Popular Post Lord Balian Posted February 21, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted February 21, 2016 Hello all! I pray that this finds you all doing well. I wanted to give you all an update on my condition, what all went on, and where things stand now. First however, I cant express enough my gratitude for all of you that have wished me well, sent me encouraging messages, and keeping me and my wife in your thoughts and prayers. It really means so very much to me. As far as where things stand with my health: I had a small portion of my lower left lobe removed due to the fact that it was pretty much dead tissue. The good news here is that it should not affect my lung volumes in a bad way at all. This is a good thing since my volumes are around 43% when I feel good, and dip down to about 28% when I do not. Right now, the major concern is regarding a bacterial infection that has taken up shop in my lungs. With Cystic Fibrosis, (a terminal genetic disorder that damages lungs) once a person gets a particular bacteria in her/his lungs, that bacteria stays forever. At that point, the main goal then is to reduce the 'count' of the bacteria in the lungs as much as possible. When I feel OK, the count is low, when I am sick, it is high. With this new bacteria however, it has a reputation of making Cystic Fibrosis (CF), progress much faster. For example, once a person gets this, they usually pass away in approx 5-7 years. Before this infection, I was already being hospitalized up to 12 times per year. So far in 2016, I have been impatient three times. So now my wife, family and I are very concerned that this will only increase the amount of stays in the hospital. There is some good news however. There is a new antibiotic that I am on that 'might' be able to stop the bacteria from making my case worse, or at the very least, slowing the progression of my case. It is way too early to tell if it is working or not, and I probably wont be able to get an answer if it is or not for a few more months. But I have chosen to stay positive, to have faith, and to fight the good fight. I do not allow myself to fall into pity. The average length of life for a person with CF is 37,and I am now 40. I have held children in my arms that have died of the same disease that I have, often wishing I could trade places with them. So, I am not going to feel sorry for myself one bit. I have a great wife, family, and now great new friends here in P&W! I put myself thru grad school, had a great career as a hospice social worker caring for the sick/dying for over 8 years, have participated in high-risk clinical trials to try to find a cure, and have been very active politically to the point of testifying before the Michigan State Senate and House advocating for a state insurance program that cared for kids with severe illnesses. It was going to be cut, but thankfully we were able to convince the Governor to remove that cut from the budget. So...I know I have been blessed, have been able to make a difference and help folks, I feel that I have lived a full life, regardless of what happens next. I also want to thank all of you that have donated to my gofundme account so I may take my wife on a nice vacation before I pass on. I have ben touched by your kindness and concern and it really means the world to me. When I first became ill this time around, so many of you were so nice to me and were wishing me well. It felt nice to know that so many were hoping that I would pull thru. Although I was surprised by some people here in the game that were taking the game and the war way too seriously to the point of throwing insults and hurtful messages my way ( I will avoid the names or the alliance that said most of these things in order to put this behind me), I know that the vast majority of you, while you take the game seriously in that so many put so much time into it, you dont take it too seriously to actually hold resentment towards those your nation/alliance is in conflict/war with. I really enjoy this game, I invest in it (including money in the past), and spend a great deal of time playing it, but I never loose site of the fact that at the end of the day, this is still just a game. For me though, it has been a great way to distract me from what all is happening. This keeps me going, keeps me sane. And it has been a great way to meet new friends, and at the end of the day, this is by far the best thing about the game, the ability to meet new friends! So again, thank you all so very much for being the people that you are. I do not have a large support system in RL. I mean, I have a great wife, a small family (that doesnt want to talk about my CF), and a handful of friends. But to know that so many of you were really behind me, wishing me well, all that ment so much to me. I consider you all friends, and I pray that you too feel the same. I say this regardless of whatever alliance you are in, or whatever differences there may be. Because at the end of the day, those things are meaningless. While there may be different alliances here in game, i consider all of us part of the Family of Orbis. Having that support behind me, your support, gives me strength to keep fighting. I have every intention to keep fighting. Regardless of what doctors say. Again, thank you all for being there for me these last few weeks!Many Blessings,Lord Balian 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moreau Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Wewlad Quote Signed by Sultan Moreau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karrde Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 All the best mate, glad to hear you're positive and have some hope in your life. God bless you and yours. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 So glad you are good mate! Whoever has been giving these harmful messages against you are awful enjoy the holiday you take your wife on, you deserve it! God bless 3 Quote They bid me take my place among them. In the halls of Valhalla Where the brave may live forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Frostsword Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I am glad to hear you are doing well Keep staying positive man, you never know what the future holds. You and yours are still in my prayers and thoughts always. I look forward to hearing about you and your wife vacation Don't hold back LB, Cheers! ~LF Quote Frostsword is love. Frostsword is life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikhan Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Glad to hear that you are better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abu Haddad Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 may Allah guide you and bless you in this world Quote Caliph of The Caliphate of Arabia. Caliph of the Islamic State of Arabia. Principle of The Principality of Chechnya. Grand Emir of The Emirate of The Caucus. Emperor of the Empire of Persia. Sultan of The Sultanates of Turkey and The Crimea. Czar of the Tsardom of The Balkans. Archon of The Archonate of Greece. Supreme Consul of The Consulate of Italy. Shah of The Shahdom Of Khorason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Todd Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I don't know you very well (I'm pretty sure we only chatted once) but I hope you the best. Labes Guide you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurdanak Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Your philosophy is inspiring, Lord Balian. I'm so glad that you're managing to stay positive, all things considered. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Hippo Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 Very happy to hear this update mate! Praying for the best for you and your wife! Quote ^oo^ (..) () () ()__() Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vellocet Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 You're a great man, Lord Balian. Bless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buorhann Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Keep up the good fight and take care. Thanks for the update. 1 1 Quote Warrior of Dio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfPCFQfOnLg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur James Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 (edited) God bless you are survive from the treatment. I wonder if obamacare can cover the fee or not. Edited March 4, 2016 by Arthur James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.