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This one really hurts

12 posts
  1. Rosenthal Gregg
    Rosenthal Gregg avatar
    7/17/2011 9:07 AM
    First for the people who have been helping me I want to thank you very much and say I am still hanging in here in Naples, hoping to find work at some point in the near future. I have been successful in helping my 75+ yr old parents and achieved the first part of my goal to relocate to SW Florida. Now comes the big kicker...part of the reason I moved here was to deal with my own medical issues. For the past almost 5 years I have had issues with seizures, causing several car accidents (no one got hurt thank God), and me to undergo many different medication regime's. These have not worked out so well as my seizures have continued despite different medication combinations. I just spent 5 days in Tampa Hospital at the U of South Florida Epilepsy Comprehensive Diagnostic Clinic based on referral from my Neurologist here in Naples. Bad news is I have been confirmed to have Epilepsy and medication is not controlling it...Good news is that NeuroSurgery has an 80% chance of correcting my problem, eliminating seizures and medication need all together. It is a "no brainer" for a person of my age (50) and excellent physical condition to take on this challenge! I have a few more outpatient tests to undergo in the next 6-8 weeks before surgery will be scheduled. The surgery itself will be fairly simple as all my seizures occur in one location (left temporal lobe) and it requires removal of the offending tissue. In turf terms this equates to chemical disease resistance in turf and the need to replace the resistant variety with new. In my case just removal. My goal is to take on this challenge just as I would any new construction project, bunker rebuild, tree planting or renovation I have done in the past, get it done and be ready to move on and be better than before! I hope that in 4-5 months or less I am able to go to work again so for those here in the Naples area Please keep me in mind! If all goes well I will be able to do all those things I cannot do now, like drive a car again. I no longer care about titles, I just want to be a productive team member offering my skills and knowledge as part of a group achieving their goals. Life is about living and doing I have reached all of the goals I previously set for myself, hosting the PGA Tour and Golf Course Construction, Now my Goal is to live my life and not be handicapped by it!

    When the time comes I will be ready to be an asset to someone who wants one!

    With all Humility and Gods help,

    Gregg Rosenthal
    Grosenthal13@msn.com



  2. Wahlin Scott B
    Wahlin Scott B avatar
    7/17/2011 9:07 AM
    Gregg,

    I have a family member with epilepsy. Fortunately it can be controlled with medication. Just like I know I cannot relate to my son's extensive experience with combat, I know I cannot relate to having epilepsy. I can only stand in awe of those like you who are experiencing such difficulty yet move on with their lives. You motivate others to excel. You are on my prayer list.

    Scott



  3. Fleegel Timothy
    Fleegel Timothy avatar
    7/17/2011 9:07 AM
    Gregg you sound like you have a very good head on your shoulders and have figured out the important things in life. Good luck in the months ahead and the challenges it will present.



  4. Grote Richard R
    Grote Richard R avatar
    7/17/2011 10:07 AM
    Greg,

    My brother Barry was sales manager for Allegheny Turf Products. Two years ago he started having severe headaches and was soon diagnosed with a brain tumor. After one operation to remove the tumor(you only get one operation) and months on chemo and radiation I am thrilled to report that all signs of even the microscopic tumors are gone. Although he can no longer drive we are just happy for him to still be with us.

    Never underestimate the power of prayer and I will certainly add you to my list. God has a certain plan for you .Hang in there ,we are all with you.

    Rick Grote



  5. McCallum David K
    McCallum David K avatar
    7/18/2011 7:07 AM
    Gregg,
    Best of luck to you in both the procedure you are about to undergo as well as your future. My wife also suffers from the same disease but hers is treatable thank goodness. Shes a nurse and she helps herself a great deal by watching her diet. Certain things to avoid and other things to consume more of. Good luck to you.



  6. Gary Carls
    Gary Carls avatar
    19 posts
    7/18/2011 9:07 AM
    Gregg,

    You will be in our prayers in the months ahead. I faced a serious medical issue earlier this year and I know all the prayers of others and my own faith helped me through it all. Things are all looking real good right now but it is also something that I will need to deal with the rest of my life. Hopefully with regular check-ups and great medical care like I received I'll have many more great experiences in life. I know how tough it can be emotionally and you never know what new challenges will come your way but all you can do deal with it the best you can. Keep the faith!!

    Also great article in GCM this month about surviving skin cancer. After everything else I went through last winter I also had one spot removed from the back of my head this past spring. Fortunately it was a less serious squamous cell carcinoma. I always told myself I would get checked at the free checks they usually do at the GIS but always seemed to never get to it. Anyone in this business needs to be checked regularly by a good dermatologist.

    Again Gregg, you will be in our prayers and hopefully everything will go well for you. Take care.

    Gary K. Carls, CGCS, President - Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative

  7. Sandy Clark
    Sandy Clark avatar
    0 posts
    7/18/2011 9:07 AM
    Gregg, best of luck to you. Your positive attitude and your physical condition will be helpful in your recovery. We will all be praying for you and cheering you on.

    Sandy



  8. Quick Lewis W
    Quick Lewis W avatar
    7/18/2011 10:07 AM
    Gregg,
    Your great attitude will help certainly help you as you go through all of this. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself.



  9. Ashton Alan W
    Ashton Alan W avatar
    7/18/2011 11:07 AM
    Wishing you good luck Gregg...

    My ex was in the 20%... had the surgery in 2000, only to have them return on the other hemisphere (thus ruling out any further surgery). She has since become seizure free on a cocktail that includes Zonegran, Tegretol and lastly Lyrica. The Lyrica is the one that may have done the trick according to the folks at Barrow here in Phoenix, so you may keep that in mind...



  10. Rosenthal Gregg
    Rosenthal Gregg avatar
    7/20/2011 11:07 AM
    Update, in next two weeks I go back to Tampa for the final 4 Presurgical tests. Precise MRI of area in brain where my seizures are coming from. WADA test, they run a catheter into brain from leg alternately numb right and left side of brain then ask questions and do tests to determine which side of brain is dominant over the other. Neuropsychological test, another test to determine which part of brain is doing what, and finally, a Pet scan, a nuclear scan that identifies areas of brain that are active when being stimulated by questioning and other stimuli. All these tests help to determine surgical likelihood of success and pinpoint tissue to be removed. I am keeping a positive outlook and my local Neurologist is 100% supporting me and believes I am perfect candidate for this surgery. His hope is after surgery I may never need to see him again except to say thanks! I again want to say thanks to all who have thought of, prayed for and helped me! Soon I am hoping to be making a come back to pay it forward!

    Gregg



  11. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    7/20/2011 2:07 PM
    That sounds great Gregg, I am simply amazed at what the medical world has come up with. Of course prayers don't hurt. Good luck with everything.

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

  12. Samuel Snyder
    Samuel Snyder avatar
    0 posts
    7/25/2011 1:07 PM
    Greg,

    Best wishes and prayers on your testing to be accurate and complete.

    Heath problems are difficult for anyone but for those who work outside it doubly difficult as we are so active and then have it all stopped suddenly hurts.

    Others have noted their success in beating health issues and we all will face something along the way.

    You have a great attitude and that is half the battle.

    Hang in there.


    Sam Snyder



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