A health update
 

Many of you know my health problems of the past few years, lymphoma lymphoma, bone marrow transplant, gall bladder removal, Hepatitis B. It reads like a who's who of what not to have happen to you. But I got through it, I had been feeling great and was loving life.

I started having some problems with my kidneys in the last couple of weeks. Monday my kidneys gave out permanently. My doctor told me to go to the ER immediately but I refused. That day was my Mom's 80th birthday and we were having a party for her and there was no way I was missing that. If you met my mom (Maxine) at the National, Brimfield or Atlantique City you would understand, but I guess that should be standard course for any mom. The party was pretty incredible and my mom loved it. We all did. I'll be posting some photos and stuff on my Facebook page in a few days.

I am writing this hooked up to a dialysis machine at the hospital. The good news is that I will leave a normal life (as normal as you could say my life is). I already feel 10 times better after one full treatment. I will be getting a Peritoneal unit in a month or two and will be sale to do my treatments at home while I sleep. The machine is the size of a briefcase and I can take it on the road with me. I am not cutting bak on my show schedule,. I am not relinquishing any of my duties at Lelands. I love what I do and I have no desire to do anything else. I am one of the luckiest people in the world to be able to do what I love most with the people I love day in and day out, year after year. This hobby has been great to me and I appreciate all of you being a part of my life.

My sister Andrea has pledged to give me one of her kidneys and we are now just starting to look into transplant. With that I will be like new. My doctors are amazing and the support of my family friends and especially the people at the firm is tremendous.

I am telling you a lot of these medical details because there are a lot of misconceptions out there about this disease. I went in scared because I thought this would affect my life expectancy and I would end up having to go to some shady place to buy a black market kidney to survive or I would be stuck to a machine for the rest of my now shortened life. None of this is true.

Boy, would that suck because there are so many pieces I am still looking to find, people I have not yet met and places I still want to see. I have had an incredible life, a blessed life, filled with excitement and intensity and joy and pain and so much love. I'm going to be around a while and plan on giving you all a run for your money doing what we love to do. Life is sweet.

Sounds like you've got things well in hand, Josh. With that positive attitude and the support of your many friends and family, I'm confident you'll be entertaining us with your outstanding auctions and hobby tales for years to come. And a special nod to your sister for her amazing demonstration of love. You're in good hands, my friend. Thanks for sharing this information with us, and happy birthday to your mom!

Health
 

Josh, I hope the best for you and pray that you will be healed

Good luck Josh...all the best.

Jeff

Josh,
Sorry to hear about your health issues.
Good luck with your treatments. I hope your sister is a viable match for you.
Best,
Mark

Josh, last year a close friend of mine underwent the same treatment program. At 48 suffered a stroke and both kidneys failed him. He was a minor league player for 7 years and then major league scout for 20 more. He could no longer handle the rigors of travel and despite his passion for his job he had to walk away from the life he loved. He remained positive and was never angry about his plight. I was moved by his strength and honored by his friendship.

The following month my 20 year old daughter was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive bone cancer. She faced 171 days of inpatient chemo and had the middle third of her leg surgically removed and replaced by metal and an artificial joint. She suffered with brutal mouth sores, total hair loss, a heart catheter, and a serious infection secondary to a bug bite that resulted in a 5 day inpatient stay in the cardiac critical care unit. She was an absolute warrior. Her strength courage and positive attitude were inspiring. I have never been more impressed or proud of her. I raised my children with the message that any fool can shine when the sun is out. Those who can do it at life's darkest hour are special. My little girl faced death and shined like a super nova. She never cried, or said how unfair life was. I cannot begin to say how proud I am to be her father.

The reason I am sharing this with you is because I want you to know that you are correct life is beautiful and precious. Hope, love, prayer and a positive attitude will get you through this nightmare. My daughter won her battle with cancer and is back to work and is radiant as ever. My friend got a new kidney and is doing great in his new career and very much in love with his new wife. Tell your sister she is wonderful and heroic. The world needs more people like her.

Shine on Josh!

Mike

Hang tough Josh.

Good luck, and keep up that positive attitude!

A positive attitude and outlook does wonders at tough times like these! I think you already know this :) Thoughts and prayers are headed your way.

Josh - you and I go so far back I do not want to count the years :).
Hang tough, you will come through this.


Rich

Josh - sounds like your attitude is much better than guys who have no health problems at all. Hang in there and good luck.

Hi Josh,

When you recently said you were "on the blink" I was very worried.

So glad to hear you are doing better and have such a positive outlook.

Congratulations to you and to your Mom!

Prayers your way!
 

Hope you are well soon - with that attitude, you are home already!