Large Scale Central

Still Alive and Kicking in Oklahoma

General Discussion
#1

It’s been a while since I’ve been online and posted anything here, so I thought I would give folks a status update on the silence and lack of new projects. I did make it to the Fall SLANG meet in St. Louis, but missed going to Andy’s back in October. It’s been really quiet here in Oklahoma since then with little railroading going on. I did manage to get some ballasting and new rock work done on the layout last Fall, but started having a lot of back pain when moving stuff around. After realizing it was probably more serious than a pulled muscle, I reluctantly decided to go see my doctor for a checkup.

I was diagnosed with Multiple myeloma, also known as plasma cell myeloma. It’s one of those incurable cancers, but one that is treatable and may go into remission for a while. After spending a week in the hospital at the end of November, I started out-patient treatment in early December. I am just completing my second round of chemo. I’m definitely feeling a bit better now that the drugs are kicking in, but I do sleep a lot.

Needless to say, not a lot is getting done on the layout right now. It’s been bitterly cold outside and even walking out to the train workshop is a real pain. I’ve been putting together a few Piko structures and working on a new scratch-built station when I feel up to it, but progress is slow right now.

Hopefully, when warmer weather gets here, I will be more inclined to get out and work on the layout. If health conditions permit, I plan on attending Ken’s second annual KOPS this spring and Train Ops in late summer. My doctors tell me that the expected survival rate at five years is about 49%, so don’t start looking for a fire sale of the CC&R assets anytime soon.

Looking forward to seeing you guys this year,

Happy 2018,

Bob

#2

If anyone can beat this, it’s you, Bob.

Best wishes, and prayers for health.

#3

Bob,

I’m sorry to hear of your health problems. Fight it into remission and go on with life! Hoping for the best for you.

#4

Sorry to hear that, Bob. Hopefully you can beat it and get on with life and feel well enough to get those indoor projects finished.

Bitterly cold here too, so there’s a bunch of stuff to do indoors as well.

Take care and thanks for the update.

#5

Sorry to hear about your health issues. Stay positive. You can beat this.

#6

Hey Bob - so sorry to hear of this development. As others have said - stay positive. I had a great time running trains with you at Kens and seeing you again at Bob’s. I hope that you can keep your plans to attend both again this year. I look forward to seeing you there.

#7

I have neighbor with the same disease. Chemo was rough on him. but after 6 yrs of remission he still is able walk down the street and harass me bout my never growing up when he sees me working on the trains. He’s a little slower now, but does everything he did before the early bout. Hopefully your future will be the same.

#8

thomas prevost said:

I have neighbor with the same disease. Chemo was rough on him. but after 6 yrs of remission he still is able walk down the street and harass me bout my never growing up when he sees me working on the trains. He’s a little slower now, but does everything he did before the early bout. Hopefully your future will be the same.

…or better! (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#9

You are added to my prayers, Bob.

#10

Basically, what everyone else expressed, Bob… Appreciate the update, sorry about the health, and hopefully it will go into remission…

#11

Fight the good fight Bob,we are all pulling for you. Eat, your body needs the calories, don’t worry about your waist, I had to eat junk food during chemo, just to get calories in me. Cherry Pie, the thick filling coated the corrosion taste!(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

The longer you fight the better your chances as new therapies are being found.

#12

Sorry to hear this Bob/ My thoughts will be with you

#13

I’ll keep you in my prayers, keep fighting!

#14

Prayers to you Bob, just like everyone else has said, hope to see you here a long time !

#15

Oh Bob, so sorry to hear of your health problem. Your in our thoughts and prayers.

#16

Good to hear from you, Bob. Hate to hear about the diagnosis. We will certainly keep you in our prayers. And in the words of the great Jimmy Valvano “don’t give up, don’t ever give up”.

#17

Bob

Man our prayers are with you. I know its a pain getting old, but I KNOW so many who have beat this stuff. You know, the C word. PLEASE keep us posted.

I am praying that you WILL make it to some open houses this summer and that you’ll enjoy them !!!

Marty

(in the shadows of a larger scale)

#18

So sorry to hear this. We’ll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

#19

Glad to hear from you again, Bob. Looking forward to seeing you in the Spring! Keep up the positive attitude - that’s more than half the battle.

#20

Wishing good luck to you, Bob. My Dad had the same thing you have. Hope you get through this quickly!

  • Mike