Prognosis !

James Martin (U.K.) · Post by **James Martin (U.K.)** » 5 Jan 2010 1:32 am

I posted some good news regarding my Hilton pedal in the electronics section earlier today and I'm pleased to say that I have more good news regarding my health to broadcast. Some of you might remember that I was diagnosed with lung cancer two and a half years ago. I've since had quite a lot of chemo and radiotherapy. I saw the oncologist a short time ago and she told me that the tumour is now " inactive " and has suggested Xrays every six months over the next five years. Seems I'm going to be around longer than I thought. Might learn an instrumental or two now and buy some green bananas. So,it's not all over when you get this diagnosis and I hope others similarly affected will read this and take heart. Happy New Year is just that. Good health to you all for the New Year and beyond.

Joe Gretz · Post by **Joe Gretz** » 5 Jan 2010 2:00 am

James,

Congratulations for the GREAT NEWS!!! Thanks for sharing it with us. I've known many to battle that dire disease, and by FAR, the best weapon has been a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!

Best wishes and hopes for continued success!!!

Joe

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 5 Jan 2010 4:11 am

That is great news James. I sure wish you all the very best in learning another instrument. Remember, a banana is much better when it is in a "Banana Split".

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 5 Jan 2010 4:56 am

Great news, James! It must have a been a good feeling to get that news. I'm happy for you.

James Martin (U.K.) · Post by **James Martin (U.K.)** » 5 Jan 2010 5:43 am

Thanks guys. Hope I can put the same message up in six months. Cheers. James.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 5 Jan 2010 6:14 am

I'm delighted for you, James!

Allan Munro · Post by **Allan Munro** » 5 Jan 2010 7:11 am

Something positive for the New Year - wonderful stuff. Congratulations.

Stan Schober · Post by **Stan Schober** » 5 Jan 2010 8:19 am

Absorootly Fantastico!!
Congratulations, James !

James Martin (U.K.) · Post by **James Martin (U.K.)** » 5 Jan 2010 11:18 am

How kind of you all to post. I'm touched. Thanks a lot. Roger,long time no see and I've just had a call from an old friend of yours and mine- Gerry Hogan wishing me well, great fellow and long time friend for many years. Thanks again guys.

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 5 Jan 2010 11:32 am

That's excellent news, Jim

George Crowder · Post by **George Crowder** » 5 Jan 2010 11:44 am

James, it's good to read the positive news. Thanks for posting.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 5 Jan 2010 12:06 pm

Jim - that has made my day. I am so pleased for you mate. You were struggling the year before last with your breathing when I saw you at Harrow for the first time for ages. You are obviously living proof that this disease can be beaten with the help of medicine and good fortune.

We must get together for a jam sometime.

Ken

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 5 Jan 2010 12:06 pm

Good news Jimmie.

I had my prostate,vessicles, and 1 out of fifteen lymph nodes scraped out, being bad a year and a half ago. Gotta admit I wasn't ready for the mental parts of this, like hormone deprivation therapy for the first 9 months, and the stresses of having to keep active, and write off things that would stop the "me I used to be".

Kind of hard when you feel like your skin has hot sand sprinkling on it for a week while "scan dyes" work their way through your system, or your inner ear takes a "balance vacation" every now and then, OR your left hand guitar muscles atrophy and don't come back except after a week or so of therapy..

The Hormone blockade didn't lift right off the back and comes back in dribs and unsettling drabs sometimes. It's just a bump in the road every now and then.

My "Nomogram" says 6-10 plus years to see if there's better stabilization methods developed. Rather than using the time to wait, I think I'll use ot to Live.

There are a lot of things that we take for granted. I"m sure you know that too now.

Praying daily for strength, and flexibility of spirit, getting out and doing things instead of turning inward has been the key to my recovery. A little rougher at first than now, but then there are moments..

It reminds me of things I went through at a very early age, but couldn't put into words. Then, I was forced to get out and "partake" like all kids. Now I must provide the impetus myself.

I've been very blessed with friends too.

Good news JM.

EJL

Finbarr O'Sullivan · Post by **Finbarr O'Sullivan** » 5 Jan 2010 12:07 pm

Great news, Jim!! Happy New Year to you!!
Finbarr

Charlie Shifflett · Post by **Charlie Shifflett** » 5 Jan 2010 12:50 pm

Congrets James
The man up there has something for you to do.
My new found friend in Houston Tx. has that no
good thing. God Bless you bouth. Charlie

Shane Glover · Post by **Shane Glover** » 5 Jan 2010 4:28 pm

James

It's so nice to hear the good news ! Hope to hear more in a few months!! We are pulling for ya .

Shane

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 5 Jan 2010 7:54 pm

James. Many of us have been through the "It doesn't look good." prognosis and managed to carry on. It is a victory for all of us when one of us gets the good news such as you have been given. May the Lord give you many more.

John Davis · Post by **John Davis** » 6 Jan 2010 12:04 am

Jim, really pleased for you mate!look forward to seeing you at the jam

James Martin (U.K.) · Post by **James Martin (U.K.)** » 6 Jan 2010 3:15 am

Many thanks to you all for taking time out to post your thoughts - this forum has to be the best in the music business, such thougtfulness and concern is gratifying especially from our steel guitar friends in the USA who have probably never heard of me - most satisfying,thanks.I would mention that Richard Burton went through the same thing a few years ago and he's still marching on! Ken, that would be great having a session with you I hope we can do that in the near future. Hope to see a few friends at John Davis's get together on the 24th. Once again thanks to you all for your kindness.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 7 Jan 2010 4:32 pm

James,
It is so good to read a post with an outcome like your's...Good faith, good DR's, and a good attitude just can't be beat. Keep the faith, and keep looking up, that's where it is. All the best to you in the coming years. My wife completed her chemo 2 years ago, her last tests were in Nov.Dr said everything looks good, she still has to be tested(PET scan/Xrays)on a regular timeframe, but everything is good so far.

Bill

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 7 Jan 2010 4:42 pm

James I am so happy for you.
What a great Happy New Year present to receive!

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 7 Jan 2010 5:35 pm

Yippieee.... very happy for you James. steve t

Don McClellan · Post by **Don McClellan** » 7 Jan 2010 6:21 pm

Very good news. I'm happy for you. This is one of the most uplifting threads I've seen in a while. Thanks, Don

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 7 Jan 2010 7:47 pm

Thank you JESUS. Hang in there James. GOD bless. Jody.

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 7 Jan 2010 8:00 pm

Awesome. Hard to keep a "James" down, ya know.

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