Campy Posted March 26, 2014 Posted March 26, 2014 Unfortunately, you are missing the word "potentially" in front of curable. I take that as doctor speak for it being a long shot. Doctors will treat you right up until the day you die or go to hospice, cure is not always the intended outcome from treatment. I hope to heck Jim's cancer responds favorably to treatment and he makes it. If prayers and good will count for anything, he'll get there. If that's the case, then you're taking it wrong. I have a cancer that, while incurable, has responded well to treatment. I've been dealing with it since 2005 and while there have been a few times where things got kind of hairy, I'm still here and don't look the least bit sick. My point is living with cancer isn't an automatic death sentence.
#34fan Posted March 26, 2014 Posted March 26, 2014 I can't do the avatar thing, man, I just can't! -Every thumbnail of JK I see makes me sob like a NINNY! My wife is looking at me like I'm an ALIEN. I must be losing my #!&^ing mind... Anyway, I just want Jim to not suffer anymore.... For all the debate about his personality, the guy was my hero. God bless you, Jim. To me, you were the best.
NDBUFFCUSEFAN Posted March 26, 2014 Posted March 26, 2014 If that's the case, then you're taking it wrong. I have a cancer that, while incurable, has responded well to treatment. I've been dealing with it since 2005 and while there have been a few times where things got kind of hairy, I'm still here and don't look the least bit sick. My point is living with cancer isn't an automatic death sentence. Wow nine years of fighting cancer, I cannot imagine having your strength. Good luck man and glad to hear you are still alive to fight this POS disease.
Marshawn's 20 bucks Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 Nothing but best wishes for Jim, the Kellys, the Wilsons, and all their friends and families. We all moan and groan about our team and the boneheaded moves over the past 15 years, but this is a real legitimately tragic time for the team. A real bummer week for Bills fans--hug your kids, parents, friends or those close to you cause these are the good old days.
Golden Wheels Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 Jim Kelly and his family have to know that they have all of Western NY in their corner. Keep fighting #12.
BillsFanM.D. Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) My point is living with cancer isn't an automatic death sentence. This is a very true statement. As you alluded, some cancers are 'treatable' yet cannot be eradicated. There are many people, like yourself, who are successfully 'treated' yet not cured. The cancer is 'kept at bay' and people are able to live very productive lives. I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. Keep plugging away and I'm sure I don't need to tell you to appreciate every day. Life is precious and we all need to appreciate each day. A few caveats for the general audience. Don't forget cancer is not a 'single' disease. It is many, many types of diseases and the clinical course/progression of disease/response to treatment(s) all depend on the stage at the time of diagnosis; and the timeliness of treatments. In addition, factors such as overall health at time of diagnosis, compliance, diet, exercise, tolerance of treatments etc. are all critical. With respect to Mr. Kelly's news, and acknowledging we have limited facts, I'd have to say surgery being cancelled is not 'good news.' If his squamous cell carcinoma was completely resectable, they would do the surgery...unless he had other health problems/limitations that prevented the operation. At this point, the treatments he is getting still have curable potential (per the doc's statement). Radiation and chemo can be used as definitive treatments in many cases, and it seems that is their outlined plan at this point. From the outside looking in and with very limited knowledge of Mr. Kelly's specifics.... I'll say this....I'd feel better if this cancer could be resected as the 'definitive' treatment and the chemo and radiation would be used as 'adjunctive' treatments. It is what it is, however, and now they need to work the plan they've developed. The will to live is a hard to define phenomenon as well. I strongly suspect Mr. Kelly's is powerful. Godspeed to him, his family and his docs/care team. Edited March 27, 2014 by BillsFanM.D.
mac4095 Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 My family's thoughts and prayers area with the Kelly family.
satchy Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 While I don't know JIm's specifics, unresectable SCC of the head and neck is not a good thing. 6 months, 4 years, who knows, but overall not a good day for Bills fans.
bbb Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 I'll say this....I'd feel better if this cancer could be resected as the 'definitive' treatment and the chemo and radiation would be used as 'adjunctive' treatments. It is what it is, however, and now they need to work the plan they've developed. Do you have any idea why this was not done the first time. Then they were able to do the surgery, but chose not to do the adjunctive treatments. I was very skeptical when they announced a few weeks later, he's cancer free and needs no treatments. (I'm pretty sure they originally said at least radiation).............I don't see how somebody can be declared cancer free a few weeks after having a tumor removed. For my mother, she was "cancer free" you would hope after ovarian cancer (hysterectomy), but they still did preventative radiation.
BillsFanM.D. Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) Do you have any idea why this was not done the first time. Then they were able to do the surgery, but chose not to do the adjunctive treatments. I was very skeptical when they announced a few weeks later, he's cancer free and needs no treatments. (I'm pretty sure they originally said at least radiation).............I don't see how somebody can be declared cancer free a few weeks after having a tumor removed. For my mother, she was "cancer free" you would hope after ovarian cancer (hysterectomy), but they still did preventative radiation. It's all speculation as we've alluded. I am sure he received standard care/options per NCCN guidelines which provide the 'cookbook' for treating all cancers of all stages. Unfortunately, sometimes early 'micro' spread is not detected; or other factors could contribute to a false sense of security. On the flipside, giving chemo and xrt that are not 'needed' can be very dangerous/life altering as well. It's a balance and that's why most folks follow the well studied, accepted guidelines. Treatments need to have proven benefit based on the person's staging and type. Edited March 27, 2014 by BillsFanM.D.
bbb Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 And, I did hear last week now that I think of it, that Jim didn't want anything radical, in terms of life altering. I thought the person who told me this was saying they could have taken more out in the surgery, but from what you're saying, maybe he didn't want chemo and/or radiation that would leave him altered somewhat. I think last year we all were hoping he'd look and talk like the same old Jimbo.............And, now we don't care what he looks and sounds like - we just want him to make it.
Campy Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) Wow nine years of fighting cancer, I cannot imagine having your strength. Good luck man and glad to hear you are still alive to fight this POS disease. Thanks man. It's nice to still be here! This is a very true statement. As you alluded, some cancers are 'treatable' yet cannot be eradicated. There are many people, like yourself, who are successfully 'treated' yet not cured. The cancer is 'kept at bay' and people are able to live very productive lives. I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. Keep plugging away and I'm sure I don't need to tell you to appreciate every day. Life is precious and we all need to appreciate each day. Thank you, and agreed. Edited March 27, 2014 by Campy
sfbillsfan Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 Thanks man. It's nice to still be here! Thanks-My wife is in her 2nd battle w/ cancer. Was diagnosed 5 years ago, radiation & chemo & was "cured", but it came back last year & she's going through chemo again & is looking at it as a long term aliment. We hope for the best. Stay strong & positive JK Thank you, and agreed.
RealityCheck Posted March 28, 2014 Posted March 28, 2014 My spirit is with all cancer patients and their families. I wish my soul could be exchanged for a cure. God bless everyone who embraces compassion and empathy.
BillsFanM.D. Posted March 28, 2014 Posted March 28, 2014 From Jill. I couldn't help but look at this picture and think of 1989. For you youngsters, that was the 'bickering Bills' year in which the locker room was a bit testy. It peaked when Thurman answered (paraphrase) this question: "what do you think is the weakest link on the team?" His reply: quarterback. It wasn't meant as a joke either. Hard to believe now but they are 'like brothers' I guess. Fights were gonna happen. This is a photo of true friendship in a rough time. Hate the circumstances, but this is good to see.
Lofton80 Posted March 28, 2014 Posted March 28, 2014 Thurman is a true friend when #12 needs one. Good for him.
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