Brandell Training Log
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URL: http://www.nasgaweb.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17040
Printed Date: 3/26/26 at 11:43pm
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Topic: Brandell Training Log
Posted By: Brian Randell
Subject: Brandell Training Log
Date Posted: 3/26/15 at 9:49am
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New Profile, New Log. Front Squat 5x5 (*) 1 Leg press 5x5 Incline Bench 5x5 Assisted Dip 3x10 Triceps Ext. 3x10 (*) 5x5 will be working up to a max set of 5.
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Replies:
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 3/26/15 at 9:51am
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The lymph node(s) in my neck that flared up last Oct that my ENT thought might be cancer, has flared up again. Biopsy at the time showed no lymphoma or cancer. But the fact it/they keep swelling up and going down he is going to remove them on April 9th (two weeks from today). ENT says I need two weeks off before lifting again. We will see ...
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 3/29/15 at 5:22pm
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With Surgery Thursday April 9th lifting the next 2 weeks on Sunday/Wednesday. 3/29 Front Squat 5x5 1 Leg Press 5x5 Incline Bench 5x5 Row 5x5 Assisted Dips 5x10 Tricep ext 5x10 Going for a 30 min walk.
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/08/15 at 8:28am
| Lymphectomy or however the hell they say it, is tomorrow. Been cruising until surgery at Surgeons suggestion. |
Posted By: Silverback
Date Posted: 4/08/15 at 8:32am
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Had one taken out of the side of my neck once, turned out to be cat scratch fever, true story. Trained later in the afternoon that day.
------------- Mule Sportkilt AST Sport Supplements |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/08/15 at 10:52am
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Doc says no heavy lifting for 2 weeks due to dissection of Muscle etc... ok so define "heavy". I will be smart about it, but getting traction in the gym, don't want it messed up. My ENT is the same one that diagnosed my Grandmothers nasopharyngeal Cancer. Started same way that is why he isn't going to dick around with it. My Grandmothers normal doc kept treating her for a damn ear infection for 9 Months THEN recommends the ENT. By then it was game over. Bottom line I get another cool scar out of the deal.
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Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/08/15 at 11:06am
Focusing on the positive. Tom ------------- Aim high. Stay hungry. |
Brian Randell wrote:Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/08/15 at 12:59pm
| Thanks Tom. Hopefully its in and out and I can pull a Myles and hit the gym at least Friday lightly. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/09/15 at 9:56pm
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Unfortunately no Gym time for awhile Myles. ENT got in there and the lymph node was much worse off and larger than he expected and full of cancer. Yes I said Cancer. I have right now Grade II squamus cell cancer of that lymph node and my Right Tonsil which they took out as well So that wasn't what I was wanting to hear. POA is get in early next week and get a PET scan done and see where the origin of the Cancer is. I believe firmly it was the Tonsil. If so then its on to Oncology and Radiation treatment. Even as I type this it feels like someone else. I am pissed and going to fight like hell. No way do I quit or let this crap kill me. So Myles I will be back in the Gym at some point.
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Posted By: AlDargie
Date Posted: 4/10/15 at 9:33am
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That sucks. Glad you caught it early. Good luck with treatment and recovery. Al ------------- Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy. - Outlaw Josey Wales |
Posted By: Sammy68123
Date Posted: 4/10/15 at 9:50am
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Hey Brian, Crummy to hear, but glad you caught it early! Lots of good research on value of exercise for cancer patients and cancer survivors. I don't have the references at hand right now, but find out the full reason behind any restrictions/limitations, respect the reasons, and keep up exercise! ------------- Teresa Merrick Bellevue, NE |
Posted By: Sean
Date Posted: 4/10/15 at 10:52am
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FFFFF that. Fight it tooth and nail and keep lifting. The muscles will need the stimulus. Lots of good thoughts and prayers, Brian. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/10/15 at 2:32pm
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T: I think its because he had to dissect muscle and disturb nerves etc to get in there and get it. Once inside he said the Node was about the size of a golf ball and much worse than he suspected. With me losing a tonsil as well that is normally a big down time its self. I am going to the gym tomorrow and hit the bike a little then work around and see what I can do. Might just be 1-2 sets of 10 on things. I would imagine an increase in blood flow is great, but there is also a point it might not be so good as I am healing. But yes I will go tomorrow and lightly see what I can do.
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/14/15 at 8:16pm
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I have my PET scan tomorrow and I believe fully we got 100% of the Cancer when we cut out the lymph nodes and Tonsil. Requesting Prayer that the PET scan comes back and says the same. I believe I am fully healed through Christ. https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/byhisstripesiamhealed?source=feed_text&story_id=10206322459845408" rel="nofollow - - byhisstripesIamhealed , https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/iwalkinperfecthealth?source=feed_text&story_id=10206322459845408" rel="nofollow - - Iwalkinperfecthealth |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/18/15 at 2:06pm
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PET scan is wonky. That said I am going to put this thing to bed for awhile. I have cancer to beat, sorry folks living, having a quality of life worth a shit afterward >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Than throwing or lifting right now. Working with Cancer Treatment Centers of America starting Tuesday. Not sure what the plan will be but this isn't going to kill me. See you on the back side.
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Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/18/15 at 10:08pm
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You need anything, you say so. Right? Tom ------------- Aim high. Stay hungry. |
Posted By: Silverback
Date Posted: 4/19/15 at 9:23am
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Praying in Alabama as hard as I can for you to beat this down. I have an uncle who had this in his throat, he just got his 5 years clean report last month. Your going to go down that same road and beat it. It is so.
------------- Mule Sportkilt AST Sport Supplements |
Posted By: C. Smith
Date Posted: 4/19/15 at 9:48am
Perhaps you should give Odin a talking to? Hate to hear it brother, but you're on top of this. Keep us posted.
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/19/15 at 5:24pm
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Craig, Wonky = polite for I believe the moron doc that did the PET reading screwed it up. Says "The cancer in the tonsil is very clear" blah blah blah. Uh Assclown, there is no tonsil! It was taken out a week before. That type wonky. CTCA is going to review it all. They went over to St. Johns and grabbed all the biopsy materials including that which hadn't been tested so they can go over it themselfs. Same with the PET imaging etc. @ Tom and Myles, yep will update as there is anything to update and YES I am beating this. Just got to prioritize the fight over everything else. But that said Myles, I am going to ask them about some sort of lifting during treatments as I gotta believe doing something helps
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Posted By: AlDargie
Date Posted: 4/19/15 at 7:20pm
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Hoping for good news from the CTCA. Stay strong Brian. ------------- Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy. - Outlaw Josey Wales |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/20/15 at 8:14am
| Thanks Al. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/22/15 at 1:13pm
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Day 2 at CTCA. It was actually stage IV cancer. Seems when it escapes the tonsil its grade III, it infected 2 lymph nodes so now Grade IV. Had two options. 30 radiation treatments (6 weeks) plus 3 chemo treatments. Option II, Radical Tonsillectomy plus Neck Dissection. I have taken option II. They will remove the tissue behind and around where the tonsil resided, a very small portion of the back of tongue where tonsil may have touched, part of the soft pallet and uvula. Then ALL lymph nodes on the right side of the neck. 6 Hour surgery. With Tonsil Cancer, esp. HPV based both options have the exact same success rate. With all going on this was my best option. Only Daughter gets married June 20th, option #1 would have made that hell. This option I spend 2-3 days in Hospital, get MUCH better pain meds than this last time and I should be back to work in 2 weeks. Doc says no lifting over a Milk jug in weight for 1 Month due to all the hacking he has to do. That said if all goes well, Chains are off in 30 days. I am man enough to say the radiation worried me. I almost hit the floor when they said it was really Stage IV. So Surgery May 11th. Going to see if I can get in at least 3 workouts before then :-)
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Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/22/15 at 1:33pm
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That's a big steaming pile of news, but at least there is a plan. Let us know which hospital so we can send Tom ------------- Aim high. Stay hungry. |
Posted By: grasshopper
Date Posted: 4/22/15 at 1:46pm
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Good plan Brian...Stay strong!! Positive thoughts coming your way!! ------------- "Breathe deeply. Refuse to be weak. Refuse to be sick. Refuse to die. Think strong and you will be." -The Mighty Atom (Yoselle Greenstein) |
Posted By: dWood
Date Posted: 4/22/15 at 3:28pm
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Hey Brian,keep your chin up and stay positive( that can go along way!)... On the tnation training log forum there was a guy who was recovering from stomach cancer and was working on workout program with 5/3/1 and his limitations( have it on my work computer as I was corresponding with him for my son but thinking his name was Panzer,panzerfest or something similar...will try and look it up at work and send you the link). Prayers and thoughts from New York ------------- JUST BRING IT / SPEED KILLS..BUT STRENGTH PUNISHES |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/22/15 at 4:52pm
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Thanks all. Doc says nothing over 10lbs for a month because he is really taking a ton of tissue and body needs to focus on recovery. @ Tom, yeah it has been two days non stop out there, but now there is a plan.
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Posted By: dWood
Date Posted: 4/22/15 at 9:39pm
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PM sent w/the tnation link...once again thoughts and prayer from NY ------------- JUST BRING IT / SPEED KILLS..BUT STRENGTH PUNISHES |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 4/27/15 at 11:04am
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Had already shared with Craig so I thought I would go ahead and update. I went down to Iron Thistle and hung out half the day with my son and tons of friends from the games. While there it really hit me, Two bad knees that will need to be replaced, The spondy / Disc issues that have now made me modify lifting possibly forever and now Cancer. My body has, and will, have taken such a beating I won't be "me" out there possibly ever again. I am also 46 not 26. The Cancer has really made me re evaluate my life. It has helped me love my wife even more, brought me closer to God, made the real stuff that matters stand out and become clear. As soon as possible I want to get to lifting/Working out again but with overall strength and health as the goal, not setting certain rep maxes or throwing in mind. MANY of my friends are from the Highland games and I thank God it came into my life, I love the throwing, but I think I love the people I have met even more. I am a damn good judge, I know the ins' and outs of the game, maybe there are other ways I can contribute and still be involved. But, I think its time to get a grip on reality. I do want to throw Tulsa or McPherson with my son, partially as a huge double middle finger and SCREW YOU to Cancer, But I can end my career and go out my way and on my terms. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/05/15 at 8:39am
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Anesthesia, Pre op and Advanced directive on Thursday. Monday is surgery. 6 hours planned, 2-3 days in hospital, feeding tube through nose for 7-14 days depending on how swallowing is going. 2-3 weeks off work. Told not to lift more than a milk jug for 1 month due to all the cutting, healing, re construction going on in the neck and throat. Surgery is at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa Ok.
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Posted By: C. Smith
Date Posted: 5/05/15 at 8:51am
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Good luck sir. May the gods smile upon you. |
Posted By: Silverback
Date Posted: 5/05/15 at 8:59am
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Praying
------------- Mule Sportkilt AST Sport Supplements |
Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 5/05/15 at 9:25am
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Best of luck. Use the excuse of 'pain meds' to get some stuff off your chest as loudly as possible. Tom ------------- Aim high. Stay hungry. |
Posted By: grasshopper
Date Posted: 5/05/15 at 10:07am
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Best of luck Brian. Will be sending positive vibes your way. ------------- "Breathe deeply. Refuse to be weak. Refuse to be sick. Refuse to die. Think strong and you will be." -The Mighty Atom (Yoselle Greenstein) |
Posted By: rob meulenberg
Date Posted: 5/05/15 at 10:19am
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Damnit Brian. Positive thoughts your way. I will have my wife pray for you. ------------- www.sportkilt.com |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/05/15 at 12:34pm
| Thanks guys. Will update when I can. |
Posted By: AlDargie
Date Posted: 5/05/15 at 1:39pm
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Best of luck Brian. You have a good attitude and know what's important in life. Despite the temp cancer setback, you are more fortunate than a lot of people I know. ------------- Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy. - Outlaw Josey Wales |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/05/15 at 4:55pm
I do know it Al, believe me. Thanks
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/14/15 at 5:52pm
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God is great! NO cancer in the tissues the doc took in and around the tonsil area. 2 of the 38 nodes had cancer but we expected a couple, I could even tell him where I thought they were. He took out tissue near the nodes, a couple veins etc. I am beyond blessed There was no cancer in those tissues. I do have to once again deal with an adult tonsilectomy which sucks, plus with more area taken. One other side effect I am suffering is the right arm, shoulder and trap. I don't have a lot of strength in the R arm,can't lift it above my head or hold it straight out and can't contract the trap at all. Sometimes during these extensive neck surgeries the nerves get damaged. Doc says it could take up to 6 months to recover |
Posted By: AlDargie
Date Posted: 5/14/15 at 8:20pm
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Great news on your surgery results Brian. Stay strong, mental game now dealing with slow rehab, etc. Stay the course and you will come out of this. We are all here for you. Al ------------- Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy. - Outlaw Josey Wales |
Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 5/14/15 at 10:35pm
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Good news! Word is you have a wicked Kurgan-style scar too. Keep us updated. Tom ------------- Aim high. Stay hungry. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/17/15 at 2:20pm
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Thanks guys. This recovery is much harder than the normal crappy adult tonsillectomy. The right side is bugging me a lot. I can't quite talk right, and the shoulder, trap, rhomboid area is still not working. The trap does move some but only will pull up to 1/2 the height of the other and it feels and looks like only part of the muscles are working. Its almost like the shoulder is out of place as well. Cant get anywhere near the ROM I had before surgery and it hurts to push it to ROM. Follow up with surgeon tomorrow, gotta find out WTH happened with the neck, shoulder.
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Posted By: KiltBill
Date Posted: 5/17/15 at 3:00pm
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Awesome news, been and will continue to pray for you Brother! ------------- Remember Kay Cummings, Father of the Highland Games in the Southeast and my friend. Lets Go Run With The Big Dogs! |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/17/15 at 6:44pm
| Thanks, still got a ton to go before I am 100% |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/18/15 at 5:31pm
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1 week follow up. Down to 193 lbs, doc went over everything with me and feels great that we got all the cancer 100%. I am extremely blessed and humbled when I have seen so many out there go through so much more and wonder why was I spared? Please understand this is a REALLY rough surgery. The removal of 38 lymph nodes alone was a royal Bitch in its self let alone the radical tonsillecotmy. PT tomorrow to try and get the nerves that are messed up to my lip and trap muscles going again. Doc says none were cut but had been manipulated to get all the nodes so they are swollen and pissed off right now.
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Posted By: grasshopper
Date Posted: 5/18/15 at 6:53pm
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Glad to hear Brian!! ------------- "Breathe deeply. Refuse to be weak. Refuse to be sick. Refuse to die. Think strong and you will be." -The Mighty Atom (Yoselle Greenstein) |
Posted By: Sean
Date Posted: 5/19/15 at 9:41am
| Good news, brother. Keep it coming. 6 months recovery is nothing after this. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/22/15 at 9:16am
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I really do NOT look good at 193lbs lol, esp in the condition I am in. Met with a tard for a PT and he was no help with neck/ Shoulder issue. Going another route. Doc says nerves are just PO'ed and inflamed AND suppressed because of additional inflammation. Going to see a Chiro today and I have someone that is writing up PT for me. I have to say this has been harder than all the surgeries I have had in the past combined. It has been a truly powerful and humbling experience and has helped me see the world and my life, well life in general, differently. There aren't enough words to say how much I appreciate all of you and your thoughts and prayers. This sport and the people in it mean the world to me.
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/24/15 at 8:46am
| Diet is almost normal, weight loss has stabilized at 192. When talking lifting doc said nothing on the front of the neck in regards to front squats for at least a year. So for awhile its gonna be leg press. When I can Ill add in Trap bar, 1 leg work. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:49pm
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Update: The issue with the trap is called damage to the accessory spinal nerve causing Trap palsy. Seems it can happen quite a bit with the Neck work I had done. If you look at me shirtless the right shoulder droops and most of the trap is plainly dead. I can shrug but most of the trap doesn't work and the scapula "wings" which isn't good. From all I have read It may spontaneously come back within 6 months. Doing What PT can be done to try and solidify all the other muscles in the area. |
Posted By: Sammy68123
Date Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:55pm
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Zercher squats may work well too (stays off the neck). ------------- Teresa Merrick Bellevue, NE |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/28/15 at 8:00pm
| Gonna try to get back in the Gym tomorrow. Odds are starting with just the bar and going to work what I can with restrictions, esp the neck and trap. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/02/15 at 7:10pm
| Holding off on Gym, body just isn't ready. Staying up very long and I am fatigued. Going to work on BW, kettlebell stuff. Body is still in full blown heal mode, only so many resources to go around? |
Posted By: Silverback
Date Posted: 6/02/15 at 7:43pm
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Photos of the win?
------------- Mule Sportkilt AST Sport Supplements |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/03/15 at 10:39am
| I'll get my initial pic after surgery put up somehow |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/03/15 at 4:06pm
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Posted By: Shawn Baker
Date Posted: 6/03/15 at 11:25pm
| Looking good Brian- good luck with recovery! |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 6:35am
| Thanks Shawn. Just waiting for the Spinal Accessory nerve to wake up so the trap will work. Its just been a slower recovery than I had expected, but it will get there. |
Posted By: Silverback
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 12:06pm
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I was talking about the 42 you won
------------- Mule Sportkilt AST Sport Supplements |
Posted By: C. Smith
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 12:07pm
| Good looking neck scar imo. |
Posted By: Sean
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 1:46pm
| Now I gotta run into Brian so I can be the first insensitive jerk to yell out "Hey, you cut yourself shaving?!" ;) |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 1:57pm
Thanks, working on The Kurgan look.
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 1:59pm
Pfft get the story straight. I was called in to break up that biker war down in Houston. got the job done but took a little damage.
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 2:02pm
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 2:03pm
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I cut it down, but still came out large |
Posted By: AlDargie
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 2:38pm
You need to use the safety pins.  ------------- Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy. - Outlaw Josey Wales |
Posted By: Sean
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 2:45pm
| Happy Halloween, ladies! |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 3:01pm
Might do that at Halloween Al  I gotta tell you, being forced to do BW mostly really sucks, but hey I remember Myles saying after one of his fun surgeries he had to start with just a bar. It ain't about how hard you can hit....its about how hard you get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward. And I don't hear no bell.
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Posted By: Silverback
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 7:04pm
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I did not get a bar for a long time. I sat on the couch and spoke on the phone for a long time and then got 5 lbs in each hand started rehab on the torn quad tendon. Blowing off your quad tendon and then a side order of open heart in the same week will ruin you quick. Today was the victory in the fact you got it. Nobody promised you that and now that you have been down this road I bet you appreciated today more. I know I sure do. We all fall down at some point, it is just how you get up that is what counts because we are all cool and stylish when we have a big pile of chips, but what are you when they are down that counts. Saw this huge dude who just did BW stuff, that is what you have right now, now take that and run cause you got something and some folks don't. ------------- Mule Sportkilt AST Sport Supplements |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 7:35pm
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You are right about the victory I have, it would have been much worse. The blessings I have recieved in the last 6 weeks has been overwhelming. I have been so humbled by the grace of God, the gifts I have been given, my family and amazing friends like you that actually cared. Truly humbled my friend and that humility and appreciation will never go away.
And honestly brother I know its a Rocky movie line but it is my outlook, It doesn't matter how hard you hit, its how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward. I never quit, I never surrender. I don't hear no bell Myles...BW work etc. starts in the AM.
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Posted By: grasshopper
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 7:44pm
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That scar is wicked!! Stories.....lots of stories..... ------------- "Breathe deeply. Refuse to be weak. Refuse to be sick. Refuse to die. Think strong and you will be." -The Mighty Atom (Yoselle Greenstein) |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/04/15 at 9:26pm
Well if you have to know, I got called in to break up that biker fight in Texas. Yeah I know they got a couple good shots, but it got taken care of.
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/06/15 at 8:10am
Today is my wife and I's 27th wedding anniversary. Best part is, I am here for it. 
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Posted By: dWood
Date Posted: 6/06/15 at 8:13am
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True that Brian! I'm sure she's real happy! God bless praying for a strong recovery for you ------------- JUST BRING IT / SPEED KILLS..BUT STRENGTH PUNISHES |
Posted By: Shawn Baker
Date Posted: 6/06/15 at 1:01pm
| Happy anniversary- keep pushing on (is there really any other choice?) |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/06/15 at 1:50pm
Nope, none!
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Posted By: grasshopper
Date Posted: 6/06/15 at 7:31pm
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Happy Anniversary!! Many more to come!! ------------- "Breathe deeply. Refuse to be weak. Refuse to be sick. Refuse to die. Think strong and you will be." -The Mighty Atom (Yoselle Greenstein) |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/25/15 at 10:49am
| 6 week CT scan came back great doc says. No signs of Cancer, stuff is healing. Said go lift wants to see me put on some muscle before next months follow up. |
Posted By: AlDargie
Date Posted: 6/25/15 at 2:15pm
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Sweetness. How are the nerves in the neck and trap coming along? ------------- Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy. - Outlaw Josey Wales |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 6/25/15 at 3:04pm
Still dead. I have a lot of functionality as I have learned to compensate and worked the stuff around the issue, but no bueno so far. But then again we are at 6 weeks this last Monday and it could take up to 6 months.
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 7/07/15 at 9:44am
| Doc has confirmed, full release. My log won't look like anything major and many will wonder..WTF?, but I know what I have to do now and where I need to go with this. Where I am physically is a major bag of suck, but I am on this side of the dirt and really blessed to be around no matter what shape. It will be really slow which is hard for me, but as long as I am here I have the opportunity to get better. |
Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 7/07/15 at 10:15am
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Woot! Good news man.
------------- Aim high. Stay hungry. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 7/07/15 at 10:55am
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 7/10/15 at 10:12pm
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Had an endoscopy today as I had Barretts Esophagus before the Cancer. Since I have had cancer it was imperative I get it checked as soon as my throat could deal with the procedure. Dr. Volak says all looks good, its still there but not as bad as last time he checked in 13'. 20mg nexium 2x per day from here on out. Talked about a new procedure we may do after the first of the year 8 endoscopy's straight over 8 weeks to use ablation to burn off the barrets. He says its getting great results, but I have to miss 1/2 day 8 straight weeks. We will see how my boss reacts to that. We did biopsies on the esophagus, stomach, small intestine to check stuff. May have Celiac disease or a bacteria in my small intestines that causes me issues. He thinks that came about from the surgeries, diet or lack thereof and all the pain meds. That said moving into new rent house this week, starting to look for equipment for a home gym, my old one is WAY out of the way now esp with time and traffic. Besides I do better lifting from home |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 7/23/15 at 9:24pm
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Slight hitch in the giddy up. Lymph nodes in the crotch started to swell up over the weekend. Back out to CTCA. PET looks good but Oncologist noticed something in the original pathology that for some reason the previous assclowns (not CTCA) decided to put in the middle of a paragraph "lymphatic-Vascular invasion: Positive". For those counting at home that means the metastatic squamous cell carcinoma made it into at least one blood vessel. So there is a huge chance that bastard is running around in my body trying to set up shop somewhere else. Where does MSCC go from the neck? To the lungs of course. So we are now doing what should have been done if the said assclowns would have actually put this vital piece of info in bold or as its own bullet point because you know...cancer getting into the blood stream is kinda a thing you need to know. 6-7 weeks radiation therapy, 6 weeks of Cisplatin. Fun times at band camp all around. Have to be off work 6 of those weeks for many reasons.
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Posted By: AlDargie
Date Posted: 7/24/15 at 5:13am
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You can't seem to catch a break on this one. Most def important talking point that should have been stressed from the beginning when it could have been addressed instead of playing catch-up. Stay strong Brian. ------------- Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy. - Outlaw Josey Wales |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 7/24/15 at 9:57am
| I know AL, I am pretty pissed. I could be completely done by the end of this week had we done it from the start. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 8/02/15 at 6:45pm
| Week 2 of Radiation and Chemo starts tomorrow. 5 more weeks unless a setback. They say starting week 3 things will get crappy, but we will see. They say the worst part is the loss of taste or if I taste anything it tastes like ass, so again, we will see. |
Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 8/02/15 at 9:50pm
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Hang in there brother. Tom ------------- Aim high. Stay hungry. |
Posted By: Sean
Date Posted: 8/03/15 at 7:16am
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We need a tank or something we can dunk you in and just be rid of this garbage in one shot. Nothing but good thoughts for you, mister. You've got to make it to at least anniversary #50, so no quitting yet. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 8/03/15 at 9:13am
| I am starting to reach "Myles" status I think Sean and Tom :-) |
Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 8/03/15 at 10:03am
Better than Superman:
------------- Aim high. Stay hungry. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 8/03/15 at 10:04am
| HA! |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 8/11/15 at 7:30am
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Started Week 3 or Round 3 of treatment yesterday. Saw my Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, Surgeon, Rad Techs, Naturopath... all said " You look good". Uh ok? They said I don't look like I am this far along in therapy. I just said Thank you and ran with it. Mouth sores trying to start, FFFFF them. Doing everything possible including acupuncture to mitigate the symptoms. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 8/17/15 at 6:18pm
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Started week 4 chemo. They think they want to add a 7th treatment if I feel good to cover the last radiation treatment September 8th. Lost 6 lbs this week, doc not happy. Says I can't lose anymore. Need protein shakes and get something down that tastes well. WAnts me to find some protein powder that has no taste and add it to everything. Wants me to add some mass back if possible.
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Posted By: AlDargie
Date Posted: 8/17/15 at 8:38pm
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Keep at it Brian, almost done. Tough to eat when everything has no taste. ------------- Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy. - Outlaw Josey Wales |
Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 8/17/15 at 9:06pm
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Get on the Luke Crowley diet and keep fighting man! Tom ------------- Aim high. Stay hungry. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 8/17/15 at 10:14pm
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The part that sucks is still have somewhat of a gut although all the weight loss damn it. Meh chalk it up to genetics. When I can start lifting again and be consistent I am sure the body comp will change. Wasn't too long ago I was at 213 @ 15-16% bf. Not long ago = 10 years ago fwiw |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 8/18/15 at 3:56pm
| I swear when my taste comes back and returns to normal, I am gonna weigh 250 and not care. |
Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 8/25/15 at 12:25pm
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Not only stopped weight loss but gained .7kg in weight back from the previous week...FU Cancer! Rad Onc is about to nickname me "wolverine" in how my body is reacting to everything...been called a lot worse. :-)
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Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 8/29/15 at 8:18am
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Had talked with Big Kev about going ahead and throwing as my doc thought I could at the MWC. Had a setback this week so he is not so keen on that idea anymore. Plus in all my excitement I overlooked how out of shape I am and I haven't thrown in over a year. Tried anyway to throw the 28, wind the hammer and it was total crap. I just finished week 5/6 and the side effects were worse this week. This next Friday I ring the Bell as treatments are done! One more week! So talked again with doc, he says its fine to drive up and visit and honestly folks its a win just being able to do that after all of this. So I will see my brothers and sisters at least on Friday. I may pack up and head over to McPherson for Saturday not sure yet.
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