My life expectancy just took a dip
by David Charles Baker (write-in candidate for POTUS 2012)
March 2000
March 2000
A couple of years ago a spot developed on my arm and I started to take a mild interest in it as it was on my right bicep and was easy to see. It was light brown and misshapen but didn't seem terribly threatening. I mentioned it to my wife Carolyn and she thought I should have it checked.
Naturally, I did nothing.
Then in the summer of 1999 I was at the Novell Open at the Park Meadows Country Club where several businesses had set up tents, including the University Health Center. They were offering free skin checks so I decided it was finally time for a check of my various blemishes. The one on my arm was the one about which I was most concerned, however there were a few others I wanted checked.
I took a seat and the intern who had been saddled with this duty cheerfully took a look and my various spots and bumps. "Oh that's nothing," she said about the bump on my leg, that's just a ." Several spots were quickly dismissed as freckles. The nasty little growth of skin under my arm was also given a quick glance and labeled a nasty little growth under my arm caused by friction, such as too tight a shirt, although again a crazy medical term was used. "These usually appear on men's necks when they wear shirt collars too tight," I was told. "A dermatologist can just freeze that off." The nose bump was also given the A-OK.
Then we got to the spot on my arm. The intern had been friendly and chatty up until this point but now frowned and became silent. She pushed and pulled at the spot, looking at it from several angles. "I don't mean to alarm you," she said finally.
"Too late," I said before she could continue, "that's a bad one, huh?"
"How long have you had it? Has it changed size or shape? Has it gotten darker? I strongly urge you to get this checked by a specialist."
Which brought me to Dr. Leo Sotiriou in Salt Lake City. I was warned that he was a little kooky and he moved at the speed of light. He had been nicknamed "Doctor Lopitoff" (lop it off, get it?) for his propensity to freeze or cut off everything.
I arrived at Dr. Lopitoff's office 20 minutes early to fill out paperwork. At 5 minutes before my scheduled time I finished my paperwork and placed it on the counter. Immediately the doctor raced in, grabbed my clipboard and ushered me in to one of his two exam rooms. After 15 seconds of small talk (as my wife is a patient and works in the accounting office of the doctor's kid's school), he got to it. Most people would probably get a lot less chitchat out of the man. I did compliment him on being so prompt and he said he thinks it's just rude when you make an appointment and are kept waiting.
I had my list ready. Eight items: nose bump which looked like a zit, wart on finger, laser hair removal, leg bump, armpit growth, itchy scalp, spot on my arm, another spot on back.
SEVEN of these were dispensed with alacrity:
Nose bump: "It's nothing, I'll freeze it." And he did.
Wart: "That's a big one, I'll need to freeze it five times." And he did with 5 second pauses. OOOOW!
Laser hair removal, is it safe, effective, do you have an opinion: "It's safe, effective and it's incredibly expensive."
Leg bump: "It's nothing." He didn't even freeze it.
Itchy scalp: "Wash your hair. People just need to wash their hair more. I have old ladies come in thinking they have a scalp disease and then I find out they only wash their hair once every two weeks. Wash your hair every day!"
Back spot: "It's nothing."
Arm spot: "Oooo..." He gave it the same scowl and pause that the intern had. "We need to take that off and have it checked." He then proceeded to give me a shot to numb up my arm and took off to go see the patient in the other exam room. Total elapsed time: 5.5 minutes.
Wait: another 3 minutes or so.
Dr. Lopitoff then rushed in and broke out what looked like a flexed razor blade and scooped out a thin slice of skin which included the blemish on my arm and out I went with a band aid on my arm.
Total time: about 9 minutes.
A week later I got a call: benign.
Fast forward to early January and out of nowhere a black spot appears below my right areola. I again ask Carolyn what she thinks and she again says, "Go get it checked!" While this time I intended to get it checked, a few weeks go by before skin cancer talk causes me to open my shirt in front of Caroline, Christina, Donna and Jessica (four women in an office in Park City). All of them reacted with variations of, "Oh my gosh, get that checked right now.
This was Thursday, March 2nd, and I got an appointment for the next Monday at 9am with Dr. Lopitoff. At 8:59 I was ushered into the exam room, told to lie on the table and received a shot in the chest which began a repeat of the treatment I got for my arm spot.
Unbeknownst to me, Dr. Lopitoff thought it looked cancerous and asked the lab to call him immediately with the results once they had looked at it. As the doctor was going to Hawaii on the 10th, he wanted to get the results back before he left. The bad news came on Wednesday and he called me in the afternoon, minutes before I was to tee off at Old Mill Golf Course in Salt Lake: I had melanoma. Even though his office was officially closed on the 9th he was anxious and eager to butcher me before he left. Be at the office at 8:30am I was told.
I think the distraction helped me as I handily parred the first hole (I'm a 35 handicap) and proceeded to have an excellent round and walked away after nine holes down a mere $4.
On Thursday, March 9th I drove to Dr. Lopitoff's office and met him on his day off to have a little more skin taken off. I had thought the doctor had told me two millimeters out and one down would be taken off. Actually, that would be two CENTIMETERS out from the EDGE of the blemish and one CENTIMETER down was what was to be taken.
Even though we were the only two in the office, Dr. Lopitoff didn't slow down for a minute. Tossing his keys on the desk he told me to lie down on the table. Then with his trademark speed he:
Took a ruler and measure out 2cms from the edges of the previous wound and marked it with an iodine pen.
Grabbed a syringe and tossed in a bottle of lidocaine.
Gave me 5-8 shots as quickly as is humanly possible.
Tossed in a new bottle of lidocaine.
Gave me another 5-8 shots as fast as he could go (which, oddly enough, caused me to start laughing).
Tossed in a third bottle of lidocaine.
Gave me another batch of shots.
At this point he stopped and just stared. "What are you going to do now?" I asked, "you don't have any other patients."
"Yes, but I have other things to do," he said as he scurried out of the room to check the answering machine and shuffle papers.
After a few minutes he returned and did a test cut with the scalpel on my skin. It felt like a person doing a test cut on my skin with a scalpel, sans lidocaine. "Ahhhh," I yelled.
That resulted in another round of shots, this time much more painful as he went crazy with the plunger.
This was much better.
Dr. Lopitoff was able to cut me several times without pain. He snapped on the rubber gloves and went to town. It felt like someone tugging off adhesive tape so I took a look: he was cutting around his 5 cm circle (that's TWO inches, for you Yankees). Blood was pouring everywhere. "Don't look," he said.
I lay back down for another few minutes until he paused to get something to sop up the blood. I had to take another look and what I saw was gruesome. He had cut about half of the slab away. Blood was gurgling out of my insides as this huge flap of skin was pulled back.
"Stop looking, you're making me nervous," he said. I quickly dropped my head.
The method is apparently to cut all around the circle and then to start and one side and start cutting in at a 45 degree angle until it's about one centimeter deep. Then he tugs on the skin while sawing away at the flesh underneath. When he is finished there was a cup shaped hole in my chest five centimeters in diameter and one centimeter deep at the middle.
To close this up the doctor simply clamps the hole closed and stitches it with about 13 stitches (the bruising around the wound is from being held closed). This has the result of giving me a "chest lift" of sorts, however the cosmetic benefit of this is negligible as I should have quite a scar.
Oddly enough, I am OK to do most activities, albeit no golf or skiing immediately. After the stitches are removed I will have to be very careful for two weeks to keep the wound from tearing open.
And the removed material? It looked like plucked chicken skin on one side (I had shaved my chest before the original biopsy to make it easier to see the blemish AND because I just like it) while the other side looked like yellow chicken fat. Actually it looked like yellow human fat as that's what it was, just like the kind you see in those gross liposuction stories on 20/20 or on the operation specials on the Discovery Channel.
Dr. Lopitoff showed it to me and then showed how he covers it in what looked like India ink. This allows the lab to see the edges easier. Hopefully they will find that the cancer does not extend to the edges coated in ink and if so then I'm OK until next time. IF the entire sample is cancerous then I get to have more cut out, but the doctor thinks he has gone big enough to get it all. I certainly hope so as the material he showed me looked bigger that some hamburgers I've had.
Before I left he wrote me a prescription for fifteen codeine Tylenol.
"What's this," I asked.
"Do you not think it's enough?"
"Enough for what? How much is this going to hurt??!?" I wanted to know.
"Oh, it may not hurt much at all, but just in case. Here's 15 and you can take up to two every 4 hours."
Total elapsed time: 50 minutes. The doctor opened his office door at 8:35, I was cut at about 8:45 and I walked out at 9:25am.
As of this writing, it is 3:30pm on Thursday the 9th and it hurts a lot. I just popped my first pain pill and I hope it works.
Now I wait for the man to return from Hawaii and tell me the results of the test on the burger he carved out of me. I have an appointment for Tuesday, March 21st. I'll get my stitches removed, find out if he got all the spoiled cells, and have five blemishes on my back removed. Before the positive test on my chest, the ones on my back "looked fine." Now, unfortunately, every spot could be a winner so they all come off.
I know you've heard it before but get yourself checked: new and/or dark is a danger sign.
Much as I laugh about Dr. Lopitoff's speed and bedside manner, I cannot recommend him highly enough. He has been at it since 1981 so he is old enough to have plenty of experience and young enough that he isn't a shaky-handed old timer who thinks he knows it all. He also has a good sense of humor which means he can laugh a little at himself AND can take me in stride, sarcastic barbs, bad jokes and all ("Hey Doc - will I be able to bench press 400 pounds when this heals? Yes? Great - because I never could before!").
If you have a scary looking blemish, call Dr. Leo "Lopitoff" Sotiriou (so-teer-ee-oo or maybe o) at 801-521-5630 for an appointment. His office is in the Broadway Plaza, suite 330 (Broadway Plaza is 250 E 300 S in Salt Lake City). Even if you have a blemish that isn't that scary, I urge you to go have him take a peek. Just the experience of having a doctor be on time and work at light speed is worth the price of admission.
Tuesday, 21 March 2000: I arrived at 8:54 for my 9am appointment and was ushered in to the exam room by Dr. Lopitoff at 8:55am.
"The margins were clean," he told me, "I got it all."
"Great," I told him but that I had been bleeding out of one of the stitches. He seemed unconcerned. He had me flop on the table and proceeded to remove the stitches with his usual dispatch. When one spot began to bleed he said, "Whoa, you do have a bleeder here." After inspecting it more closely he said he would give me a couple of new stitches in that spot. "I'll just stitch it without numbing it, it which would probably just hurt more," he said as he came at me with a gigantic (well, to me...) hooked needle clamped in the jaws of one of those locking tweezer deals. "No way - give me the shot," I protested. "OK," he said, and faster that you can say prestidigitationhe had a hypodermic needle in his hand and was giving me two quick shots of lidocaine. He then gave me the two stitches over the bleeding spot and removed the rest of the stitches.
Looks good, he said, and was ready to send me on my way.
I, however, had a few questions. What about the spots on my back he had wanted to remove and check? Also, Carolyn wanted to rub vitamin E on my wound to "keep it from scaring." Was this OK?
Dr. Lopitoff took another look at my back and decided they weren't quite bad enough to remove. "Take a picture of your back tonight and then again in six months and see if the spots change. If they do, come back."
"As to vitamin E, do it if you want," he said, "but it won't do a thing for the scare. And stop if you develop a rash."
"A rash?" I asked.
"People think vitamin E will help. It won't. They also think it's all natural, but so is poison ivy and poison oak. Some people get a rash from vitamin E so if you do, stop immediately." ("He doesn't know what he's talking about," said Carolyn later, "I'm going to put vitamin E on you.")
The doctor then dismissed me with a comment along the lines of 'call me with the next one' as if it was all nothing.
Off I went 20 minutes after I arrived, ready for the next one.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011: Kelli and I go in for a visit. The place is no less crazy, nor am I. WARNING: R-rated for MEDICAL NUDITY. Do not click these links if you are a silly school marm type:
http://youtu.be/fIaAUI-v_zw?hd=1&t=1m16s
http://youtu.be/fIaAUI-v_zw?hd=1&t=1m16s
http://www.skincheck.com/
http://www.mpip.org/topframeset.shtml?http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/wyntk_pubs/melanoma.htmhttp://www3.cancer.org/cancerinfo/load_cont.asp?st=ds&ct=50&language=english
What the fans are saying:
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 17:20:47
From: John Olsen
Welcome to the cancer club. If you need a good SLC oncologist, let me know. I've got contacts. I'm really sorry to hear you're in the club. Give me a call. John
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 20:11:49
From: Dustin Robertson
Damn Dave, I am sorry. Did you spend a lot of time in the SUN? Do you think my vegetarian diet will help prevent melanoma? Hope you feel better. If you need some kick ass veggie food let me know. Dustin Robertson
From: Dustin Robertson
Damn Dave, I am sorry. Did you spend a lot of time in the SUN? Do you think my vegetarian diet will help prevent melanoma? Hope you feel better. If you need some kick ass veggie food let me know. Dustin Robertson
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 18:49:24
From: Fiona White
Dave - Sorry to hear about the cancer story! Could tell you all sorts of uplifting stories about other people who have had that and are fine now blah blah blah but actually we're all rather upset you didn't open your shirt in OUR office!
Take Care, Fiona, Heidi, Kathleen and ok John and Jeff too (although they aren't upset about the shirt)
From: Fiona White
Dave - Sorry to hear about the cancer story! Could tell you all sorts of uplifting stories about other people who have had that and are fine now blah blah blah but actually we're all rather upset you didn't open your shirt in OUR office!
Take Care, Fiona, Heidi, Kathleen and ok John and Jeff too (although they aren't upset about the shirt)
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 18:55:06
From: Jennifer Sletten
DCB:
You should really add a photo page to your story...the bloody bandage (which I happened to see twice today) is quite impressive. Too bad you did not have a digital camera on hand during the procedure - that would surely convince folks to get their spots checked out. You should thank Donna, Carol, Chris & Jess for freaking out so bad when you showed them
your chest - was it shaved then?
From: Jennifer Sletten
DCB:
You should really add a photo page to your story...the bloody bandage (which I happened to see twice today) is quite impressive. Too bad you did not have a digital camera on hand during the procedure - that would surely convince folks to get their spots checked out. You should thank Donna, Carol, Chris & Jess for freaking out so bad when you showed them
your chest - was it shaved then?
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 20:57:48 EST
From: Leif Nelson
Are you kidding?!
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 17:59:07
From: G. Lynne Snead
Wow,
Dr. S. has been my doctor for many years. I know those rooms pretty well, so I had a vivid vision as you described your process. So, now what? What's your next step?
Meantime, I am thinking of you. Please keep me posted.
Lynne
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 21:11:14
From: Trent [name of shy fella removed]
Dave- you have a great sense of humor, but why not. I am sorry to hear this has happened to you. You will be in my prayers and hopefully it will be all gone. Your story is important to help make everyone aware of this threat.
Trent
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 21:11:21
From: Joan Salvas
Hi Dave, What a shock you gave us! You know we love you and are thinking of you. Hope everything goes o.k. Jerry managed to put his finger in the table saw and got a nasty cut to the bone. However, the finger is saved. Our prayers will be with you and we hope you will keep us up to date on what is happening. You know how we feel about you - kind of like another son. My thoughts will be with you, dear heart. Love you. Joan and Jerry
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 21:41:53
From: Heidi Reiss
Hi Dave,
I also just read about Dr. Lopitoff. Pretty scary stuff if you ask me. I had a mole or two removed two years ago, but luckily nothing cancerous. I'll keep you posted if something suspicious surfaces, I might need your advice. Unfortunately, I think Salt Lake is a little far to travel but Dr. Lopitoff seems like "the man".
Happy healing...
Heidi
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 20:05:33
From: Mary Badgley
Well at least you are alright- but it's scary shit, eh? When I had my scare- I bought the dog of my dreams, stopped being a
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 22:11:49
From: Jason T. Loomis
You too, huh. Welcome to the club. I can't believe you watched him do that. I was lucky in that mine came off my back, so there was no chance for me to see it. I'm pretty squeamish, and would have either fainted or puked if I'd had to watch. I was wound up tight like a guitar string and sweated my ass off.
jason
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 19:15:51 (PST)
From: John Bresee
Remember to brush and floss daily. Next thing will be your gums! Watchit!
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 22:24:56 EST
From: Dawna Markova
dbcyberguru
so i read your email and somehow my breath won't go as deep as it did before. please let me know if you need anything for support besides prayers and good energy sent your way. you mean a great deal to us.
dawna, aka mountain momma
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 20:39:08
From: Don Wigren
Hi David, hope it's all gone, that's the nice thing about people who know what there doing they work fast reminds me of a computer man i know, i wonder if he would take off a big tattoo i got on my back. ps. use sun block lots of luck Don. hope the new job is going well
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 21:22:17
From: Jim Howe
I had no idea, that your health was a issue. You cool dude you never told me. The reason I liked you and your wife was not for your computer skills but for the time you took for me. I only need another six months of your help! I enjoyed both you and your wife's company as short lived as it surprisingly became??!! You both made me happy and welcomed as did Mark and his wife. I hope you have a speedy recovery. Warm Regards from " Jim Of The North".
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 23:08:00
From: Jill Adler
yuck! are you ok? how long ago did you spot it?
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 10:49:49 +0100
From: Kristin Robbins
hello from Sweden. I hope Dr. Lopitoff didn't leave you deformed. Is the nipple still there or did that go?
hope results are positive (ie, negative).
feel better, kristin
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 07:11:42
From: Mike Friedman
is melanoma the good kind or the bad kind? in any case congrats on not being the one in eight that croaks on the op table owing to shoddy medical practices....i'm going for a new hip shortly.....did you get ether or something from the narcotics family?
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 08:48:34
From: Jim Bresee
David,
My doctor friends want to know if it has spread anywhere. I'm surrounded by doctors here, and they don't like the word melanoma. What's the scoop?
Jim
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 09:06:12
From: Dereka Smith
I checked my mail last night just a few minutes before "ER"-- by the time I finished reading your letter I decided that I would just take a shower and go to bed! This is really a dreadful experience for you I imagine-- although your medical essay had me gasping with laughter-- I understand that melanoma is a scary thing-- on the other hand Sue's experience is a very immediate illustration of a positive outcome. How are they coping with this? Remember that old phrase "laughter is the best medicine"? - crap, I suppose but your ironical, satirical, sarcastical and comical outlook will get you through a good part of each day. I can't believe I actually laughed! I suppose you will get used to this altered state of being-- how long are you in limbo? Now I am going to take advantage of these circumstances to be sentimental-- just briefly. From seeing you a couple of times recently in your own world I believe you are a really appealing guy who has overcome adversity (not the usual sort), who has carved out a constructive life (again not the usual sort) and I love you. If this seems patronizing, as well as sentimental, you must forgive me because I am your oldest cousin and graduated from high school the year you were born. Dereka
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 09:15:46
From: Paul McNamara
Hi David: Ouch. One of the downsides of getting to know some of my readers as "real people" is, well, the reality is that real people have real medical problems. I do most sincerely hope that things turn out well for you.
For the past three weeks I have been recovering from a hernia operation that turned out to be more complicated than the doctor had warned. I have been feeling sorry for myself, of course. After reading your tale, I am committed to stop that silliness.
Also, I just want to tell you that your account of your visit to the doctor was *extraordinarily* well written. Do you have a professional writing background? If not and you're looking for a career change, you should consider the field.
Wishing you all the best.
Paul McNamara, Associate News Editor and "Net Buzz" columnist, Network World
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 09:25:31 EST
From: Julie Hayden Beaumont
Oh My God!!! So good to hear from you - though wish it weren't about this.
Have to say, I went to a dermatologist last spring (so I could go to the tanning bed and get my fill of summer sun - oh the shame) and she looked at every inch of me with a magnifying glass. Everything was ok, but I think I'll go again - like today!
I think all of you Utah people should hurry and get your asses to New York for some fun.
I'll check in soon.
Your Fan, Julie Haydon Beaumont
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 09:45:49
From: Courtney Bierwirth
good luck.... i am sure you've always wanted an excuse to shave your chest, a la David Adam Peck, anyway. So when do you find out where you go from here? Do you have to have chemo or radiation or anything, or just be vigilant about any other abnormalities.
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 09:50:50 EST
From: Linda Sibson
Took all the hair too I bet.... Glad you are smart enough to go to a doctor and "do:" something....These people who just ignore are a real pain. Glad it turned out all right. Bye for now and take care of yourself. Keep watching for reappearance. My father had 15 - 20 cryosurgeries for same type.. a bother but better than ignoring.. Luv//LSD
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 14:55:06 GMT
From: Evelyne Lanvers
Dear David
I hope everything will be OK for you, it's very scary to know you are so young, and had to deal with this. Please take good care of you. and thank you very much for the information. Good luck to you, Evelyne Lanvers
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 10:25:55
From: David Taylor Allen
Hey I hope the tests turn out OK. I had some items removed last week and I do not know about them yet. Page has great weather. I am getting rid of all my computer parts that were left. Need any network parts? Only a few things are left, drop me a note. It says to send this card a day earlier if the recipient is in Asia or Europe. I selected this option so that you will get this yesterday. D. Allen
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 08:30:37
From: Kelley Richard
David, Hope you are feeling better. Sorry to hear about this.
Take care, kelley
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 07:33:16
From: William Bresee
Bummer, so what is the prognosis? I am not clear where you stand now?
Date: 10 Mar 2000 10:41:42 EST
From: Sybil Woods-Smith
David,
That sucks. But as it is level 1 I'm sure they expect a full recovery. The divot in your chest will add a certain allure to your physique. I suggest you say that a tiger bit you while you were in Thailand studying the breeding habits of malarial mosquitoes. You were forced to dispatch the tiger with your bare hands, but not before it took a chunk out of you. Then you crawled 50 miles to the nearest aide station for help. You managed to save your notebook and data, though it is somewhat bloodstained.
What a man!
SYBIL
Editor's note: You can read more of Sybil's nonsense at http://www.planetbaker.com/br/poet/
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 08:49:26
From: Darryl English
wow...sounds like a "Whopper." Did you name it "Big Mac?" I guess you must have "fried" when you were younger.
Seriously though, is everything going to be ok?
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 11:03:20
From: Paul Robbins
not exactly the quarter-pounder i usually think of....
you're in my prayers, man...but if u mention it to anyone, i'll
deny it. - prt
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 09:03:37
From: Tad Turgeon
Well David, by the length of your epic poem I though for sure you were trying to cover up the point of the story, which was the pain pills. For a while there I didn't think there would be any codeine derivatives in the story, and I was getting sad. The 15 Tylenol with codeine is a mere token for your efforts. you really should go back and explain the pain is causing you massive discomfort, irritability and preventing sleep. But should you not do this I would recommend some bourbon. Any good narcotic is better with alcohol. I'd hate to agitate your gout, but fret not, those 15 tabs won't last long.
Love Tad
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 11:13:16
From: Duff McDonald
Dave - Glad you're up to your usual standards of health and hygiene. I myself had a lump removed from my waist several months ago, and the knife felt like a knife cutting a hole in my side. It was the size of a marble, and the doctor told me it was a clogged pore. I prefer to think of it as an inside the body pimple that just wouldn't calm down.
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 11:45:03 EST
From: Heather Ann Marks Palmer
So Sorry to hear about this Dave! Yuck! I also have had carcinomas removed from my back, although MUCH smaller. hang in there.
Heather
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 11:50:29 EST
From: Karen
Hi David
Read the email you sent this morning - Cindy's copy. Thanks for sharing with us. We're all sobered by the news and determined to get ourselves checked.
Take care and here's hoping for no more cuts!
Karen
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 10:45:02
From: Cindy Hart
Thanks for your wonderfully detailed and graphic description of your procedure! We all enjoyed our muffins so much more while looking at the photo!
Seriously... thanks for letting us know what is going on and for the very important warning about taking those little "blemishes" seriously. I must admit, I haven't had mine checked lately and your email has spurred me to get busy.
Hope you are feeling much better today and have recovered from the trauma of losing a few pounds the hard way! Keep us informed and we will keep you in our prayers. Cindy, Mike, Bonnie and the rest of the MRR Gang
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 13:45:51 EST
From: Donald Foster-Gross
David,
I read in great detail your report. Have decided to skip lunch. Glad this guy is quick and good. So your life flashing before your eyes is only a small % of a lot of life left. The moral: listen to Carolyn next time.
For once I'll be early; a most happy birthday (ok, this doesn't get me out of sending you a card but I tried).
Love, Don, Joaquin and Sari
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 13:56:27
From: Dana Christensen
Hey David-
Julie told me about your skin cancer. Hope you are O.K.
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 16:46:45
From: Todd [name of shy fella removed]
i laughed, i cried, i felt sick! its the feel sick story of the year. is this just another experience that david has to have? i was going to email everyone about my in grown toe nail but david really blew my story away.
todd
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 19:25:17
From: Justine Ix
Melanoma! It sounds as though Dr. Lopitoff thinks he got it all out. Do you have to go through any cancer treatments? Are these questions that he will answer when he returns from vacation? He picked a lousy time to go away! Please keep us posted and thanks for the advice.
Thinking of you, Justine
From: Justine Ix
Melanoma! It sounds as though Dr. Lopitoff thinks he got it all out. Do you have to go through any cancer treatments? Are these questions that he will answer when he returns from vacation? He picked a lousy time to go away! Please keep us posted and thanks for the advice.
Thinking of you, Justine
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 22:33:22 EST
From: Andres Bernstein
about this melanoma. Perhaps you'd like to bill me for my web page so the payment could help with the Dr. Bills...Andrea
From: Andres Bernstein
about this melanoma. Perhaps you'd like to bill me for my web page so the payment could help with the Dr. Bills...Andrea
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 19:48:53
From: Balog
David Charles Baker: Sorry to hear about your melanoma. We would have
warned you how much tissue is biopsied if we had known of your predicament. We will pray for clear margins. Let us know. --Max, Charlie (aka little shit) and the other two.
From: Balog
David Charles Baker: Sorry to hear about your melanoma. We would have
warned you how much tissue is biopsied if we had known of your predicament. We will pray for clear margins. Let us know. --Max, Charlie (aka little shit) and the other two.
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 07:51:45
From: Tamar Smith Riggall
David --
Jeez, life certainly can bring one up short sometimes. I hope that the news from hereon out will be good ...
Take care, Tamar
From: Tamar Smith Riggall
David --
Jeez, life certainly can bring one up short sometimes. I hope that the news from hereon out will be good ...
Take care, Tamar
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 06:35:13
From: Tom Kelly
Hope all works out for the best for you. Read your little piece. I've had concerns about this before. Had a bunch of little things frozen off the past couple years. Haven't had the quarter-pounder yet. All the best.
/tk (Oceanside, CA)
From: Tom Kelly
Hope all works out for the best for you. Read your little piece. I've had concerns about this before. Had a bunch of little things frozen off the past couple years. Haven't had the quarter-pounder yet. All the best.
/tk (Oceanside, CA)
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 11:27:53
From: Elaine B. Joli
Good Morning David,
Hope your wound is sound and clean this morning.
From: Elaine B. Joli
Good Morning David,
Hope your wound is sound and clean this morning.
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 15:02:36
From: Geoff Arend
Melanoma? That's child's play. What can the guy do for you about the gout?
From: Geoff Arend
Melanoma? That's child's play. What can the guy do for you about the gout?
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 16:35:11 EST
From: Leif Nelson
Hope it all goes well for you. Best of luck!!!
Leif
From: Leif Nelson
Hope it all goes well for you. Best of luck!!!
Leif
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 20:44:28 EST
From: Andres Bernstein
Hey David - Hope day two finds you feeling no pain. I thought I'd check your page again figuring some amusing comments from friends and loved ones. But I never imagined the response would be so incredible. I hope you realize how blessed you are to have so many people who care about you and wanted again to express my well wishes for a full recovery. I'll too will say a prayer and make sure to send good intentions your way!
P.S. I know you don't buy into the spiritual stuff, but I figured at this point if there's was some remote chance that it works - you wouldn't mind!
From: Andres Bernstein
Hey David - Hope day two finds you feeling no pain. I thought I'd check your page again figuring some amusing comments from friends and loved ones. But I never imagined the response would be so incredible. I hope you realize how blessed you are to have so many people who care about you and wanted again to express my well wishes for a full recovery. I'll too will say a prayer and make sure to send good intentions your way!
P.S. I know you don't buy into the spiritual stuff, but I figured at this point if there's was some remote chance that it works - you wouldn't mind!
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 10:17:46
From: Lori and Jason Lisai
Dave!
Wow. I think what amazes me most is the humor with which you recount your story. I had to laugh--and immediately felt sick for doing so. (I assume this was your intended goal.) I have that super spotty skin, too. I will keep your story in mind when I head for my physical. In the mean time, I can only say that our health has been good--unless you take into consideration Duke's latest stunts. Last week, he ate a jar of bacon grease (parts of the jar included), and just last night, he and Krister Adams' lab Buck ate two boxes of Chocolate Harvest Power Bars. I think he just likes the rice diet too much. Or maybe it's the Tagamet. Dink.
Hope you are feeling better. Take care! ~Lori and Jake
Editor's note: Duke is a very friendly yellow Labrador retriever.
Subject: Your chest, I heard it was your back!
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 08:28:43
From: Juliy Marie
Dave, you are in my prayers, I send you energy. And I hope you listen to your wife from now on. Let me hear from you if you guys need anything. And thank you for bringing this serious issue to the forefront, again. And your writing is wonderfully funny. Juliy Marie
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 08:28:43
From: Juliy Marie
Dave, you are in my prayers, I send you energy. And I hope you listen to your wife from now on. Let me hear from you if you guys need anything. And thank you for bringing this serious issue to the forefront, again. And your writing is wonderfully funny. Juliy Marie
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 11:30:03 (EST)
From: Courtney W. Lamontagne
Jesus Christ. Don't scare me like that in my current fragile condition. Need more details via email b/c cannot access that webpage from home.
Still sitting here waiting for this darned baby to arrive**.
Chat soon - and give me details RIGHT NOW!
From: Courtney W. Lamontagne
Jesus Christ. Don't scare me like that in my current fragile condition. Need more details via email b/c cannot access that webpage from home.
Still sitting here waiting for this darned baby to arrive**.
Chat soon - and give me details RIGHT NOW!
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 11:38:30 (eight minutes after the message above)
From: Courtney W. Lamontagne
I'm serious - if you do not send me details right away, I will sue your estate for even more than I know you have already left me. As an almost-mother now, I am VERY worried and upset. Altho I do have a very good friend who had a similar situation, and is fine now, so I will not count my winnings...uh, inheritance...just yet.
From: Courtney W. Lamontagne
I'm serious - if you do not send me details right away, I will sue your estate for even more than I know you have already left me. As an almost-mother now, I am VERY worried and upset. Altho I do have a very good friend who had a similar situation, and is fine now, so I will not count my winnings...uh, inheritance...just yet.
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 11:14:45
From: Keith Rooks
Dave,
As always thanks for the clear detailed cancer lesson. Hope it all goes well. I guess I should cut down to half a can a day on the dip. And I thought my blown left ACL was a problem.
Good luck with a speedy recovery
Keith Rooks
From: Keith Rooks
Dave,
As always thanks for the clear detailed cancer lesson. Hope it all goes well. I guess I should cut down to half a can a day on the dip. And I thought my blown left ACL was a problem.
Good luck with a speedy recovery
Keith Rooks
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 12:07:29
From: Sara Lindeman
Baker --
Carolyn and I have long suspected that we both got lemons in choosing our lifelong co-travelers. You have confirmed it as has my diabetic lovebird .
In all seriousness, I am very concerned. If you want to get your marriage annulled, I'll marry you and put you on my insurance plan...(John might protest...)
Is there anything we can do to help?
Sara
From: Sara Lindeman
Baker --
Carolyn and I have long suspected that we both got lemons in choosing our lifelong co-travelers. You have confirmed it as has my diabetic lovebird .
In all seriousness, I am very concerned. If you want to get your marriage annulled, I'll marry you and put you on my insurance plan...(John might protest...)
Is there anything we can do to help?
Sara
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 17:22:41 EST
From: Jim Lachlan (Collins)
Hi David,
I''ll have to check out your website to find out more. Anyway get well and try and call you soon. I have my computer back in a few weeks.
Best, Jim
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 15:13:55 (PST)
From: jim hansel
hey bakes- Does this mean that you won't be coming to AZ? Be strong little camper...and remember...we're all counting on you! JIM
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 21:35:26
From: Kristen Ulmer
good lord! you poor poor man! glad you didn't die- maybe you should write a book of your harrowing experience-
what next? brain tumor?
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 1980 15:20:51 (<=note date - Y2K didn't leave this computer untouched)
From: Jim Walton
Dave- Thanks for the E-mail hope all is well. It sounds like you have a very good Doc and he was able to get everything. You have inspired me to get a check up. Talk to you soon let me know how your doing
Jim
From: Jim Walton
Dave- Thanks for the E-mail hope all is well. It sounds like you have a very good Doc and he was able to get everything. You have inspired me to get a check up. Talk to you soon let me know how your doing
Jim
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 08:42:19
From: Courtney Bierwirth
well - best of luck! Keep me posted!
From: Courtney Bierwirth
well - best of luck! Keep me posted!
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 09:02:33
From: Devin Scott Linden
DCB;
Howdy ho! Your bedside episode, with you looking at the doctor while making a large wound reminds me of the time we were being chased by the cops whilst driving you to the emergency room after your scene from the Terminator-- (I am sure you can remember this one, it's when you jumped up on the burning car with a shot gun then proceeded to slip on the roof of the car like a dog running onto a newly waxed floor because the heat from the flames burned the bottoms of your tenni shoes, then flipped onto your back and hitting the ground). Do you remember the scene in the emergency room? You were so intent on looking at your burn. Are ya sure those marks on your back aren't from yer flesh wound you experienced from way back when?
Why I just thought of that I really don't know. Anywho, I hope everything works out well for you, but remember that you must put on your SPF30 while sunbathing in Hawaii. No need for more doctor visits! Live long and prosper, Devinscrotiescottlinden
Editor's note: We have no idea as to what this lunatic is referring.
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 09:46:36
From: Geoff Arend
does your festering hatchet wound mounted on your pigeon chest prevent you from bowling too? should I bring my bowling shoes or just plan on laying around stuffing my face and watching movies all weekend? See you Thursday.
From: Geoff Arend
does your festering hatchet wound mounted on your pigeon chest prevent you from bowling too? should I bring my bowling shoes or just plan on laying around stuffing my face and watching movies all weekend? See you Thursday.
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 10:23:05
From: Mike Holland
Dave,
Sorry to hear about the burger. Hopefully they won't be going for apot roast later. I'm optimistic (as I always am) that you're going to be fine. See you next month.
-Mike
From: Mike Holland
Dave,
Sorry to hear about the burger. Hopefully they won't be going for apot roast later. I'm optimistic (as I always am) that you're going to be fine. See you next month.
-Mike
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 10:37:59
From: Andrew Partridge
Sorry to hear that you are dying. When's the funeral? How do I get my ten grand from your mother if you kick before she does? See you on the boat.
Drew
From: Andrew Partridge
Sorry to hear that you are dying. When's the funeral? How do I get my ten grand from your mother if you kick before she does? See you on the boat.
Drew
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 12:30:47 EST
From: Jamie Preston
I read the story - you only lost $4.00 playing golf? And, you still ski? Stop telling stories!! Seriously, hope all turns out OK. New e-mail: Preston@pwqy.net. Send there, or my wife will delete it!
Editor's note: A secret email? That's how it starts...
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 11:13:11
From: LISA OLMSTEAD
Man, take care... life is very fragile. It is amazing what doctors can do now days!!!! Life here is kinda freaky...This past week I lost both of my grandmothers... bummer.
Again, take care, Lisa
Editor's note: Wow, talk about one-upmanship.
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 16:09:16
From: Jim Bresee
Don't screw with this one. Stay all over this... don't wait for the healthcare system to come to you.. you need to be the aggressor. Attack your health on a daily basis. Nobody else is covering your ass but you... don't trust your doctors.. push them. Good luck and let me know if I can help demystify our screwed up healthcare system. I've been on the backside of this industry for way too many years... Jim
From: Jim Bresee
Don't screw with this one. Stay all over this... don't wait for the healthcare system to come to you.. you need to be the aggressor. Attack your health on a daily basis. Nobody else is covering your ass but you... don't trust your doctors.. push them. Good luck and let me know if I can help demystify our screwed up healthcare system. I've been on the backside of this industry for way too many years... Jim
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 21:50:42 PST
From: Jeri McArthur
David: Being half way around the world is a helpless feeling- it is times like this I wish I were close enough just to give you a big hug....my best authority on cancer, my husband - totally believes in "cutting it out" - feels optimistic - Our love and support to both you and Carolyn during this trying time....... Jeri
From: Jeri McArthur
David: Being half way around the world is a helpless feeling- it is times like this I wish I were close enough just to give you a big hug....my best authority on cancer, my husband - totally believes in "cutting it out" - feels optimistic - Our love and support to both you and Carolyn during this trying time....... Jeri
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 08:48:43 (EST)
From: Courtney W. Lamontagne
Organization: University of Vermont
OK, that is NOT enough details. I need more NOW! How did you find this mela-whatever on your chest? What did it look like? What did the doc say? What did they do to you? Do you have any moe mela's and will you get any? Just in case you ever plan to get pregnant, you might be interested to know that you get lots of moles and "skin-tags" (lovely, really). I pick them all off, which the doc says is a bad idea. Anyway, I want more Dave Bake skin news. Seriously.
Love to your wife - who I adore and again admonish you NOT to screw it up with.
kisskiss - send skin details RIGHT NOW. VERY WORRIED. Which is normal - I've got enough hormones for about twelve of me.
Editor's note: Is this serious? She says it is, but most people say this is too long winded...
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 07:01:15 PST
From: Ron Clark
So sorry to hear about the cancer. I hope that everything will work out. Ski late this year but watch out for avalanches.
Ron Clark, M.D.
From: Ron Clark
So sorry to hear about the cancer. I hope that everything will work out. Ski late this year but watch out for avalanches.
Ron Clark, M.D.
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 11:51:48
From: Scott Mavis
You had me believing the whole story until the point where you said you only lost $4 in that round of golf. I've played with you before you know. You can't fool me!
Sorry to hear the gruesome tale. But glad that Lopitoff made quick work of it and hope it doesn't reappear. Hang in there and keep me posted.
Mave
From: Scott Mavis
You had me believing the whole story until the point where you said you only lost $4 in that round of golf. I've played with you before you know. You can't fool me!
Sorry to hear the gruesome tale. But glad that Lopitoff made quick work of it and hope it doesn't reappear. Hang in there and keep me posted.
Mave
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 13:44:51
From: Laura Cuddie
Baker,
I was sobered by your news - I hope that you are feeling well. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care of yourself - maybe you should have Angie design a nutrition and exercise program for you!
Regards, Laura
From: Laura Cuddie
Baker,
I was sobered by your news - I hope that you are feeling well. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care of yourself - maybe you should have Angie design a nutrition and exercise program for you!
Regards, Laura
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 14:19:33 (PST)
From: S L
Hi David,
Boy, that was unexpected! I certainly wish you the best. I feel the little hypochondriac in me beginning to stir as I type this. Have you been to www.techniclone.com? If not, I think you'll find it quite intriguing.
As Queen put it so well, "Keep Yourself Alive."
Take care, Steve
From: S L
Hi David,
Boy, that was unexpected! I certainly wish you the best. I feel the little hypochondriac in me beginning to stir as I type this. Have you been to www.techniclone.com? If not, I think you'll find it quite intriguing.
As Queen put it so well, "Keep Yourself Alive."
Take care, Steve
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 16:01:56
From: Felicia Olivera
Dave,
Your tale at the post office was impressive, but the gory details are spectacular. I'll be rooting for news of a clean cutaway of all the bad stuff. Let me know and happy recovery.
Felicia
From: Felicia Olivera
Dave,
Your tale at the post office was impressive, but the gory details are spectacular. I'll be rooting for news of a clean cutaway of all the bad stuff. Let me know and happy recovery.
Felicia
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 15:09:19
From: John Bresee
I see you posted images - that's super gross. I can't believe you chopped your head out of the image. Not like you.
Mom is very very concerned as is: Bill, Jim, Allen, and Dad is also worried.
But really he ought to focus on himself.
So in light of my accident, when you told my folks that I was brain damaged, I have told them that your prognosis is not good. Then I told them to call your folks.
Have I helped?
-John
From: John Bresee
I see you posted images - that's super gross. I can't believe you chopped your head out of the image. Not like you.
Mom is very very concerned as is: Bill, Jim, Allen, and Dad is also worried.
But really he ought to focus on himself.
So in light of my accident, when you told my folks that I was brain damaged, I have told them that your prognosis is not good. Then I told them to call your folks.
Have I helped?
-John
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 21:33:33 EST
From: Jon Robert Atencio
Hey Big D Burger-
I just got back into town-that is some heavy shit! I am glad to see that things seem to be going good- I would hate to see me little portable ATM machine kick the bucket. I would have to go back to hustling pool. In all seriousness, if you need anything let me know!
jonny a
From: Jon Robert Atencio
Hey Big D Burger-
I just got back into town-that is some heavy shit! I am glad to see that things seem to be going good- I would hate to see me little portable ATM machine kick the bucket. I would have to go back to hustling pool. In all seriousness, if you need anything let me know!
jonny a
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 06:33:30 PST
From:
I really hope that your melanoma has been contained and if you need advanced care, remember to look outside of the state. Physicians are good at what they treat commonly and in Utah, cancer is less frequent than in the rest of the country. The Mayo clinic is renowned for several areas of expertise. Keep me on your mailing list.
Your friend,
, M.D.
From:
I really hope that your melanoma has been contained and if you need advanced care, remember to look outside of the state. Physicians are good at what they treat commonly and in Utah, cancer is less frequent than in the rest of the country. The Mayo clinic is renowned for several areas of expertise. Keep me on your mailing list.
Your friend,
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 10:08:08
From: Aaron Loomis
Holy snake pit! Good thing you were so prompt about getting the bugger checked! I just got your email today. Man I would have passed out after the second lidocane shot. Did you save the blood and puss ensoaked shirt like the time you played windshield doctor with your bare foot on your Subaru?
-Aaron
From: Aaron Loomis
Holy snake pit! Good thing you were so prompt about getting the bugger checked! I just got your email today. Man I would have passed out after the second lidocane shot. Did you save the blood and puss ensoaked shirt like the time you played windshield doctor with your bare foot on your Subaru?
-Aaron
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:42:20
From: Allen Mireles
David, I was really sorry to read your e-mail about the melanoma.
Hopefully your prognosis is good and they have found and removed the
cancer. You are in our thoughts a lot these days. (I would say prayers,
except I haven't yet figured out how to pray and I don't want to jinx
things for you!) Best regards,Allen
From: Allen Mireles
David, I was really sorry to read your e-mail about the melanoma.
Hopefully your prognosis is good and they have found and removed the
cancer. You are in our thoughts a lot these days. (I would say prayers,
except I haven't yet figured out how to pray and I don't want to jinx
things for you!) Best regards,Allen
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 15:58:10 EST
From: Col. Earl B. Young, Ret.
The wife and I have both been under the weather for a week, so this is my first day on the computer. Got your grim message of the 9th, but couldn't bring up the reference. However, Lynne had read it, and she told us yesterday when she came in from Colorado.
Aside from shock, our first reaction is "What can we do to help?" Do you need someone to drive you anywhere for treatment? What treat-ment is next on the agenda? As I read your first short note, I got the impression that you have been aware for some time that all was not right...???????We love you. Jerry and Earl Y.
From: Col. Earl B. Young, Ret.
The wife and I have both been under the weather for a week, so this is my first day on the computer. Got your grim message of the 9th, but couldn't bring up the reference. However, Lynne had read it, and she told us yesterday when she came in from Colorado.
Aside from shock, our first reaction is "What can we do to help?" Do you need someone to drive you anywhere for treatment? What treat-ment is next on the agenda? As I read your first short note, I got the impression that you have been aware for some time that all was not right...???????We love you. Jerry and Earl Y.
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 16:25:18(EST)
From: Courtney W. Lamontagne
OHMYGOD! So glad you are OK. Please remember to cut and paste me on Chapter 2. Like I said, I am TOTALLY going to the skin doc as soon as I produce this heir, and having the whole package checked out. Your skin changes a lot when you are in the family way, but I want every new mole and skin tag lopped off asap.
Carolyn must have been a complete mess. Give her my best.
Editor's note: Curiously Carolyn was fine.
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 17:03:39
From: Michael D. Pierce
Wow, David, thats alot! I certainly hope that it the news is good when [the doctor] comes back. At least you sense of humor is still the same.
From: Michael D. Pierce
Wow, David, thats alot! I certainly hope that it the news is good when [the doctor] comes back. At least you sense of humor is still the same.
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 21:41:59 EST
From: Gretchen Partridge
We have been unable to get into your web site that you gave on your last
message. What ever has happened we are very sorry and want to learn more. Anything we can do from the east? Except to keep you in our prayers and hope the doctors have been very successful. A card will be forthcoming. love Gretchen
From: Gretchen Partridge
We have been unable to get into your web site that you gave on your last
message. What ever has happened we are very sorry and want to learn more. Anything we can do from the east? Except to keep you in our prayers and hope the doctors have been very successful. A card will be forthcoming. love Gretchen
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2000 13:45:28
From: Julia Robinson
Dear Dave,
I got your email about your skin cancer, so sorry to hear about it. I hope things are better soon!!! So sorry to hear about your ordeal. I really hope the best for you. My father has had many of benign spots removed, but still very scary.
Good luck and please keep me posted.
-Lee Lee
From: Julia Robinson
Dear Dave,
I got your email about your skin cancer, so sorry to hear about it. I hope things are better soon!!! So sorry to hear about your ordeal. I really hope the best for you. My father has had many of benign spots removed, but still very scary.
Good luck and please keep me posted.
-Lee Lee
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2000 08:18:17 -0700
From: Angie McArthur
Hi, hope the hole in the chest is healing
Angie
From: Angie McArthur
Hi, hope the hole in the chest is healing
Angie
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 07:33:27
From: Timothy Sperry
David, congratulations on the new addition to the family.
tim
From: Timothy Sperry
David, congratulations on the new addition to the family.
tim
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 11:25:46 EST
From: Alexander Richardson "Alex" Miller
Dear David:
That was the worst news I have had in a long time. When do you find out if it's benign or bad? If I prayed my prayers would be with you. It's the shitty part about being an atheist. Instead I will just send some positive energy your way and hope for the best. Let me know what happens. Good luck
Warmest Regards - Alex
From: Alexander Richardson "Alex" Miller
Dear David:
That was the worst news I have had in a long time. When do you find out if it's benign or bad? If I prayed my prayers would be with you. It's the shitty part about being an atheist. Instead I will just send some positive energy your way and hope for the best. Let me know what happens. Good luck
Warmest Regards - Alex
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 11:48:44
From: Jeff Weinman
Hey Baker. So how are you doing? Are you back to golf yet? Darrel's dad has been going through some similar stuff lately. They removed a couple chunks of him and he has been having chemo and radiation.
I hope that your recovery is going well and that they have decided other than a few things in the head, you are going to be fine.
Jeff
From: Jeff Weinman
Hey Baker. So how are you doing? Are you back to golf yet? Darrel's dad has been going through some similar stuff lately. They removed a couple chunks of him and he has been having chemo and radiation.
I hope that your recovery is going well and that they have decided other than a few things in the head, you are going to be fine.
Jeff
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 14:18:00
From: Carol Shepard
hope you are feeling better.
From: Carol Shepard
hope you are feeling better.
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 16:06:42 EST
From: Col. Earl B. Young, ret.
Appreciate the update, and we'll hold our breath with you till Tuesday. Believe you went to one of the true pros in the skin doctor business. We first heard of him when he was chosen by the LDS Hospital to have a look
at Rita. Then I went to him for a check.
We've been scared of "moles" all our lives, and we've tried to pass that along to our kids. It doesn't sound like you delayed unnecessarily once you decided you had something that needed checking out.
Let us know how you progress, and what you learn on Tuesday. Still ready to help anytime you need it. Love J & E Young
From: Col. Earl B. Young, ret.
Appreciate the update, and we'll hold our breath with you till Tuesday. Believe you went to one of the true pros in the skin doctor business. We first heard of him when he was chosen by the LDS Hospital to have a look
at Rita. Then I went to him for a check.
We've been scared of "moles" all our lives, and we've tried to pass that along to our kids. It doesn't sound like you delayed unnecessarily once you decided you had something that needed checking out.
Let us know how you progress, and what you learn on Tuesday. Still ready to help anytime you need it. Love J & E Young
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2000 09:11:59
From: Don Wigren
ps: i always have washed my hair every day.
From: Don Wigren
ps: i always have washed my hair every day.
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 10:38:58
From: Sylvia Puccioni
I am sooooooooooo sorry that I haven't sent you get well messages. I have definitely been thinking about your health lately, though. I do hope you feel well, especially since you have a giant hole in your chest. Are you ok? I do care that you are dying....but aren't we all???
From: Sylvia Puccioni
I am sooooooooooo sorry that I haven't sent you get well messages. I have definitely been thinking about your health lately, though. I do hope you feel well, especially since you have a giant hole in your chest. Are you ok? I do care that you are dying....but aren't we all???
Patient's note: Ms. Bresee left a phone message in response to my email.
When I mentioned that email was better so I could post it here
to show how loved I was she responded with this:
When I mentioned that email was better so I could post it here
to show how loved I was she responded with this:
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 13:23:37
From: Laura Bresee
I would have thought that you would have a method of transferring my melodic
voice to your web site so that all of your visitors could benefit from
hearing my heartfelt voicemail themselves. Ah well...not there yet.
It's the thought that counts anyway. And I'm thinking of you and hoping you get yourself healthy ASAP.
LSB
From: Laura Bresee
I would have thought that you would have a method of transferring my melodic
voice to your web site so that all of your visitors could benefit from
hearing my heartfelt voicemail themselves. Ah well...not there yet.
It's the thought that counts anyway. And I'm thinking of you and hoping you get yourself healthy ASAP.
LSB
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 17:24:40
From: Michelle Parsons
Hi again David,
Tomorrow is the 21st so I hope everything comes out clean! Sounds like you have a great Dr. which is a very important part of the process.
Let me know how the cancer thing turns out. I'll be hoping for G-O-N-E- gone!
Bye for now, Michelle
From: Michelle Parsons
Hi again David,
Tomorrow is the 21st so I hope everything comes out clean! Sounds like you have a great Dr. which is a very important part of the process.
Let me know how the cancer thing turns out. I'll be hoping for G-O-N-E- gone!
Bye for now, Michelle
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 22:56:42 -0700
From: Perry A. Dunn
David,
I really hope everything is ok. I get the scoop about this damn cancer from my bro, who's a skin doctor in Idaho. He's had too many deaths due to this.
Perry Dunn
From: Perry A. Dunn
David,
I really hope everything is ok. I get the scoop about this damn cancer from my bro, who's a skin doctor in Idaho. He's had too many deaths due to this.
Perry Dunn
Date: 21 Mar 2000 21:21:21 EST
From: Katie Smith
Hi David,
Sorry I didn't write sooner but my kid had to teach me how to use the internet first! I just read your harrowing tale tonight. You are a funny writer. Corey says those were the grossest pictures he's ever seen. (He's young yet........) Love to Carolyn. Heal well.
Love, Katie
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 14:21:58 -0500
From: William Metcalf "Will" Fulton, Junior
David,
Imagine the shock when I found out that you had some nasty growth on you. I thought only old people has melanoma, which shows how little I know about that kind of stuff. I hope that you are better now and that you are on the mend. If there is something I can do, let me know.
I hope that despite your latest malady, you are well and the Utah life is
working well for you.
Best to you and the entire gang,
Will
From: William Metcalf "Will" Fulton, Junior
David,
Imagine the shock when I found out that you had some nasty growth on you. I thought only old people has melanoma, which shows how little I know about that kind of stuff. I hope that you are better now and that you are on the mend. If there is something I can do, let me know.
I hope that despite your latest malady, you are well and the Utah life is
working well for you.
Best to you and the entire gang,
Will
(Patient note: I asked John a question about forums)
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 12:20:28 -0800
From: John Bresee
are you dying? Is this your last request? If so I'll look into it. -jsb
From: John Bresee
are you dying? Is this your last request? If so I'll look into it. -jsb
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 16:28:01 EST
From: Dawna Markova
so dave and ange told me the good news. i am celebrating as much as i would have mourned had it been bad. did the doctor have a specific diagnosis? i think in your honor i'm going to make appointments for all of us with him and juliy to get our spots checked out. YAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!! now i'm breathing deeper again
dawna
From: Dawna Markova
so dave and ange told me the good news. i am celebrating as much as i would have mourned had it been bad. did the doctor have a specific diagnosis? i think in your honor i'm going to make appointments for all of us with him and juliy to get our spots checked out. YAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!! now i'm breathing deeper again
dawna
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 22:55:41 -0800
From: John Bresee
call me a traditionalist, but shouldn't you see an oncologist to have them sniff your blood or something. -jsb
From: John Bresee
call me a traditionalist, but shouldn't you see an oncologist to have them sniff your blood or something. -jsb
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 20:54:00 -0500
From: Tamar Smith Riggall
David --
I am hoping that your uncharacteristic silence regarding your health is not a bad sign. I suppose there isn't much point in asking if you are ok -- who is ok?, but I hope that the news is good.
Tamar
From: Tamar Smith Riggall
David --
I am hoping that your uncharacteristic silence regarding your health is not a bad sign. I suppose there isn't much point in asking if you are ok -- who is ok?, but I hope that the news is good.
Tamar
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 18:17:38 -0500
From: Dereka Smith
David! I never would have said I loved you if I knew the whole world would hear me--- anyway, not to worry-- I have enjoyed reading all the other messages you got, have admired your wide circle of caring friends and acquaintances, have been relieved that some messages are dumber than mine was, and have been wondering all along what the next phase of the process is. A daily check on the web page has not satisfied my need to know but Sybil oozes optimism and that is helpful. Otherwise I slog along through a fairly routine existence made interesting mostly by the many incredibly naive, foolish, and highly entertaining email messages I get in my official capacity as librarian. Love to you and Carolyn. Cousin D.
From: Dereka Smith
David! I never would have said I loved you if I knew the whole world would hear me--- anyway, not to worry-- I have enjoyed reading all the other messages you got, have admired your wide circle of caring friends and acquaintances, have been relieved that some messages are dumber than mine was, and have been wondering all along what the next phase of the process is. A daily check on the web page has not satisfied my need to know but Sybil oozes optimism and that is helpful. Otherwise I slog along through a fairly routine existence made interesting mostly by the many incredibly naive, foolish, and highly entertaining email messages I get in my official capacity as librarian. Love to you and Carolyn. Cousin D.
Patient's note: Mr. Bowen left a phone message in response to my email.
When I mentioned that email was better so I could post it here
to show how loved I was he responded with this:
When I mentioned that email was better so I could post it here
to show how loved I was he responded with this:
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2000 09:46:36 -0600
From: William "Bill" Bowen
Ya, I know, but I didn't write for the following reasons:
Felt lame that it took me a week or 2 to read the email.
Was a bit uncomfortable making my normal wise ass jokes in response to such a serious topic.
Most of the good jokes were already used.
I figured by now you knew the results and a flip response could have been a bit insensitive.
My normal male reaction to anything medical in nature is to try and ignore it and let it go away.
Anyway, glad to hear the margins are clean. Seems like you went through a
lot to get that puppy you always wanted.
From: William "Bill" Bowen
Ya, I know, but I didn't write for the following reasons:
Felt lame that it took me a week or 2 to read the email.
Was a bit uncomfortable making my normal wise ass jokes in response to such a serious topic.
Most of the good jokes were already used.
I figured by now you knew the results and a flip response could have been a bit insensitive.
My normal male reaction to anything medical in nature is to try and ignore it and let it go away.
Anyway, glad to hear the margins are clean. Seems like you went through a
lot to get that puppy you always wanted.
Date: 28 Mar 2000 05:14:10 EST
From: Mona Russell
To: (a buncha people I don't know)
Hi!!!!!!
I thought that I would pass this on to my friends and family so that you can see what happens to a child when I spend a major amount of time with them in their first formative years. Yesterday (when this was written) was the writer's birthday and over 30 years ago I had the great luck to have been his first baby sitter. When I first laid eyes on him it was love at first site, I thought he was the end all be all. To this day I see him (not often enough) or get a email from him and feel the same way I did those many years ago. Now this may not sound very modest of me to take some credit for this young man's wonderful sense of wit but keep in mind that Don Sharkey is my son. So having patted myself on the back I leave you to enjoy David's email message.
Love to all; Mona Russell
0 comments:
Post a Comment