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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 13, 2017 17:57:02 GMT -5
Not looking for sympathy or anything. Just wanted to let everyone know that I have terminal thyroid Cancer. It has hit in my right armpit worse than anywhere else. Hurts like hell to raise my right arm to type, so don't expect to see much from me. I'm still logging in every day to read what's going on, but my comments will be very limited. I'm hoping that I can hang in long enough to finish restoring a trim saw for a friend. Contacted my trucker buddy Bob, (montanamadman) to get his butt over here ASAP to load up my rocks & equipment. I can no longer hold a dop stick steady enough to cab. I've lost all use of 2 fingers of my right hand. Hoping I'll be able to take the street rod out for a drive or 2 before I have to put it up for sale. I've kicked a lot of rocks over the years. Hiked many miles searching for stuff worth bringing home to cut. Now it's time to let the younger generations take their turn. I've left plenty out there for them to find & enjoy. I'm still an ornery old goat. Gonna stick around as long as I can. Maybe even give the liberal snowflakes a bad time once in a while.  Don |
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Post by Pat on Mar 13, 2017 18:17:11 GMT -5
Don, that's a bummer.
I'm sorry.
You will be missed around here.
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Post by spiceman on Mar 13, 2017 18:29:09 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that, but never stop doing. What you do best.
Yes, you will be missed around RTH. So pop in for updates like you alway have.:)
Deal?
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 13, 2017 18:45:29 GMT -5
Don, this is very sad news to me.  I can't even think of anything appropriate to say. Just please enjoy yourself. |
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Post by Toad on Mar 13, 2017 18:48:46 GMT -5
Sounds like you're handling the situation well. I'll be praying for you and your family.
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 13, 2017 18:49:11 GMT -5
Damn that's tough news Don. I've enjoyed your company, help, and instruction for many years here on RTH. Thank you for being you. God speed my friend!
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Post by captbob on Mar 13, 2017 18:53:53 GMT -5
Well I'll start right off with an - aw fu¢k! for that one. I'm very sorry to hear this.
Thyroid cancer can be eliminated by simply removing the thyroid and *poof* it's gone. Having issues in your armpit indicates that it has spread to some lymph nodes. The ones hit really hard can be removed and then chemo may be able to knock out what remains. Have you had a PET scan? Where are you being treated? The VA? Are they treating this or just hoping the problem (you!) will go away?
You aren't all that far from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, hard to find better cancer treatment than they provide. Any chance your insurance would cover a visit there? Just putting that out there...
Wishing you well and hoping for the best. Many times cancer can be beat, fight you old goat!
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Post by MrP on Mar 13, 2017 19:12:04 GMT -5
So sorry to hear about this. Wish you nothing but the best.......................MrP
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 13, 2017 19:12:37 GMT -5
Damn people, I ain't gone yet. I can still play with my minerals & fossils. Gonna enjoy life as long as I can.
My only regret is, I promised Uncle Sam when I retired from the Navy that I was going to live til 110, just to collect that retirement check. Guess I ain't gonna make it. But so far they've paid me 32 years of retirement checks for 20 years of service, so I'm up 12 years on them.
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 13, 2017 19:23:37 GMT -5
Damn people, I ain't gone yet. I can still play with my minerals & fossils. Gonna enjoy life as long as I can. My only regret is, I promised Uncle Sam when I retired from the Navy that I was going to live til 110, just to collect that retirement check. Guess I ain't gonna make it. But so far they've paid me 32 years of retirement checks for 20 years of service, so I'm up 12 years on them. You old salt! My dad was the same way. He wanted every check coming to him.  Then he wanted them to bury him at sea. And they did. |
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 13, 2017 19:27:58 GMT -5
Damn people, I ain't gone yet. I can still play with my minerals & fossils. Gonna enjoy life as long as I can. My only regret is, I promised Uncle Sam when I retired from the Navy that I was going to live til 110, just to collect that retirement check. Guess I ain't gonna make it. But so far they've paid me 32 years of retirement checks for 20 years of service, so I'm up 12 years on them. You old salt! My dad was the same way. He wanted every check coming to him. Then he wanted them to bury him at sea. And they did. LOL. No sea burial for me. Got my hunk of ground on the side of a hill, well above sea level. If I outlast my dog Jake, His ashes will be in the box with me, along with my favorite Fairburn agate. |
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Post by captbob on Mar 13, 2017 19:33:15 GMT -5
No sea burial for me. Got my hunk of ground on the side of a hill, well above sea level. If I outlast my dog Jake, His ashes will be in the box with me, along with my favorite Fairburn agate. This one?  uh... where is that hill again? |
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Post by orrum on Mar 13, 2017 19:36:32 GMT -5
Don ride em hard, tie fast to the horn, head up, heels down, spurs rollin, my friend!!!
They got computers you can talk to now pardner and they type for you.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2017 20:07:58 GMT -5
A letter written with pride and dignity is what we would expect from you.
I expect that you will fight with the tenacity of a shark until you do leave us. Keep your head high. You deserve to be proud of your life.
Keep after the happiness amigo. All the best.
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 13, 2017 20:20:21 GMT -5
No sea burial for me. Got my hunk of ground on the side of a hill, well above sea level. If I outlast my dog Jake, His ashes will be in the box with me, along with my favorite Fairburn agate. This one? uh... where is that hill again? Yup. My most valuable one. |
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 13, 2017 20:23:37 GMT -5
As long as I can still snipe a few on ebay, I'll keep going. Scored a brand new 6" Star diamond blade the other day, then scored a 1971 Star Diamond catalog the next day.
Oh & can't forget the near mint Texas Rocks automatic gem drill I'm gonna try to restore. Just needs a good cleaning, new belts & new paint on the Texas logo.
Long as I can still turn a wrench & screwdriver, I'll keep on restoring them.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 13, 2017 20:59:24 GMT -5
Hey Don, that really sucks. I'll be praying for you too, hang in there.
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 13, 2017 22:14:02 GMT -5
Well folks, I'm off to take a couple happy pills & get some sleep. So far I'm only taking pills to get a few hours sleep. Trying not to get hooked on these damned opium based pills the doc gave me for pain. Just grit my teeth during the day & take a couple to help me get to sleep.
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Post by nowyo on Mar 13, 2017 22:21:31 GMT -5
Don, that's not the sort of news we like to hear. Keep on plugging.
Russ
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,357
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Post by quartz on Mar 13, 2017 23:00:46 GMT -5
Don't like to hear that, your presence here makes our days go better, stick with it best you can.
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I can't even think of anything appropriate to say. Just please enjoy yourself. 
Then he wanted them to bury him at sea. And they did.
