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End of the track - not yet! TMTV support
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Prolific poster (deceased) 6,447 posts rickwade Prolific poster (deceased) 6,447 posts
rickwade

Many of you know that my wife had a stroke 2 years ago and it has been my honor and ministry to care for her.

Well they just discovered and removed a brain tumor from me and here’s the

My cancer:  GBM facts from the web:  very rare - less than 200,00 cases per year.grades 1, -4 with 4 the fastest growing.  I have grade 4 - no cure.

Life expectancy 12 - 18 months.  Only 25% survive 1 year or more.  Only 5% survive 5 years or more. One women has survived 11 years

Treatment:  Chemotherapy (pill taken at home), radiation, surgery. We will be moving into an assisted living facility.
 

we have a strong faith and ask for your prayers. 
 

update:  

Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement!  I had a consultation with my oncologist on 12/21 to discuss the results of my MRI done on 12/16 and there wasn't any evidence of tumor growth with the exception of a couple of small areas that could be scare tissue (or tumors - impossible to tell which).

Going forward I will be on a cycle of five days on chemo (pills that I take at home) and 23 days off (no chemo pills).  I also got fitted for a cutting edge devise that I wear on my head that disrupts / destroys cancer cell division called Optune.  It involves wearing four arrays of transducers on my shaven head that provide the disruption. The transducers give a slight warming effect but otherwise no issues. There's a three pound pouch that contains the controller and battery.  I've got to wear it a minimum of 18 hours per day the rest of my life or until it no longer helps but that's a small price to pay for a longer life! 

Rick

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The Richlawn Railroad Website - Featuring the L&N in HO  / MRH Blog  / MRM #123

Mt. 22: 37- 40
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Geoff Bunza geoffb MRH Author and Moderator 2,500 posts
Geoff Bunza geoffb

@Rick

Dear Rick,

All my best to you and yours. I hope you will set a new longevity record and remain with us for a long time to come. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks for sharing your many thoughtful contributions here.

Best regards,
Geoff Bunza

Geoff Bunza's Blog Index: https://mrhmag.com/blog/geoff-bunza
More Scale Model Animation videos at: https://www.youtube.com/user/DrGeoffB
Home page: http://www.scalemodelanimation.com
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Michael24 Active Member 56 posts
Michael24

The peace of Christ be with you

I appreciate you sharing this deeply significant news.  You are not only a great modeler but a great example of someone with purpose, peace, and love.  

Michael
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kleaverjr Prolific poster 2,857 posts
kleaverjr

Never give up, never surrender...

I do not remember the type of Brain Cancer my friends' mom had, but they only gave her 6 months to live.  As I recall, she lived 12 years after her initial diagnosis, so you never know! 

Your Brother In Christ, 

Ken L.
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David Husman dave1905 MRH Author 9,822 posts
David Husman dave1905

Prayers

... for strength and healing.

Dave Husman

Visit my website :  https://wnbranch.com/

Blog index:  Dave Husman Blog Index
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Modeltruckshop Prolific poster 1,050 posts
Modeltruckshop

@Rick

Sorry to hear about this Rick. You have already been through a lot. We will all be thinking of you.   
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VRS-Eric Active Member 66 posts
VRS-Eric

Prayers

Rick, I’m so sorry to hear your news.  My family will keep you and your wife in our prayers.  God bless and fight like crazy.

Eric
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ajkwings Active Member 39 posts
ajkwings

Our Thoughts and Prayers Are With You Rick

And take comfort with the fact that you have a very special community of friends and fellow modelers on your side in your battle to beat your cancer
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michaelrose55 Super User 3,458 posts
michaelrose55

Rick, you know how hard this

Rick, you know how hard this is for me. You have been and still are my best friend and as I told you on the phone I don't want you to give up. There's a chance that you can beat this thing and my wife and I will do everything to help you get through it. I'll call you again tomorrow.

Michael

The Breitenbach - Rosenheim Railroad V4
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Tim Moran Speed-Mo Tim Frequent poster 767 posts
Tim Moran Speed-Mo Tim

Joined with others in prayer......

Rick,

We have joined many others in prayers for you and your wife. Please let us know if there's something that we can do to help you and your wife during this time!

In His name,

Tim Moran and family, Akron, OH

My blog: https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/21964

My YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/user/wrfreemo2006

Thanks for looking!
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jeffshultz MRH Staff 7,978 posts
jeffshultz

Rick

What can I say, at least that hasn't been said before? 

You and your wife have my prayers. 

Now, prepare to set a new record in longevity - your next goal is 12 years. 

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Jeff Shultz - MRH Technical Assistant
DCC Features Matrix/My blog index
Modeling a fictional GWI shortline combining three separate areas into one freelance-ish railroad.
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Pcfan60 Regular poster 390 posts
Pcfan60

Prayers

Rick,

My wife has an end stage disease, diagnosed a year ago, so I’m caring for her as well. I understand the stress and the worries, but we also understand prayers and the power of our Lord. As said previously, never give up. Our prayers are with you and your wife....
https://hitopmodelrailroad.com/
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bapguy54 Regular poster 171 posts
bapguy54

I can relate.

My wife was diagnosed with brain cancer in July 2012. We were told same thing: 12-18 months. She had 2 surgeries 3 days apart to remove tumor. Chemo didn't work for her. She was put on Avastin. Given by infusion. She almost made it to 4 years.  Died April 2016. At least I was with her when she left for Heaven. Make the most of your time left. God bless. 
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joef MRH Founder 17,434 posts
joef

Prayers

Rick, we've been praying for your wife and now we'll pray for you. Assisted living makes sense, and we certainly will be praying you set a new longevity record. That said, at least the destination at the end of the track is a much better place. And ironically, right now, it doesn't take much for there to be a much better place! Thanks so much for your loyal support on here over the years. I feel blessed to just have gotten to know you.

Joe Fugate​
Publisher, Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

[siskiyouBtn]

Read my blog
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kleaverjr Prolific poster 2,857 posts
kleaverjr

One more thing to remember...

I happen to live in Western NY, where Roswell Park is located (a well known center for Cancer research and treatment).  I know many people who have volunteered there, and they all have told me that in many cases, those who have a positive mindset usually have far better outcomes, even those with the worse types of cancer, that have progressed to Stage 4, than those with a negative mindset.  So if you believe you will keep this cancer at bay, chances are, you will! 

Ken L.
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Dave K skiloff Prolific poster 4,030 posts
Dave K skiloff

Prayers are with you, Rick

Keep fighting and demonstrate that positive attitude and unfailing faith and you never know what will happen.  God bless you and yours.

Dave
Playing around in HO and N scale since 1976
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ctxmf74 Super User 15,943 posts
ctxmf74

Dear Rick

  So sorry to hear this news.  I just want to tell you how much I've enjoyed your posts over the years and how much I admire you as a person. You always seem to know the right thing to do and to stick to it. Be comforted in knowing you have earned God's grace and He will ease your way along whatever path He chooses for you...DaveB

1990.jpg 
Read my blog
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Rick Sutton Prolific poster 4,358 posts
Rick Sutton

My friend

You have been a friend and inspiration to many of us here on the forum for many years. I am at a loss for the right words in a situation like this but, like others, I have seen amazing things happen for people of great strength and a true inner light like you possess. I pray that you and Midge have many good years ahead of you. It can happen.
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Greg Amer gregamer Regular poster 496 posts
Greg Amer gregamer

My prayers for you

Rick,

ive seen you so much online over the years I feel like you I know you. I wish you both well. I pray you are able to keep on living joyously, comfortably and content. 

Greg Amer

 
Greg Amer The Industrial Lead

MRH Blog Index
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bkivey Regular poster 363 posts
bkivey

James 1:12

Nothing to add, but bueno suerte.
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edfhinton Frequent poster 821 posts
edfhinton

Prayers

Prayers for you RIck.  You are an inspiration.  You are such a positive spirit here on MRH, and from everything you've posted, in life itself.  I pray for God to give you the strength to persevere and the inspiration to live each day to the fullest.

 

 

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Proprietor - Northern New England Scenic (V3). N scale NH B&M Eastern and western coastal routes in the mid-1950s.

https://nnescenicmodelrr.com

 
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redP Frequent poster 567 posts
redP

Rick

Im so sorry to hear of this. I will be praying for you and your wife

 Modeling Penn Central and early Amtrak in the summer of 1972

 
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2tracks Regular poster 320 posts
2tracks

Rick

So sorry to hear of that. Prayers for every one in your family.

Jerry

"The Only Consistency Is The Inconsistency"
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Ken Rice Super User 5,916 posts
Ken Rice

Rick

Very sorry to hear that Rick.  I hope you beat the odds.  Our thoughts will be with you.

My blogspot blog: http://rices-rails.blogspot.com/
My MRH blog index
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RandallG Super User 772 posts
RandallG

Rick

I am very sorry to hear of your situation. Our prayers go out to you and your family. You have been an inspiration on the many modeling journeys that you have shared over the years. Thank you. May God bless you and yours, and give you strength during these difficult times. Stay positive, stay strong and fight this thing as I know you will.

Randy Speechley

 
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