Chit Chat and All That...

[UKBloke]

The best news is that the cancer is curable.

Literally the best news! Overjoyed for you, E.

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

Literally the best news! Overjoyed for you, E.

Thanks, Bloke. I sure hope none of these pills make this f&%king tinnitus worse—it's bad enough without adding more ringing.

 

[UKBloke]

Thanks, Bloke. I sure hope none of these pills make this f&%king tinnitus worse—it's bad enough without adding more ringing.

Mine's been sh*te recently as well to be honest. Me and Mrs UKB flew down to Spain today, so I was expecting the worst, but thankfully, the earplugs seemed to have done the trick. Small victories. Speak soon, man.

 

[Jcb]

Thanks. Yesterday, I had a consultation with the oncologist. The best news is that the cancer is curable. The hardest part will be the chemo pills, which need to be taken twice daily during radiation treatment. This will last for 5 weeks, followed by 6 sessions of chemotherapy over 12 weeks.

I haven't seen the radiology team yet, as one of them is on holiday, so that might happen next week. I still have no idea when the treatment will start. There goes our trip to Italy this year. Damn it.

That's good to hear, Elma. I wouldn't worry about the bills for now (easier said than done, I know). Just try to focus on getting better. It sounds like a rough road ahead, but you've got this.

I'm sorry about the holiday, but on the bright side, you can book it again and make it even better next time.

 

[Joeseph Stope]

Don't worry, Elmer.

You'll find that Italy has been waiting for you all along, once you've been cured. I'm a big fan of Italy myself, but at one point, I had to say to myself, Hey! This place is just too darn loud! Picture this: teens zooming past on Garelli scooters, right up on the sidewalks as if it's perfectly normal, which, in Italy, it seems to be. Or the time I was wandering through the stone walls of a town in Umbria, and a guy rode by on a motorbike without a silencer. The sound bounced off the walls, amplified to the point of echoing.

What a shame. If it weren't for the Italians… oops! Did I just say something inappropriate?

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

If something could go wrong, it certainly has. I felt something coming on Sunday night, and by the next morning, I felt like I'd been pulled through a knothole. I tested for COVID-19, and sure enough, it was positive—both of us have it. Life's nothing like I've ever seen before.

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

I recently ordered a pair of Native First Nations moccasins, which arrived yesterday. I immediately put them on and stepped outside to test the soles on small stones. I didn't feel a single stone. The soles are made from bull leather, a tough and thick material perfect for walking on uneven ground.

Next, I went over to the garden. I stood still in one spot, moved around a bit, and stood again. In that moment, I felt the powerful energy of Mother Earth; a sensation that's difficult to fully describe, but it was undeniably there.

Today, many people don't understand the connection to the Earth's energy and how it grounds us. Rubber-soled shoes aren't good for this connection because rubber doesn't allow energy to pass through. Neither does concrete; it stops the flow of the Earth's energy. Think I'm wrong? Ask an Indigenous person. They'll tell you that their people have worn leather for thousands of years for this very reason.

Even the Celts had shamans who would search the ground for areas with the strongest energy. They built their ring forts and homes in these places to stay connected to the Earth's energy.

 

[UKBloke]

I recently ordered a pair of Native First Nations moccasins, which arrived yesterday. I immediately put them on and stepped outside to test the soles on small stones. I didn't feel a single stone. The soles are made from bull leather, a tough and thick material perfect for walking on uneven ground.

Next, I went over to the garden. I stood still in one spot, moved around a bit, and stood again. In that moment, I felt the powerful energy of Mother Earth; a sensation that's difficult to fully describe, but it was undeniably there.

Today, many people don't understand the connection to the Earth's energy and how it grounds us. Rubber-soled shoes aren't good for this connection because rubber doesn't allow energy to pass through. Neither does concrete; it stops the flow of the Earth's energy. Think I'm wrong? Ask an Indigenous person. They'll tell you that their people have worn leather for thousands of years for this very reason.

Even the Celts had shamans who would search the ground for areas with the strongest energy. They built their ring forts and homes in these places to stay connected to the Earth's energy.

I always thought there was a lot to be said about this type of human connectivity to the ground. We have a particular radiator in the house that is prone to discharging angry sparks when touching it while wearing slippers.

When I think ahead and remember to take off the slippers, I'm already grounded, and without any static built up, touching that radiator has no effect; it's just a nice warm radiator. I reckon chronic static buzzing around our bodies probably does contribute to many ailments over the years.

Anyhow, how's it going, E? I hope you're on the mend.

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

I always thought there was a lot to be said about this type of human connectivity to the ground. We have a particular radiator in the house that is prone to discharging angry sparks when touching it while wearing slippers.

When I think ahead and remember to take off the slippers, I'm already grounded, and without any static built up, touching that radiator has no effect; it's just a nice warm radiator. I reckon chronic static buzzing around our bodies probably does contribute to many ailments over the years.

Anyhow, how's it going, E? I hope you're on the mend.

My first radiation treatment is tomorrow, and I have to take 3,300 milligrams of chemotherapy pills.

 

[UKBloke]

My first radiation treatment is tomorrow, and I have to take 3,300 milligrams of chemotherapy pills.

Good luck with it, mate. I'll be thinking about you.

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

Good luck with it, mate. I'll be thinking about you.

The appointment went well, though there was a long wait to get started. However, over the past few days, I've noticed a new sound in my right ear. Along with the ringing, there's now an entirely different noise, and it's not something I can easily ignore. I manage to mask it somewhat with my tinnitus app on my hearing aids.

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

The appointment went well, though there was a long wait to get started. However, over the past few days, I've noticed a new sound in my right ear. Along with the ringing, there's now an entirely different noise, and it's not something I can easily ignore. I manage to mask it somewhat with my tinnitus app on my hearing aids.

Friday was a long day. Ten minutes into the treatment, the machine broke down, so I had to move to another machine and start the process all over again. In total, I spent 30 minutes flat on my back.

 

[Jcb]

Friday was a long day. Ten minutes into the treatment, the machine broke down, so I had to move to another machine and start the process all over again. In total, I spent 30 minutes flat on my back.

I mean... we could say something about you being on your back for 30 minutes haha.

I'm hoping it'll go as smoothly as it can mate.

Stay strong Elmer.

 

[Daniel Lion]

Hello, @Elmer B Fuddled,

I was thinking about you today and just wanted you to know that you're important, valued, and loved by me and everyone else here with "screeching ears" on this forum. You're blessed to have a wonderful, supportive partner to help you through this.

Sending you warm regards and hopes for successful healing.

Your friend,
Daniel

 

[Luman]

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

Tomorrow marks two weeks of radiation, with three weeks left to go. So far, it's going well – only one day of diarrhea and some issues with urination. The urination trouble was my own fault; I'm not supposed to drink coffee, as it doesn't mix well with the chemo pills. Lesson learned – the combination causes serious dehydration.

Anyway, onward I go. The days pass quickly: I'm up early to make the drive, then back home in time for dinner. Bedtime seems to come all too soon.

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

A man's rights rest in three boxes
The ballot box
The jury box
The cartridge box

 

[Daniel Lion]

Hello, friends,

Just checking in with some news from me, Daniel.

Raising three kids is a huge responsibility and takes a lot of effort, but I think I am getting better at it. I feel like I am becoming a better husband too.

Recently, I read 1984, and it sent me into a deep depression, not just because of the book but also due to my tinnitus and, well, just being me, I suppose. Thankfully, I am coming out of that sad phase and feeling better now.

Last night, I took Valium and actually managed to sleep, which was a relief. Usually, I do not sleep much, and it really stinks. Despite my exercise routine and healthy lifestyle, I struggle with insomnia and get on edge from lack of rest. I will probably continue using a benzodiazepine occasionally, maybe once or twice a month, just to get a full night's sleep. While I do not love the idea of relying on the benzo family, it seems to help in the short term.

If anyone has suggestions for an alternative I could use every three weeks or so to achieve a solid night's sleep, I would love to hear them. The alternative is just accepting my insomnia and not worrying about it, which I am okay with too.

On the brighter side, I am still tutoring for a living and making art in my free time. However, I have been feeling disheartened by geopolitics and US politics, so I have retreated into my own little world.

One thing I am certain of is that Love is the force I want to align myself with. It feels like the best investment I can make for my life.

As for noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus, I have not held out any hope for improvement in ages. Honestly, I do not expect a solution in my lifetime.

So, there it is, one long, meandering, self-indulgent post from Daniel.

Hugs to my friends here.

 

[UKBloke]

Hello, friends,

Just checking in with some news from me, Daniel.

Raising three kids is a huge responsibility and takes a lot of effort, but I think I am getting better at it. I feel like I am becoming a better husband too.

Recently, I read 1984, and it sent me into a deep depression, not just because of the book but also due to my tinnitus and, well, just being me, I suppose. Thankfully, I am coming out of that sad phase and feeling better now.

Last night, I took Valium and actually managed to sleep, which was a relief. Usually, I do not sleep much, and it really stinks. Despite my exercise routine and healthy lifestyle, I struggle with insomnia and get on edge from lack of rest. I will probably continue using a benzodiazepine occasionally, maybe once or twice a month, just to get a full night's sleep. While I do not love the idea of relying on the benzo family, it seems to help in the short term.

If anyone has suggestions for an alternative I could use every three weeks or so to achieve a solid night's sleep, I would love to hear them. The alternative is just accepting my insomnia and not worrying about it, which I am okay with too.

On the brighter side, I am still tutoring for a living and making art in my free time. However, I have been feeling disheartened by geopolitics and US politics, so I have retreated into my own little world.

One thing I am certain of is that Love is the force I want to align myself with. It feels like the best investment I can make for my life.

As for noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus, I have not held out any hope for improvement in ages. Honestly, I do not expect a solution in my lifetime.

So, there it is, one long, meandering, self-indulgent post from Daniel.

Hugs to my friends here.

Hey, D. I went through a period of reading Philip K. Dick novels. I think he's a superb author who almost invented a genre of his own but I did find myself having to really bump up my mood prior to starting each book because many of his stories would either severely p*ss me off or play too much with my head.

Regarding sleep, Mrs. UKB recently bought a Zechstein Magnesium spray. This one. She insisted on squirting some my way, which involved 3-4 sprays behind each elbow and knee just before bed. I wouldn't say it's helped getting me to sleep but I do think it's aided a more consistent and deeper sleep. It might be worth a go.

 

[Daniel Lion]

Hey, D. I went through a period of reading Philip K. Dick novels. I think he's a superb author who almost invented a genre of his own but I did find myself having to really bump up my mood prior to starting each book because many of his stories would either severely p*ss me off or play too much with my head.

Regarding sleep, Mrs. UKB recently bought a Zechstein Magnesium spray. This one. She insisted on squirting some my way, which involved 3-4 sprays behind each elbow and knee just before bed. I wouldn't say it's helped getting me to sleep but I do think it's aided a more consistent and deeper sleep. It might be worth a go.

Hi there, @UKBloke,

Thank you, my friend. I appreciate you getting back to me and for your suggestion. I will look into the magnesium spray. It is worth a try. This is definitely a tough nut to crack.

Today, I bought foam earplugs here in Laos, which is a first for me. I even used my first smartphone to navigate to the shop. It feels like I am finally coming out from under my old school rock, and Laos seems to be doing the same.

I wish you and your loved ones all the best.

Let us keep this thread going. It is so good to have friends who truly understand tinnitus.

Peace,
Daniel

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

Seven radiation treatments to go. I have to say, the first few weeks were manageable, but this past week has been much harder. The pain has increased significantly. Unless you ask questions, the doctors won't volunteer much information.

It turns out my diagnosis is rectal cancer. The radiation makes it feel like I've eaten my way across Mexico, devouring the hottest peppers imaginable. Urination has become extremely painful after the treatments. Radiation causes the prostate to shrink, which compresses it and makes urination very difficult. It also affects the bladder, creating a no-win situation.

Still, they can't break me. I'm staying positive through it all, and I have the support of Mrs. Elmer to keep me going.

 

[Daniel Lion]

Seven radiation treatments to go. I have to say, the first few weeks were manageable, but this past week has been much harder. The pain has increased significantly. Unless you ask questions, the doctors won't volunteer much information.

It turns out my diagnosis is rectal cancer. The radiation makes it feel like I've eaten my way across Mexico, devouring the hottest peppers imaginable. Urination has become extremely painful after the treatments. Radiation causes the prostate to shrink, which compresses it and makes urination very difficult. It also affects the bladder, creating a no-win situation.

Still, they can't break me. I'm staying positive through it all, and I have the support of Mrs. Elmer to keep me going.

Thanks for the update.

Stay strong, @Elmer B Fuddled. Sending hugs and best wishes for a speedy and sound recovery.

DL