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Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 7:01 pm
by Torcan
When something happens to one of us, we all feel the pain. This is a small tight nit community, brought together by one thing. Trojan Boats.
We would never share, or probably even give a thought to reaching out to one another if it were not for this common denominator.
So, I say this with all earnest and sincerity, we feel your pain, your anguish and your fears. We all share in your dreams and wish you the very best.
Good Luck, a Positive attitude and friends, albeit many miles/countries and continents apart will keep you strong. Friends you may never have met except for the occasional comment on a forum. But still friends nonetheless.
We've got your back, we wish you well. You WILL beat this.
It is not a roadblock, but rather an obstacle to overcome.
Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 8:38 pm
by Big D
Aaron, it's scary I know, but we're all here for you. No way you're doing this alone. I'm with you holding your hand and lending my shoulder brother. Sometimes a good hug for comfort is better than any medicine.
And may I say as always, we have the best bunch of guys/gals here. The support for one another when in need is just overwhelming for me in an age when it just seems everyone outside our little community is just so uncaring and impersonal...good on all of you. Wish the whole world would see this....we're so privileged.
Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 10:20 pm
by LandVF36
Aaron,
Thats tough news when it happens. We will keep you in our prayers.
Mitch
Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 11:04 pm
by jddens
Hey Arron.....so sorry to hear this but try to hang in there. My cousin had the same diagnosis 5 years ago and is going strong......thoughts and prayers are with you..........John
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 1:36 pm
by aaronbocknek
UPDATE... WED 30 MAY 2012....
to say i'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of support is an understatement. i've read all the responses thus far, and, as the tears well up in my eyes, and the throat tightens up, how can i not win in the battle ahead. so, here is the latest update as of yesterday afternoon. the actual test was an ultrasound scan using a probe. there, i said it. a probe. i DO NOT recommend this test for anyone within a parsec of my voice. i could really have used a bullet to bite on, believe me. it is not for the faint of heart. this phase was to determine, in a preliminary way, the size of the growth. it is roughly just under an inch in length and about a quarter of an inch in diameter, and, from what he can tell, 'looks fairly self contained'. the most painful aspect is the 'surface lump and the surface lesion' due to the location and nature, the billions of nerve endings make it uncomfortable to say the least. the tissue damage is only the size of a pinky nail, but, as dr. grasso stated, the nerve endings make it so very sensitive. he also reiterated, that, in his practice, he has seen this in various stages, and he said mine was minute by comparison and yet lauded me for getting my self in there when i noticed the first sign of trouble. he also said that with treatment, this can be fully eliminated. ( i will hold back any champagne corks popping until i meet w/ an oncologyst). now the next step is to set up a ct scan to see, if, god forbid, it's migrated anywhere else within my body. then, set up the appointment with an oncologyst. my dad, the retired physician wants to see the final pathology/histology report. dad is still very well connected in the medical community in northern virginia, and has not one, but three, oncology friends that he maintains contact with. together, with all the data in hand, then i can see where i need to go. i'm hopeful that the oncologyst(s) are as positive as my CR physician. as for phil, well, he's never really been good in emergency situations and, he's not the most demonstrative person on the planet. (a hug would be nice) my mom, dad, brother, sister in law, sister and brother in law and my 5 nieces and nephews have sort of formed a human ring around me. my sister in law and mom are nothing short of steady keeled on this, my sister, who is a year and 8 days younger than myself is having a really hard time with this. my ever faithful boston terrier, maccabee, CLEARLY knows something is unusual, and that first day stuck to me like a post it note. he will be a huge part of my road to recovery. the marina community at parkside is also amazing, as is the in flight team at DCA---- just like you fine folks. (i want to be around to wear the 'new' american airlines uniform after we finish swallowing that whale if it ever comes to pass.) hell, maybe i should start a blog.
again, i cannot thank you all enough for your kindness and support. you have no idea how much this means to me.
regards.
and a special shout out to paul prowlerfish. your phone call last evening was the highlight of my day!! your sense of humor did not go unnoticed.
aaron
p.s. i'm typing this on the boat. she too will be a part of my recovery.
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 2:13 pm
by Mike Kulp
Hi Aaron I hope you are feeling okay I said a prayer for you since we talked on Monday when Cathy and I got back from Tighlman Island. Glad to see you are on your boat they can be very theraputic and if your are feeling really good clean the blue heron crap off my canvas you know that is bothering me to know end ( just kidding
), I will see you saturday we will have one of the grand daughters along and I will clean that off my canvas if I have to spend all weekend scrubbing.
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 2:39 pm
by aaronbocknek
Mike Kulp wrote:Hi Aaron I hope you are feeling okay I said a prayer for you since we talked on Monday when Cathy and I got back from Tighlman Island. Glad to see you are on your boat they can be very theraputic and if your are feeling really good clean the blue heron crap off my canvas you know that is bothering me to know end ( just kidding
), I will see you saturday we will have one of the grand daughters along and I will clean that off my canvas if I have to spend all weekend scrubbing.
hey mike, i cant tell you how much better you made me feel monday afternoon. i hated to spring it on you like that, sometimes i it just feels better talking about it. chip and lisa (they beat you all back to parkside 
) were also a huge spirit booster. i had no idea chip's employee went through this too. i do have up and down moments though. it's the nature of the beast.
now, as for the 'pterodactyl poop' on your canvas.... he tried to do it again about an hour ago. as he flew away, he dive bombed my port deck. no wonder you can't get it off your canvas. it took me 20 minutes to rinse off the deck. that stuff is nasty thick. and i have a trick that scott taught me about cleaning the isinglass schmutz off.... denatured alcohol and a soft cloth. tried it on a small area and the results are fantastic. can you bring some 210 down w/ you? not sure if i will be around this week end as it's the month to month interface for the flight crews and i might be flying.
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 7:49 pm
by akwalker
Very sorry to hear this, but keep your chin and your spirits up. Modern medicine is an amazing thing.
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:54 pm
by aaronbocknek
just looked up some stuff on wiki and webmd.... yipes. now i'm really freaked. really, really, freaked.
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 6:05 am
by RWS
my wife was diagnosed with multiple myeloma last year.
something that can be slowed down but not stopped.
these situations change your perspective on life, the universe and everything.
best wishes for the most positive overall outcome.
RWS
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 7:48 am
by MattSC
Aaron,
Hang in there, you'll get through this. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers
Matt
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 10:47 am
by ready123
aaronbocknek wrote:just looked up some stuff on wiki and webmd.... yipes. now i'm really freaked. really, really, freaked.
You have just learned rule number 1... stay away from that activity.... you have no idea if what you are reading is even remotely connected to your condition.
I say again you need to keep positive about your condition and outcome.... that will have a good effect in more ways than you can think of.
Listen to what your oncologist has to say about your CT scan and go from there with THAT information.
Let's not forget that among Cancer's colon cancer is the one with the highest cure rate
You have been caught early and the chances are high that after treatment you will have little to worry about.
SO keep your immune system working by ALWAYS thinking positive thoughts; that is very important so put your energy and effort into positive thinking every moment (awake or asleep).
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 12:45 pm
by larryeddington
Hi Aaron,
I understand your emotions at having the diagnosis as I went through Prostate Cancer Proton Radiation in 2004. It is now 8 years out and all is well and I am concidered cured. I found keeping a positive forward looking attitude is important and using your boat is a good thing for that. You have to avoid emotions of feeling sorry for yourself and live every day.
You will get past this thing and on with your life, it is not worth worring over, it is what it is. Just get it treated as any other sickness, the results are always unknown but the big C is not as big a bugaboo as it once was.
Prayers are with you and enjoy each day God provides.
Larry
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 7:16 pm
by DAVIDLOFLAND
I am praying for you Brother.
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 7:43 pm
by DOUBLE R
I will put you on my Sunday School class's prayer list, Aaron. I hope you can beat it.
Nine years ago, my sister had a colonoscopy and found several large polyps. As they run in families, she urged me to get checked even tho I was only in my early forties. Fortunately, I did and had three large polyps removed. I might be alive today because of it. Not all poyps turn into cancer, but all colon cancer comes from polyps.
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in males and screening for it is painless and effective. I urge all of you to get a screening this month.