Hello from beyond!
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- Robert D. Wagers
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 1545
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- Full-Time Cancer Fighter!
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Hello to all my friends,
Well, I know all those who know me, have probably been wondering what I've been up to.... Well here's the 411
A lot of progress has been made in my cancer fight in the past few months.
Not only have I reached "Complete-Remission," I also have discovered how I got the cancer to begin with.
No, it wasn't smoking, or drinking, or the fact that I was a Territory Manger for an Industrial Chemical Manufacturer... The truth is, it's a lot less dramatic and a little more common than was originally thought.
The following is a layman's-synopsis of my recently discovered, systemic-pathology...(basically; how I got cancer)
Here goes:
When I was 19, like most people in the US, I acquired Infectious mononucleosis (which is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus).
Once a person becomes EBV-positive, It becomes a life-long infection.
Although a person is only normally contagious for a short time after acquiring the virus, the virus sleeps in a persons body and becomes active/inactive many times during the person's life. Most people are not aware of being EBV positive and accept the symptoms as a passing flu, a cold or I'm just really out-of-shape (chronic-fatigue-syndrome).
For me, this is a quick overview of my history with EBV:
1989 (19 years-old) I became very ill with high fever and the Doctor's told me I had "mono," I was treated and as with most people, I recovered and went home.
1990 (20 years-old) I enlisted in the US Army. I spent 4 years on active duty and was almost discharged early due to my excessive fatigue and inability to pass physical-fitness tests, but I pushed myself and made it through.
1994 (24 years-old) I was suddenly diagnosed with Bell's Palsy (the entire right side of my face was paralyzed). I went through another hospitalization, was treated, recovered and was subsequently released.
1995 (25 years old) I was suddenly diagnosed with Severe Chronic Gout. The doctor's told me that they had never heard of someone my age and physical condition having gout. Well I did and I wouldn't wish it on my worst-enemy!
2005 (35 years old) I was suddenly diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I had five large tumors and two smaller ones. (EBV is NOW known to cause dozens of different kinds of cancers (wasn't widely-known at the time).
2005-2007 I underwent numerous rounds of chemo/radiation only to have the cancer return, each time, after I would cycle-off treatments.
2007 I had to undergo an Autologenous Bone-Marrow Transplant
This transplant saved my life but killed my immune-system. Today, I have less of an immune-system than a new-born baby. Even after nearly 3 years, My immune-system is only about 10-20% of a normal persons (measured by T-Cells and Antibodies).
Fast-Forward a bit:
2010 I finally reached "complete-remission!"
I know to some people, you may not understand why this is such a BIG-DEAL to us cancer survivors, but it means the worst is behind you and all the sick and misery was worth-it! It means I beat the odds! It means I am gonna get to see my children get married and have children of their own!
Why am I posting this here, why would think that "RT members would give-a-hoot?" Well, it's because over and over again, you guys and gals have shown me that you do care! I joined Rocket-Theme while undergoing my transplant and I was flabbergasted by all the well-wishes from people I barely knew. I instantly felt like every member here was rooting for me..... I thank each and everyone of you for that support! You don't know how much it meant to me!
This is the main reason I tried to "give-back" by supporting the club I have come to love so much! I hope that I was able to help-out someone, somewhere-along-the-line. I can never repay the kindness and kinship you all have shown me over the years, but you will always have a friend named Robert Wagers.
Finally, I am moving on. I am getting out of web-design (too much effort is required to stay current). I am going back to my "first love," manual art. (drawing-painting). I have tried my hand at photography and graphic-art, but I am quick to find, that I am in way over my head. I have the love and desire, but I don't have the talent.
In closing, I would like to thank a few specific people:
Andy Miller - You are the MAN! You have a good thing going here and I wish you continued success.
Kevin DuCommun - You've been a very good friend as well.
Mike VanKirk - Dude! I will continue to keep up with you on facebook (I'm not leaving facebook) and look forward to seeing more great photos! Like I said before, you have a great eye and keep showing the world your talent! I am just an amateur.
James! - I've kinda lost-touch with you, but I understand that a lawyers life is a busy one!
Nanci, Yves, Kat, Mariela, and I'm PROBABLY forgetting to mention a few others, you've all been great friends and I wish you all hapiness!
I can be reached on Facebook or I might "Pop-In" from time-to-time until my account expires.
I can always be reached at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Best wishes,
Robert D. Wagers
aka: wagemeister - Last Edit: 14 years 7 months ago by Robert D. Wagers.
- "Everyone has to get knocked-down every once-in-a-while, otherwise you'll never learn how to get-back-up!
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A quote attributed to my Grandpa Wagers
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- Robert D. Wagers
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 1545
- Thanks: 0
- Full-Time Cancer Fighter!
- P.S. I don't drink or smoke... LOL I stated that because they are the leading causes of cancer.... I do neither!
- "Everyone has to get knocked-down every once-in-a-while, otherwise you'll never learn how to get-back-up!
"
A quote attributed to my Grandpa Wagers
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- prim
- Preeminent Rocketeer
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It's always sad to see colorful people go. I hope you'll do well in your new painting "career"
- Please reply with a direct link to the issue & create a new thread for each new issue.
A template is only as good as the content that goes into it
- DanG
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- KonstantinDK
- Sr. Rocketeer
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I also got epstein barr. And I'm taking some meds trying to kill it which very hard.
But it doesn't cause the cancer as long as i know. Or did I get smth wrong from your post?
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- Robert D. Wagers
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 1545
- Thanks: 0
- Full-Time Cancer Fighter!
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Yes it does,,, here's a bit of reading:
http://lymphoma.about.com/od/riskfactors/qt/ebvlymphoma.htm
http://www.lymphomainfo.net/hodgkins/description.html
Wage - Last Edit: 14 years 7 months ago by Robert D. Wagers.
- "Everyone has to get knocked-down every once-in-a-while, otherwise you'll never learn how to get-back-up!
"
A quote attributed to my Grandpa Wagers
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- Robert D. Wagers
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 1545
- Thanks: 0
- Full-Time Cancer Fighter!
- One more correction to my long post.. I had a "Autologenous" transplant and not the "Allogenic."
- "Everyone has to get knocked-down every once-in-a-while, otherwise you'll never learn how to get-back-up!
"
A quote attributed to my Grandpa Wagers
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- Henning
- Preeminent Rocketeer
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Dear Robert,
without knowing you closer I have to thank you for some of the funniest posts with some really hilarious pictures ...
Drawing/sketching is for me still the basis of my work ... and I always enjoy it when I can Ieave all this technical stuff behind me and a go back to some pencils and paper. I can understand you very well. Best of luck to you ...
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- Terp
- Elite Rocketeer
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You've been through a lot, Robert; congrats on the fight to remission, sir!
I know precisely what you have gone through...father just finished the bone marrow transplat a few months ago, having gone through years of chemo and the same treatments for Lymphoma.
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- James Spencer
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 46340
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As always, best of luck of with all your ventures
Stay well and free spirited
- James Spencer / Developer & Support / Hull, UK
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