stickyTaco's boosted eff cancer build and ramblings

Thanks @Silver02Taco. Today was my last day at work for the next 2+ months so it's all setting in. Other than not getting paid, I'm ready for surgery and recovery. I'm hopeful it all goes as planned and I'll be cancer free and back at it by the winter.

 

All the best to you.

 

I've been home for a week now. Surgery went well and I have clear margins so I'm hopeful that this is all behind me.

Still feel like I've been hit buy a truck but not nearly as nauseous this time. I guess not having chemo this time around has made for a faster recovery and less puking. I'm down just over 10lbs to 135lbs now and have been shooting for 100g of protein per day since my body is burning so much healing. Hopefully I'll be able to get past this and actually start putting weight on. My goal is 160lbs.

My fuck cancer gift to myself was a RC crawler.....TRX-4. I have to laugh about the rotopax.

 

The TRX-4 is pretty cool. Look at the axles-they're adjustable

 

I'm immediately skeptical of anything that the marketing department labels as 'smart' but I bought it anyways.

 

Dual batteries are running now. Hooked up a 107Ah deep cycle using the battery isolator.

I test fit everything today. Tomorrow I need to tidy up the wiring behind the cubby lid and screw down the plug for the house battery. Then I need to work on a mount to secure the battery. I already ran wiring to the bed and installed a fuse panel in the cubby from a previous mod so this was pretty quick.

The isolator charges the house battery when it gets more than 13.3v and cuts off when the power from the starting battery/alternator drops below 12.8v.

 

Socially distant Thanksgiving road trip was a hit with the kids.



Bought the truck in 2013 with 16k miles on it. This is the most miles I've put on a vehicle myself and the longest I've kept a vehicle. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't getting the itch but the taco will stay in the fleet if I do get something else. For now I need to replace the clock spring (horn stopped working this month) and give it some fresh fluids.

 

How have you been doing otherwise, brother?

 

Doing well, all things considered.

Unfortunately, with my last surgery they had to remove my bladder because the cancer was covering it and had penetrated it so they couldn't rebuild. I'll have a urostomy for the rest of my life now but I'm alive and able to get out and do fun stuff with the kids still.

I also ended up with a colostomy because the tumor on my bladder had grown to my large intestine. The cancer basically grew unchecked from when it was discovered in December until my surgery in July...it took so damn long to get in for surgery...thanks COVID. The plan is to have the colostomy reversed in the spring but there were some issues with the imaging I had a couple weeks ago so I'm not sure if they'll be able to proceed with the surgery.

Physically, I'm feeling better than I have in at least 5 years so either way I'm counting my last surgery as a win, even if I end up with dual stomas for life. My blood counts have returned to normal without any infusions for the first time since 2014 so I'm not always feeling run down and hung over.

 

Fuck cancer.

Sorry about the ostomies. Still...you can always throw a bag at a tailgater.

 

Plus, it is way less awkward to swap a bag on the side of the road than it is to dig a hole and hope you can finish your business before passing vehicles get a look at your squat stance. And I'm pretty sure I can leave a steamer on someone's hood now without risking an indecent exposure charge


All jokes aside, things could be way worse. This isn't anything I can't deal with at this point.

 

Love your attitude!
Looking forward to you getting back on the trail! I love following your adventures and the pics!
And of course, the great advice on mods and repairs that you address!
Continued prayers Tacomaworld friend!

 

Hey Zack glad to hear you're on the mend. I still owe you a few beers.. you say when and where neighbor!

 

For sure. Things have been crazy between surgeries, family, work, and the house. I've been laying low until COVID settles down since I'm in the at risk category but would be down for some drinks in the backyard one evening.

 

Put a deposit on my 10 year survivorversary gift (10 year is 12/2021). We pick it up in August in Oklahoma. The stoke is high but the wait is long.




We are going to be selling our Jayco X213 in the spring (2015, 23ft, 5,500lbs loaded). It's been a great trailer for us but we only use it a couple time a year because I don't want to destroy it by dragging it around off road.

 

Just found this thread while I'm sitting in the chair getting my second round of chemo. Keep up the good attitude, glad to hear you are on the mend and still living life as much as you can. Fuck cancer!

 

Thanks Taylor and fuck cancer indeed. Hope your treatment goes quickly and you can put it all behind you soon.

 

Patriot x3?

 

Yes sir! I drunkenly suggested an off-road trailer to MrsTaco one evening and I guess she had enough to drink too because later that week I placed a deposit.
Also, somewhat related, 2 drinks gets me pretty faded. I think I need to put some weight on and drink more often to build up a tolerance again.