I got a Facebook notice last night that James Potter (this forum's owner, for you newbies) posted an update. Unfortunately, James last month found he has tumors/growth on both his kidneys. They are scheduling him for surgery "Friday" ...not sure if that was yesterday or next week. We obviously are all hoping/praying the surgery is successful. If not, he will have the kidneys removed, and be on a dialysis machine until a donor can be found.
Here is a link to James' Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=678935783477247&id=100040824948251
We're all hoping for the best for you James.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you've done for us in the past. It's been a hell of a resource. So glad we got to shake hands last March.....we'll do it again!
Good luck with the surgery. I hope the issues can be solved w/o removing the kidneys. I am told dialysis is a pita and donors are not easily found. I couldn't access the facebook page.
Good luck with the surgery! You are in my prayers for a successful surgery and a transplant asap.
Thanks for what you have done and will do. Best wishes.
for those who can't access the Facebook link..........a copy and paste:
Ok, I guess its time to spill the beans for those friends of mine who care and would want to know. First of December, i had what I though was another kidney stone, blood in urine, pain in groin, etc. I let it go since it was friday, by sunday was pretty bad. Monday had some labwork done, got results Tuesday, they immediately sent me to emergency room and i spent the next 4 or 5 days in the hospital. After a round of tests, CT scans and an MRI, docs found masses on both of my kidneys, fully contained in the kidneys, not soread further. Long story short, i have one of the top docs in the world going to try and save both kidneys with robotic surgery, which will be happening next friday. Best case scenario, it works, and I will have semi normal, reduced functioning of kidneys. Worst case, both kidneys come out and i will have to be on dialysis until i can get on transplant list. I figure i will fall somewhere in between, as the left one is pretty large. I had no clue anything was wrong like that, no other pain or symptoms. Just thought i had another kidney stone. So, advice to everyone, if somethings wrong like that, dont try to tough it out...go find out whats wrong. My docs are hopeful in my case, but you know how things go. Nothing is sure, and tomorrow is not guaranteed. For those still wondering, no, Im not in any kind of pain, I actually feel pretty good, nothing would indicate a problem. Thankfully, I was able to get insurance for the coming procedures. I, or someone else if I cant, will post updates on here as we are able to. Not looking for any sympathy or sadness, just wanted to fill my family and friends in on whats going on with me, and why i havent been and may not be as active on here in the future. Just got to thinking last night how few people Ive actually told about this current issue. So there it is.
James,what you have done for all of us Forum Followers is priceless. I can't Thank you enough. I wish you the best in this battle and will pray for your speedy recovery.
John
James,
Good luck getting through everything. You have helped all of us so much, We hope the best for you!
Pat
Sorry to hear. I hope the surgeries go well! Thanks for the posting.
James,
I know you are a man of faith. The good Lord will hand out test for us, only He can say why. Keep the faith my friend, know He will give you the strength to see this to the end. You will be in my prayers.
Bill
I sympathize with the kidney pain thing. I've had it a few times as recently as just before Christmas. I was tempted to drive myself to the ER but chose to suffer in my on bed rather than spend the night sharing the maxed out ER with Covid victims. The chance of Covid exposure to me but also bringing it home to Amy was not worth the risk.
James praying that everything works out in your favor I wish you the best possible outcome. John Viera
James, my prayers are with you in these trying times. May God be with you in your upcoming treatments John
ttt
James...kick it to the bayou...hold it under water. You will come out of this with a smile on your mug...positive thoughts. :icon_super:
James,..... thinking of you and we know you have the strength to conquer this with ease,.... you have helped so many.. including myself.
Hold Fast.
James
After actually meeting you when you took the time to come and see me, I too know that you are a man of faith and you know that I am also. I will be praying for you that you come through this and that you get better. Jay
An update from his Facebook page:
"Update on James' surgery:
They had to take the whole kidney. They had to give him 3 liters of blood but they said he did well. The tumor was about 12 inches long. It had grown down into the artery. The cramps are rough on him tonight. Thank you to everyone that has said prayers and sent encouraging messages."
Obviously not what we wanted to hear, but honestly not sure what it means because they only mention one kidney.
The pic is James and his red Custom taken last March in Christian Pass, Mi. on my way to Florida.
Thanks for the update Rich.. great Pic as well.
Thanks
An unpleasant subject to discuss: I'd like to get some contact info from many of the guys here. We need to consider the fact that this forum is totally maintained by James. That means if he is down for an extended period of time, which seems likely at this point, and there are technical issues, the forum may just be down/unavailable for the duration of his recovery. In the past, if we had problems, some would send an email to James and he'd take care of it. It's obviously not going to be the case for a while. I know many members are reluctant to post their private contact info publicly, but I'm going to post mine. Copy it aside from this forum. I'd like anyone who is comfortable doing it, to send me their info with a note telling me whether or not to give it out to somebody else asking for it. Don't assume I have your info already.......I'm very unorganized!! Make sure to include both your name and forum name
Rich Muise
4901 McCarty Blvd
Amarillo, Texas, 79110
richardmuise@yahoo.com
806-341-2036
There is a 57fordsforever facebook page, and mine is under my full name.....Richard Muise
I know you have mine...and yes...you may share it.
Emailed you mine. Thanks for putting this together.
Also note guys I'm in DTLA. So if you ever need me to check something out. Just let know.
FYI Pomona is like 35 miles out.
It is difficult to consider the possibilities that could come from James' situation. It is exactly like sitting down with your wife and kids and outlining your final wishes. Something we all need to confront and do because there is an end to all this fun.
Now having said that,
Bill Krueger
1808 Richland Dr.
Birmingham, AL 3521
205 853 9392
billsrc@bellsouth.net
Hugh........If I have yours, I can't find it.
Bill...zip code?
You will in a moment...PM...not comfortable putting mine on-line...
Sorry Rich, it's 35215
Sorry guys, once again, late to the party as I just saw this topic today. I hope all goes well for James. I tried linking his Facebook page, but it says it's not available.
Some of you already have it, but Rich, I'll PM you my info if I can help with anything.
James, Godspeed on your recovery.
I checked the Facebook page this afternoon, and no new updates.
It must be private then, because I get this when I click the link:
(https://i.imgur.com/2b44c6T.png)
May be a friends only thing. I have to go to the original notice I got on my email and open that up. I'll look again this morning.
HE posted a few hours ago that he was feeling much better today. That is sooooo good to hear. That was him posting, not someone posting for him.
That is awesome! Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Great news! Thanks Rich!
Best wishes James. Kidney stones are a bear.
Good luck w/ your treatments.
Ron.
Yah.my wife had them a few years back, but I'm sure at this point James is wishing it was just stones...........not sure if you got the word, Ron, but James ended up having at least one kidney removed.
Thanks Rich, great news! Praying the other kidney is holding on and working as it should.
Just read on James' Facebook page he is scheduled for surgery on the 21st. This is to remove the tumor on his other kidney. He said the doctors are confident they can remove this tumor and leave enough of the kidney to remain functional for 2-5 years.
James, you'll be in the thoughts and prayers of your many friends here.
Thank you for the update Rich. Hoping all goes well for James..
X 2
X 3
x 4...
X5
Rich
Thank you very much for letting us know what is happening with James. He is going through some tough times.
I'm still praying for him.
Jay
Im doing well for now, they had to remove my entire left kidney, the right one has a much smaller tumor on it that they will be trying to remove on monday 21 February. Doctorscare optimistic that they can spare enough of the remaining kidney that it should function normally, for a while at least. Thank you for your contnued thoughts and prayers.
Hang tough James...we are all in your corner here...and having discussions about your future with the Man above. Positive ones.
That's very encouraging news, James. Thank you for letting us know. It was so great to see your name pop up on a post. You know we're all in your corner here. You've got lots of long-time friends here, you need to spend a bit more time with us, even if it's not '57 Ford stuff! Just remember, no politics, religion, and keep it clean, lol.
Are you home now, or still in the hospital? Don't know if you ever saw this pic........
Remember that guy that came up and looked at our cars and pointed to yours and asked what it was, then after we told him, he pointed to mine and asked "what's this one?"
Great new James, Godspeed!
We all like good news!
Hang in there.
Wish we had some news!! Yesterday, James posted he was headed for surgery in a few minutes, and that his wife would update the page, but nothing has been posted as of this morning.
In this situation...no news could well be good news.
Any body hear anything?
I checked the Facebook page this morning.......nothing has been posted.
Sorry guys, ive been in dialysis today, 4 hrs worth, a little tired. My 2nd surgery went well, got 100% of the cancer, left me with 1/2 of my right kidney. It is handling things right now, theyre trying to get my kreatin levels in check, as well as my potassium. Right now doing dialysis 3 days week, should come down soon, just sent a bunch of urine and blood samples to lab. Hopefully will be able to go back to work, limited duty soon, getting stir crazy cooped up in house. Ready to work on something too..any way, still kicking and in good spirits..hopefulky gas will come down and i can drive my old 57 soon..
Great news James. Modern medicine is wonderful thing.Keep that positive attitude...........You'll make it! 50 years ago, they would have simply said "Good Bye".
John
Great to hear.
Hey guys, do not be afraid to sign your organ donor cards.
Terry
:canada:
We had some posts about your second surgery.....not sure where they are...maybe Morning Coffee. Glad to hear you recovery is progressing. Is the dialysis a permanent thing?
Hopefully not. My nephrologist thinks it will be temporary, shouldnt have to be on it long, then in a couple years i can get on a transplant list.
Hang tough James. We haven't had much communication...but know that I think of you every day since the announcement...and hope for your cure to be quick and complete.
Stay Tough James....
That's great to hear James; You got this!