Wednesday, June 5, 2013

A Brief Explantation for My Silence

Well, I never wanted to talk about anything but woodworking on this blog, but I feel like I owe an explanation to the blog readers for my extended absence, so here goes.

Back in March of 2010, at age 41, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. I was fortunate to find the right doctors and after a 12 hour surgery to remove 40+ tumors, a 23 day hospital stay, and 12 rounds of chemo, all was good until August of 2012. That's when a tumor presented itself in the area around the liver. Would not have been a big deal except it decided to nest itself amongst blood vessels so that it can not be surgically removed. Eight more rounds of chemo kind of held it where it was, but now I'm getting ready to start IMRT (targeted radiation) to try to fry this thing and kill it. Radiation is scheduled to start next week, 5 sessions spread out over 10 days. I thank God for a strong and loving wife and family that helps keep me going and keeps me on track.

So anyway, that's my story and the main reason for my lack of posting. I've been able to work out in the shop and even build the shop through most of this, but I just haven't felt well enough to get out there much in the last few months. I do get out there when I can, even if just to do a little light sanding on a saw handle or just to sit there and soak up some shop atmosphere.

I still have big plans though. I have a trip scheduled to Pittsboro in July to take a 2 day class at Roy's on restoring wooden planes. And I'm still asking for woodworking tools for birthday's, Christmas and Father's Day. :-) I've got a couple of panel saws that I got a start on and a hanging cabinet for the shop that's in progress. And I have to find some time to get on the spring pole lathe and get some turning practice in for some joynt stools/formes that I want to build. And some windsor chairs are definitely in my future. Hope to be posting again real soon.

15 comments:

Andy said...

Jamie,
I am so sorry to hear that and wish you a speedy recovery. Your posts are missed and we look forward to more very soon.

Anonymous said...

Yes also wishing for your speedy recovery. Prayers for you and family

Pete said...

Hope you recover fully and quickly, I really enjoy reading your posts.

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear this news Jamie. Both you and your family will be in my thoughts. Good luck and keep us posted whenever you are able.

Bill

georgewalkerdesign said...

I'll be thinking of you and praying for your recovery.

George Walker

Bob Rozaieski said...

We'll be praying for you Jamie! Just take care of yourself and your family. We'll be here when you get back. I lost my dad to cancer at 60 years old because he was too stubborn to get himself checked out all his life. When he finally did it ended up being too late. So just take care of yourself and your family because neither you nor they are replacable.

Anonymous said...

Jamie
I hope you're on the mend. Glad you have your family to help you deal with what life throws at you. Hang in there
P. Follansbee

Ralph Boumenot said...

Fair winds on your recovery Jamie.

Derek MacInnis said...

Hey Jamie,

Best wishes to you, we'll keep you and your family in our prayers for a quick and complete recovery.

ATB,
Derek

Shannon said...

Keep up the good fight Jamie, you are in my prayers. Sounds like you are in the right frame of mind.

Marshal said...

We are with you on this. Looking forward to seeing you make the spring pole sing!

Jamie Bacon said...

Thank you everyone for your encouraging words and for your thoughts and prayers. It means a lot. The woodworking community has some really great people and I've been fortunate enough to meet quite a few of them.
I'll never give up my fight on this and I plan to be out in the shop making shavings again real soon.

Anonymous said...

Jamie

Blessings and healing, my friend. Drop me a line to let me know when you can have company to help make some shavings in the shop

Don Williams

Jamie Bacon said...

That sounds fantastic Don. I will do just that.

Jamie

Anonymous said...

Best wishes. Hope you are back in the shop soon.