PhotoJoe 

Hey everyone. I’m sorry I’ve been so quiet around here, and neglecting my duties to shut down the Carboloading threads in a timely fashion, but I’ve been fighting this cancer with everything I’ve got. Between 27 rounds of chemo, 28 rounds of radiation, four surgeries and 2 weeks of in-patient rehab, I have been REALLY sick and pretty much out of it. At one point they had me on so much morphine that I don’t remember about a month of my life!

Well, the tumors in my back broke a vertebra, but they fixed that with cages and other misc. hardware. Then they went back in two more times to scrape tumors out of my spine in hopes to save me from paralysis. That didn’t work and I am now committed to a wheelchair.

All along, my doctors have been very honest with me, telling me that this is not a cancer that is curable. My life could be preserved for a time, but they’ve been saying 4-6 months for quite a while, and that is with the nasty, nasty chemo. Well, they have now told me that the cancer has adapted to the chemo and it’s not working anymore. We could try another chemo, however it would only buy us 1 to 2 months. Based on all of this, we have come to the very difficult decision to stop chemo. If it’s not working, we’re going to stop trying. I’m getting the chemo out of my system and I’m going to spend what time we have left enjoying the bejeebers out of my family and friends. How long do I have? I have no idea. I’ve already started my hospice care and they are committed to keeping me comfortable. This is a huge relief because I have cancer in so many places that I’m not sure what will rear it’s ugly head first. It could be the bone cancer, and that is extremely painful! My nurse assured me she can keep me comfortable, which is my number one goal!

I started at 245 lbs. I’m now at 152 lbs, eating anything and everything. This is not the way I recommend losing weight!

So, go home tonight and love on your family. You never know what tomorrow holds! I for one had a lot of plans, all of which are now just a memory of what was going to be. Please, go love your family...TODAY AND EVERY DAY!

Beachgrad05

Dang it PJ. I saw the update on the FB page. My hope for you at this time is that you are not in pain and get to enjoy the time you have to its fullest. You have an amazing family and I have no doubt your faith and their love will carry you when you need it. I am sending you my biggest virtual HUG.

PhotoJoe 

Remember my “hip pain” when we rode the Cool Breeze 100 miles? That was the beginning of it all. It wasn’t shingles, like the doc said. It was cancer! That was a fun day! 😡

Beachgrad05

I totally recall that day. When I think about it and then see that xray of what they did with your spine You actually did great that day consideringr, in fact I recall struggling to keep up with you at the end of the ride.

sdmc530

Sorry to hear this!

jbell_64

I'm sorry to hear this. It sounds exactly like my dad's progression a few years ago. Enjoy the time you can as best you can.

munkeyfish 

Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear this. I don't know what to say....

dagray

I am so sorry brother. We just lost my mother-in-law to cancer.

May you be comfortable and enjoy your family.

God bless you PJ

Beachgrad05

My first time meeting you PJ and you were one of reasons jumped in with both feet to ride GMR.


The first time riding Cool Breeze with @trojanHorse and you. Best popsicle ever!




And that ride where you were in pain from what you thought were shingles yet you kept me going all day.




So many memories of rides with you my friend.. tour de stop signs, so many GMR rides including to the village, pizza port where it’s ALL DOWNHILL from the train station in Anaheim.

I just wanted you to know your friendship has meant something to me.

cyclist2000

I'm sorry to hear about this.

jimincalif

I remember that day as well. Knowing what my father in law went thru with shingles I was amazed to see you turn out for a century. I wouldn't wish shingles on anyone, but in hindsight, if just shingles.

Take care, enjoy your time and hopefully the pain management will be effective.

Rowan

Jesus Christ.

You have been one of the long-standing, and highly respected mods around here for years. This is so unexpected to read.

Love the hell out of your family. You also have lots of friends here. We love you pal.

Podagrower

I sometimes wonder if it's easier to know you have an "expiration date" that allows you to set things in order or if it's better to not have any idea. I'm glad for the opportunity to get to virtually know you.

ill.clyde

Thinking of you and your family Joe ... I hope the time you have with them is the best

I hate cancer

rumrunn6

don't know you, but know this is incredibly sad news. it must be surreal reaching out like this. thank you for sharing. you're not alone. here's wishing you & your family only the best memories

copperfind

God bless, stay strong... I live for my family and to love them, but I will be keeping them even closer to my heart with your thoughts in mind... Saying prayers for you also.

TrojanHorse

I think my OCD would kick in and I'd need one more round of chemo.

Plus, hot nurses.

I can vouch that PhotoJoe weighs as much as a 5th grade girl and has the legs to match - I visited him in the hospital and while it's hard to see a friend in pain, I imagine the view from his seat is worse.

You're a good man, Charlie Brown.

Jason9142002

Hey,
I don’t know you but I wanted to comment. I don’t even have anything to say but I hope somehow you get more time. Life is precious. I often have self-pity but then a story like yours reminds me that life is short and I have to live each day to the fullest. Sorry for your news.

PhotoJoe 

You keep talking about “hot nurses”. Was I in the same hospital that you came to visit me at? 😉

Machka 

So very, very sorry to hear this. Cancer does indeed suck.

Jarrett2

Damn sorry to hear this, Joe. You sound like a great guy.

I don't know what else to say.

TrojanHorse

You're just jaded because you were there all the time. I'm sure Hugh Hefner got bored too.

And Hugh's "friends" weren't handing out little paper cups full of all sorts of good drugs either!

tunavic

You need to hang out with this guy

Russell and nurse.jpg

jimincalif

Right. Hugh's friends used needles and syringes, razor blades, mirrors and dollar bills, pipes, rolling papers and bongs.... And probably some other stuff that an innocent like me doesn't even want to know about.

TrojanHorse

Don't be a hater.