21 months since Chemotherapy.....

[jbarkley]

It's now been 21 months since my last chemotherapy session, I was diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoma in the small intestine (large intestine removed March 1986) Feb. 2005. By June of 2005 my bodyweight had dropped to 135 lbs. at 6'1'' tall. The "before" pics are at around 155 lbs after starting to gain some weight back. I started back training Sept, "05" very light and slowly and have been back to training consistently, although not intensely ever since. I had a 6 week layoff starting the week Between Christmas and New Year when my intestines started bleeding, got that under control and was put on different medication and have felt better than I have in years. I started training the second week of February with my best friend who is my age (we'll both be 49 in August) and he has had a lot of success with competitive bodybuilding, he was second place in the 2006 Master's Nationals in the light-heavy division....this has really been great, I haven't trained like this in years. We're putting the hammer down and since I committed to doing the San Jose master's in July, I had been concerned that I wouldn't be anywhere near ready....I'm starting to see some of the "old" me come back and I'm feeling like I won't embarrass myself on stage with 3.5 months left to train hard. Since my Bodyfat is quite low I won't have to start dieting down for another two months and can continue to grow until that time.

I love bodybuilding and have been involved with it in one aspect or another for the past 30 years. However, I haven't competed in nearly two decades, but the purpose of competing this time is to get photos for some comparison's to show and inspire Cancer patients, (especially children!!!) that are going through chemo and are possibly feeling hopeless and helpless! There are two children hospital's close by and we will visit these along with the cancer center I was at during my therapy.

Helping children have hope for the future and showing the possibilities of life after cancer I believe is going to be very beneficial and I would love to get some pics from some of the other Warriors that have gone through cancer and come out the otherside stronger than before...if not physically then certainly mentally! Mavsluva and Dudeman are two examples and I know Kale had a prostate cancer scare. If we get together on this even if it's just to share your story and pics with these children and adults, again I think we can make an impact in there lives. And for those of you that haven't experienced cancer yourselves, I'm sure we have all had friends or family members that have be devastated by this brutal disease.

My ultimate goal is to have a ranch that we could bring children to for a day and put them on the back of a horse or let them hold a baby chicken or take a ride on a horse-drawn wagon. I bought a ranch in Montana 8 years ago after my mom died with cancer for this purpose, but I got caught up in my business here in California and that got put on the back burner. I think god has given me a wake up call and an opportunity to touch other lives with what I have learned through this experience of having cancer myself. I recently started working on getting the financing for a large active adult community. This development is huge with 3800 homes a shopping village, two golf courses and Rec center. I shared my vision with the two gentleman that are developing this community and they really got excited and told me they were going to have an equestrian center there and I could use it to bring the children there for there outing away from the hospital. What a blessing! Anyway I'm sure you are tired of reading what probably seems to be a start of a book, but your help with stories and pics that I could use to share with children and adults of overcoming this brutal disease would be so appreciated by me and I know those suffering. All my best, Livestrong!!!!

[PROTEINSHAKE]

all I can say is WOW....... you are an inspiration to everyone,not just cancer survivors..you look great too man..amazing job & you seem to be an amazing person to undertake something so powerful..good luck.

[jbarkley]

all I can say is WOW....... you are an inspiration to everyone,not just cancer survivors..you look great too man..amazing job & you seem to be an amazing person to undertake something so powerful..good luck.

Thanks Bro, I just feel if I have been given the opportunity to live on, then I have a purpose, and that is to help these people get through the most indignant thing they will ever have to deal with....Livestrong! and good luck on your upcoming show!

[Snrf]

yeah bro, u look ****in awesome!

[Tambit24]

Beastly back. Great job.

[jbarkley]

yeah bro, u look ****in awesome!

Thanks Srf!!!!

[jbarkley]

Beastly back. Great job.

Thanks Bro, I appreciate the comment!

[thetank]

damn man...thats an incredible story. ive been through some shit that put me out of the gym for a year and a 1/2...nothing like what youve been through, but i know what its like to have your passion taken away, and what it feels like to have it back..and its an overwhelming experience. i appreciate you sharing your life with us man, im inspired to the ****in core. seriously.
that said, you look sick man....ripped with great shape..your back is ****in siiick...best of luck with your show and your training leading up too it..keep us posted!
peace
tank

[AirForceTACP]

Definition of a good person..

Lookin great man.. ... LiveSTRONG

[jbarkley]

damn man...thats an incredible story. ive been through some shit that put me out of the gym for a year and a 1/2...nothing like what youve been through, but i know what its like to have your passion taken away, and what it feels like to have it back..and its an overwhelming experience. i appreciate you sharing your life with us man, im inspired to the ****in core. seriously.
that said, you look sick man....ripped with great shape..your back is ****in siiick...best of luck with your show and your training leading up too it..keep us posted!
peace
tank

Tank, thanks brother for taking the time to comment and share some of your trials as well, I will definitely keep you posted!

Livestrong Bro!

[jbarkley]

Definition of a good person..

Lookin great man.. ... LiveSTRONG

Thanks Air, Keep up the good work!

Livestrong!

[number twelve]

wow jbarkley, truly an inspiration. the improvements that you have made and the adversity you have overcome...its remarkable

-12

[956Vette]

What a great story! Thanks so much for sharing, and keep up the hard work buddy!!!

[jbarkley]

wow jbarkley, truly an inspiration. the improvements that you have made and the adversity you have overcome...its remarkable

-12

12, thanks Bro for taking the time to give me your comments, they're very appreciated, keep LivingStrong!

[jbarkley]

What a great story! Thanks so much for sharing, and keep up the hard work buddy!!!

Thanks Vette,

I appreciate your positive comments, I'll keep at it hard!

Livestrong,

Jeff

[beatango2008]

wow man you look like a new person awsome!

[Hunter]

Looking good now visit the fight forum more slacker.

[oneshot]

You are a true baddass... and you look great too. good luck at your show and keep us posted.

[jbarkley]

wow man you look like a new person awsome!

Thanks Man, I appreciate it....the best part....I feel like a new person!

Livestong Brother!

[jbarkley]

Looking good now visit the fight forum more slacker.

LOL....that's great....see ya there! Thanks bro!

[jbarkley]

You are a true baddass... and you look great too. good luck at your show and keep us posted.

Thanks Oneshot, Glad to hear from you....
Livestrong!

[kaberle_15]

jbarkley you are an inspiration to me and others Im sure, you look amazing and have stayed strong through the hard times, something that not many can do and you are an example of how not quitting can lead to ones ultimate goal. You are a honorable man for your efforts towards children and all other victims of this terrible disease and I wish you the best with your future endeavors.

[jbarkley]

jbarkley you are an inspiration to me and others Im sure, you look amazing and have stayed strong through the hard times, something that not many can do and you are an example of how not quitting can lead to ones ultimate goal. You are a honorable man for your efforts towards children and all other victims of this terrible disease and I wish you the best with your future endeavors.

Kaberle, thanks so much for your very positive feedback....I really appreciate it. Livestrong brother!

[Georgie]

Very inspirational!!! Good luck and God bless you with everything. Looking good especially your back. Thanks for the advice on the lat spread. Been using your pic as a reference

[jbarkley]

Very inspirational!!! Good luck and God bless you with everything. Looking good especially your back. Thanks for the advice on the lat spread. Been using your pic as a reference

Georgie, thanks bro, I appreciate the comments, I'm happy to hear the suggestions on the lat spread helped, good luck this weekend and have fun!

Livestrong, Jeff

[sbigpecs]

Your very very blessed, and an inspiration to us all.

Thank you.God bless

[Serotonin]

Your story is an incredible inspiration! I was at a peak in my physical performance as far as looks and strength and then I had to have surgery for a hernia. It put me out of the gym for a while but the surgeon sucked and I tore the mesh they put in my abdomen. Anyways, I ended up being out of the gym for about 10 months and it really sucked. My muscle atrophied so much... it was so hard going back to the gym and feeling so weak.

Anyways, I'm 3 months back into it and I feel great. Good luck on the shows and there is no doubt it will give a lot of kids a boost.

And, you look great bro!

[JohnboyF]

Awesome story. thank you for taking the time to post in so detail.. You look amazing bro, truly inspirational

[jbarkley]

Your very very blessed, and an inspiration to us all.

Thank you.God bless

Thanks Bro, I appreciate it! Good luck on your upcoming show, I know you'll do well!

[jbarkley]

Your story is an incredible inspiration! I was at a peak in my physical performance as far as looks and strength and then I had to have surgery for a hernia. It put me out of the gym for a while but the surgeon sucked and I tore the mesh they put in my abdomen. Anyways, I ended up being out of the gym for about 10 months and it really sucked. My muscle atrophied so much... it was so hard going back to the gym and feeling so weak.

Anyways, I'm 3 months back into it and I feel great. Good luck on the shows and there is no doubt it will give a lot of kids a boost.

And, you look great bro!

Bro. I'm really glad to hear you're back in the gym....sorry to hear of your challenge with the doctor and your hernia, I was really fortunate with my Oncologist and the other doctors that worked with me throughout the cancer. I wish you the best in your training, I think you'll be surprised how fast you get back into shape, I'm guessing by summer you'll be back to the old you! Livestrong!

[jbarkley]

Awesome story. thank you for taking the time to post in so detail.. You look amazing bro, truly inspirational

Thanks Faiz, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment....Livestrong Faiz!

[Dude-Man]

I can't believe i missed this thread until now. I'm on a short break from rotations, but when i get off in a few hours i'm going to use this space for my writeup and pictures.

In the meantime, i'd just like to congratulate you. You exemplify everything that i try to emulate, in your positive attitude, ambition, and perseverence. Cheers man.

[jbarkley]

I can't believe i missed this thread until now. I'm on a short break from rotations, but when i get off in a few hours i'm going to use this space for my writeup and pictures.

In the meantime, i'd just like to congratulate you. You exemplify everything that i try to emulate, in your positive attitude, ambition, and perseverence. Cheers man.

Dudeman, I'm really honored to have you share your story, I will use it to inspire, motivate and give hope to those going through this challenge that we have gone through. Thank you Brother! Livestrong forever!

[cfiler]

You look good, definately a inspiring story. Keep up the excelent work!

[jbarkley]

You look good, definately a inspiring story. Keep up the excelent work!

Thanks Cfiler, I appreciate the words of encouragment!

Livestrong!

[Dude-Man]

Sorry for the delay. My laptop decided to stop working so i couldn't really get on this site until i headed home for the weekend.


When i was diagnosed, it was just before finals my senior year of my undergrad degree (biomedical engineering). In mid/late April, 2005, I had a minor fall rock climbing and did some damage to my left knee. I hadn't had physical in a while, so my doctor decided to give me one just to make sure that everything was on the up and up before i went in to get surgery. My blood tests came back with a very high white cell count, typical of a pretty large infection. They weren't sure why initially, but figured things were okay. In the meantime, i started to get pretty sick. It turned out i was experiencing septicemia, because i had fecal matter seeping into my abdominal cavity. I knew something was wrong so i demanded that my GP run some more tests.

One test lead to another, and eventually it was determined that i had stage 2 colon cancer. I was 23. I had had very few symptoms.. i'd had occasional abdominal pains and narrow stool as long as i could remember. They didn't trigger as alarm bells. I withdrew from school and immediately got a large bowel resection, removing the majority of my large intestine. My chemo finished at the begining of feburary, 2006. So i guess i'm about 14 months out.

As i was typing the next section of this- the getting back my life part, i realized that i was giving enough information for just about anyone to figure out who i was with very little digging. I know enough is probably already out there, but given my current situation i don't want to draw just anyone a roadmap to my door. So i'll just talk about the physical part.

When i started back up, i started back hard core. I was 195 lbs at around 10% bodyfat when i was diagnosed. I was on the verge of running my very first cycle. Between the surgery and the chemo, i lost a total of 70 lbs. I was determined to get it back as quickly as possible. I started eating more than i was supposed to, working much harder than i was supposed to, and i began running that long awaited cycle.

It was a big mistake. I ended up getting an awful viral infection from over exerting myself a few weeks into the cycle. When i recovered from that, i decided to take things a little slower. And that's where we are now i guess. Over the last year i've put on most of the weight i lost.. but i can't maintain the same level that i could before. That's where anabolics come in i suppose.

This has turned into a bit of a rant. I usually like to be concise. So i'm just going to remind everyone to take care of yourselves, and get your scheduled checkups. You never know when something can take you by suprise and nearly kill you.

[Tbone1975]

Well done there ya damn stud. What a positive inspiration to everybody.

It's now been 21 months since my last chemotherapy session, I was diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoma in the small intestine (large intestine removed March 1986) Feb. 2005. By June of 2005 my bodyweight had dropped to 135 lbs. at 6'1'' tall. The "before" pics are at around 155 lbs after starting to gain some weight back. I started back training Sept, "05" very light and slowly and have been back to training consistently, although not intensely ever since. I had a 6 week layoff starting the week Between Christmas and New Year when my intestines started bleeding, got that under control and was put on different medication and have felt better than I have in years. I started training the second week of February with my best friend who is my age (we'll both be 49 in August) and he has had a lot of success with competitive bodybuilding, he was second place in the 2006 Master's Nationals in the light-heavy division....this has really been great, I haven't trained like this in years. We're putting the hammer down and since I committed to doing the San Jose master's in July, I had been concerned that I wouldn't be anywhere near ready....I'm starting to see some of the "old" me come back and I'm feeling like I won't embarrass myself on stage with 3.5 months left to train hard. Since my Bodyfat is quite low I won't have to start dieting down for another two months and can continue to grow until that time.

I love bodybuilding and have been involved with it in one aspect or another for the past 30 years. However, I haven't competed in nearly two decades, but the purpose of competing this time is to get photos for some comparison's to show and inspire Cancer patients, (especially children!!!) that are going through chemo and are possibly feeling hopeless and helpless! There are two children hospital's close by and we will visit these along with the cancer center I was at during my therapy.

Helping children have hope for the future and showing the possibilities of life after cancer I believe is going to be very beneficial and I would love to get some pics from some of the other Warriors that have gone through cancer and come out the otherside stronger than before...if not physically then certainly mentally! Mavsluva and Dudeman are two examples and I know Kale had a prostate cancer scare. If we get together on this even if it's just to share your story and pics with these children and adults, again I think we can make an impact in there lives. And for those of you that haven't experienced cancer yourselves, I'm sure we have all had friends or family members that have be devastated by this brutal disease.

My ultimate goal is to have a ranch that we could bring children to for a day and put them on the back of a horse or let them hold a baby chicken or take a ride on a horse-drawn wagon. I bought a ranch in Montana 8 years ago after my mom died with cancer for this purpose, but I got caught up in my business here in California and that got put on the back burner. I think god has given me a wake up call and an opportunity to touch other lives with what I have learned through this experience of having cancer myself. I recently started working on getting the financing for a large active adult community. This development is huge with 3800 homes a shopping village, two golf courses and Rec center. I shared my vision with the two gentleman that are developing this community and they really got excited and told me they were going to have an equestrian center there and I could use it to bring the children there for there outing away from the hospital. What a blessing! Anyway I'm sure you are tired of reading what probably seems to be a start of a book, but your help with stories and pics that I could use to share with children and adults of overcoming this brutal disease would be so appreciated by me and I know those suffering. All my best, Livestrong!!!!

[Kale]

It's now been 21 months since my last chemotherapy session, I was diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoma in the small intestine (large intestine removed March 1986) Feb. 2005. By June of 2005 my bodyweight had dropped to 135 lbs. at 6'1'' tall. The "before" pics are at around 155 lbs after starting to gain some weight back. I started back training Sept, "05" very light and slowly and have been back to training consistently, although not intensely ever since. I had a 6 week layoff starting the week Between Christmas and New Year when my intestines started bleeding, got that under control and was put on different medication and have felt better than I have in years. I started training the second week of February with my best friend who is my age (we'll both be 49 in August) and he has had a lot of success with competitive bodybuilding, he was second place in the 2006 Master's Nationals in the light-heavy division....this has really been great, I haven't trained like this in years. We're putting the hammer down and since I committed to doing the San Jose master's in July, I had been concerned that I wouldn't be anywhere near ready....I'm starting to see some of the "old" me come back and I'm feeling like I won't embarrass myself on stage with 3.5 months left to train hard. Since my Bodyfat is quite low I won't have to start dieting down for another two months and can continue to grow until that time.

I love bodybuilding and have been involved with it in one aspect or another for the past 30 years. However, I haven't competed in nearly two decades, but the purpose of competing this time is to get photos for some comparison's to show and inspire Cancer patients, (especially children!!!) that are going through chemo and are possibly feeling hopeless and helpless! There are two children hospital's close by and we will visit these along with the cancer center I was at during my therapy.

Helping children have hope for the future and showing the possibilities of life after cancer I believe is going to be very beneficial and I would love to get some pics from some of the other Warriors that have gone through cancer and come out the otherside stronger than before...if not physically then certainly mentally! Mavsluva and Dudeman are two examples and I know Kale had a prostate cancer scare. If we get together on this even if it's just to share your story and pics with these children and adults, again I think we can make an impact in there lives. And for those of you that haven't experienced cancer yourselves, I'm sure we have all had friends or family members that have be devastated by this brutal disease.

My ultimate goal is to have a ranch that we could bring children to for a day and put them on the back of a horse or let them hold a baby chicken or take a ride on a horse-drawn wagon. I bought a ranch in Montana 8 years ago after my mom died with cancer for this purpose, but I got caught up in my business here in California and that got put on the back burner. I think god has given me a wake up call and an opportunity to touch other lives with what I have learned through this experience of having cancer myself. I recently started working on getting the financing for a large active adult community. This development is huge with 3800 homes a shopping village, two golf courses and Rec center. I shared my vision with the two gentleman that are developing this community and they really got excited and told me they were going to have an equestrian center there and I could use it to bring the children there for there outing away from the hospital. What a blessing! Anyway I'm sure you are tired of reading what probably seems to be a start of a book, but your help with stories and pics that I could use to share with children and adults of overcoming this brutal disease would be so appreciated by me and I know those suffering. All my best, Livestrong!!!!

Man you look fantastic and congratulations on your achievements. You might find this interesting reading, it is about my daughter. If I can help, let me know www.jazzywren.com

[jbarkley]

Sorry for the delay. My laptop decided to stop working so i couldn't really get on this site until i headed home for the weekend.


When i was diagnosed, it was just before finals my senior year of my undergrad degree (biomedical engineering). In mid/late April, 2005, I had a minor fall rock climbing and did some damage to my left knee. I hadn't had physical in a while, so my doctor decided to give me one just to make sure that everything was on the up and up before i went in to get surgery. My blood tests came back with a very high white cell count, typical of a pretty large infection. They weren't sure why initially, but figured things were okay. In the meantime, i started to get pretty sick. It turned out i was experiencing septicemia, because i had fecal matter seeping into my abdominal cavity. I knew something was wrong so i demanded that my GP run some more tests.

One test lead to another, and eventually it was determined that i had stage 2 colon cancer. I was 23. I had had very few symptoms.. i'd had occasional abdominal pains and narrow stool as long as i could remember. They didn't trigger as alarm bells. I withdrew from school and immediately got a large bowel resection, removing the majority of my large intestine. My chemo finished at the begining of feburary, 2006. So i guess i'm about 14 months out.

As i was typing the next section of this- the getting back my life part, i realized that i was giving enough information for just about anyone to figure out who i was with very little digging. I know enough is probably already out there, but given my current situation i don't want to draw just anyone a roadmap to my door. So i'll just talk about the physical part.

When i started back up, i started back hard core. I was 195 lbs at around 10% bodyfat when i was diagnosed. I was on the verge of running my very first cycle. Between the surgery and the chemo, i lost a total of 70 lbs. I was determined to get it back as quickly as possible. I started eating more than i was supposed to, working much harder than i was supposed to, and i began running that long awaited cycle.

It was a big mistake. I ended up getting an awful viral infection from over exerting myself a few weeks into the cycle. When i recovered from that, i decided to take things a little slower. And that's where we are now i guess. Over the last year i've put on most of the weight i lost.. but i can't maintain the same level that i could before. That's where anabolics come in i suppose.

This has turned into a bit of a rant. I usually like to be concise. So i'm just going to remind everyone to take care of yourselves, and get your scheduled checkups. You never know when something can take you by suprise and nearly kill you.

Dude, thanks for sharing your experience with us. It's interesting some of the similarities that we have endured. In 1982 I was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis and in 1986 I had a complete colectomy with an added J-pouch loop. I've learned to deal with the chronic "pouchitis" and how to put some size back on (I was up to 240lbs in my thirties). Certainly not as easy as before the colon was removed but as you know the body has a remarkable ability to adapt. I wish you the best in your endeavors to bring your physique up to your standards. Thanks again for sharing you personal story! Livestrong!

[jbarkley]

Well done there ya damn stud. What a positive inspiration to everybody.

Thanks T-bone, I appreciate you commenting. Livestrong Bro!