Survivors get a big thumbs up from me!

[Tony_SS]

My wife is now a breast cancer survivor. The OB found a mass, she had a double mast and is now going through chemo. It's been tough on us as a family, as we have 2 small kids, and my wife is only 32.

God bless her and all others who have to fight this disease. I have a lot of respect for all you. And all of those cliche's out there now have a meaning to us. We don't take anything for granted and don't let the small stuff bother us. Each day is special for us as a family.

Props to all the survivors and co survivors out there!

[Samckitt]

That's great news Tony. Glad to hear some positive news from the dreaded cancer.

[MoonMan]

That's awesome, Tony. I was just thinking the other day I hadn't seen you on the boards in quite some time. That would explain why...the time was better spent with family!

[moreHP]

Thats fantastic news. It seems that you rarely hear of somebody beating cancer.

[Tony_SS]

Just a bit of information... if you see someone who is obviously going through chemo, don't assume they have cancer or are dying. And don't go up to them and ask them "what happened??" and don't question if they are "going to be OK", and follow up with "Are you sure???"

This is what a neighbor did to my wife when she was out for a walk with the kids yesterday. I'm sure she meant no harm, but don't be that person. It was ignorant and rude. Chemo patients are going through enough.

Anyway... onward..

[jbake]

Only way to get threw this is to put one foot n front of the other. My dad had his prostate removed this morning n we just got home from the hospital in Jeff city. This is his 3rd time beating cancer. One foot in front of other brother, only way. You n ur family will be in my thoughts in prayers.

[jefpar1]

I will be praying for you, your wife and family. A cancer diagnosis and chemo treatments are very tough and scary. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer 9 years ago and today she is cancer free and doing great. In December 2010 my wife told me to go to the doctor because I thought I had kidney stones again. I wouldn't have gone because the pain came and went after a few days. After a few tests and scans, the doctor basically said... I've got good news and bad news. You don't have kidney stones, but you do have stage IV colon cancer. Not exactly what I was expecting since I had no signs of colon cancer. I had a lemon sized tumor in my colon and 5 tumors in my liver, one the size of an egg. I was 44 at that time and my son had just turned 3. I did 3 1/2 months of chemo from January to April 2011 then in May I had surgery. I had the whole right side of my colon, half of my liver, gal bladder and 30 lymph nodes removed. Recovery went well (I was back at work 2 weeks to the day after surgery) and things were going great. Then my second 3 month scan that was taken in November 2011 showed a new liver tumor. My doctor put me back on chemo for 3 months and I just had my 6th and final treatment of this cycle last week. Tomorrow we will be leaving for what has become our regular 3 month 1,200 mile round trip back to MD Anderson hospital in Houston for my next scan. Monday I will have my CT scan (not a pleasant experience, lots of barium involved) and then Wednesday we will meet with the doctor to get the results and find out what the next step will be.
For the first week after my diagnosis I was a wreck. All I could think about was the possibilty of dying and leaving my 3 year old. I'm prepared to die because I know that heaven will be so much greater than earth, but because of my son (and wife) I'm not ready to die. Any time I think about leaving my son it brings tears to my eyes. But after that first week, my wife and I prayed that through this diagnosis God would be glorified. Almost immediately I felt a peace that I have never experienced and can't explain. God has truly blessed me and my family through this journey. I know that I have been spriritually healed through this journey and I pray every day for my physical healing. This has been the toughest experience of my life mentally and physically. During the first round of chemo I went from 195 pounds to 140 pounds. Chemo is horrible and it takes it's toll on the whole family. I don't know completely the exact reason for my diagnosis, but I do believe that God has put me in these treatment centers and doctors offices to minister to others that are either patients or medical staff. I am humbled at the times when people have told me that I have been an encouragement to them, because I know that it's God speaking through me. I have my ups and downs which is to be expected, but the ups sure out number the downs. I can't imagine going through this journey without God in my life. I've learned to take on day at a time, and enjoy the moment.

[gsxrken]

some heartfelt emotion and gratitude was expressed on this thread.
Tony/Jeff you both have enviable outlooks. I am recovering from relatively trivial eye surgery and fell short of your examples. Humbling and thank you both for posting. Stay well.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

I'll say a prayer for your guys and send wishes for better health. Cars, parts, vendors, buyers, shops, races....all pale in comaprsion when you don't have your health. One of our SoCal members (think it's Hector) says in his signature: 'Love your family and life itself.' That about says it...