19 replies to this topic

[Wagoneer81]

A little background: "This disease may be caused by an undiagnosed malignancy." "Your new level of 'normal' will not be as good as your old level."(AKA, you'll never be as strong as you were before you got sick) "Untreated, your life expectancy will be 4-5 years...and the last 2 won't be pretty" My Doctor told me these things on Feb. 3, 2009. I remember the date because that was the same day that two friends were killed in a crash at the Southbound 7 mile marker on I-69 just north of Indy. It was a 32-car pileup caused by a freak white-out. They were co-workers at the little utility contracting company I worked for and I would have been in the same crash had I not taken off for the appointment with the specialist who diagnosed me... Fate? Destiny? Anyone? I spent two plus years of; Days spent to weak to walk... Sick to the point of passing out from side-effects of medicines (did that behind the wheel of the Jeep one night... NOT fun! Came to sitting in a ditch, front bumper nudged up against an 18" maple.) Not being able to model or do much of anything because dexterity is shot to Heck because of the damage done to muscle tissue... Having to have a wheelchair to do anything where standing more than 5 minutes was required... Fearing I would just keep declining and finally die...

My immune system was attacking and destroying my muscles connective tissues on a cellular level... Found out it WASN"T caused by my body reacting to a tumor so the Medical Professionals still don't know what caused it in me...

Now, fast foward to today; It's official, I'm off the immunosuppresants, my bloodtests came back normal,... I AM IN REMISSION! Through the use of meds whose nasty side effects were sometimes WORSE than the disease they were treating, my immune system has finally been beaten back into compliance! There is no sign of Dermatomyositis right now. I still carry it, it is NOT contageous, it may be gone for good, it may come back in a year, we don't know... we're taking it one day at a time.

I want to thank everone, from the bottom of my heart, who supported me with words of encouragement, understanding and humor and those who prayed for me and with me in these past three, difficult years. This means worlds to me... Some of you helped me through my darkness without even knowing it... with a post of a particularly funny thread when I needed a laugh the most... an encouraging PM... with pictures of an extraordinary project, when I needed that boost of encouragement... There are way to many names to mention... You ALL helped me in some shape and form. THANK YOU!!! Gregg, thank you for doing your thing here and allowing us to do ours. Yes, this will sound very strange to some but, many times, this site was my sanity saver...

I'm still weak from the damage done by the disease and the idleness brought on by fighting said disease but, I'm slowly on my way UP. My physical therapist says it will be a long, uphill road but it will be up! I still need the cane and the wheelchair for I have several disks in my back and neck that refuse to play nice. I suffered a nasty and permanent back injury in Feb. of 2010, add that joy and fun to the muscle disease, and 3 disks in my neck started showing their stuff back in October but... I am past one big hurdle and can handle them when I don't have to jump them all at the same time...

Thanks for letting me vent, I now return you to our regularly scheduled madness!

[Jantrix]

Chris, real happy to hear you are doing better. Keep on keepin on.

[Craig Irwin]

I had no idea you were going through anything like this. Makes my problems seem like nothing.

[jeffs396]

AWESOME Chris!!!

This IS great news!

[Erik Smith]

I realize how much I take for granted being able to walk and build models.

I am glad you are feeling and doing better.

[Wagoneer81]

I had no idea you were going through anything like this. Makes my problems seem like nothing.

I realize how much I take for granted being able to walk and build models.

I am glad you are feeling and doing better.

Lemme tell ya, perspective is EVERYTHING! It's amazing what just doesn't matter to me anymore... waiting in line, getting a fastfood order a little off, little things just don't matter like they did... I am a lot more laid back than I was three years ago.

[Agent G]

G

[Harry P.]

I had no idea you were going through anything like this. Makes my problems seem like nothing.

Same here. I don't remember you ever saying anything about it here.

I don't think "congratulations" is exactly the right word in this case, but you know what I mean.

[rmvw guy]

We are all rooting for you Chris. I would love to see you post more of your work on here. You are a man with great talent in a lot of categories. Wishing you many good days ahead.

[Badluck 13]

Chris,I didn't know about this,but man that is just WONDERFUL AWESOME SUPER GREAT news!!!!!,my friend you must pat yourself on the back for fighting and not giving up so you could get to this point....Godspeed on your physical therapy.......

[randx0]

I am very happy to see that you are doing better.I had noticed your posting had dropped off for awhile. I hope everything continues to get better for you!

[Ben]

Wow Chris, I never knew you were going through all that!!!! It's really great to hear that your getting better!!!!!!!!! Stay positive, sounds like things are going to keep getting better!!!

Edited by Ben, 18 April 2012 - 04:28 PM.

[Wagoneer81]

Thanks, all! Not many people knew the 'bad news'... I pretty much kept it to myself. I only mentioned it in a couple of truck build threads. But, I figured I'd share the good news with the world! It feels to good to keep quiet!

Ron, Thank you! Keep watching, I'm getting ready to start a WIP thread in 'Other Models' and I'll be sure to post pics of my Hudson build and a few others I've finished recently.

[donkeypuncher76]

I am fairly new here and also have solice if not addiction to this forum and getting back to the wonderful model world. I can relate with you man, I am glad you have beaten the odds and a long back is alot better than waiting for the cliff to give way, it's hard to find ways to keep smiling in these situations. keep on keepin' on bro. It's this disease of styrene that makes my days once again seem brighter too. 35 and physically a disaster these days myself I appreciatte the fellas who contribute, help with tips and criticism and especially the guys who put this all together to keep us smiling. continued prayers and well wishes Chris.

[Kaleb]

I'm glad to see someone to keep fighting to pull through. Seems most people just want to give up. I'm like others no words can really do justice in a case like this. But again I am glad to see you pulling through and doing better. I hope that I can do the same if I have to go through something similar. Only God will be able to help.

[Romell R]

I never knew of your condition Chris but its good to hear youre on the road to recovery. I wish you well in your future endevors.

[MachinistMark]

Proper thing boss. Glad your well

[Dave Ambrose]

Chris, thanks for sharing. People like you keep me inspired and reminded of how precious this life really is.

[Danno]

Chris, thanks for sharing. People like you keep me inspired and reminded of how precious this life really is.

Well said. Amen.

Godspeed, Chris.

[Tom Setzer]

Chris, I am going through a bad time myself, But Your Story Gives Me Hope. THANK YOU FOR SHARRING IT AND ALL MY BEST WISHES GO OUT TO YOU!

I WILL REMEMBER YOU IN MY PRAYERS!