Plakespear Update: Surgery in 2 hrs...

**divegirl** · 08-01-2007, 08:45 PM

Hey Everyone!!

I just talked to Nils and he's out of surgery (they postponed his surgery 6 hours so he got out about an hour ago and is now recovering in his room).

Apparently there were some other scans they needed to take prior to surgery (something having to do with his voicebox and he being unable to talk - he's on drugs right now so I'm not sure how accurate that was...or my understanding of it).

But everything went well, and he is now on the road to recovery. He says Hi to everyone, and appreciates all the kind thoughts and words.

-dg

**spindrift** · 08-01-2007, 08:47 PM

Heal up quick!

**Speedfreak** · 08-01-2007, 08:50 PM

Keep kicking ass Nils. You're the toughest dude I've ever met and I know you'll tackle this with the same strength and determination that's kept you going thus far.

When you're feeling up to it, let's have a shot of that nasty ass tequila you seem to love so much to celebrate your recovery and another great season on the ice coast.

Keep your head up (I know you will), and if you need anything don't hesitate to call. Much love bro.

**MeatPuppet** · 08-01-2007, 08:53 PM

Hang in there nils.

You are in my thoughts.

**TJ.Brk** · 08-01-2007, 09:23 PM

Hey Buddy. I will call you when you are awake and able. ALL OF MY VIBES ARE WITH YOU +++++++++

**Shin-to-Win** · 08-01-2007, 09:43 PM

This guy Nils is on tough Mofo, I heard Chuck Norris has been begging for a spot at the Plakespear's next KCA boot camp.

**watersnowdirt** · 08-01-2007, 09:44 PM

So glad to hear that. Thinking about you tons, Nils!

M

**erica_z** · 08-01-2007, 10:26 PM

KA Nils. Hope you heal up soon! +++

**Mrs Roo** · 08-02-2007, 04:52 AM

When that back pain settles you'll have more kicking range. Kick, kick, kick. You know what to do.

**fonixmunkee** · 08-02-2007, 10:17 AM

Take care Plake, you tough motherfucker.

**watersnowdirt** · 08-02-2007, 10:25 AM

Any updates from this morning?

Nils - if you're reading this, here's hoping your nurses are hot, your room is quiet, and the pain pills are kicking in.

love to you,
m

**hutash** · 08-02-2007, 10:32 AM

Good to hear surgery went well, let's hope for a speedy recovery, and an even speedier start of winter so you can get some turns.

**gorms** · 08-02-2007, 10:49 AM

hopefully you have cleared your last hurdle.
Stay strong!

**Benny Profane** · 08-02-2007, 11:23 AM

Vibes, and more vibes. And no hucking!

**Plakespear** · 08-04-2007, 02:36 PM

Well, I'm finally out of the hospital, and back at home. I'm still in some pain, but it is insignifigant compared to what I have been experiencing for the last several weeks. have been in constant pain, despite being on tons of painkillers. Many trips to the doctors, yet no answer. I was convinced it was muscular, and the pain was being caused by a nasty, violent cough that I have been experiencing since the end of may. I was supposed to have another round of chemotherapy yesterday, and knew that there was absolutely no way that I could tolerate it feeling like I did. So monday morning I went to the ER demanding an answer.

They immediately did a CT of my lower body, and discovered that my L2 vertebrae was crushed. I was suprised, because I was not feeling much pain in the spinal area. They said that what had most likely happenned was that a tumor had weakened the bone, making it fragile. This news scared the fucking hell out of me. What did this mean? Was there nerve damage? Was there anything I could do about this? Would I ever be able to ski or ride my bike again?

Making things worse was the fact that my mother was absolutely hysterical over the entire situation. She has been taking this harder than I have, and often jumps to conclusions before all of the facts are available. These were ER docs who had no knowledge of my medical history, no context in which to view thse scans. Of course to them I looked in bad shape. Shit, I AM in bad shape, but I'm also not a lost cause. The purpose of an ER doctor is to try and diagnose you, treat you for what they can, and send you to a specialist who will work on your problem. I knewthat these guys didn't have the answer, but they would find somebody who did.

The next 24 hours absolutely sucked. Given the amount of pain I was in, it was going to take a hell of a lot of drugs to make me comfortable. And they wreren't going to kick in immediately. That first night in the hospital I was pretty bad. It hurt to move, and I would often get stuck in uncomfortable positions. Tuesday was not much better. I talked to an oncologist, who told me I was in bad shape. Thanks for the newsflash

Given the advanced stage of my disease, if you are not a melanoma specialist, you would think that I'm a goner. Of course when the oncologist told my mom this, she freaked out. This made me feel worse, and got me feeling absolutely down. I pretty much cried all day.

However, later on some good news came. A neurosurgeon came in and told me about a procedure that could repair my spine by injecting acrylic into it. He said that it was a minor procedure, with minimal invasion and healing time. So we scheduled it for the next day.

The morning of the surgery I had a talk wth my mom, and told her that it was not helping me for her to be getting upset for no reason. Monday morning she was convinced that I was going to spend the rest of my life in pain. Honstley, she was almost in a hospice mentality. I had to remind her that until we hear from a expert, we can not afford to worry if we don't have to. She said she's just being a mom, and that she can't help it. I told her that she had to pull herself together for my sake.

Wednesday evening I went in for the surgery. It was delayed for a few hours, because, well, that's hospitals for you. I was out of recovery around 10 pm, and could feel a difference already. I would like to say that I had the best night of sleep I had in weeks, but unfortunately, that was not so. For the first few hours, nurses were constantly checking my vitals. Than, I began pissing like crazy. To top it off, the hospital had shitty AC, so I kept waking up in pools of sweat.

Thursday I felt like an entirely new person. However I was experincing a new pain in my left leg. It was nerve related, and in some respects was worse than the back pain. A lot more intense, that was for sure. We tried to get that under control, but it was still there. It was even worse on Friday. The pain felt like fire was shooting down my left quardicep. I spent 9 hours trying to get out of bed. I could not imagine how I was going to go on.

They called in a pain management team to see me. Geez, 4 days of pain and they finally call these guys? WTF? Anyway, they ordered a ton of drugs, and within an hour I was comfortable again. I even managed to get a decent night's rest.

I was discharged this morning, and I think I'm consuming more pills than food. I resune my chemotherapy on Monday, and have arranged to have it done in Cooperstown so I don't have to travel to NYC for treatment. Ths will make things so much easier for me. An hour an ten minute drive is a hell of a lot better than three hours, especially when you are wiped out from four hours of chemo.

I hope to be back riding my bike soon. And as Sprite said, I'm still allowed to ski

This is certainly one tough cancer, but it's got a tough opponent to deal with.

And Dromond, here you go:

**lifts4turns** · 08-04-2007, 03:05 PM

I don't know you man but I've searched through the forums and read your story. You're fighting the good fight and an inspiration to us all. Know that you have Joe Idiots on the street who have heard your story and admire, respect and pray for you.

**skiingsamurai** · 08-04-2007, 03:07 PM

way to keep on keeping on bro

Im glad your feeling bit better.

Kick this shits ass

+++

**SkiBrain** · 08-04-2007, 08:38 PM

So happy to hear that the surgery seems to have gone successfully and the pain is much better. Reading the latest update brought tears to my eyes, especially the description of the pain you were experiencing and the parts about your mom. Your attitude is amazing and I hope the cancer gets stomped to smithereens. You and watersnowdirt epitomize the meaning of inspirational. Here's hoping you'll be riding your bike again soon and skiing lots of fluffy pow this winter and many more to come.

**Vinman** · 08-04-2007, 08:44 PM

Damn Nils, I have been away from the board for awhile.... SO bummed for you to hear about this. Keep fighting hard. I've got a room for you in VT this winter once you are back on skis again.

**altachic** · 08-04-2007, 08:54 PM

Seriously Nils, you are the most mentally strong, positive person I know, I'm not kidding you.

You amaze me with your constant attitude and the outlook you have on all of this. I wish you could spread that to everyone who is going through stuff like this.

Best of luck this week with chemo. You know my number, use it if you want

**SuperGaper** · 08-04-2007, 09:06 PM

Nils- as I have said before- you are tough, Catskills tough! Keep the fight goin and come out to Jackson for a run in the Hobacks, I think Smitty might be up to it by the end of the season. Best to you always.

**Mtn Man** · 08-04-2007, 09:20 PM

Kick it's ass seabass! Glad to see you out but I hope the leg pain subsides for you in the long run. Did they just give you pills to kill the pain or will they actually do something about it? Sounds like a pinched nerve, hopefully from post op inflammation. That way they don't have to go back in if the inflammation goes down. Just thinking out loud here.

Anyway, gots the Patron waiting when I see you again!

B)

**huckasoreass** · 08-04-2007, 09:23 PM

Nils, you're running a marathon with hurdles every fifty feet. Keep clearing them (actually, just knocking them down is fine, too). You've been impressive through it all. Keep inspiring us, just find a freakin' easier way to do it!

**The Dad** · 08-04-2007, 10:00 PM

Man. Glad to hear that the pain situation is better. Vibes.

**Chitown Pow** · 08-04-2007, 10:18 PM

Nils, hang in there man. I want to see you at Alta closing again next year!

Solid dude, looking it straight in the face and saying "I'm skiing you mother fucker".

Vibes bro...