Another request for prayer... for ViggoG

John Sabato · 08-09-2006, 04:12 PM

This time for a long-time friend and Lugerforum member Viggo G. Dereng...

As many of the Lugerforum oldtimers know, Viggo had a bout with kidney cancer a few years ago (2001)... he beat it, but evidently not entirely... he has found it difficult to share with friends, but has authorized me to provide the following information...

Please read these small excerpts from a private message he recently sent me...

--------<Part 1>
John, My friend,
I was very grieved to learn of your fathers death as I too have lost my parents and my only sibling, older brother.
I am now referred to as the family "Patriarch", and at 81 it seems so to me also, For how long ?, I have no positive clues.

It now appears that the Left Nephrectomy that I underwent back in 2001, seems to have been a fraction late and the Renal Cell Carcinoma has returned to the same area in the approximate same size, however this time in metastatic state and it also appears in at least two other locations near by.
<End Part 1>
...
<Part 2>Bummer, Its Back as predicted, two by eight centimeters. in size with signs of metastatics to the upper pulmonary region and the mid aorta, and has within the last four months sapped my strength to where walking less than 200 feet brings weakness and oxygen depletion to the extent that I can no longer venture far from my portable oxygen supply safely, and I have lost 25 pounds in that short period about two pounds a week.
A very fast way of weight reduction and a very poor way to accomplish it, definitely not recommended as a weight control method, Ha, Ha !

The bad news is my age and metastatics rules out further surgery, and the poor response of renal cell carcinoma to standard radiation rules that out, leaving only chemotherapy, systemic and local radiation therapy.
Local radiation therapy is yet being studied and is not extensively supported by most medical insurances, leaving only the newly accepted oral radiation tablet options.

By the grace of God there is a relatively new nuclear pill, "Sutent", that shows the most promise, however small it is. There is little chance if any that it may provide a cure. There is no promise of that, however the hope provided, however small, is in delaying continuing growth of the cancer cells, randomly scattered throughout my system, and thereby providing best quality of life for as long as possible.

I am warned that the side effects are severe and sometime though very rarely even , fatal, usually similar to though not as extreme as chemotherapy.

Not very pretty though quite superior to the alternative option of no treatment and allowing the cancer to follow its natural course.

Praise the Lord that in his wisdom he allows us to enter into the realm of medical magic and witness and even the hope for better that presently appears and the relief given from discomfort in the terminal period of Life.
Within days I visit a highly recommended Oncologist, Dr, Robertson, of the Private Diagnostic Clinic at Duke University, who will have over site in the planning of my treatment which will be provided by Dr. Randhawa, The newest addition to our Halifax Regional Hospital Oncology Department Staff, and who will provide the actual treatment.

Dr. Randhawa was referred by my personal Pulmonary Physician, The Chief of Staff of the Halifax Regional Hospital who has been keeping me alive far beyond the projected lifespan of an extremely long and heavy smoker.

Said lifespan which was projected statistically to end before age seventy.
So I feel as I enter into this Last Quest, that I could hope for no more competent or professional health care providers than I now have as "My Personal Health Care Team".

I would be most crass were I to ignore the contribution of my many neighbors and friends who are providing me with all forms of encouragement and support, from Lawn care to Dog sitting, and providing many tasty dishes to whet my declining appetite.

And last but not least the many members of the "Luger Forum", who Six years ago provided a World Wide Prayer Chain that brought me through that early period of trial, and who I know will continue to support me through this My Final Quest.

May God Bless and Guide The Hands of Each and Every One, as they carry me through the coming ordeal.
ViggoG
<End Part 2>

---------

I repeat my request for prayer for Viggo to have the strength to deal with challenges that now face him in the upcoming few months...

Viggo, my personal prayers are with you... Please keep us posted on your treatment and prognosis... You are among friends here.

-----------------

G.T. · 08-09-2006, 04:21 PM

Keep fighting forward Viggo... My best wishes for your health in the tough battle ahead, and my greatest respect for your knowledge and talent... Best to you Viggo, til...lat'r...GT

lugerholsterrepair · 08-09-2006, 05:14 PM

Viggo, Find comfort and solace in each and every day if possible. We here will be thinking of you and hope you find peace and contentment with your Family and Friends. Praying for your success. Jerry Burney

Navy · 08-09-2006, 06:09 PM

Viggo,

You and yours are in my prayers.

Tom A

Heinz · 08-09-2006, 06:14 PM

Viggo, we pray for you and wish for all that is best for you.

Edward Tinker · 08-09-2006, 06:40 PM

For folks interested, I am gathering together bits and pieces of Viggo's life, he worked for NASA during the hey'days and I will post them as a link on my comcast account. I thought this might be a fitting, living tribute to a friend of mine...

Ed

policeluger · 08-09-2006, 07:19 PM

My email friend Viggo and my brother John, I am sorry to hear of all you two have suffered through the last few week, I did not say anything here except to Tinker, but long story and longer worry ended Monday for me when I was told I was colon cancer free, illness and a very hard family history of colon cancer in my family, caused the surgery but it is over....Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us, familys can be forever if we follow his loving plan of salvation.....Viggo and John you are in my prayers, and so is your daughter John.....may God bless each of you in your needs and comfort your sorrow...

Ron Smith · 08-09-2006, 09:57 PM

All of our best thoughts and wishes Viggo. Our prayers are with you...

Ron Wood · 08-09-2006, 11:58 PM

Viggo,
God bless you and your medical team. I pray for your recovery, and even more so for comfort. Hang in there. Your craftsmanship has contributed so much to our hobby. Now you are in the hands of the original Craftsman. May He smile upon you and grant you more time with us, your friends. With love and admiration,
Ron

jamese · 08-10-2006, 04:47 AM

Viggo,
my prayers are with you and may God bless those that are watching over and treating you.

Jim

Luke · 08-10-2006, 06:04 AM

Viggo,

As you know, prayer is a powerful thing. You and your family will be in our prayers. May God strengthen and comfort you in this difficult time.

Best Regards,
Luke

08-09-2006, 04:12 PM	#1
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Another request for prayer... for ViggoG This time for a long-time friend and Lugerforum member Viggo G. Dereng... As many of the Lugerforum oldtimers know, Viggo had a bout with kidney cancer a few years ago (2001)... he beat it, but evidently not entirely... he has found it difficult to share with friends, but has authorized me to provide the following information... Please read these small excerpts from a private message he recently sent me... --------<Part 1> John, My friend, I was very grieved to learn of your fathers death as I too have lost my parents and my only sibling, older brother. I am now referred to as the family "Patriarch", and at 81 it seems so to me also, For how long ?, I have no positive clues. It now appears that the Left Nephrectomy that I underwent back in 2001, seems to have been a fraction late and the Renal Cell Carcinoma has returned to the same area in the approximate same size, however this time in metastatic state and it also appears in at least two other locations near by. <End Part 1> ... <Part 2>Bummer, Its Back as predicted, two by eight centimeters. in size with signs of metastatics to the upper pulmonary region and the mid aorta, and has within the last four months sapped my strength to where walking less than 200 feet brings weakness and oxygen depletion to the extent that I can no longer venture far from my portable oxygen supply safely, and I have lost 25 pounds in that short period about two pounds a week. A very fast way of weight reduction and a very poor way to accomplish it, definitely not recommended as a weight control method, Ha, Ha ! The bad news is my age and metastatics rules out further surgery, and the poor response of renal cell carcinoma to standard radiation rules that out, leaving only chemotherapy, systemic and local radiation therapy. Local radiation therapy is yet being studied and is not extensively supported by most medical insurances, leaving only the newly accepted oral radiation tablet options. By the grace of God there is a relatively new nuclear pill, "Sutent", that shows the most promise, however small it is. There is little chance if any that it may provide a cure. There is no promise of that, however the hope provided, however small, is in delaying continuing growth of the cancer cells, randomly scattered throughout my system, and thereby providing best quality of life for as long as possible. I am warned that the side effects are severe and sometime though very rarely even , fatal, usually similar to though not as extreme as chemotherapy. Not very pretty though quite superior to the alternative option of no treatment and allowing the cancer to follow its natural course. Praise the Lord that in his wisdom he allows us to enter into the realm of medical magic and witness and even the hope for better that presently appears and the relief given from discomfort in the terminal period of Life. Within days I visit a highly recommended Oncologist, Dr, Robertson, of the Private Diagnostic Clinic at Duke University, who will have over site in the planning of my treatment which will be provided by Dr. Randhawa, The newest addition to our Halifax Regional Hospital Oncology Department Staff, and who will provide the actual treatment. Dr. Randhawa was referred by my personal Pulmonary Physician, The Chief of Staff of the Halifax Regional Hospital who has been keeping me alive far beyond the projected lifespan of an extremely long and heavy smoker. Said lifespan which was projected statistically to end before age seventy. So I feel as I enter into this Last Quest, that I could hope for no more competent or professional health care providers than I now have as "My Personal Health Care Team". I would be most crass were I to ignore the contribution of my many neighbors and friends who are providing me with all forms of encouragement and support, from Lawn care to Dog sitting, and providing many tasty dishes to whet my declining appetite. And last but not least the many members of the "Luger Forum", who Six years ago provided a World Wide Prayer Chain that brought me through that early period of trial, and who I know will continue to support me through this My Final Quest. May God Bless and Guide The Hands of Each and Every One, as they carry me through the coming ordeal. ViggoG <End Part 2> --------- I repeat my request for prayer for Viggo to have the strength to deal with challenges that now face him in the upcoming few months... Viggo, my personal prayers are with you... Please keep us posted on your treatment and prognosis... You are among friends here. ----------------- __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

08-09-2006, 04:21 PM	#2
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,523 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,707 Times in 1,012 Posts	viggo g Keep fighting forward Viggo... My best wishes for your health in the tough battle ahead, and my greatest respect for your knowledge and talent... Best to you Viggo, til...lat'r...GT

08-09-2006, 05:14 PM	#3
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	Viggo, Find comfort and solace in each and every day if possible. We here will be thinking of you and hope you find peace and contentment with your Family and Friends. Praying for your success. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

08-09-2006, 06:40 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	For folks interested, I am gathering together bits and pieces of Viggo's life, he worked for NASA during the hey'days and I will post them as a link on my comcast account. I thought this might be a fitting, living tribute to a friend of mine... Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

08-09-2006, 09:57 PM	#8
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	All of our best thoughts and wishes Viggo. Our prayers are with you... __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

08-09-2006, 06:09 PM	#4
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Viggo, You and yours are in my prayers. Tom A

08-09-2006, 06:14 PM	#5
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 411 Times in 180 Posts	Viggo, we pray for you and wish for all that is best for you.

08-09-2006, 07:19 PM	#7
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	My email friend Viggo and my brother John, I am sorry to hear of all you two have suffered through the last few week, I did not say anything here except to Tinker, but long story and longer worry ended Monday for me when I was told I was colon cancer free, illness and a very hard family history of colon cancer in my family, caused the surgery but it is over....Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us, familys can be forever if we follow his loving plan of salvation.....Viggo and John you are in my prayers, and so is your daughter John.....may God bless each of you in your needs and comfort your sorrow...

08-09-2006, 11:58 PM	#9
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,035 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,242 Times in 1,719 Posts	Viggo, God bless you and your medical team. I pray for your recovery, and even more so for comfort. Hang in there. Your craftsmanship has contributed so much to our hobby. Now you are in the hands of the original Craftsman. May He smile upon you and grant you more time with us, your friends. With love and admiration, Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-10-2006, 04:47 AM	#10
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 792 Thanks: 0 Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts	Viggo, my prayers are with you and may God bless those that are watching over and treating you. Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

08-10-2006, 06:04 AM	#11
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	Viggo, As you know, prayer is a powerful thing. You and your family will be in our prayers. May God strengthen and comfort you in this difficult time. Best Regards, Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther