Jim's Fight "Can't means won't "

05/14/2025

We awoke this morning to this post. We get busy doing "us" and one day leads to a week, to a month, to a year...
We forget how many people are effected in one way or another, by Jim's journey.
We are blessed to have so many people supporting Jim through prayer, positive thoughts, and kind gestures. There are no words that adequately express our gratitude to all of you. You do make a difference.
Thank you Zach for reminding us.
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Hello all. My name is Mariah and I am asking for your help. October 25, 2020. It wa… Mariah Haywood needs your support for "Can't Means Won't"-Jim's Fight

03/20/2025

There’s something special about track kids.
They push themselves to the limit—chasing the clock, the finish line, and their own potential. They explode out of the blocks with determination, fight through the burn, and embrace every second that counts.

These kids shine under pressure.
They know that in their sport, seconds and centimeters separate victory from defeat.

These kids don’t make excuses.
They race in the rain, the wind, the heat. They run through soreness, past exhaustion, refusing to back down. They know that growth happens in the hardest moments.

These kids celebrate every finish.
They feel the thrill of a PR and the sting of a near-miss. They push their teammates, cheer just as loudly for the last leg of a relay as the first, and understand that track isn’t just about winning—it’s about progress, resilience, and giving everything you have.

These kids carry their sport with them.
They take the lessons of the track—discipline, perseverance, and relentless drive—into every part of their lives. They will always remember the rush, the spikes on the track, the feeling of leaving everything they had out there.

Because there’s something special about track kids.
They run, they jump, they throw, they grind. And no matter what - they keep going.

Leslie Means

11/30/2024

It seems like a decade ago that Jim was first given his diagnosis. The reality is, it's been four years. If there is anything to be thankful for in this journey, it is the confirmation that faith and hope are powerful forces. The support of family and friends brings calm in the storms. Prayers bring peace and the strength to continue the fight.
I cannot possibly imagine the emotions that Jim has weathered in these years. I have watched the physical toll this horrific disease has taken. The constant pain, the deterioration of abilities to perform tasks that we take for granted, the loss of energy, fatigue, the poor immune system, sporadic appetite, brain fog, and on and on.
Through all of this, Jim continues to fight and to take each day as it comes. Surrender is not a word in his vocabulary.
Monday will bring a new phase. As the cancer becomes more aggressive, so must the treatment-

-Radium 223 Xofigo infusion (2 hour IV hook up) 1x month for
6 months. Several side effects. Most serious could be toxicity to kidney. Can only do one round of treatments. Used to delay chemotherapy.
If this is unsuccessful, will go to Columbus for another round of infused radiation of a different type (stronger) before having to start chemo.
-Last scan revealed 7 cm, 5 cm, and 4 cm nodules in lungs. Will repeat scans in 3 months to check growth.
-To maintain all current treatments.
-PSA up 3 points from last month.
-New area of uptake (bone loss from cancer) in left shoulder not previously seen and increased uptake in lower spine.

As always, keep the faith. Please keep Jim, and the countless number of other persons fighting this battle, in your prayers.

10/10/2024

Someone is having a great time...

10/05/2024

Happy birthday to my guy! Wishing you a year of laughter, family, love, strength, peace and comfort.
All my love, always ❤️

09/06/2024

I need to clarify my last post. I gave the wrong impression of Jim's cancer. Jim isn't cancer free. This was just the last treatment of this round of radiation. Chemo infusions are next.
Initially, surgery wasn't an option for Jim, as he was already stage 4 metastatic prostate with bone metastases at first diagnosis. He will never go into remission, the cancer will not be eliminated from his body. His treatment will continue without end. He will continue to have monthly labs and oncologist appointments, multiple daily pills and monthly injections. He will continue to have MRIs, CTs and bone scans at regular intervals.
He is in pain to some degree, every single day. He can't sleep more than a couple hours at a time. He has hot flashes and night sweats. He tires easily and can't walk more than 25 to 50 yards without having to stop and rest. His appetite comes and goes. His bones are weak. He can't lift. His balance is off. He can't sit in a chair for any length of time without causing severe pain. He gets winded walking up the stairs. He has bouts of anxiety and depression. His memory is lacking.
He receives radiation treatments for pain management only. He now has esophagitis as one of the radiation side effects. He can't eat solid food.
With all of these things, he copes. It is his new normal.
He is optimistic and takes every day as it comes. Bad days will be followed by good days. He has kept his sense of humor. His love and appreciation for his family is stronger than it has ever been.
I am so very proud of him and how he is fighting this battle.
Please continue to pray for God's healing grace.

09/03/2024

Last radiation treatment completed today! Thank you to the wonderful staff at KCH and Riverside hospital Radiation Oncolgy Department.

08/27/2024

Our extended visit in Texas was very good for Jim. He began feeling so much better while we were there. It really can't be explained medically. I believe it to be a nod from God, but that's just me.
With that being said, today, Jim starts another round of radiation treatments for his spine and scapula.
This process is strictly for pain management.
Jim's PSA has been consistently rising for the last 6 or 7 months, with the last one nearly doubling from the previous month. A decision will be made soon, to alter his current treatment plan and begin chemo infusions. Jim, with his oncologist, have delayed this next step and will hopefully, buy a couple months.

03/08/2024

It's been quite awhile since I've shared. One day runs into a week, into a month...

We are well settled in 2024 now. January was eventful with the closing of Jim's shop, Creative Images. Despite our best efforts, the economy, changes in buyer habits, Jim's inability to participate in the work process and the resulting lack of funds to pay Thor, we were led to the heartbreaking conclusion that we had to close the business. I'm still in the process of determining how to liquidate equipment, supplies, raw material, etc.

January also brought a one week plunge in temperatures. During that week we experienced a sewer back up in our basement and our furnace succumbing to old age. With 5 electric heaters running 24/7 the house temperature was 39°. That made for 5 nights and 6 days of very uncomfortable indoor living before a new furnace could be installed.

The week before Valentine's Day, Jim was finally seen by an OSU Radiology/Urology specialist to consult following Jim's failed November surgery to remove a very large mass of kidney stones that had become lodged in the opening of his right kidney into the ureter. Once seen, Jim was immediately put on an urgent fast track for another two surgeries. The consult was on a Monday. The first surgery was on Wednesday and the second was on Friday of the same week. I'll omit the details, with the exception that during Jim's first surgery, he was inadvertently administered an improper mix of general anesthesia drugs (likely the fentynol) and had to be given Narcan to revive him. Having been given Narcan, Jim was unable to have pain medication for 36 hours. That week caused Jim much anxiety and pain. But, we are happy to report that the surgeries were successful. However, we are adding a Nephrologist to Jim's list of care providers.

Additionally during these last couple of months, Jim's high blood pressure and hypothyroidism have been tested, monitored, and medications begun. Both conditions are improving and have resulted in a noticeable positive change in Jim's energy level, mental focus and overall mood.
He has been going to Planet Fitness with Azzure a few times a week. He isn't able to do anything involving resistance or weight training, but he is kickin' it on the treadmill and recumbent bike! Some days it takes a lot out of him and requires a day or two rest, but he is getting up and out and visiting at times with old friends who also are "Silver Sneakers".

I'll end this update with a story from one of Jim's encounters last week. While at the gym, a man approached Jim and hesitantly asked, "Are you Jim Lindsey?" He replied that he was and confirmed that he also had a brother named Victor. The man then said that when he was just a kid (Jim would have probably been a senior in high school or recently graduated), that he and some friends used to go to the Nautilus gym in Mount Vernon and "fool around". The man said he was sure that Jim wouldn't remember this, but the now grown man, has always remembered Jim and that because Jim would take the time to work with the then, younger boy, and taught him how to properly use the equipment, etc., the young boy continued to go to the gym and developed a life long weight lifting routine. He just wanted to thank Jim for being so kind and patient. It was a much appreciated validation of a life well lived.

PS- I forgot to add the most important update! Jim's PSA level has gone up and down monthly. The oncologist is satisfied that it is at an acceptable fluctuation, so for now, treatment remains the same with continued medications and injections, monthly appointments and labs. In all things give praise. We are blessed.

12/13/2023

It's been a hectic month so far.
Jim's surgery to break up the large kidney stone and place a stent was unsuccessful. The surgeon encountered dense scar tissue that is completely blocking the ureter so he was unable to get into the right kidney. Result, much to Jim's dismay, was a catheter for 10 days. It was able to be removed, because the left kidney is still emptying, but the problem still exists. A referral was made to an OSU urology specialist to consult for another surgery. This one is a percutaneous nephrostomy. An incision will be made in his back and then into the upper kidney. From there, a tube will be inserted to break up/remove the 10mm kidney stone and then clean out the scar tissue and biopsy. The tube will have to be left in place temporarily, depending on how the surgery goes and what they actually find when they get in.
The first consult date wasn't scheduled until March! We had to have a few animated discussions with various doctors to get the consult moved up, so now it is scheduled for mid-January.
I had the flu and unfortunately, Jim caught a bit of the virus. We are both better now.
Jim's primary care physician doubled his blood pressure medication dosage this week, as the initial dosage wasn't having any effect. This we expected, as it's only been a month since he began treatment for his hypertension.
This month's oncolgy labs will include a TSH test, ordered by his P*P, to determine his thyroid levels. We know he has hypothyroidism, but don't know what effect that could be having on his overall health. He's never had it tested since he had his radioactive iodine treatment for his hyperthyroidism.
We are waiting to hear what, if any, assistance we may qualify for in regard to Jim's copay for his meds. We learned a couple weeks ago that the daily cancer med he has been on since the beginning (chemo and hormone therapy) now has to go through Jim's insurance, instead of being paid for through a drug company program based on income. A ONE month prescription for this med is $16,379.96. Jim's copay is $3,249.49 (a MONTH). Jim also will now have to have his monthly injection and quarterly injection medications go through insurance and will have a 20% copay. One injection is $6,000. The other is $8,000. December ends the drug program assistance for all three. We are in limbo now.
With all of that, we are doing okay. Jim really feels pretty good, all things considered, and together, we will figure this out.
In this season of joy, we are blessed with every new day.
We are grateful for all of the caring people that surround us and support us with prayers and well wishes.

11/10/2023

Quick update on Jim.
He has a very large kidney stone that has to be removed with a laser lithotripsy. It's an outpatient surgery. Waiting for insurance approval and will then be scheduled.
Results from sleep lab study are he has severe disruptive apnea causing hypoxia. Study revealed he has an average of 51 incidents of apnea per hour. At this time he is not willing to use a CPAP device, so no treatment to be done.
Appointments next week with oncologist to review latest bone scan, CT and labs. Also appointment with new P*P to address high blood pressure and whatever else isn't cancer related.
Note- photo is from a past bowl game we were at with Mariah and Devin. We had a blast!

10/14/2023

No news is good news- I haven't kept up with communicating how Jim is doing. The summer has been fairly uneventful after the radiation therapy and recovery from the side effects. Jim was so full of energy and relatively pain free initially. He took on a bit of a project that lasted a few weeks. He got up everyday and went to "work". His appetite came back and he didn't have to take the pain pills. He was almost back to the Jim you all know.
Too much of a good thing was inevitable. He started to slow down and hip and back/neck pain returned. Not as severe as before the radiation, but more than anyone should have tp experience daily. Periods of days where he just has no energy, no appetite, sleepiness and fatigue. Restless sleep, if any.
The last couple month's labs have shown consecutive rises in the PSA. The oncologist has ordered new MRIs and CTs to see what progression of the cancer is now. Depending on the findings of those tests, he may initiate chemo infusions.
So for now, Jim has good days and not so good days. but every day is a blessing and we are thankful.