another anniversary

ron50

    G'day all, been a while since I have been on. This month I finish year 22 ex stage 3c colon cancer, still cancer free. The past year has not been fun. Australia continues in severe drought and in september it caught fire. Over twenty people have died and an estimated billion native animals have perished. The fires are still burning in some areas. I have not been effected  by the fires tho some came close but I have suffered from the smoke polution.  I have reached another milestone, in December, when after 57 years I finally retired. Wishing you all ahppy and cancer free new year, Ron.

Jeff's mom

congrats to Ron and Tru

I have Signet Ring Cell CA with mets and am still here too.  I am so proud of both of you....your stories on this thread are so inspiring and have helped keep me going for three and a half years.  Even my Onco didn't think I would live this long, but, since I started Keytruda, my cancer has been in remission and is not spreading at all.  I know it works until it doesn't, but if you can do it, so can I.  Thank you so much!

beaumontdave

Cheers to ya, Ron, 22 years

Cheers to ya, Ron, 22 years is inspiring, and I hope retirement gives you more choices, or at least more time to fish, as your able. Sorry Australia's having such a bad time with the fires, I'm glad you're at a safe distance, and we're all rooting for rains to come and help out. Thanks for being here to inspire the newly terrified, we all like knowing you're there with 22 years clear. All the best...................................Dave

Annabelle41415

Congratulations

Congratulations on the retirement and for being cancer free after all these years. 

It is so important that you still post about your experiences and let all of us know how you are doing, especially after all you have been through.  You have always been such an inspiration on this board and you are very much appreciated.

I'm wishing you a very happy retirement in whatever you plan to pursue.

Wishing those wild fires would end.  It's been such a tragedy for all of you, including the animals.  Hopefully this will all end soon.  I'm glad you have not had to evacuate, but the smoke damage can also be very harmful.

You take care of yourself, and come back here often, you are a big help to the board.

Kim

Trubrit

Congratulations Ron!

How wonderful for you to be here, and to be HERE, spreading hope to those who are struggling and newly diagnosed. 

I know it has not been an easy 22 years, but your strength continues to move you forward, and you are blessing more lives because of it, than you could ever imagine. 

I wish you another 22 year, and a happy and Cancer free retiremenmt. 

I raise a glass to you, froum friend .

Tru

Canadian Sandy

Congratulations Ron and

Congratulations Ron and thanks for giving others hope. Sorry about the fires.....keep safe.

AnneO1965

Awesome!

22 years! That is wonderful to hear (read). Gives me hope that my future could be bright. I am inspired by you.

 So sorry about the fires and devastation. Those poor families that have lost loved ones, and those poor animals. My heart hurts for your country. I'm so glad that you are safe though. 

 Here's to another 22 years and beyond!

SandiaBuddy

Congratulations

Congratulations!  And here's hoping for an end to the fires and a healthier environment.

Capox Dude

Congrats Ron

22 years is freaking awesome!  So sorry that the fires have caused harm to so many in your country.  But so happy to hear that your personal journey continues - and indeed continues to inspire us all.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

Annabelle41415

Fires

Just wondering how you are managing with those fires there.  Hope your breathing is still not affected.  Are you still having trouble breathing issues?  Wishing you well, and hope they can contain this soon.  Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you all there.

Kim

ron50

Annabelle41415 said:

Fires

Just wondering how you are managing with those fires there.  Hope your breathing is still not affected.  Are you still having trouble breathing issues?  Wishing you well, and hope they can contain this soon.  Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you all there.

Kim

G'day Kim

   We are still on fire. Unfortunately lat week one of the Canadian hercules water bombers crashed whilst on a bombing run on a fire near Adaminiby a small town on the banks of lake Eucumbene in the snowy mountains. Unfortunately the three American aircrew were killed. The next day another man was found dead in his home near Moruya on the New south wales south coast caught by a blaze fanned by high winds. I live up in Queensland. We actually were one of the first of the states to catch fire backin September last year. Most of the south of the state is still in long term drought but in the last week the monsoon has become active in the north and we have some towns flooded. Down where I live we have had weeks of temps over 30c and humidity in the 70% range. As of last weekend there were still 73 fires burning in NSW and around half that number in Victoria. Most of the fires are out in South Australia and western Australia and on Kangeroo island offshore from south Australia. There is still atleast one fire on Tasmania.Smoke has been a major problem depending on which way the winds are blowing  They have estimated native animal populations via previous grid surveys. According to parks and wildlife we have lost around a billion animals and that does not include farm stock. They expect it may well be an extiction event for some species. They also believe we may have lost creatures not yet discovered. I lived for ten years in the Australian Capital Territory. It is part of southern NSW. I worked in the department of defence on rolling shift work. I spent a lot of time travelling, bushwalking ,fishing and skindiving in some of thw worst devastated areas. It breaks my heart to see what has happened to the people ,wild life and the country. Unfortunately our government has not looked after our land and they do not have the foresight to see what yet may happen to it. Thanks for your thoughts Ron.

Annabelle41415

Sad

It is such a sad situation.  We all heard about the 3 Americans that perished and it is so tragic.  I'm glad that the US is able to help your country fight these fires.  Just take care of yourself as you have a retirement now to look forward to. 

Kim

ron50

Just

Saw on the local news that there is a huge out of control bushfire threatening the Australian Capital  Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. It is believed to have been sparked by a spotlight on an airforce helicopter doing survey.  The residents down there will be pretty terrified as Canberra was severely damaged by abushfire several years ago.  I hope to get some joy out of my retirement, I just wsh Id done it a few years ago when i was feeling a bit better. Vertigo is a constant problem now, Ron.

Annabelle41415

ron50 said:

Just

Saw on the local news that there is a huge out of control bushfire threatening the Australian Capital  Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. It is believed to have been sparked by a spotlight on an airforce helicopter doing survey.  The residents down there will be pretty terrified as Canberra was severely damaged by abushfire several years ago.  I hope to get some joy out of my retirement, I just wsh Id done it a few years ago when i was feeling a bit better. Vertigo is a constant problem now, Ron.

Fires

Being in the US we get info on the fires, but not as detailed as you lay out.  I'm glad for the updates, as we here are wishing and praying that the wildfires ends soon.  Ron, all you can do is enjoy life to the fullest you can, and I'm wishing you the best always. 

Kim

marbleotis

Congrats

Just amazing

Kazenmax

Good on ya, Ron! I know how

Good on ya, Ron! I know how rough it’s been but I’m glad you ar here to give us advice abd hope!

k

SnapDragon2

I am so inspried by you.  I

I am so inspried by you.  I know it couldn't have been easy for you but you made it.  You are amazing! Congratulations!!!  I hope you have breathing machine and medicine to help you breathe right now.  Or since you are retired now, maybe a trip to the U.S.

th4rs

Congradulations

I just want to say Congradulations and glad to see someonone on the board with 22 years of life after stage 3C collin cance diagnosis.  I am so sorry about Australia and the fires I herd there was rain but probably not enough. 

 

I hope you enjoy many years of retirement.

 

Take care, 

Robin

myAZmountain

Congrats on 22 years!

Amazing and inspiring courage and toughness! Praying the fires get under control, I can't even fathom the loss of wildlife  and property there. 

PhillieG

Great news Ron!

Congratulations on your still being here after such a long, tough journey. I've been trying to follow what's been going on in Australia. It's really a shame. There is a trend happening globally but unfortunately. those who could do something about it won't. On the contrary, many of those who could fix things, won't. I know political topics are frowned upon* (and I can understand that) but a rule of thumb is don't crap where you sleep.

I hope you stay safe Ron. Enjoy your retirement.
Best,
Phil

* and people who know me know that I tend to bend the rules. This is a non-partisan issue that we are sadly handing off to our kids and grandkids.. 

ron50

Had my yearly skin cancer check

    It is always interesting going for my yearly skin cancer check. Chemo left me with a raft of auto immune problems including nephrotic syndrome of the kidneys. As a result I have been on several immunosuppressants including metho trexate tablets , high dose prednisone , methotrexate injections and for several years cyclosporine twice daily. All of these medications make you sun sensitive and prone to skin cancers. The skin specialist searched high and low but was only able to find one small lesion on my right shin. He did not even think it was a cancer but ,with me, he has a policy of when in doubt ,rip it out. I have no problems with that attitude, He also said with age 70 rapidly approaching , come in every six months. Suits me fine, Ron.