Anniversary

tommycat said:

Don't think any of us are
Don't think any of us are ever the same--ever.
But...if you'll forgive me....it does sound like you may have depression settling in. The are ways (incl. pharmaceutical) to combat that cloak of of what feels like doom.
I guess I'm asking that you not cut off the support you get here on the Board. We are from all walks of life for sure, but this denominator that unites us, can also give us great unifying strength. Draw on it....
Your Friend in California~

ahhh ron
I think i can understand your feeling the way you do but it doesn't make me like your decision to leave

As a Canadian I have always counted on your great sense of humour and warm affectionate nature.....Ronnie I don't care if you know diddly about current drugs...another wild rover colonial that's how I think of you.

If leaving is really best for you then give it a wee try

but I personally wish you could stay.

with great affection

maggie

maglets said:

ahhh ron
I think i can understand your feeling the way you do but it doesn't make me like your decision to leave

As a Canadian I have always counted on your great sense of humour and warm affectionate nature.....Ronnie I don't care if you know diddly about current drugs...another wild rover colonial that's how I think of you.

If leaving is really best for you then give it a wee try

but I personally wish you could stay.

with great affection

maggie

Just knowing you are still
Just knowing you are still with us is encouragement alone! Stay!

I hurt all over too! Three years since stage 4 DX

johnnybegood said:

Ron from
downunder.i too will miss your friendly face.if you need a break i totally understand and if it is permanent i will truly miss your Gday mates.thanks for all your support thru the years....Godbless...johnnybegood

I so hope you don't go... if
I so hope you don't go... if it's best for you then so be it but if you are worried about not being "up" on the drugs these days then please stay. You are a survivor, we need to see you. I can relate to how you feel, I endured sepsis, mulitple organ failure and amputation. Yes, I survived but I have tons of residual issues. People sometimes are in awe that I survived and I am so thankful I did but just because I survived doesn't mean that I am not scarred emotionally and physically. I take a ton of meds everyday just to be as good as I am which is not always good at all. I live in pain physically and mentally from my medical past and mentally watching my husband fight this cancer. I struggle with people thinking it was all in the past because I live with it everyday. You are here for a reason! I hope you stay.
Brenda

G'day Ron:)
As I've come to know you and the pain you have experienced, I must tell you that the route I've taken and the compromises I'm going through as a result of all of this toxic mess I put myself through - reminds me of your journey, Ron.

As I've watched you these past couple of years, I've seen myself through you and thought that we shared the afflictions we have suffered in common. I remember this past year saying to myself that I'm going to end up walking down the path that Ron finds himself on.

You were an early pioneer for sure. One thing I remember you telling me was that despite all of our medical advances all we can still really do is CUT-BURN-POISON our cancers.

And the truth is "that's the truth", Ron. Spoken from someone who's been there. I'm in line behind you...only nearly 8 years fighting and you 13 years clear. But your case clearly points to the fact that even if the cancer fight ends, there are many pieces to pick up afterwards....and we not be able to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

Most folks think that if they get through cancer, then everything will be all hunky dorey and just a memory. What you have gone through and the way you see things is how I see alot of it in myself as well. Because, I can't speak for others, I only know what's it done to me.

It's not all one big "nekkid happy dance" either. I don't see your posts as negatives - rather, I think of them as strengths, because I've been learning from you all of this time and I see alot of myself in you.

I feel it is important to bring the other side of cancer to the table, we can't always be blowin' smoke up somebody's tailpipe all the time. Stories like yours and mine are the other side of cancer - the darker side that nobody wants to admit to or believe could happen to them.

We are the story of long-term survivorship and long-term fighting and the fallout we've experiences is very relevant - maybe even more relevant than being up to date on the latest drugs in use. I think it's important that you not lose sight of that aspect of your survivorship. You did make it, but I know you've paid a high price for it.

I fear if my fight continues along the pattern it's demonstrated, I might end up where you are at some point, until I decide that enough is enough.

You're a good guy - and have been very supportive to me at all times - I've really appreciated that - I appreciate you taking the time to listen to the things that I've wanted to talk about. And I think you in particular can and have related to the long-term problems of what I've gone through with treatment as well.

It's hard for me to get people to understand the perspective that I bring to the forum from seven and a half years of this stuff. It's great to have people like you around who can understand that and also understand the perspective with which I'm trying to tell the story.

This board has always been about diversity, experience, unique personalities and our stories. I for one, do not want to subtract you from this equation, because I feel that we lose a valuable resource and a compassionate friend.

Now, stick around, buddy. Take a break but do stay. We can't have 13 year guys takin' off, unless that is what you really need to do - I would understand and would get it.

But, consider sticking around in some form, eh mate?

-Craig

Wow you are well liked
I can tell you are really special because of the longevity involved. I am amazed how many years it has been for you. I want you to stay in touch with all of us. I just wish I didn't have to have chemo any more. It has been 2 years 4 months straight and for those going longer it is a real show of your will. It is encouraging seeing you go this far and knowing you have made so many friends here. Stay on.
Jeff

Ron,

I don't really know you, but have seen your posts over time. To think that you'd walk away from friends is hard to believe. That you would let time and treatment effects rob you of giving your survivorship experience to so many - doesn't seem to go with the strength you've shown in the past. I sure hope that you change your mind.

A pathfinder such as yourself has so much to give. Recent survivors, like myself, likely owe our survivorship to people like you. Who had the strength and courage to step in and try whatever it would take to win.

I can't imagine all you've been through; but I can say "Thanks" for making a difference.

Cheers,

Ron
Ron,
You are very important to me and I know you are important to many on this site. It doesn't matter that the drugs are different. It is the heart of each of us that matters. You, Ron, have a great heart.

I hope I see you around some more.

Aloha
Kathleen

herdizziness said:

Ron
It's always a bright spot in my day when I see your picture and the date November 2001, let's me know that hope springs eternal.
Heck, I don't know most of the chemo's used here, mine were limited and just a few have had the same regime, that's doesn't keep my mouth shut about other things. Like advise on how to muddle through at times, joy and sorrows of my life. As Pete said just recently, this is our journal, our real life journal, reaching out to others, and having others reach out to us.
I can see perhaps you wanting a break, but heck, please don't go out of our lives.
Sure you have problems, but it's good to know, so we can watch out for those same things, so we all can see how to manage when we get those problems, so we know what others did before us.
Your input is important in our lives Ron, and quite sincerely we would miss you too much.
I ask you to please don't go away from us. You are our friend.
lovingly,
Winter Marie

Ron Please don't GO!!
Ron,
You have affected my life in a positive way many times. I dont frequent this board as often as I used to but can never forget how it helped me so I wont go away completely. I like to lurk I read alot of positive post's and don't comment too often. But when I read yours I thought Ron is a great guy has been very helpful to me, I dont want to see him go!!

I very rarely have any knowlege of treatments other than my own....I do not do research unless I have to....Statistics bore me...... and know it all's annoy me.

But I'm staying reguardless.. If I can muster up the energy to say something I think will help someone I will, if I don't think it will help I will usually just read si I dont make an **** out of myself.

We are all friends here bottom line. All having shared a common bond unlike no other.

Stick around buddy/mate Tom