FIGHT OF MY LIFE

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

Matt

Keep the Faith and you will prevail over this thing.I know that ATTITUDE is a major part in overcoming obstacles like this.I had a MASSIVE heart attack in 1995 and lost 50% of my heart.I have been through surgerys,have a pacemaker and difibulator all hooked up inside and am currently awaiting a heart transplant,I am not able to do what I used to do but I do what I can everyday.I guess you could say I am sort of like an old 427 engine with 4 plug wires off,missing a little but still running(LOL).All in all I have kept the faith and for the most part have been able to maintain a positive attitude.By all rights I should have been long gone but I am still kicking and will kick all the way.I know you are a person that will deal with the problem head on and will keep kicking also.You and your Family will be in my Prayers.Also you are like me in a way we both have a few more classic cars to own before it is time to go.

God Bless

Bobby Dodson

[jfkheat]

We will all be praying for you. Keep the faith.
James

[Belair62]

sonofabitch...Mo you keep the faith...if I can help I will....you will get through it fine.

[Seattle Sam]

Matt,
Stay strong, you'll be tested in ways you never expected. Take care of those things that are most important, and may God be with you and your family!

-Sam

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Matt

I will freely admit that I do not know you, but can see from the many responses here that you are loved by many and have much support. Cancer and it's treatment is what I do for a living all day, everyday. Depending on what kind, where ( body site ) and extent, many are now beating this disease... take your time, ask many many questions of the people who you have put in charge of your care... your Life. Don't just accept that line of thinking I see all too often.... "he's the Doctor, he must know what it is best " Get a second opinion on the treatment options, and do your homework.. take charge of your treatment. You would be very surprised to see the differences in opinion about what is the best treatment for any particular type of cancer., and it can make all the difference in the world.... TRUST ME on that. Ask about Clincal Trial Treatment Options, and don't be scared off by that TERM.. it doesn't mean Guinne Pig treatment.. it means the chance to get the BEST Treatment available before the rest of the General Public has access to it.... it means getting more than just the STANDARD TREATMENT... which by the looks of it in the last 10 years... isn't working so good BUT don't despair, as I can already see, you are not... because I see more and more people living longer and longer every day and living a good Quality of Life.... in general, folks are not as SICK from the treatment these days due to our many advances. We have so many treatment options and all have pros and cons... Chemotherapy, Radiation ( which is so far refined now days with things like IMRT ) and Biologic therapies are so advanced... the list goes on and on my friend... do your homework, do not sit idle and let the people around you just tell you what they are going to do for you, find out why, ask why, ask when, ask.. ask ask... and read up on the particular type and grade of cancer you have.

Lastly, I can tell you first hand... having a great support system of friends and family throughout the process WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.. I see it everyday.. I have patients that come in, sit in the chair and get treated and leave... all by themselves and they generally don't fare as well. Then I have those with friends and families by their side throughout, showing their love and care.. accept that love and caring.. ie... let your wife and Minister do what they are doing... everyone feels helpless with this type of thing and so this may just be a chance for the folks who love you to feel they are not helpless. It will help you as well, this I see every day

Good luck

Michael

[Belair62]

Thanks Mysterychevelle...those are powerful words for our buddy....just goes to show you...this hobby binds people of all walks of life together...

[Pantera]

At tough times like these I like to share this great little piece of writing. It has a message that we all can use.

Most of all I am sure that we all wish our on line buddy to have a lot more sunsets.
================================================== ========

The Station
By Robert J. Hastings


Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We’re traveling by train, and from the windows , we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures of smoke poring from power plants, of row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.


But uppermost in our minds is our final destination - for at a certain hour and on a given day our train will finally pull into the station with bells ringing , flags waving and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true.


So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting for the station. “Yes, when we reach the station that will be it!” we promise ourselves. “When we’re 18 .... win that promotion ... put the last kid through college ... buy that 450 SL Mercedes-Benz ... pay off the mortgage ... have a nest egg for retirement. “ From that day on, we will all live happily ever after.


Sooner or later , however. we must realize there is no station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The Journey is the joy. The station is an illusion - it constantly outdistances us.

Yesterday’s a memory; tomorrow’s a dream . Yesterday belongs to history; tomorrow belongs to God.


Yesterday’s a fading sunset; tomorrow’s a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.

So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather the regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow.

“Relish the Moment” is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles,. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains kiss more babies.

Count more stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot more often. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds.

Watch more sunsets,. Life must be lived as we go along.

Copyright 1886 by the Southern Illinois University Press

[70LS6454]

Hope everything gets better for you and your family.

Ray

[L72COPO]

Matt, be strong, keep the faith, and heed Michaels (mystery Chevelle) word's. Good luck.

Don Stowers