WHEN THE BIG "C" WORD REALLY IS A 4 LETTER WORD!

When the big “C” word really is a 4 letter word ...

HI THERE TO ALL MY A. O. BROTHERS:

To the billions and billions of you who have been asking, “Where are you? ... we haven’t heard from you for so long ... “ have you started on your ride from Thunder Bay? ...

BAD NEWS ... NOT ONLY FOR ME ... BUT FOR YOU ALSO ... !!!

ME?? ... I’m going to miss the reunion!!! ... BUT FAR WORSE ... You’re going to miss out on connecting with me!! ...

Hey, ... quit cheering!!! ... and screaming, “Thank God!!!” ...

During the late summer, as the result of a colonoscopy, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and since then have been undergoing examination after examination .. ad nauseum ... and I’m now in radiation, chemo, and immuno therapy.

For those of you thinking ... how ironic for such an asshole! ... you're not alone ... my ex-wives beat you to it ... (never lose your sense of humour!!!)

Needless to say, I have been feeling pretty “shitty” (no pun intended) ... and really haven't had the energy to "punch the keyboard" let alone be my usually brilliantly insightful and profoundly creative self ... YAH RIGHT!!!

The tumor that has been identified is in Phase 1 (or maybe Phase 2 at worst) .. which means: Phase 1: cancer is confined and has not spread to neighbouring tissue;
Phase 2: cancer has spread beyond the original (primary) site, but there is no lymph node involvement.

After the last week+ in Thunder Bay (with no e-mail or internet) I have flown back home for a couple of days to get the house ready for the next couple of months ... by the end of October we will have ice on the lake ... and stuff will begin to freeze in the house ... so I have to get all the “freezable stuff” moved out ...

Also, I have to set up the solar system to take care of itself for the next couple of months ... which means equalizing the specific gravity of the cells of the batteries, then making sure that the batteries have a full charge ... a process that takes about 12 hours and $100 for gas for the generator to do this ...

While this is going on, I will clean out the fridge and shut down everything ... except the freezer ... which I’ll keep running until December. After that, it will be so cold I won’t need the freezer plugged in for 4 months ...

While you’re relaxing and having fun ... I will be also ... perhaps my “tanning under the rays” won’t be the same as yours!!” While you're chugging back a couple of brew ... I will be chugging back a few litres of barium ... and laxative ... If you think of me, I will think of you!!

I have another appointment with the surgeon on September 24th ... then an appointment with the Chemo-oncologist and team on September 25th.

Radiation and chemo therapy continues on September 28th ... five days (5) per week for the next five and one-half (5 ½ ) weeks ... roughly 28 days ... and then???? Who knows ... ??? For sure it's going to be "me, ralph and the big white bowl " for the next while ... what the hell, didn't we used to do this after every party when we were young and stupid??

It will depend upon how much of the tumor the radiation and chemo has killed ... and then a decision will be made when the remaining tissue will be “cut out” ...

Am I upbeat? ... Yeah!! ... I’ve been through this twice before ... once during the ‘90’s .. and again during the early 2000’s ...

Back then it screwed up my PhD ... and this time, a 60th Reunion with a great bunch of people and a much-anticipated bike ride ... but what the “hell” ... the last 2 made me stronger and more focused on what’s really important in life ...

I honestly feel that the secret is "not panicking" ... and not becoming despondent ... my attitutude has been, "I would prefer not to die, and will fight like hell, but I'm not afraid to die." ...

If you’re religious, say a prayer for me ... if you’re spiritual, make an offering to the Creator ... if you’re not ... then please raise a pint and say “Giv’er hell Jim!!” Regardless, keep sending your emails, cards, letters, and blank but signed cheques ...

For you Delta guys getting blasted at the Irish Harp Pub ... each of you had better have an extra brew (or as many as you think is appropriate) for me ... and in my “honour” ... and I won’t even mind if you pass them through your kidneys before dedicating them to me ... !!

Radiation, chemo and immuno therapy should be done by end of October, ... then a month of “sitting, waiting and watching” for a month ... before the surgeon decides if he would like to “have a go at me”. ...

Will keep you posted, ... watch for more exciting news ... and “Y&R” style drama!!! On that program someone always has some incurable disease that seems to get cured, .. has some fatal disease that always seems to be misdiagnosed, .. some crazy ex-lover trying to kill him (hasn’t happened yet, but I’m sure it will!!! ...

My wife, Ida, has decided that we will spend some time in Niagara as soon as my therapy is over .. and visit with anyone who is within driving distance ... she is as disappointed as I am ..

Key ‘ya more later ... so watch out ... and if need be, notify the local police !!!