Difficult one this, but on balance feel the need to post it....

[pete0]

3 hours ago, Palfy said:

Off to Italy on Wednesday to give my eldest daughter away she's getting married on the Friday, what's so difficult about that you may be wondering, well he's a Utd supporter add that to my youngest daughters fella being a red Shiite and I hope you can feel my pain.

It'll get worse when you get the bar and it's your round in Italy €€€

[Palfy]

21 minutes ago, pete0 said:

It'll get worse when you get the bar and it's your round in Italy €€€

[johnh]

Have a great day Palfy.  By the way, have they told you that you have to give your 'father of the bride' speech  in Italian?

[Palfy]

10 hours ago, johnh said:

Have a great day Palfy.  By the way, have they told you that you have to give your 'father of the bride' speech  in Italian?

Thanks John, I’ve been brushing up on my Italian Moretti Peroni Ghanti and Prosecco, I think I should be alright with those four words. 

[Matt]

On 29/07/2019 at 21:09, Palfy said:

Off to Italy on Wednesday to give my eldest daughter away she's getting married on the Friday, what's so difficult about that you may be wondering, well he's a Utd supporter add that to my youngest daughters fella being a red Shiite and I hope you can feel my pain.

I thought you’d gotten seriously ill posting in this thread

[Palfy]

5 hours ago, Matt said:

I thought you’d gotten seriously ill posting in this thread

Sorry Matt does mentally ill count

[MikeO]

Been asked to do a 45 second "selfie" for a larger Macmillan vid, hate having my photo taken let alone stuff like

[Palfy]

16 minutes ago, MikeO said:

Been asked to do a 45 second "selfie" for a larger Macmillan vid, hate having my photo taken let alone stuff like

You’re a survivor mate just think how much hope and belief your vid could give others who are in the position you were in, it’s a no brainer mate you know you’ve got to do. 

We can’t all be photogenic some have to have ugly mugs, put that to one side and get on with it

[MikeO]

13 hours ago, Palfy said:

You’re a survivor mate just think how much hope and belief your vid could give others who are in the position you were in, it’s a no brainer mate you know you’ve got to do. 

We can’t all be photogenic some have to have ugly mugs, put that to one side and get on with it

Thanks mate yeah I've agreed to do it, just need to work out what to say.

[Matt]

14 hours ago, MikeO said:

Been asked to do a 45 second "selfie" for a larger Macmillan vid, hate having my photo taken let alone stuff like

We don’t like you having your photo taken either mate  

[MikeO]

1 minute ago, Matt said:

We don’t like you having your photo taken either mate  

Cameras lie; they always increase my waist size (and my age) and for some reason are incapable of recognising my lustrous locks and end up depicting some overweight old bald bloke that I've never seen before 

[Ghoat]

On 06/09/2019 at 05:45, MikeO said:

Cameras lie; they always increase my waist size (and my age) and for some reason are incapable of recognising my lustrous locks and end up depicting some overweight old bald bloke that I've never seen before 

There are apps for that sir

[Palfy]

In Mikes case it would have to be called something like Animal magic

[MikeO]

2 hours ago, Ghoat said:

There are apps for that sir

You mean those aren't your real ears in your profile pic? How disappointing.

[johnh]

On 06/09/2019 at 11:29, MikeO said:

Thanks mate yeah I've agreed to do it, just need to work out what to say.

Good on yer Mike.  Just stare at the camera, point a finger and say 'If I can do it, you can do it'. Then play Z cars.  Sorted.  As Palfy says, its a no brainer.

[rubecula]

On 07/09/2019 at 18:28, MikeO said:

You mean those aren't your real ears in your profile pic? How disappointing.

sing it do not say it  Palfy will give you tips on  belting out  Nessun Dorma  ////  Failing that  you could try Frere Jaques 

[MikeO]

As I said in the first post in this thread six and a half years ago, "Right, difficult one this and something that I've thought long and hard about making "public" within TT, but as it's coming to a bit of a head I thought maybe I would.
Should point out at this stage that this is personal stuff and nothing to do with Everton, sport, what I had for breakfast or what movies/music I'm currently listening to so anyone not interested beyond any of those things should look away now.....completely understand that people take TT at different levels and that's fine, all members and approaches are equally valid."

But TT, and members past and present, has/have been a huge part of my life for more than fifteen years now so the time has come to come clean on my current situation. First, and strangely not worst, my cancer has returned. I thought something wasn't right early July so went through series of tests/scans/biopsies which ended with the cancer being confirmed at the end of the month, it's actually not strictly speaking a recurrance because it's in a slightly different place to the last one but still in my throat. My only chance of surviving this time (can't have radio/chemo twice in the same place because of the damage RT in particular causes/caused) is an "extended laryngectomy" which means my voice box and part of my tongue will have to be removed and consequently I won't be able to talk, though there is a possibility of implants later that will give me some sort of artificial voice (though if I'm going to sound like a dalek I'll give it a miss). Also, will have to breathe through a hole in my neck (stoma) rather than nose/mouth which will likely feel a little weird. Eight hours surgery and probably two weeks in hospital pencilled in for early next month. The aim is for me to be able to eat and drink afterwards but no guarantees, possibly tube fed for life.

But like I said, not the worst of it. That is the fact that my wife, Debbie, went to bed on August 3rd and didn't wake up on the 4th, died in her sleep at 53. Impossible to describe the last couple of weeks or so; I don't have the words and none of our friends/family do and I don't expect anyone here to have them either. She had a bad chest that our GP had given her an x-ray referral for six weeks before she died but with virus delays her appt dropped through the door on August 5th. I was tempted to say yes do the x-ray people and tell them they'd find her in the mortuary but didn't. If there was no virus and she'd been seen immediately could something have been done? I don't know and there's really no point in getting angry about it, many people will die and already have as a result of the virus due not being able to see the people thay should when they needed to. Post mortem said Deb died from bronchopneumonia and lung abscess, but I've yet to speak to a doctor who could explain to me why.

Anyway, those are the bare bones of the crap that's rained down on me recently. Her funeral is next Friday and the day before I see my "team" and hopefully get a date for surgery. I'll still be here whenever I can and no plans (yet) to amputate my fingers so I'll be able to type.

Sorry to be so depressing (again).

Best wishes to all, friend and foe alike.

[Hafnia]

16 minutes ago, MikeO said:

As I said in the first post in this thread six and a half years ago, "Right, difficult one this and something that I've thought long and hard about making "public" within TT, but as it's coming to a bit of a head I thought maybe I would.
Should point out at this stage that this is personal stuff and nothing to do with Everton, sport, what I had for breakfast or what movies/music I'm currently listening to so anyone not interested beyond any of those things should look away now.....completely understand that people take TT at different levels and that's fine, all members and approaches are equally valid."

But TT, and members past and present, has/have been a huge part of my life for more than fifteen years now so the time has come to come clean on my current situation. First, and strangely not worst, my cancer has returned. I thought something wasn't right early July so went through series of tests/scans/biopsies which ended with the cancer being confirmed at the end of the month, it's actually not strictly speaking a recurrance because it's in a slightly different place to the last one but still in my throat. My only chance of surviving this time (can't have radio/chemo twice in the same place because of the damage RT in particular causes/caused) is an "extended laryngectomy" which means my voice box and part of my tongue will have to be removed and consequently I won't be able to talk, though there is a possibility of implants later that will give me some sort of artificial voice (though if I'm going to sound like a dalek I'll give it a miss). Also, will have to breathe through a hole in my neck (stoma) rather than nose/mouth which will likely feel a little weird. Eight hours surgery and probably two weeks in hospital pencilled in for early next month. The aim is for me to be able to eat and drink afterwards but no guarantees, possibly tube fed for life.

But like I said, not the worst of it. That is the fact that my wife, Debbie, went to bed on August 3rd and didn't wake up on the 4th, died in her sleep at 53. Impossible to describe the last couple of weeks or so; I don't have the words and none of our friends/family do and I don't expect anyone here to have them either. She had a bad chest that our GP had given her an x-ray referral for six weeks before she died but with virus delays her appt dropped through the door on August 5th. I was tempted to say yes do the x-ray people and tell them they'd find her in the mortuary but didn't. If there was no virus and she'd been seen immediately could something have been done? I don't know and there's really no point in getting angry about it, many people will die and already have as a result of the virus due not being able to see the people thay should when they needed to. Post mortem said Deb died from bronchopneumonia and lung abscess, but I've yet to speak to a doctor who could explain to me why.

Anyway, those are the bare bones of the crap that's rained down on me recently. Her funeral is next Friday and the day before I see my "team" and hopefully get a date for surgery. I'll still be here whenever I can and no plans (yet) to amputate my fingers so I'll be able to type.

Sorry to be so depressing (again).

Best wishes to all, friend and foe alike.

So sorry to see this mike. Wishing you all the strength at this time to you and your family.

My deepest condolences. 

[Bailey]

Fuck MikeO, thats heartbreaking. 

I can only echo Haf's kind words above as they are far more eloquent than anything I could have written. 

My thoughts are with you and your family.

 

[markjazzbassist]

Devastated for you and your family mike.  So sorry to hear this.  I hope the path you choose gives you the result you hoped for.  If there is anything we can do please let us know

[Matt]

We’re all here for you mate, whatever you need that we can help with 

[StevO]

Still don’t have words for this. 
As the other lads have said, we’re all here to lean on if you need it. 

[Palfy]

I can’t PM you anymore Mike, but I’m here for you mate and not to far away if you need anything, email me and I’m there for you mate. 

[Formby]

Just read your Friday post now, Mike. What awful news - and what a dreadful thing to happen to your wife. Please accept my condolences. Thinking of you at this very sad time and wishing you all the strength to get through it. 

[Zoo 2.0]

Never lose hope Mike. You beat it once and will do so again, life can throw up unimaginable challenges but you have a network of people around you who are there to support you, both in the real world and on this forum. If you need anything from me - please give me a shout. 

Take each day as it comes, we're just names on a computer screen but are very much by your side. 

Sorry to hear about your wife - my sincere condolences. Those we love never leave us. 

[Cornish Steve]

18 hours ago, Zoo 2.0 said:

Never lose hope Mike. You beat it once and will do so again, life can throw up unimaginable challenges but you have a network of people around you who are there to support you, both in the real world and on this forum. If you need anything from me - please give me a shout. 

Take each day as it comes, we're just names on a computer screen but are very much by your side. 

Sorry to hear about your wife - my sincere condolences. Those we love never leave us. 

Mike: Through your work with the online cancer support community, you've been a beacon of hope to many thousands of people - each feeling vulnerable, afraid, and helpless. Already, you've achieved more in your lifetime than I could ever hope to achieve in mine. That doesn't make things any easier, for sure, but thank you for the impact you've had on others over the last several years and for the even greater impact you're going to have over the next several years. You may not feel like an inspiration, but feelings often don't reflect reality. It's an absolute privilege to know you.

[Hafnia]

Thoughts with you today mike

[Gwlad]

Mike, words are inadequate for the cruel blows you have taken.. Thinking of you and your family at this time.

[MikeO]

On 28/08/2020 at 09:42, Hafnia said:

Thoughts with you today mike

It was perfect Haf, went exactly as planned down to the last detail. Celebrant was superb, "wake" was joyful. Seems ridiculous to say but the best day I've had in weeks.

[MikeO]

....and on to the next hurdle, have my surgery booked for Tuesday 15th so I only have "my" voice for another week, maybe something artificial down the line if all goes well and I want it as I've already said.

Hopefully I'll be able to get online once I'm out of ICU but I'm not on the cancer ward this time (which has its own internet access) but a surgical ward which only uses the NHS one and is "hit and miss" according to reliable sources

Going to feel very odd miming, "It's a Grand Old Team" next time I manage to get to a game but I'll cope