Outrider Update
 

(posted by Mrs Outrider on behalf of Craig) - Hey to all my good friends at Joedios! Well guys, I came through the surgery okay, but unfortunately I have cancer. They removed one tumour, but the other was too large to touch, so they had to leave it in. Once I recover from this surgery, they will try chemotherapy and radiation therapy to shrink the second tumour down to an operable size, then get it out. So it's going to be a long road (about 9 months or so) before I'm back on my feet and all is fixed. Thanks to everyone for your kind words & prayers. The Outrider is down but not out, and in the words of Arnie "I'll be back!!!".
Craig should be home in the next day or two, and can't wait to get back here!! :)

You'll beat it. Prayin' for you, bro.

glad he made it through. Thanks for the update. Keep fighting buddy.

Glad to hear he made it through ok. Thanks for the update. You will be back in action in no time, Craig.

wow. this is more serious than I have imagined it. you can make it.

Craig,

I'm on your side bro. Just let us know if we can do more then pray. I'm here to help in all the ways I can and so does our friends from JD I'm sure.

I'm sad with the news, I was not expecting something like that, but I'm happy 'cuz this thing can't win us. We all here have a bond and for sure this should count. I'm aware of how a good person you are and do know that God have more to give then to take. So this next 9 months will run fast and good news wait us at the end.

Come back on your feet my brother!!!

We're all here for you man!

Guys, Thank you to everyone here for your kind thoughts and especially your prayers. They have allowed me home from hospital for the day, but I have to go back in tonight for some procedures tomorrow morning, but will hopefully be discharged for the time being tomorrow. The first thing I will do is comment on the great pics I've missed whilst I've been ill!

Craig,

I'm sorry about all that's happening. I hope you can get this thing into remission or whatever is possible. My thoughts go out to you. Let us know what happens in the next few days. I hope you two can have a decent X-Mas!

*we should all send Craig a plethora of 25A Joes to him!* ;)

oh... Graham... we want to cheer up Craig... hey Craig, would you like a MOC 25th BAT???

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear about this, but it sounds like you're in good spirits! I look forward to your complete recovery... Like I said before, this place just isn't the same if I'm not waking up every morning to a bunch of fantastic new Outrider shots!!

No retreat, no surrender! We're all here for you!

Hang in there, man! Be strong. We're all in your corner and praying for you.

Craig,
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I hope things work out. I'm not one to pray, but if there is a God and he'll listen, I'm praying for you. Stay strong and don't let the bastards get you down. You need anything, lemme know! And don't worry about commenting on everyone's pictures. Get yourself well first, you can "catch up" later. We'd rather see you back and happy.

Frank

You Will Be Back!!!
 

I'll be praying for you and your family! Stay strong!

I will keep praying for you and your family. Thank you for sharing, and let us know if there is anything you need.

My buddy!
 

Oh No! :(
I have to be honest here, I was hoping that when I first read about this, it would be a burst appendix. I was hoping that it wouldn't be overly serious.

I want you to know that I am your friend, we all are here for you at Joe Dios and we all want you to get better, you are one of the best contributors on the site both in threads and in helping people get better at photography, you certainly helped me on more than 1 occasion.

So I'd also like to extend my offerings as a friend (i'm in the UK) not sure what I could do from so far away but please do not hesitate in sending me a PM here or a flickrmail at flickr.com (as we have shared each others photostream) for so long.

Please stay in touch whenever you can, and above all rest up and get better. I am in the same boat as Frank as I don't pray, but all my positivity and my thoughts go out to you and your family in the best intentions and best wishes for your recovery.

My kindest regards
Richard

Wow, good luck Craig. Keep strong! Read my signature, I know it is from a movie, but they are words of wisdom if ever I heard any!

I'm sure sorry to hear about your troubles,but with faith & a positive outlook you can beat this.I just want you to know that you have inspired me,and alot of others with your Fantastic Pic's,and your great Custom Figure's & Vehicle's.You have alot of great people here at Joe Dios pulling for you,and I know you'll whip this no problem.Get Well Soon,and have a Wonderful Holiday my Friend....

Craig,
I'm sure in this hard battle you'll defeat the "enemy".
I pray for you.
Best wishes,
Francesco

A brief update: I have had my final procedures for the moment and was released from hospital today (for the time being) to recuperate from the surgery. I have an appointment with the surgeon for early next year to plan when the chemotherapy and radiation therapy will begin. Until then I should be around most of the time. This place gives me such a lift it is therapy on it's own. I really appreciate everyone's kind words and prayers, you find out who your buddies are when the chips are down. I can't thank you all enough! :)

I am sorry to hear you got cancer, atleast it sounds like the doctors have a plan and you are allowed to leave the hospital so thats a good sign. I am sure it will work out well for you and I wish you luck.

It's great to see you back, Craig! I'm sorry it took so long for me to notice. I'm one of those last minute Christmas shoppers, so I haven't been on that much.

You're a top notch contributor and a top-notch guy. Everything you write about peoples' work is positive; and if it's constructive criticism, you give it in a gentle, encouraging way. I'm certainly excited whenever I get an Outrider response.

I'm in the States but even so, as Urban Saboteur said, if I can do anything for you from here, let me know. I wouldn't even mind keeping an eye out for some ARAH stuff for ya' ;)

You guys take care of yourselves, and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Most of you don't know this but my mom passed away because of cancer about 3 months ago.
I've lived through what you are going through.
If you ever need to talk or anything you know where to find me.
Crossing everything I got that things works out for you.

Great to see you outta the hosp Craig. Kepp ur head held high. Cancer does not always mean the worst. With aggressive treatment you can kick it ass!! Sounds like you and your oncologist have already got a head start on the situation. We are all pulling for you here.

Keep up the good fight Craig. It is great to see you back, and I look forward to seeing more of your fantastic pics for a long long time yet!

Great to have you back Craig,and once you & your Doctor get's the Battle Plan finalized you can go to War on your illness!And I know your going to come out on Top,your the Outrider!!

Glad to see you back and hear you have a plan for fighting this, Craig. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and wish for the best.

Condolances to Haradel for your loss.

Awww crap, i always put off posting for too long. :( any way, it seems like your keeping your head up, which is good, positive attitude always helps. my mom went through chemotherapy a few years ago due to breast cancer. she came out fine, but she got finished into another rough time, Hurricane isabelle. but, all you need to worry about is getting rest. we all know you can pull through, sir!

(and Happy holidays)

Dude, I just came across this thread (haven't been online for a couple of weeks), I hope everything goes well and you can beat this thing. Good luck.

Mike

Best wishes to you Craig. Keep doing the things you really enjoy!

Just a quick update guys. I saw the surgeon yesterday for my first post-op check up, and he was very happy with how the surgery has healed. I still have a little pain , but day to day I don't feel too bad. I now have to see the specialist next week for an MRI, and to plan the chemo and radiation therapy.
I actually had the chance to talk to the surgeon for a bit, and one thing he told me that was an eye opener and just a bit scary was how close to death I was when I was first admitted to hospital. One of the tumors (the one they removed) had perforated the wall of my peritonium, and I was hemorrhaging freely into my abdominal cavity (so much so I had to have two blood transfusions before the surgery). He told me had I not sought treatment, I would have been fortunate to last twelve hours. Lucky for me my wife was smart enough to call the ambulance when she did, despite stupid me insisting "No, just give me a few minutes, I'll be alright." D'oh! :rolleyes:

scary stuff man. Good thing the wife was there. Keep us posted buddy. All the best.

No kidding! You sound like a hard-head, like me when it comes to the Doctor. :eek:

Pure granite. :) :rolleyes: I just found out that my specialist appointment has been brought forward to tomorrow, so I'll keep everyone posted.

Craig, what kind of cancer are we talking about here. I told my mother the nite Shane txt'd me.

Does cancer run in the fafmily? Does it come from working in that metal plant of yours? When I started hearing about all this stuff, I suspected it was cancer. Luis was fighting it but in the end, he agreed. I don't know what the cancer rate is where Luis lives or even Australia, but in the US, the rates are high. Always have been. I just know that if you can eat well and live well, it only HELPS fight cancer. But I won't go all preachy on ya.

G, the tumor they removed was in the bowel, the remaining ones are on the outside of the bowel, attached to the pelvic wall. My father, who is now deceased, survived cancer in his early 70's, but he is the only close family member to have suffered it other than me. An unfortunate part of earning a living as a lab technician is 28 years of exposure to nasty chemicals. It's not so bad where I work now, but my first job as a lab technician was in a textile dyehouse, where we used all sorts of nasties, and where safety or exposure control was never even mentioned. I can recall the boss there showing me how to wash the dyestuff off my hands with sodium hypochlorite, and then all of us going off to lunch! It's probably an occupational hazard that was going to catch up with me eventually, because I've never smoked or drank, and have always been a pretty healthy eater and compulsive exerciser.