Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations GOOD NEWS

I have good news that I am compelled to share.
What does it have to do about ponds?
EVERYTHING....!

Some three years ago, I was diagnosed with a life threatening cancer.

I didn't like the perceived death sentance imposed in a less than acceptable manner, so I sought advice from my best friend, fishing buddy and personal physician, for a souce for a second opinion.

He found three world renounded physicians, one of which was an oncologist/urologist at Universisty of Texas Southwest Medical Center, right here in Dallas..!

I asked if he thought I would live to see my 80th bithday?

After four biopsies, two surgeries and three sets of chemo therapy, I just received a phone call from my doctors nurse reporting no cancer cells found from last week's tests.

This becomes the third pathologist report of no cancer cells, suggesting cancer free for the last six months...

I will observe my 83rd birthday next February...!

I have shared this story with a few trusted friends on the PB board, but wanted to
share with all, because you have carried me through some tough days when confined, and relishing in activities on our ponds when active
- as well as yours.

To those that I have offended, and to the moderators who have moderated, please understaand that these only occured on difficult days...

My advise to any that become a member of the most exclusive club in the world that nobody wants to join; always seek a second opinion, stay positive, and NEVER GIVE UP...!

Thanks to all for sharing your pond stories

Thanks george, I always like to hear words of encouragement and to hear good news when bad things are discovered.

FYI - I am an 19 year survivor of malignent melanoma myself who likely would not have made it another year an a half if they had not removed it when I was 21 years old. Each and every day is precious, enjoy it before it is gone, it's one of the reasons I spend so much of my free time fishing.

Congrats its always nice to hear good stories like yours.

GREAT NEWS

I just passed this story on to a friend of mine in Dallas who is in his late 60s and is undergoing treatments. I've ask him to invite me to his 83rd Birthday Party and am looking forward to helping you celebrate yours at the conference in March.

Bing

from a young crispy geologist to an old crusty one ......thanks for sharing George, that indeed is an inspirational story.

nice catch shorty, that's pretty intense for anyone let alone a 21 yr old.

on the NEVER GIVE UP sentiment, my dad is 86 years young, and my wife's parents are 91 (mom) and 90 (dad). my dad's unstoppable drive is directed at growing cycads from all over the world. both in-laws have been through the mill......mom twice (colon and stomach) and dad twice (prostate and skin).......her dad still does 18-holes of golf at least once a month, and mom reads romance novels

may we all live long and boss our ponds for decades to come!

Great news George ! I always enjoy reading your posts, especially the insight you provide with regard to HSB.

You have been through a tough battle and have earned the right to be a little grumpy at times...although most of "us" have the ability to read between the lines and see when / where you're poking fun. Congrats on the news my friend

Geroge thanks. That just made my day b/c my Dad (58) was diganosed with lung cnacer about three months ago. It had spread via his lymph nodes to many parts of his body. He is undergoing both chemo and radiation (right now getting a break from that) and at times seems very down. Overall he has a great attitude and stories like yours are very inspiring. He looks forward to the day he can have enough strength to fish again, thank you so much for letting me know the good news.

I can't ever remember you having to be moderated, george. Congratulations!

My Dad had a cancerous tumor on his abdominal wall removed 14 years ago, and he's stll here putting up with my Mom and telling bad jokes.

Greg, you gotta keep your Dad positive and fighting - it is worth so very much in this kind of fight.

George, that is GREAT news. When I logged on and saw your post I knew what it meant.

I've had 2 skin cancers cut off of me. The Doctors recommended that I try to live a more indoor type of life. Now why would I want to do that?

George, I'm still in awe from you mentioning that you were in World War II. At the time you mentioned it, I couldn't think of anything to say to express how impressive it was. Still can't really.

Thank you for sharing the great news.

Yep, big smile from ol' Brettski. Good to hear, George.
My dermo has been carving me like a pumpkin for the last year, front and back. If someone asks me what the he-- happened, I tell 'em I was in a knife fight.
I gotta go see him tomorrow nite for the full body search (again), so I gotta shave off my beard (again). The first second of thought, that bugs me....then the other option hits me and I realize how much younger I look without a beard.

THANKS GEORGE !!!!

The "Greatest Generation" gave us freedom and to many of us were the source of our birth. In the face of death and the horrors of war they prevailed and taught us to never give up.

A few of them , like George, are still around to give us guidance , strength and hope. George -- that my friend is an awesome gift. Thanks.

Congrats George!!! I am glad to hear success stories. I lost my father 1.5 years ago. He had prostate cancer which went to the bones...etc and was fighting it well, when he had a massive stroke due to the chemo!!

I was just fortunate to share the best years of his life with him out fishing and building my pond. I will be forever greatful for those times. He once said cancer was the best thing for him, it added clarity and a sense of whats important in his life and he lived the hardest he ever lived knowing that life is so precious!!
I argued with him about it being good. But I could see he was focused more on the important things in life!!

I love love love hearing the success stories and I hope to keep hearing your other stories for the next 15 -20 years!!!

George,

That is an awesome Pond Boss post. Best wishes.

Gator

I think its sad that many of us have been touched by cancer, I too have seen cancer take loved ones. My father died in 1996 at the age of 73 with inoperatabl brain cancer and my mother was operated on for colon cancer in 1997, she survived 5 more wonderfull years and died at the age of 79. Congratts on the cancer free and may you live many, many more wonderfull years.

Thank you for fighting for our freedom, I don't think it gets said enough. To many of us take it for granted.
I guess I better stop rambleing.

Congratts again!!

Congratulations! Being a 5 year survivor of prostate cancer myself, I know how miserable it is to deal with these things. I also know about the anxiety and apprehension one goes through with each recheck, and the incredible relief it is each time you get an "all clear" result. As trite as it may sound to some it really does make one appreciate each day you get another day. It also helps eliminate the tendency some of us have with putting "it" (whatever it is) off until tomorrow.

I’m red-faced and embarrassed ...
Y’all don’t realize that PB forum was my support group for nearly three years – always in touch, even from the hospital at times…

For the many replies as to experiencing various cancers – mine was invasive bladder cancer, usually no symtoms until later stage - I dodged a bullet but can always reoccur.

Sometimes grouchy – sometimes happy – but always positive.

I kept my mind focused on fun pond stuff – sometimes making controversial posts – sometimes differing with others opinions – sometimes crazy ideas, and learning all the while from others experiences.

Thanks to you all – I’ll look forward to meeting many of you at the PB Conference.

We celebrated a near pond grand slam last evening and this morning.
Watched a beautiful sunrise this morning and enjoyed one more day on Glazener Pond.

Life is good...

Way to go George! My dad was diagnosed with red blood cell cancer over five years ago and there were many times that I'm convinced that if it weren’t for feeding the fish and taking care of the cows he would have just laid down and gave up. You are a giant among us and a future inspiration to those of us that will also be diagnosed one day with this destructive condition. You my friend are welcome through my gate anytime. Robert

Shorty & all...me, too. Had malignant melanoma removed from my neck via surgery. They took out muscles, glands, a nerve and all (Dr. Capper said it "...amounted to a nice, lady's filet...") Smartarse...still can't lift my arm over horizontal. Going to the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to get that part (finally) checked and maybe, fixed. At least I'm alive. I let it go so long, cause I couldn't "see" it on the rear side of my neck. I was stupid, OK?

I actually, until the day I got to the hospital, thought that this was "outpatient". After all, it was "only" skin cancer, right?

That was 5 years ago this past August. I never doubted I'd come through clean (at least I never let on to the wife and kids). Sometimes, I woke up sweating and worried...kept it balled inside. Probably what gave me this dang acid reflux, thing.

Now, I've a grandson (I'm only 42, for gawd's sake!) coming in 5 weeks. If I'da missed that... Now, the wife gives me the full body scan every night (that ain't ALL bad ) and doc checks me out, head to toe, if I'm even in for a cold.

It's not a guarantee, either way...but getting checked out and treated early is better than the alternative. :p

Wow! That's super, George. I'm just now looking at this thread for the first time since I've been fishing in Texas. I'm thrilled to hear the news. You've always been a stabilizing factor on Pond Boss. You've tended to keep the forum in equilibrium. I don't know what we'd do without you.

Great news George. My thoughts and prayers to all of you who has gone through the emotional and physical experience of cancer. I don't think there is anyone on the forum who has not dealt with cancer either directly or indirectly. Also three cheers for the spouses who have also had to deal with it.
All said, "Life is good"

Sorry to be so late in response time George, but this is GREAT news. Congrats all the way! What a blessed event for you to be able to sleep through the night again!

With love, respect, and admiration,

Deb

Great news, George, and excellent words of encouragement to others.

Tight lines!