Fightman's Build Thread

Thank you sir! Planning on getting some R&R between projects.... this afternoon we're heading to the beach with some friends. Since my last post, my wife and I have done a 3rd coat of mud on all our screw holes and joints in the bathroom gyprock, and should be able to sand it tomorrow, so we can prime and then paint it!

It's getting there.... as for Mean Green... she's getting some road time today... taking it to the beach! :)
 
In light of the recent fender repair job on Meangreen... I decided to take it for a spin to a "not so nearby lake"... called Rabbit Lake. Apparently it's a former rock quarry, which is spring fed... so it offers beautiful clear water, although very cold. lol!

While there, we ran into a Natural Resource worker, who advised the lake is annually loaded up with "Splake" fish. It's a local hangout for some of the native people from the area, and a popular place for teens to party. :D

Here's a few pics from today.... mostly 4Runner pics.. :D











 
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Trying to recreate the slight nose-down rake of your rig, I've read your thread with interest. I've come across some front TRD struts locally off of a 2005 Tundra but the part number (48510-AF210) doesn't match the numbers posted in the forum sticky. Do you know if these will these work or are they incompatible?

The search for LC 8 wraps, meanwhile, continues...

Thanks for your help and inspiration.
 
So, a lot has happened since my last post. For those who don't know, I suffer from IBD. I've had 5 bowel surgeries to correct a condition called Ulcerative Colitis, which involved removing my colon. I had my last of those 5 surgeries 5 years ago, but for months I haven't been feeling well.

I left my 4Runner at home on August 21st to go on a family vacation with my wife and kids. While visiting family and enjoying a family reunion, my symptoms got worse, and I ended up in the hospital. After 2 months in and out of the hospital, I had another surgery performed, and now have a permanent ostomy bag.

That being said, I'm 2 weeks out of surgery, still have staples holding my stomach together... and not doing much work on the old 4Runner. I do plan on doing an oil change soon, and oil spraying it for this upcoming winter.

I'm taking things one day at time... and celebrate the small victories these days. This pic was taken on Halloween, the second time I'd driven my old girl in 2 months... :)

 
Damn man. I have IBD/IBS myself. Can't imagine going what you're going through. Stay strong brother and keep your good attitude. That's half the battle.
 
Fightman I am sorry to hear such. Any family outing can be a real pain in the rear. Stress for no reason. I feel for ya and will pray for no more UC flareups the remainder of the year. Did the doctor give any reason for its return?

I don't know if you remember me talking about my friend who lived in Colorado with UC and moved to Arizona four years ago. She now has almost no symptoms and only takes two meds and a probiotic daily. She swears the dry heat has put the UC in almost permanent remission but does drink at least 1/2 a gallon of water daily.
 
LittleCaesar said:
Fightman I am sorry to hear such. Any family outing can be a real pain in the rear. Stress for no reason. I feel for ya and will pray for no more UC flareups the remainder of the year. Did the doctor give any reason for its return?

I don't know if you remember me talking about my friend who lived in Colorado with UC and moved to Arizona four years ago. She now has almost no symptoms and only takes two meds and a probiotic daily. She swears the dry heat has put the UC in almost permanent remission but does drink at least 1/2 a gallon of water daily.
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Thanks man.... The UC never came back.... It was gone when they took my colon. The surgeries were bowel reconstructions... So I couldavoid the ostomy bag. Unfortunately, I recently developed an abscess in the reconstructed section... And had 4 others starting. My only options were a brand new reconstruction (with all the risks involved of having another reconstruction.... I almost died during my first attempt... Or they had to give me a permanent ostomy.

I reluctantly chose the ostomy... As it was the least risky... And after 2 months of pain from the abscess and drain tube they inserted through my left glute muscle... I just wanted it to be over. My wife and kids have suffered along side... Watching me suffer from the pain.

I still have to go back for another surgery... In order to remove the old reconstructed and infected bowel. However, that won't be until February.

They don't know why this happened.... But say that it is common among people who have the bowel reconstruction done.
 
Sorry to hear about the recent setback with your health. I hope you get stronger everyday & you are ready for the February surgery. Keep your kids & rest of family close & hold on to every minute with them, they are the best medicine for you & as with me, my reason to exist. You & yours will be in my thoughts & prayers!
 
Bandit Runner said:
Sorry to hear about your health issues. Keep up the good fight!
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rtarv32101 said:
Sorry to hear about the recent setback with your health. I hope you get stronger everyday & you are ready for the February surgery. Keep your kids & rest of family close & hold on to every minute with them, they are the best medicine for you & as with me, my reason to exist. You & yours will be in my thoughts & prayers!
Click to expand...

Thanks gentlemen.... I'll keep on fightin'.... that's what I do. ;) I managed to break my own record after surgery. When the Doctors told me 7 to 10 days to recover before I could leave the hospital... I did it in 5. ;)

My first goal the day of bowel surgery, is to get out of bed and at the very least, stand on my own 2 feet. This time around, I didn't get to do that, as I was in recovery for 9 hours, and then on 24hr monitoring because I'd stop breathing in my sleep. ;) The next morning though, I was on my feet and walking around the hospital floor. Every day meant more laps... and eventually... the Doc's sent me on my way. :)
 
fightman80 said:
Thanks gentlemen.... I'll keep on fightin'.... that's what I do. ;) I managed to break my own record after surgery. When the Doctors told me 7 to 10 days to recover before I could leave the hospital... I did it in 5. ;)

My first goal the day of bowel surgery, is to get out of bed and at the very least, stand on my own 2 feet. This time around, I didn't get to do that, as I was in recovery for 9 hours, and then on 24hr monitoring because I'd stop breathing in my sleep. ;) The next morning though, I was on my feet and walking around the hospital floor. Every day meant more laps... and eventually... the Doc's sent me on my way. :)
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Fightman, I just read your last few posts. Man, I've talked to you many times on the forum, and had no idea you were dealing with such a difficult health issue. I've studied IBD a lot, as I've had GI problems for years as well. I feel for you. I'm currently battling health issues as well.

I apparently had a tick bite and contracted lyme disease, and several other infections over a year ago in Wisconsin. It went undiagnosed until I became suddenly very sick, and am now trying to fight chronic lyme disease, pneumonia and other tick borne infections. Lost my job as I couldn't work. I had fly home (as a 29 year man) and have my parents help take care of me. Very humiliating. I initially had such bad GI symptoms that I had my second colonoscopy, and upper endoscopy. They suspected IBD, but didn't find it. I've had IBS (not nearly as severe as what you're dealing with) since I was a teenager. I say all this to let you I relate to you're health struggles and wanted you know I'm pulling for you!

A few things worth mentioning . . .

I got my BS in Cellular Molecular Biology several years back, cause I wanted to help work on cures for diseases. I continue to do research almost every day (have lots of time on my hands) and man, modern medical science is doing amazing things these days. I do believe in the next ten years there will be significant advances for Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis treatments, and really for all diseases. I think bowel transplants will eventually become a possibility, or even using your own stem cells to grow a complete colon outside of the body! They are already doing this with some organs. For your sake, and other who are dealing with IBD, I hope these advancements come soon.

Anyways, I can tell you have a lot of inner strength man. You have to when you/re battling a chronic disease like that. Keep fighting! Keep hope alive. And keep us informed on how you're doing.

How are you doing since having your colon removed by the way? Has it helped with pain?
 
1985taylor1925 said:
Fightman, I just read your last few posts. Man, I've talked to you many times on the forum, and had no idea you were dealing with such a difficult health issue. I've studied IBD a lot, as I've had GI problems for years as well. I feel for you. I'm currently battling health issues as well.

I apparently had a tick bite and contracted lyme disease, and several other infections over a year ago in Wisconsin. It went undiagnosed until I became suddenly very sick, and am now trying to fight chronic lyme disease, pneumonia and other tick borne infections. Lost my job as I couldn't work. I had fly home (as a 29 year man) and have my parents help take care of me. Very humiliating. I initially had such bad GI symptoms that I had my second colonoscopy, and upper endoscopy. They suspected IBD, but didn't find it. I've had IBS (not nearly as severe as what you're dealing with) since I was a teenager. I say all this to let you I relate to you're health struggles and wanted you know I'm pulling for you!

A few things worth mentioning . . .

I got my BS in Cellular Molecular Biology several years back, cause I wanted to help work on cures for diseases. I continue to do research almost every day (have lots of time on my hands) and man, modern medical science is doing amazing things these days. I do believe in the next ten years there will be significant advances for Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis treatments, and really for all diseases. I think bowel transplants will eventually become a possibility, or even using your own stem cells to grow a complete colon outside of the body! They are already doing this with some organs. For your sake, and other who are dealing with IBD, I hope these advancements come soon.

Anyways, I can tell you have a lot of inner strength man. You have to when you/re battling a chronic disease like that. Keep fighting! Keep hope alive. And keep us informed on how you're doing.

How are you doing since having your colon removed by the way? Has it helped with pain?
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The UC pain is gone... however with the 2 bowel reconstructions, I had a shortened digestive tract, and usually used the bathroom at least 8 times a day. Most of those movements would happen in the early afternoon, and continue into the night, leaving me with little sleep, as I would get up at least twice a night to use the bathroom. My job is entirely outdoors... and with me living in Northern Ontario Canada, that meant I would often have to go outside 1 or twice per shift.... even when it was -35*C.

The Ostomy gives me more rest at night.... one thing I haven't had much of in the last 5 years.

Thanks for the kind words man... glad to see you still around on the forum! Cheers! :)
 
fightman80 said:
The UC pain is gone... however with the 2 bowel reconstructions, I had a shortened digestive tract, and usually used the bathroom at least 8 times a day. Most of those movements would happen in the early afternoon, and continue into the night, leaving me with little sleep, as I would get up at least twice a night to use the bathroom. My job is entirely outdoors... and with me living in Northern Ontario Canada, that meant I would often have to go outside 1 or twice per shift.... even when it was -35*C.

The Ostomy gives me more rest at night.... one thing I haven't had much of in the last 5 years.

Thanks for the kind words man... glad to see you still around on the forum! Cheers! :)
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Man, thats tough. I've been struggling with severe insomnia as well. An effect of the infections. Have you ever tried the Paleo diet for a good period of time? It has helped many people with IBD.

I dont know how much you get into research your condition, but the autoimmunity research foundation is doing some amazing studies right now. I believe they are ahead of the medical community. As a general rule the medical community and pharmaceuticals takes several years to catch up current laboratory research for diseases. I believe in many ways their research will change how autoimmune diseases are treated in the future. Anyways, with IBD their research is very pertinent to you. If you are interested in their studies, here's their website

Autoimmunity Research Foundation
 
t's been roughly 20 days since my surgery... And it was time to remove my 30 staples! A huge shout out to my wife for removing them quickly and painlessly!







I should clarify.... my wife isn't a nurse... nor a Doctor.... she's just had the misfortune of being married to me, and has done this before.... a few times. :)

Feels alot better without that zipper on my stomach.... almost feels normal again! :)
 
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