One of my friends, a retired cop who worked security with me for a number of years, came into the shop today. He was gray and walking, well, like a sick guy. He told me he has cancer of the esophagus, and was awaiting more tests to see how extensive it was. I was very concerned, this guy is a health nut, works out, runs, the whole deal. We talked for a while and he said the prognosis was, best case, 5 years.

All I can do is be supportive and feel bad.

So sorry to hear.

Praying for him, his friends, and loved ones.

Sorry and prayers for all.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
this guy is a health nut, works out, runs, the whole deal.

Exercise kills. Be lazy, its the best course.

It’s a small world. That guy is my old narcotics partner. He said y’all did him right. Thank you for that.

Cool, Paddy. He's one hell of a good guy.

Always sad to hear. Prayers for him and those around him.

quote:

Originally posted by rburg:

Exercise kills. Be lazy, its the best course.

Well let's see. James Fixx, the guy who started the jogging craze, died while jogging at the age of 52.

Euell Gibbons, the guy who started the eating healthy craze, died at 64.

I think there's a pattern here.

I try not to eat natural foods as so many people die of natural causes.

Sorry for your friend. I have a couple of friends that have also had this type of cancer and had great outcomes. I hope your friend is one of them.

Sorry to hear about your friend Fredward, cancer has claimed so many of my good friends and is the scourge of all diseases. Anybody and any animal are fair game for this life drainer. It's one prayer that I've always included for so many who suffer from this disease almost daily which I'll add your friend to. More than most things these days, I pray for that day that cancer will be a thing of the past, preventable and curable. It will happen I'm confident, I may not be around to witness it but it will one day be a reality the way and speed of current medical and scientific discoveries moves forward.

Cancers are becoming more and more treatable and survivable. St. Judge's advertises 80% survival rate for their patients and I heard a similar thing when I had cancer of the left vocal cord around 11 years or so ago.

So things are getting better.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
Cancers are becoming more and more treatable and survivable. St. Judge's advertises 80% survival rate for their patients and I heard a similar thing when I had cancer of the left vocal cord around 11 years or so ago.

So things are getting better.

You are absolutely correct. I've heard many, many miraculous stories of survivors and remissions, and nothing is more wonderful to hear. My Mom had cancer 3 times and through surgeries she survived. I applaud hearing those cases. My wish and prayer more appropriately put would be the total elimination and prevention of this disease. Someday maybe just by a simple one-time pill or administration of an injection would allow one to be disease free, completely throughout life from birth forward. I abhor cancer and how it has affected so many lives, both human and animal.

I'm not as concerned for the future loss of a friend as I am about what he must now go thru. I used to escort cancer patients to a major cancer facility. They may, in fact, be able to "cure" him, but at what cost?

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
I'm not as concerned for the future loss of a friend as I am about what he must now go thru. I used to escort cancer patients to a major cancer facility. They may, in fact, be able to "cure" him, but at what cost?

What cost are you referring to?

Monetary or physical or mental?

My brother had that 2 years ago. He must not have it anymore. He took radiation and 4 Chemo treatments and was doing some things his natural Doctor told him to do. He seems fine now.

Another friend, a woman has it and was operated on. She weighs next to nothing now. She had all the chemo treatments, but just cannot gain a pound after the surgery.

Mental and physical. Death is one thing, but cancer.....sucks.

I’m sitting in a hotel near Johns Hopkins as we speak after a day of surgery. The treatments and cure rates have certainly improved but I can assure you the cost is still plenty high. In whatever manner you mean. I hope your buddy makes it. Prayers for him and his family. Help him keep his spirits up, there are good days and it’s important to enjoy those. It’s very easy to fall prey to all the ugly. Having good friends and family backing you up makes a huge difference. Sometimes just a quick phone call, text, send a funny t shirt, cupcakes, whatever. It’s nice to know people care. You can make the difference sometimes.

As an aside, I think you guys are joking when you say exercise kills, you only have so many heartbeats so don’t waste them, etc. If you aren’t though consider this. Cancer treatments are incredibly rough on your body. Starting them in poor shape makes it much much worse. Don’t forego the exercise.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pedropcola,