Hawk Health Alert!

To all those who have been concerned and tried to get in touch with me in the last four months:Please, accept my apology. A Little Background (a little drum roll if you please) In February of 2010 while I was visiting in Leon, Nicaragua I decided to leave Nicaragua and head for the nearest Veterans' Hospital.. I was having some health issues that had been bothering me since China. In the year 2005 I visited a Army Hospital in Xian, China to have some tests done, I had been troubled with my prostate and a reoccuring back pain which was affecting nerves in my legs and feet. After a number of blood tests, x-rays and a MRI scan. I was informed that my blood tests and the image pictures revealed that my prostate was rated at a 4.2 growth level and that the numbness I was experiencing in my legs and feet was caused by a bulging disk and a tilted vertebrae in the area of my lumbar (4th.& 5th.) The Chinese doctor that was doing the examining had done his internship at the "Mayo Clinic" in, New York. Now he was the head surgeon of the Osteopathic Department. He suggested that the disk could be repaired via surgery to relieve the pain. That remedy did not particularly excite me, I ask if there was another approach to the problem. He went on to say; that there was a number of back and abdominal exercises that might strengthen the basic core muscles which could possibly relive the pain. I replied, "that's for me". I joined a Health Club and started the given exercises along with 'pumping some iron. After three months I was playing tennis again. "How sweet it was!"! Now and then, in the following months I would have muscle spasms upon awaking and a little uneasiness in my lower back. But I would just walk through it. In 2008 while I was in Colombia I would have days when my back would stiffen-up. I discovered that if I took several Ibprophen tablets that the pain would subside. When I reached Panama I was taking six to eight tablets a day. Upon reaching Nicaragua I was in constant pain, my walking and balance was being affected. There were those days when I had a 'hitch in my gitty-up and go'. I would shuffle back and forth to the grocery store. Finally, I had, had enough. I purchased a bus ticket to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. From there I crossed the border,on to the Veterans 'Hospital in Houston, Texas. I checked in on March the third. I became a living pin cushion after many blood tests. Following all the blood tests, the x-rays, the MRI came the evaluation from my Provider Physician who collected all the reviews and comments about my physical condition. My Prostate growth level had moved from a 4.2 level to a 7.66 level. I was informed that if one was past the age of 75, a biopsy would not be done unless the patient insisted that it be done. And also, since I was 82 years of age there was a strong indication that I had prostate cancer and that an operation due to my age would be risky at best. The physician went on to say: that the older I would get the growth would be slower. And that I would probably not die of cancer but of old age. I thought to myself; "how nice "! Now, as for my back problems: The MRI said that I have Osteoarthritis up and down my spine. Six of my spinal disks are bulging at the seams. Stenosis has set in causing the canal that surrounds my spinal cord to narrow. In turn the spinal nerves were being affected. I have little or no feeling in the lower part of my legs and feet. The doctor remarked; "that I shouldn't be walking, but somehow I was." As to how long it will be that you will be able to walk is anybodys' guess." He went on to say: "that if I give in to my present condition I will become bed ridden much faster. So keep moving." Presently, I am on three drugs for the rest of my life, unless the heavens split open an a miracle happens. Two are for the prostate and the third is to help relive the very annoying pain in my back, etc,,, As they do say;" Into each life some rain will fall. As the song said; "That's life". I remarked to the physician; that all my life I have been blessed with unbelievable 'good health' and in the light of what I have seen not only in all the World but especially since being in a Veterans' Hospital and seeing the physical handicaps of so many. I am indeed fortunate. I would suggest for all those who are feeling sorry for themselves. Please visit a Veterans' or a Chiderns' ward and see the incurables. Enough said. Postscript Upon hearing the words: " You will probably not die from cancer but of old age." I thought to myself; 'I am standing in the middle of 'old'. What a rude awakening! But the real blessing is; I'm the lucky one, I have reached the golden years. So many have not. Remember every ending holds within a new beginning. The marriage of these two can connect all the dots. Life is a 'walk' down many unknown roads. Some smooth others a little bumpy. A few are under construction with detour signs ahead. If we are fortunate enough, we will walk many roads leading to many destinations Learning along the way that the journey in most cases is more important than the destinations. And just maybe there will be a very long, long, long road winding its' way homeward bound. And we will arrive warm and well in the winter months of our lives. And hopefully look forward to the wonders of a new spring, a new beginning, beyond the beyond. As we say "goodbye, maybe we will meet again" For those who were concerned: The MRI evaluation (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document)

home | walk of the hawk | history of the walk | micro bio | macro bio | photographs | press releases

eyes of the hawk | places & things | thanks for the memories | faq | sponsors and suppliers | guest book