Never mind.

Lets see

Stage IV colon cancer... been in remission for 10 months after being told I would be dead by now.

ascending aortic aneurysm holding at 5.4 CM. PFO and ASA holding steady with no major strokes over the last few years (but several TIA's) Still have neuropathy is both my feet, in my hands, and in my right hip and thigh. Still have short term memory problems as well as cognative problems. Other than that I am in perfect health

Stop bragging.

Hey I didn't mention the aneurysm they found on my brain during my last scans

Yeah. I forgot about that one too.

Could be better. Could be worse. You?

I’m old and ugly, what more could I want?

Looking in the mirror this morning, I thought I might be starting to get "old-guy-fat-face". Next, I'll probably be getting some big aviator style glasses that turn pink in the sunlight, like Ed McMahon.

Heeeer’s Davy!

As you can see I have these envelopes, which have been hermetically sealed in a mayonnaise jar, and and have been sitting on Funk and Wagner's front porch since noon today. NO ONE knows the contents of these envelopes. ;

You are CORRECT, sir!

(But first I need to get some white shoes and a white belt to go with my powder blue polyester leisure suit.)

Don’t forget the super-wide lapels.

You sir, are my hero.

He's a hero to a lot of people.



(Especially short people)

Mine, too! His story certainly puts things in perspective.

Agreed... I've had some Major struggles in my life over the last five years or so.. but overall it could be much worse...

Suffice it to say, after I had a long post written, and re read it, I thought of you, and a few others, and realized what I wrote, while cathartic for me, ......hey, things going on in my life are just things. Stressful, no doubt, but just things. It didn't help things when I got a text at 4:42 this morning informing me my grandma died. It was a blessing for her, and the family, no doubt. She was 97. Had about 90 good years, about 4 iffy years, but the last 3 years dementia took away any "life" she had. Especially in the last 6-8 months. The rest of the stuff is just stuff.

Losing family hurts. No matter the situation. We are here for you. Hugs.

It helps to vent; let it out. Helps a person process things.



Stuff is just stuff, but stuff gets heavy when it piles up.
Everyone needs to vent once in a while.

Losing a loved one, no matter how long they have lived, is always a loss too soon.

My prayers and condolences to you and your family.

Q: How's life treating me?
A: On balance: about how one might expect, at my age.

I said good-bye to My Dad's youngest brother last week. "Uncle Gee" was the cool, young, hip, funny uncle who always made the party effervesce. I also lost a college friend, and 2 musical icons who inspired me to return to the practice that has given me my 40+-year career.

Looks like you're now entering my phase of Life.

I'm about 15 years ahead of you.
If you need a shoulder or an ear, I'm still here.

I'm still pissed at you, but I don't hate you. And I still care about you as a person.

You need folks who understand the nature of loss in times such as these. Times when s# is truly real.

Inbox is still open.
As always.

Come talk.
Don't lecture.
We can still be good.

Your first name must be TIMEX because you take a lickin' and keep on tickin' bro!

Well anybody that talks to you in PP knows there was previous brain damage.

I know you won't see this, but I'm sorry for your loss. We may have differences but we are all human and death/loss sucks for us all. At times like this we must lay down our differences and console one another.

Hmm, where to begin?

Married life rocks. Well, life rocked even when my wife was my girlfriend or fiancé. Being able to have someone who is constant in what they do, someone who understands you, accepts all your insecurities, and a person that pushes you to be the best version of you is wonderful.

Work is better. My boss is a lot better and the new school speaks very much to who I am as a teacher and person. I get to teach other subjects now, too.

On the challenging front? Name change paperwork is a heck of a lot more complicated. I took my wife’s last name instead of having her take mine. It’s been a hard process as all the places I need to contact aren’t on Alaska time, and I’m educating young minds from 8-4. This might be one of the easier thing for women than men to do.

We’re looking at buying our first house! It’s exciting and terrifying at the same time. It’s been an adventure walking through the process of securing financing and such. I thought we might get denied due to my student loans, but we got approved for more than we actually need. We won’t go over what we need.

On the horizon, there’s some trips. I’m getting lucky in how I travel, and I sort of fell into a trip to Paris and some Balkan states. It’s sort of a family thing, and just great timing. We probably wouldn’t be able to do this trip otherwise.

———————

Arch, sorry you’re going through such a patch. I’m not sure of what that must be like but my thoughts of peace and comfort stretch to you.

———————

GM, although we disagree on much...I’m glad you’re fighting and sticking through soo much.

I mean if building the pyramids and surviving the bubonic plague didn’t kill you, I’m sure you’ll keep on keeping on.

Just when I think I have problems, I remember GM and realize how freaking lucky I really am

I don't really discuss the details of my personal life on the internet. And even though I feel a very close and real connections to some of the posters on this board, I still rarely discuss such things with any of them via PM. It's just the way I've been for a very long while now. I think a lot of that had to do with the loss of my father.

He was the rock of the family that everyone talked to in their hour of need or if they felt they had to talk to someone. As such, he had never really shown much weakness to others. I'm sure he probably had someone he shared his thoughts and troubles with, but I have no idea who that may have been. Showing that level of strength is why everyone considered him their rock. They felt he was unflappable.

I'm the oldest of five children by quite a bit. As such, the duty of that position fell upon me once he passed. It changes ones perspective on things. Even upon his passing I made the funeral arrangement, delivered his eulogy at the funeral all with a strength that I didn't even know I possessed. It was a duty I felt I owed to him. To be the rock he always was to his family. At that time, even my mourning of the greatest man I had ever known was a private experience.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that life is an evolution. As Clem eluded to, you are at the age where loss will be much more prevalent in your life. The people you depended on as your guide will be leaving. As such you will be one of those who will fill their shoes. And as with them, your time will come as well.

As you age, more health issues will come into play. But once again, that's simply the evolution of life. And I know the bond you have with your daughter is very strong. I think you will find it trying and a bit unsettling as she begins the time where all of her decisions are her own and you lose the grip of being a huge influence in helping make those decisions with her or for her. That's just a natural reaction of being a parent but it's a difficult one.

How's life treating me? Well I would say. I'm happy. My daughter grew up to be very successful. Which is far more important to me than anything concerning myself. My oldest grandson has given me a great grandson and his family is happy and healthy. I have a granddaughter in college.

At a certain point in life one thinks about their legacy. Some people measure that by material goods. I look at it as the part of yourself you leave behind in this world. That is your family. In that regard I'm very happy and proud on the part of myself I will leave behind in this world. Good, compassionate, productive people. People who applied themselves to be the best they can be. Knowing I've played some part in that during my life is all the reward I could hope for in my time spent on this earth.

I must confess, I read your reply to me. And then I read this:



And that made me go back to the last pm you sent me. I re-read that pm.

Thanks for caring about me as a person. A 'person' A 'person'?

Thanks.

I am sorry GM; you sure have been dealt a lot

My mom was killed going on 15 yrs now coming home from going with my sis to check out preschools for my sisters youngest. Events like that change you. You are never the same after.

Dad going on 7 yrs in home with dementia. All his and my stepmoms savings were gone in icouple years of home health aides and the first few years in skilled nursing.

As for my family, I am about 5 to 10 from retirement and never had a broken bone, surgery or stitch. Work is always busy and lots of opportunity if I want to.
Daughter in college, son will be done in high school in a couple. Both in honors, both have about 3.9 gpa. Daughter in great field (computer & cyber security) and she has scholarships that pay for great deal of it.
But I know in a couple years my daughter will be done in college and off on her own and my son is thinking going away to school.
I don’t know what me and my wife will do without them. I could see a for sale sign on the house-especially if the kids settle in the south.

For the most part very lucky-good health and great family.

I know quite a few who will probably not be able to retire-no 401, bad decisions etc. a number of my friends waited until their kids were nearing end of high school and got divorced.
And I have a few friends/relatives whose kids were addicted to h. Absolute hell on earth to the families

For a old fart, not bad. Recently diagnosed with fatty liver. It could have been worse, so I can deal with that.

Hey I really enjoyed playing center those few years in the MNBA

That new fangled blood letting procedure worked great on the plague.

Bring on the leeches!

I will never forget those monstrous windmill dunks on that 4' rim.


Sad part is that I might have trouble doing that today.

"Meh."

- GM, you inspire me.
- It's been 15 months since my brain tumor surgery and both MRI's since have shown no new growth (they had to leave a chunk because it wrapped around my facial nerve). On most days I'm fine, but I do suffer from minor headaches, left ear deafness+tinnitus and I get a bloody nose every time I have an erection. Okay, last one is a joke from How I Met You Mother.
- I'm taking a daily laxative for my scarred colon (UC) and it's been helping me tolerate more foods.
- I'm fighting through tendinitis in my hands, feet and shoulders. Not easy, but I've been swimming 3-4 times a week instead of running or lifting.

Sis boom Bah.

Sorry for your loss, Arch.

Geez I can't even bruise my belly button when I get one.

Outstanding

Every morning I wake up breathing it's treating me good. No more Freddie ..ticket and parking prices went up and I'm going to start watching games from a screen from somewhere.


There are so many things in life we have no control of so not stressing about it.

Like I've always told my girls . "there's only one thing that can allow a situation or person to effect the way you feel about it. That's yourself. only you can let a situation or person bring you down..make you happy or have no feeling about it at all.. Ourselves are the ones who control how we let a situation or person make us feel.

Even though feelings are natural and not always controllable. We can work on changing how long it effects us..

Knowing GM for so many years... I've never seen him do anything but smile. Knowing you Arch and others from this board. We all seem to be able to get through life okay.

Not sure how it's going for everyone..But I hope your lives are going well and it's a life with more blessings and happiness then struggles and sadness.

Strength and faith. You are an inspiration to some folks just by being here!

All survivors inspire me. I wish you the best of only the best.

Shared one with the neighbor ; it appeared on our TV. Inspirational bits on one of the music feeds. Sometimes little stuff just ties up your brain This did for me.

"Pain in life is unavoidable; suffering is optional." Prayers please for my neighbor Pat. He has an inoperable cancer on his eye up in the brain. It is very rare and has eaten almost through a rib. The pain is horrible and almost non-stop. Treatment options are being argued out.

I guess I woke up feeling well today by comparison. We seem to be in one of those karmic blackholes, like for the last year, when a number of folks have died, family and close friends, those near us like in church. We pray, and we try to help when we can where we can as we can. But it is measuring us; trying to take it in stride and share some strength and support to those who stand in need. Sorry this turned so dark, dawgs. This board helps me at times. My thanks.

You aren't buying tickets anymore? Sorry to hear that....for the most part....if you want to sit with a old fart buddy for a game here and there, you know who to call. You know where I sit. My fat ass is still going to be there for a few years anyway.....Lord Willing of course.
I don't have control over that. It happens when it happens.

Your posts are a blend of prose and poetry, and are evidence of an engaged, positive soul. I've always considered you to be one of the gems this place has to offer.

Pat is blessed to have you in his corner.

I don't think your post was dark at all, my friend. On the contrary, it speaks to the indomitable nature of the Human Spirit, and why 'keeping on' is not just an option, but a necessity.


The feeling's reciprocal, Bard. Trust and believe that.

Ppl

No more appendix here. No big deal. Been without it since 64. Ditto on the tonsils.

Constant ache from my titanium replacement knees. Always a 2-3 on a 1-10 scale. Constant neuropathy, both legs from what I call my "erector set" knees down to the toes.

Having failed back surg(L3 and L4) in 05 still some mild pain.....at times. Never more than a 3-ish on a 1-10 scale. To fix it it's the "insert the rods and pins thing" and fuse em together. Nyet. Nada. Nein. Nope. Never again on the back. NEVER.

Been having good yearly checkups with my right coronary artery(RCA) "stent guy" so I got that going for me.

PSA levels been great since prostate cancer/removal in 2017.

Any guy ever have a "Hydrocele? I had one compounded with a hernia. I never heard of it......."UNTIL I DID". It's when your large intestine "pushes through" and into your [censored]. One side, the other, or both. Talking almost "tennis ball sized" with absolutely no more room/no more strechin.....

Trust me on this one.....a Hydrocele will bring you to tears....

Damn, bro.

You deserve a medal sewn on your Browns uni.
All my best, you warrior.

I have to clarify something. I "liked" your post. I just want to make sure that the reason why I liked it is pointed out. I did not like it because you have faced so many issues. I "liked" it because you have faced so many issues w/a positive attitude.

I hope my initial like was not misunderstood.

All the best, TTT!. You are a good dude.

Tks guys.

Lotta people out there worse off than most of us including me. No doubt.

Attitude is key.

When my wife and I went to the Doc appt and found out I had "the C word" I had the last appt and he was running late/behind so by the time I saw him his office staff was gone. It was him, my wife and I left.

After telling us.....

Doc: "Would like to get this done as soon as possible.....within 2-3 weeks"!

Me: "Well, if you have a pair of needlenose I'll jump up on the table and you can yank it out now".

Both doc and my wife laughed.

Can't let it get to ya. If it does, you lose.

Thanks, Clem.

I will just add that what you said matters a good deal. It matters.

TTT good job hanging in there bro. *Gives TTT a light hug* Hey I didn't want to squeeze and cause you any more pain

Up to 3 stents now. I'm pleased I'm waking up these days. Still optimistic and hoping we go to London. Wife treats me very well and kids are doing great.

Stress.

Sat. evening was a late night due to My family getting together. Being as spread out as we are, we don't usually get everyone together more than 1 time per year. It was too late of a night for me, as I had to be at church at 7 a.m. Sunday morning. Didn't sleep enough.

Grandma's visitation was 1-4 yesterday, Sunday. Then, another late night with family. Burial this morning, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m.

Fairly simple? No.

Mom texted Sunday morning that she had taken dad to the e.r. with abdominal pains. (and another issue I won't go into). They discharged him after doing some tests, and he made the visitation. They left at 4ish because dad was tired and sore. No problem.

LIttle did we know that they had gone back to the e.r. At about 6 or so we got a text that a CT scan showed a mass on his bladder. They released him, with a cath, and instructions to meet with the surgeon at 8:30 a.m.

Just what we wanted to hear, right? A 'mass'.

11 pm, another text: Back at the e.r. - pain is terrible, they're keeping for observation overnight. Mom went home from the hospital. Nothing she, or any of us, could do anyway. Another late night.

Ok.

6 a.m. text: They're taking him in for emergency surgery in about 10 minutes. Luckily, my 1 brother was staying at their house. He took mom to the hospital. I left for the hospital at about 6:15. My other brother and my sister met us all at the hospital.



That got over at about 7:45. We got to see him. They 'think' they got it taken care of, and as long as xyand z happen, he might be discharged in time for the service.

He missed his mother's burial. He also missed the service.

Hopefully all this stuff is in the past now.

life WAS going good until this stupid ass virus wrecked our gains this year on the stock market.

other than that, cant complain that much. 3 speeding tickets finally fell off my record so i can drive with lead foot without being paranoid again. the bad news, however, is that i got a winter set of tires for the 6. dropped 1800 last month for no reason whatsoever. thanks, climate change.

but yea, 1st world problems.

I hear you on the winter tires. I got a set for the wagon (got a e91, 6-speed 328xi wagon), and it's been a waste of money so far (I live in Cinci and only drive up to Cleveland once every couple months).

Virus is making work hell right now. Trying to fix a product that we want to launch, and most of the molded parts come from China, along with a metal part.

Covid and social distancing are a challenge. We’re getting by.

Soon we will purchase our first house. It’s pretty crazy.

I also am receiving a promotion next year. I’ll be a dean of students which is sort of like an assistant principal, yet I’ll still have teaching responsibilities with some administrative stuff. Next year will be eight years in the profession, and I’m going to keep learning.

How’s this new normal treating all of you?

Right now, I spend too much time at home and my hair is getting longer.

JC

I’m not someone who enjoys going out and traveling and stuff like that (too much at least) .. so social distancing and staying home isn’t a huge deal .. BUT it’s still not fun. I’m feeling the anxiousness a little bit, and maybe it’s just because I live alone.

It’s beginning to feel like Groundhog Day ... which isnt fun

I am growing a full beard. Why not? I have the face for it, and it grows out pretty good and full. After 2 weeks I have already trimmed it. This weekend I will put a razor on the neckline. It grows a bit deeper on the right. Need to even things up.

It's pretty near all grey, but that's ok. I liked Kenny Rogers songs and reading Ernest Hemmingway books. I do have a broad Hemmingway type of face.

ArchboldDawg - I am so sorry for your loss.
GMDawg - you are amazing!

I'm doing OK, working from home, miss seeing my coworkers in person. I've lost 17 lbs since Jan 1, have a long way to go but I'm getting there.

Stay healthyl and safe everyone!