Large Scale Central

Bob Hyman Health Status Update

General Discussion
#1

Well folks, today is T+29 and counting. It has been 29 days since I had the stem cell transplant. I am out of the hospital now and back home. Yesterday I had a follow-up visit with the doctors and have been released from the University of Oklahoma Medical Center transplant team back to my original oncologist at St. Anthony hospital in Oklahoma City.

I lost all my hair while in the hospital – not that I had that much to start with. I also lost my full beard. This is the first time since 1977 I have been without it. Hopefully it will grow back. I also lost a lot of weight. I was about 210 when this thing started; I was down to 158 on day T+15 (the day I got out of the hospital.) I was up to 164 yesterday, so it looks like I’m on the right track.

I will be on maintenance for the next two years, but I only need to get a light chemo infusion every two weeks. Everything else is just pills and labs. I still need to wear a mask when I’m out since I have little if any immunity. I am scheduled for all my childhood immunizations in October.

It’s going to take a while to regain my strength and stamina, but each day seems a bit better. I want to thank everyone who has been following along this adventure with me … especially for your prayers and words of encouragement. I know I couldn’t have done it on my own. Special thanks to my wife, Mary, who has been my real pillar of strength and who kept me pointed in the right direction during the really tough times.

I haven’t had a chance to run any trains yet, but have spent some time walking around the yard and inspecting the ROW. I need to do some ballasting and weeding, but am hoping to get the layout back into action soon. Also, I still have the ride on the C&TSRR scheduled for June 12th to renew the enthusiasm. I have reserved the entire parlor car for my kids and grandkids. After that, we’ll see how I continue to progress. We are tentatively planning on doing the Mass trip again since Mary has family all over the Boston area. And the St. Louis Area Narrow Gauge meet in October. And Andy’s in either Sep or Oct. I was really sorry to miss out in the 2nd annual Keystone KOPs, but there is always next year to look forward to.

Bob

#2

Bob,

I’m glad to hear of your progress. Keep it up and you’ll be back in shape in no time. Your railroad misses you! (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#3

glad to hear your mending

#4

Bob Hyman said:

I was really sorry to miss out in the 2nd annual Keystone KOPs, but there is always next year to look forward to.

Bob

Well, Robert, you were certainly missed, but we had the Outhouse on display to keep you in our thoughts. Good to hear that you are on the road to recovery. And hopefully we’ll see you at Bob’s.

#5

Thanks for the update, Bob. Glad to see you’re headed in the right direction. Hope you continue to progress and you will remain in our thoughts and prayers.

#6

Good news Bob.

#7

Thanks for the update, and really happy to hear that things are looking up.

#8

Welcome back Bob. Hope you can get back to your layout. I was studying that Traveling Outhouse Model - it is SO well done.

Anyway, happy to hear you’re up and about and at least considering working on the layout.

#9

There’s some tough sons of bitches around here; I don’t know if I could survive what you and a couple of the other fellas have been through. It’s good to hear you check in, Bob, and let’s hope the worst is behind you.

#10

Though a few things which had been looked forward to will have to be missed there remains much to celebrate, such as family filling a parlor car. (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#11

John Passaro said:

There’s some tough sons of bitches around here; I don’t know if I could survive what you and a couple of the other fellas have been through. It’s good to hear you check in, Bob, and let’s hope the worst is behind you.

John, if you are ever given the choice between surviving something, or being on the wrong side of the grass, I sure you will try your darndest to remain on the right side of the grass.

#12

Bob, Glad to hear things are on the improvement mode… Congrats and my sincere hopes it stays on the up and up…

Hope to see you at train Ops…

#13

David Maynard said:

John Passaro said:

There’s some tough sons of bitches around here; I don’t know if I could survive what you and a couple of the other fellas have been through. It’s good to hear you check in, Bob, and let’s hope the worst is behind you.

John, if you are ever given the choice between surviving something, or being on the wrong side of the grass, I sure you will try your darndest to remain on the right side of the grass.

My sister gave me the option of not fighting, but it never occurred to me to give up. Even when I was afraid to go to sleep because I didn’t know the password to use to wake up… Chemo is fun stuff.

#14

Good to hear that you’re still vertical, Bob… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)Tough times don’t last… even though they’re tough when we’re going through them.

Praying for you, Bro… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#15

God bless and good health!

#16

Great to hear from you Bob. I’ve been off-line for the last 4 days or I would have commented sooner. You were definitely missed at Ken’s. Your name, and outhouse were in the conversation often. It will be great to see you in July if you can make it to Bob’s. Continued good luck with your treatments.

#17

Bob,

I want to thank you for the great writing you’ve done to help modelers, particularly those who want to build their own tiny replica of the Southern. I have yet to build Bridge 45-B - you set a really high bar! But I have learned enough from you to have a Butterfly trestle ready to install in my garden railroad (under construction!)

I describe the build, up to the ready to install tasks, here: Butterfly Trestle Build

Butterfly Trestle