

Registered: Apr 2004
Posts: 97

Eric there are different treatments you can get for that, trust me I know. And I have you beat on doctors bro LOL! You should ask your doctor about Light Therapy or PUVA.

Also unless your doctor is telling you your lymph nodes are compromised then I wouldn't worry to much. Once that happens the big guns come out then.

If your cancer is in a localized area (your shoulder) more direct treatments can be performed also. I would seriously look into that before they start cutting. One problem with cutting is the spread of the cancer from the generalized area.

Talk to your doctor, if your not getting the right answers I would call up Cancer Treatment Centers Of America. They are REALLY good at what they do and take your feelings into GREAT consideration!!

Call them and talk to them about your case, its free and they will really inform you about what options you have!

Glad your feeling well again and best of lucky!!

2011-07-29 06:17

The Phantom

Registered: Jan 2004
Posts: 360

@kickback.. I went through a cancer treatment center in november last year, they took a biopsy and concluded it was Basal cell carcinoma, which I was hoping for (far better than melanoma, which I thought was what I had). When I went back for surgery, I talked with the financial bitch about making payments, she replied "What do you think we are, a loan institution.."
With that alone, I should have went to the local news station and reported that, but I didn't. Instead, I searched more places, saw more doctors and kept getting the same answer, for it to be cut off and NOW.
I was ready to give up because it get's tiring hearing the same crap over and over and over again. My local doctor set me up at another hospital in another town and I swear it was the best treatment I ever had. I've never been around nurses that actually cared for your well being, doctors that took the time to tell you what needed to be done and actually answered questions, instead of the typical doctors I've dealt with, where all they say is yes, uh-huh and so forth.
I've never in my life been treated at a hospital like I mattered. These people are the best at what they do! I will never go to another hospital!

I was in and out of surgery in an hour, 30 minutes after surgery, I was on my way home.

The other hospitals, dermatologists and local offices all made me feel like this cancer was my fault and that treatment wasn't an option, as they wanted money upfront and in full. True story.

I've already started on some code, finished up a few logos and starting to write ideas down. I've also started writing more of my (ahem) book and caught up with a book (Kings Cell). I feel amazing, for lack of a better term. I haven't had this much energy in a lot of years!!

I believe I have pictures on Facebook, before surgery, after surgery and the sewn up shoulder. I think I posted a few pictures of the cancer a few months ago.

It seems a lot of stuff has gone on with everyone: Clots, Sepsis and even the loss of a child. I am happy that everyone is able to get on with life, regardless of how much hurt we continue to have in our lives.

A demo? I'm always up for demos :D As a matter of fact, I'm in the process of creating something totally mind-blowing and never seen before! I could use help in exploiting the routine to the fullest because once it's seen, I know others will improve on it, which is why I want to do everything possible with it. I think Kickback would be an ideal partner with this because we've worked so well together on past projects.

Thank you everyone! I am hoping the 1st brings good news, which I believe it will.

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