5 years ago 5/23/2004

fedester
fedester Member Posts: 753
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
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.
in the old days there was different points of views but when someone needed help and compassion, undestanding all things were put aside to help the person get thru that day or situation and again not judgeing them.

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).
everyday either good or bad is one more day we are here battleing the dragon!

in closing i would like to thank all the men and womaen who protect this great counrty we call home.
spongebob be safe my friend!!
i am trying to get to key west in oct!!
be well semi's
and never,ever give up!!
bruce
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Comments

  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866
    #2
    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
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    #3
    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
  • fedester
    fedester Member Posts: 753
    #4
    PhillieG said:

    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

    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
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #5
    Congratulations Bruce
    Congratulations Bruce and my best wishes for a long,happy and cancer free future,Ron.
  • fedester
    fedester Member Posts: 753
    #6
    kimby said:

    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

    thank you kimby,
    yes this
    thank you kimby,

    yes this site is still the best!!
    be well
    bruce
  • snommintj
    snommintj Member Posts: 601
    #7
    ron50 said:

    Congratulations Bruce
    Congratulations Bruce and my best wishes for a long,happy and cancer free future,Ron.

    wow
    Stage 11 colon cancer! That does sound frightening indeed!
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,715 Member
    #8
    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
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028
    #9
    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
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    #10
    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
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610
    #11
    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
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610
    #12
    snommintj said:

    wow
    Stage 11 colon cancer! That does sound frightening indeed!

    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!
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 450
    #13
    usakat said:

    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

    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
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064
    #14
    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
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #15
    Woohoo!
    Hi, Bruce. That's a wonderful accomplishment. Congratulations on 5 years!!! Hope you did something fabulous to celebrate!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965
    #16
    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.
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #17
    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
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145
    #18
    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
  • RunnerZ
    RunnerZ Member Posts: 185
    #19
    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!!
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565
    #20
    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
  • fedester
    fedester Member Posts: 753
    #21
    spongebob said:

    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

    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

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