Hey All!

Apologies for sending a 'multi' email to you, but everyone has been so great about sending a concerned or cheerful email now and again, (particularly my old Brookfield Ohio friends)-- I'd be here until next Tuesday typing! So since both Jeanne and I are crashed out with miserable head colds, home from church and doing some computer clean up, I thought this would be a very good time to say hello and thank you.
   
Many of you are aware of my nearly two year war with cancer (upper throat) and the surgery, radiation and chemotherapy battles. At a check up last summer, the doctor says, "How do you feel?" I felt fine. But, he went on to tell me that now, after a year of successful (but hellish) recovery, I now had two additional cancer tumors. They told me it would be best to have my voice box cut out. But cheerily told me I would have one of  those voice 'buzz boxes' to use, they assured (oh boy), but it would save my life. They hoped. No guarantees. As usual.

Otherwise, the Mayo had one alternate treatment of a strong double chemo which would rack me pretty good for months. I could do it just as well back at home at the local hospital, so I did. I consider myself a fairly tough guy, but every three weeks this stuff had me curled up in a ball nearly in tears. Jeanne was an angel with her help. How I managed to go to work on the tug and do my Longshore work on the docks last fall is beyond me now.
 
Well, to make a long story short, it worked. In fact, not just worked, but stunningly so! Totally and completely -- the tumors disappeared!  My voice was back strongly and I was eating & swallowing much better.Blender meals are no fun.  I could even sing again! OK, not well you guys, but better. Think what you will, but I am convinced that the huge amount of prayer by friends, family (and people I'm sure I don't even know) is the reason.

Anyway, friend, please know I am fine now. Well, rather, 'for now' I suppose.  Your never "cured" with this sneaky thing, no matter what they say. In fact, if you didin't know it, you have cancer...right now. We all do. It's just whether those cells take hold and try to kill you. Depends on the strength of your immune system to fight it off everyday -- and it gets weaker every year we get older (you're over 50 now, too, right?). The only prevention is to lose weight, exercise to keep your system pumped up, eat the fruits & veggies and get the 8+ hours of sleep (Can you see junk food Ed as a Nutritionist? Go ahead, laugh again :)  )  I never smoked or was a boozer (the leading causes), but I got it because I got fat, a little lazy and stressed with a lousy diet (my opinion).  With all I've been through, some have said I should write about it..hmm..maybe I will (can you see Ed as an Author!? The guy who got thrown out of english class? Hoo-boy!)
 
Reflecting a little, I think the emotional toll cancer or any debilitating disease or serious incident is so much greater than the physical pain of it. If you know someone who's having a tough time of it, pick up the phone just to say hi. Send a short note or card - how long's it really take -- 2 minutes with a stamp? Even an email is a mood lifter. I've said it before,  elderly or young, it makes a lousy week a much better one to see that an old friend, new friend or aquaintance actually took the time to think about you. That someone actually took a minute to give a damn. It will make a huge impact on their life -- and that's one true guarantee!
 
Meanwhile, give me a call sometime or email me your number if I don't have it. Lets stay in touch. Heck, come up for a visit! Sunday afternoons or most any morning is best -- I'd love to hear from or call you!  Once again, thank you very much for your friendship, love and prayers......
 
Sincerely,
 
Ed M.