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Benny Watson |
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Relay For Life goal met (finally)
07/20/10 6:16 PM
I want to thank everyone who contributed to this fundraiser. We raised $2081 to help treat and cure cancer and to help people deal with the challenge of living with this terrible disease. I have now fulfilled my promise to ride a mile for every dollar donated. After today's ride I have ridden 2082 miles since February. Thanks again and let's do it again in 2011. Benny (BluesDawg) Another good visit to Augusta
04/21/10 3:23 PM
We drove to Augusta today to visit Dr. Jackson. Everything she saw, felt and heard was good. All smiles. She was glad to hear that I have been able to ride my bikes so much, especially the century (100 mile) ride that I did last Saturday. She will see me again in three months and I won't get a PET scan until next January, a year after the last one. Benny (BluesDawg) A little payback
02/04/10 7:07 PM
Please help me reach my fundraising goal to help others beat cancer as I have done. Since riding bicycles played such a big role in making me strong enough to endure the very aggressive treatments for my throat cancer and the desire to get back to bicycle riding was such a strong motivation for me to recover, I think it is fitting that I dedicate my riding this spring to helping others who are facing this challenge.
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=13995131&pg=personal&fr_id=24438 For every dollar donated on my behalf, I will ride one mile on my bicycle. My goal is to ride 1,000 miles between now and the Baldwin County Relay For Life Event on April 30, 2010. If the total goes higher, I will do my best to meet it by that date, but if it takes longer I will still ride the miles. Make me work for it! http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=13995131&pg=personal&fr_id=24438 Thank you, Benny (BluesDawg) Short and sweet
01/27/10 10:18 AM
I got a call from the Drs. in Augusta today. The results from last Wednesday's PET scan were back. Everything looks great and there are no signs of problems. The "mystery spot" under my tongue is still there, but for the third straight time it is smaller and dimmer than before. Dr. Jackson told me last week that if that was the result again, we would consider this nothing to worry about and cut back on the frequency of tests. So I will see her again in April for a checkup and the next PET scan should be in about six months. Time to celebrate. Life is good, Benny (BluesDawg) Goodbye 2009, hello 2010 and on
01/02/10 9:01 AM
It would be a huge understatement to say that I am in a different situation going into 2010 than I was starting 2009. This time last year I was finished with my treatments but dealing with the harshest of the after effects and a lot of worry about whether it had all worked. I am happy to say that the pain is gone as well as most of the other problems. Most of the worrying is passed (does it ever go away completely?).
I am so thankful for everyone who helped me get here, especially Lori. Also and my family, my friends, my doctors and all the great people working with me at the hospitals and clinics. Without all of you I couldn't have made it. At this point the only medications I still take that is related to the cancer treatment is a thyroid supplement since the radiation affected the normal function. I have not needed pain medication for several months. I can eat just about anything I want, even hot, spicy foods, but not quite as hot as before (yet).I have gained back all the weight I needed to regain plus a few that I'll need to work off on the bike. It is hard to reverse the idea that I need to eat as much as I possibly can. Most of the lingering effects are related to the radiation treatments which burned out my salivary glands so that I need to keep liquids in my mouth or apply sprays or gels to keep my mouth and throat from drying. There is also a thick area under the skin of my neck from basically being cooked. Much of my beard is gone. My voice comes and goes. Sometimes it is clear, deep and strong. Other times it is rattly, thin and wispy. The dryness in my mouth and throat affect it a lot. I don't think I'll ever be a lead singer in a band again, but I can belt out a raspy blues song once in a while. I can play the harmonicas as well as ever. I just have to keep my mouth wet. All in all, I have come a long way in the past year. Now I can look forward to living the rest of my life. Life is good, Benny (BluesDawg)
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The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
