Long road back, preparing for Chester

[LocDoc]

Really don't know why I'm writing this. Maybe my story will help somebody else out there who may be going through some difficult times. My story actually begins on May 16, 2010 when I attended the Traditional bow shoot in Chester Texas. I was shooting my Martin Hatfield, #65, and shot a 338 on the course. One of my best performances. A few days later, 5-20-10, I started Chemotherapy for throat cancer. What followed was a year of absolute hell. It's hard to describe the pain and misery of throat cancer treatment. I wish that on no man. Cooked by radiation, I couldn't swallow, and survived 8 months on a feeding tube,liquid diet, and some of the most powerful painkillers man has deviced. Often I contemplated suicide. Actually that's not true. I planned my suicide. To the detail. What stopped me? I wasn't strong enough to get up and leave the house. I didn't want my wife to find me at home, so I planned to drive to my hunting area, text my grid coordinates to the authorities, and end my pain once and for all. I forgot somewhere that suicide is a final answer to often temporary problems. The treatments took their toll on my body. I went from a young strong 210 pounds to a shell of a man. At 150 pounds, I was so physically weakened, I couldn't hardly stand or walk. I didn't have the strength to even 'pick' up a bow, much less shoot it. But I fought back. And even though I'm still in recovery, my weight is slowly coming back and I get stronger ever week.
In May 2011, I, along with my son-in-law, went back to Chester. I had managed to build back enough strength to draw a 35# Samick Sage. But my endurance wasn't there, and I was unable to complete the whole course. Today, I shot the Hatfield. Over a dozen arrows. Into a 2" circle at 10 yards. Once again, I'm preparing for Chester. We are born, and then we die. Life, or what you choose to make of it, is in between. So if you too are having difficult times, problems that just don't want to seem to end, look to the Heavens, and say a small prayer. Then grit your damn teeth and fight thru it!

[Night Wing]

Good to see you're on the road back to recovery. When you're this year's Chester's shoot, it will seem like being with an old friend which you haven't seen in awhile. While at Chester, enjoy the shoot and above all, enjoy yourself.

[Bill Turner]

God Bless you on your recovery. Sounds like your well on your way to getting to doing what we all love. Ric O'Shay(Danny Long) and I will be at the Chester shoot. Hope to meet you while we are there. Good luck and "Keep'Um Sharp".  

[kennyb]

Good luck Scott and continue on your journey to full recovery! I pm'd you too.

Kenny    

I too, will be at Chester and hope to meet up and maybe fling a few arrows with you. Good luck in your continued recovery!

Bisch

[Joeabowhunter]

Amen.  Thank you for sharing.

Joe

[The Whittler]

LocDoc, my brother had the radiation on his throat and complained about how bad it hurt/burned.

He told me think of the worst sore throat you ever had and times that by a 1000 and you may begin to know how sore it was. Hope everything works out for you, you have a good outlook.

[LocDoc]

kennyb,
Never got that PM. Not sure why not. Thanks for the kind words everyone.

[chadt1]

Thanks for sharing and good luck on you recovery, Your a inspiration to all of us to never give up.

Chad Tomlin

[DannyBows]

Good on you for enduring and not depriving your loved ones of your life. Your story is an inspiration and a reminder to fully embrace life, even when it seems useless. Tough times are temporary, as is life itself.

God Bless and praying for a full recovery.    

[BOHO]

Im so glad to hear your recovery is going well. Keep your chin up and I hope you win the shoot !!!

[Doc Nock]

LocDoc,

Glad you brought this over here...there are true believers and prayer warriors here.

I think more of you for admitting how forlorn you were and ready to give up then if you'd just pretend it was "bad."  I'm sure you're tale will give others the strength to persevere in other tough situations!

Chemo and Radiation kicks your body's defenses to hell and gone... think about trying some top shelf vitamins and other supplements to rebuild your system.

Congrats on leaning on Him for strength, our true source of all that is needed.

Prayers for continued strength, discernment in how to heal your body both inside and out, and total surrender to Him that never fails us!

Keep the Son in your eyes!

[zarch]

amen very well said zarch

[BenBow]

Glad for you & praying for continued recovery and good health

[bowslinger]

Scott,

Glad to hear you are doing better.  May the Lord grant you the stubborness of a thousand mules and the strength of an ox!  Glad you are still here! Prayers for you for a full recovery!

[al221]

Good on you for fighting! Keep up the good work and here's to a full recovery!

[Doc Nock]

Continued prayers, LD.

KNow that you can come here and draw strength from others.  Personally see myself as a 'rusty empty vessle" but He does use even the least of us!

Don't struggle in silence.  We're in community here!