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5 years ago 5/23/2004
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May 25, 2009 - 6:33 am
good morning semi's, 5 years ago on may 23rd 2004 i was dx with stage 11 colon cancer. went to hospital and emergency surgery, colon was blocked. while in the hospital i found this wonderful, careing site. i had 6 mo chemo, 3 hernia repairs. i have had many bumps in the road but two things that keep me going my faith and this site. all the oldies know of the bumps that i have faced but i am still here today. i didn't have much suppoprt from my own family and that is why i come back here over and over again because i was not ever judged here. i truly miss all my family who are not here anymore and i respect everyone that is here fighting this dragon we call cancer. i haven't posted in a long time but i am here everyday. i am trying to get my life back to normal(the new norm). in closing i would like to thank all the men and womaen who protect this great counrty we call home. |
Joined: May 2005
Hi Bruce
You've come a long way my friend. You are the only semi that I've met in person. You're a hell of a nice guy. I'm glad that you've found this site to be very supportive, but I'm sorry that your family has not been as helpful. Sometimes the ones closest to us know the least of what to do or how to handle the situation. I have this site to be helpful too.
I've always like the term the 'new normal', that's what this journey is. A series of new normals. Almost like watching a child grow up in a strange way, we (and they) go through different phases as time goes on until the finally leave the nest. Then, let's get the cancer out of the nest.
I think when people are in need of help, the best in us comes out. Other times, many feel so good that we have time to bring out the not so best sides of us. Maybe it's a sign of getting better or maybe it's a sign of growing bitter. Who knows...
I'm glad you're still around. I hope things are going well.
Say something once in a while for Pete's sake!!!
:-)
Your friend,
-phil
Joined: Jul 2004
phil, you too are the only
phil,
you too are the only semi i have had the pleasure of meeting in person.
thank you for the kind words.
i love your pics.
be well my friend
maybe we can get together, i am always up in woodbury at the commons, i think you are close??
bruce
Joined: Oct 2007
Congratulations
Congrats on 5 years! I'm so happy to see your post. I know most of us weren't here during your fight, but we are still a warm and welcoming group. Yes, we've had some tension but all friends do at some point. We still come together and make sure we each get through the day.
When things are heated we use the pm feature much more to keep in touch, but we don't let each other down.
I love to hear about long-term survivors with no recurrances. That is so WONDERFUL!!
Kimby
Joined: Jul 2004
thank you kimby, yes this
thank you kimby,
yes this site is still the best!!
be well
bruce
Joined: Nov 2001
Congratulations Bruce
Congratulations Bruce and my best wishes for a long,happy and cancer free future,Ron.
Joined: Mar 2009
wow
Stage 11 colon cancer! That does sound frightening indeed!
Joined: Jul 2006
Yep, scary!
Stage 11 would be scary! But Stage II is scary too.
Every person who has/had Stage III or Stage IV cancer at one point were at Stage I and Stage II, unfortunately some of us either did not get diagnosed earlier or our cancer progressed. At any stage, to hear those three dreadful words, "You have cancer," is indeed scary.
Any cancer survivor who reaches that ever so important five year milestone certainly has something to celebrate!
Congratulations Bruce!
Joined: Jul 2004
hey ron, my aussie
hey ron,
my aussie friend.
great to hear from you.
how are you doing, well i hope.
thanks for the good wishes!
be well
bruce
Joined: Feb 2009
Congratulations
Congratulations on your 5 years and I'm glad you find support in these boards as most of us do. Thanks for letting us know how you are doing. Stay well. Kim
Joined: Jul 2004
kim, yes i have always found
kim,
yes i have always found support from my new "family "here.
i found this great site while in the hospital a few days after my surgery.
i was in bed and this hospital had internet right on the tv.
be well
never,ever give up!!
bruce
Joined: Aug 2005
I am dancing and dancing!!!
YEA! YEA! YEA!
Congrats, Bruce, WHAT a GRAND milestone!!!!!
Many times I was encouraged by your 'Never, ever give up!!!
Hugs, my friend! Kathi
Joined: Jul 2004
kathi, is it legal to do
kathi,
is it legal to do naked happy dances in holland??
glad to hear hans is doing well.
many times i have been encouraged by you !!!
be well
never,ever give up!!
bruce
Joined: May 2007
Great Milestone
Thanks for sharing this milestone with us Bruce. You are a few months ahead of me. I was Dx-ed August 23, 2004 - stg. 4.
I've always been inspired by your "never, ever give up" attitude.
Be well...
Rob; in Vancouver
Joined: Jul 2004
hey my canadian
hey my canadian brother!!
congrats on your upcoming 5 year mark!
you can't give up.
god bless
be well
never,ever give up!!
bruce
Joined: Jul 2006
Good to "see" you here Bruce!
Hello Bruce,
Glad all is well with you and that you are getting on with life - with your new normal. It's always good to hear from the long term survivors. Hope we do get to see you in KW in October. It promises to be great fun!
Keep on keepin' on, Bruce...and you too, never, ever give up!
Katie
Joined: Aug 2008
That's a biggie
Congratulation Bruce. A 5 year celebration is a Biggie!! I love to hear that. Thanks for posting and sending encouragement to us. Enjoy you "new normal"
Dawn
Joined: Jul 2004
dawn, thanks for the kind
dawn,
thanks for the kind words.
there were alot of members when i joined that helped me thru this journey.
it is my turn to help newbies thru their journey as well.
be well
never,ever give up!!
bruce
Joined: Jul 2004
kat, thanks!! every new day
kat,
thanks!!
every new day is precious and must be enjoyed.
i have to keep keepin' on.
every time we open our eyes to a new day it is one more day we beat the dragon!
i will try to make cp7.
i would love to meet my sisters and brothers.
be well
never,ever give up!!
bruce
Joined: Dec 2001
Yea Bruce!
And we're glad you here! Congratulations on making it to your 5 year mark. It feels great doesn't it?
Here's to many more 5 year marks!
Cheers.
peace, emily
Joined: Jul 2004
em. thank you so much!! i
em.
thank you so much!!
i have always enjoyed your posts about your juicing.
be well
never,ever give up!!
bruce
Joined: Feb 2008
Woohoo!
Hi, Bruce. That's a wonderful accomplishment. Congratulations on 5 years!!! Hope you did something fabulous to celebrate!
*hugs*
Gail
Joined: Jul 2004
gail, thank you. very day
gail,
thank you.
very day good or bad is to be celebrated!
be well
never,ever give up!!
bruce
Joined: Apr 2004
Can you say CANCER FREE!!!!
You hit the magic mark my friend. Congradulations and I hope you are celebrating.
Thanks so much for sharing and it's always great to hear from you.
There is only 1 room left for CP7 in Key West but I am negitiating to get 5 more but am now sure of the rate yet. Keep an eye on the board for a post when I get them.
We would love to have you, I promise you will laugh more than you have a very long time!!!
Lisa P.
Joined: Jul 2004
scouty, i will do my best
scouty,
i will do my best to make it to cp7.
thank you for the kind words.
never,ever give up!!
bruce
Joined: Jun 2006
Hi Bruce! Congrats!
Hi Bruce... like you I am always hanging out here but not posting much. I am glad to see your post though and am happy to celebrate with you the five-year mark! Yay!!!! I am coming up on anniversary no. 3 and looking forward to it. Still get to drink that berry-flavored motor oil next week for my latest CAT but you know what? I expect nothing but good news. Now that's progress!
Hi semis, new and old. Look to Bruce and the other oldtimers for support and hope. And, like Bruce says, never ever give up!
~ Patrice
Joined: Jul 2004
patrice, great news on the 3
patrice,
great news on the 3 year mark!!
you have a great attitude and i'll be the first to say that and this site got me thru alot.
be well
never.ever give up!!
bruce
Joined: Dec 2003
WAY TO GO, BRUCE
Hi Bruce,
I'm not reading as regularly here, but glad I caught your post. What a good milestone, and I hope the good times continue to roll. I will be 5 years out of treatment this July....CT scans next month, still get a bit nervous, but hoping to hear the "all clear".
I've met a few other semi colons from this site along the way, and I highly recommend it. Sorry to not join everyone in the Keys, but go for it if you can.
and glad you never, ever gave up!
All the best,
Judy
Joined: Jul 2004
judy, congates on your
judy,
congates on your upcoming 5 year mark.
this is a great site!!
be well
never, ever give up!!
bruce
Joined: Feb 2004
Bruce, AWESOME NEWS!!! I,
Bruce,
AWESOME NEWS!!! I, too, don't come back here as much as I once did-but this site, and another like it, saved my sanity during the toughest months of surviving cancer! You are now considered "cured"....so like it or not...time to make the most of life. I remember hitting the 5 year mark (5 years ago) and realizing that I better get moving on with my life, because I had a bunch of years to live! I am glad you are well and look forward to hearing from you-now cancer free-in the future!!
Joined: Jul 2004
runner, thanks for the kind
runner,
thanks for the kind words. congrats on 10 years to you!!
yes this site and members help me thru alot of bumps.
be well
bruce
Joined: Apr 2003
AHOY, BRUCE!
Sorry I'm so slow on replying to your wonderful news - I'm at sea right now. Hello from the Big Pacific Ocean!
CONGRATS on your WONDERFUL news! What an awesome milestone. You have been such a great supporter of so many SemiColons over the years - always passing along strength and support. Thanks for blessing us all by being a part of our family.
Hope to see you in KW this fall.
Be well and NEVER GIVE UP!
- SpongeBob
Joined: Jul 2004
you told me!!
i guess you will have to kill me now that i know where you are!!lol
be safe my friend and thank you and all your shipmates for what you do for our great country.
be well
bruce
Joined: Jul 2008
Hi
Been a long time....sooooo good to hear from you:) Congrats to you, wonderful,encouraging news. Stay well and hope to hear from you a bit from time to time. I do appreciate the fact that you're getting on with your life...you've been blessed and been a blessing. Take care, Manny
Joined: Aug 2006
Wonderful news!!!
Congratulations Bruce in such important milestone, YOU ARE CURED,isn't that wonderful?
as you, I come almost everyday to this site but don't post that often,I always remember all your encouraging words for all of us,as Patrusha (Hi Patrusha my chemo buddy!)I will be celebrating my 3 years Ned this coming August(if it is God's will).I am very happy for you try to go to CP7, I will be there for 1 day as I live in Miami.And againg CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Joined: Jun 2009
Wonderful News!
It is so great to hear you have survived for 5 years. Though no one is ever "cured" of cancer, you have hit the magic milestone and it sounds like you have beaten the disease.
My mother had stage 3 breast cancer 23 years ago, and it is wonderful to hear of success stories. This gives everyone hope.
Thanks!
Joined: May 2008
Good news
Its uplifting to know people do beat the disease I do wish angel was one of those people. Good luck and a healthy future
michelle