Tomorrow I will be having a cancerous tumor removed from my colon. The hope is that it has not spread and that the surgery alone will solve the problem. And to know that, we will have to wait until the pathology comes back on what they remove. So for now, I am focused on getting through the surgery and recovering as quickly as I can. I am grateful for all of the kind words from so many over the last few days. Vassar Hospital will be my home for the next week or so. I’ll keep you posted.
Related posts:
Hey Ray, been a while.
It’s 9pm Tuesday the 5th, was just on my front deck after a very tough day, headphones on, Grateful Dead Europe ‘72, China Cat Sunflower, nothing better…Midge stepped out to tell me Renee called to share your situation with us, gave us your blog address. Wanted to give you and your family our support.
We wish you positive progress and speedy recovery…appreciate your forward statement ‘I Have Cancer’…it’s important you acknowledge and address that straight on as you have…when Midge went through her cancer treatment, too many observers and patients whispered the ‘C’ word. It is what it is, and treatment has never been better. The most important factor in treatment is your own attitude and fortitude…think positive, keep your family close, and keep your faith.
Best,
Dave and Midge
Comment by DVK — 2008.08.05 @ 6:10 pm
We’re pulling for you.
Comment by BTrapp — 2008.08.06 @ 5:03 am
Ray, you’re in my thoughts and prayers!
I have a good friend (42 years old) who was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer two years ago. Fortunately, he was diagnosed about six months after a new experimental treatment protocol had been approved, and he was eligible for the trials. It’s been a long fight, and there is still further to go, but he has no doubt that within a year he will be cancer free. Next week he’s giving himself a birthday party to celebrate life. I guess what I’m trying to say is, science is winning. Take heart!
Comment by Julia — 2008.08.06 @ 5:25 am
Ray,
Just want you to know I’ve been thinking about you non-stop since your dad told me about this on Monday. I’ve been having trouble sleeping, this is so disturbing. I’m happy that your surgery went well and it sounds like you’re in really good spirits. I love you guys so much and am thinking about you all the time, positive thoughts and prayers and I see you being well again. I look forward to reading more about your progress. Thanks for thinking of everyone, and wanting to share your experiences, even while you’re sick and uncomfortable. You’re an amazing person! ‘Mr. Happy’, like that t-shirt I got you.. love, Shari
Comment by Cousin Shari — 2008.08.06 @ 5:26 am
Hi Ray,
All the good energy I can muster (and that’s quite a bit even if I’m almost 60!) coming your way for your recovery. I will be gone for a week or so starting this Friday but when I’m back (as of the 17th) I am available for help with transportation, pets, etc. etc.
DO contact me to help out, please. That’s an order!
Thinking of you –
Susan
Comment by susan dekrey — 2008.08.06 @ 5:50 am
hey ray,
wishing you well. miss you. love the blog. keep us informed. hope you’re home ASAP.
take care.
Comment by al — 2008.08.06 @ 7:24 am
Hi Ray,
Hope they’re treating you well at Vassar Brothers! The food may not be the best, but at least you’ll have memories of Soul Dog to spur you on to a speedy recovery!
SNAP
Comment by Sharon — 2008.08.06 @ 7:47 am
Ray, I’m in Athens where it’s pretty hot today (about 100) but the library where I’m working is air-conditioned. But I’m thinking of you and wish you a speedy and full recovery from the surgery. All best wishes, Bob
Comment by robert pounder — 2008.08.06 @ 8:02 am
I hope the surgery went well & they spring you from the hospital soon!
Amy, Abbie & I are all thinking about you!
c
p.s. - I have more pens than that guy. For sure.
Comment by Chuck Garvey — 2008.08.06 @ 8:22 am
Ray,
Hang in there, buddy. Trace and I have been following your progress with great interest, and we both hope that you’re resting and recovering quickly following your surgery. It sounds like the surgery was successful, and that’s obviously good. I know you’re waiting for pathology results, and that must be nerve-wracking. In this interim period, you are in our thoughts and in our prayers…please know that.
If you begin accepting visitors at the hospital, please send along your room number. Maybe we can help you pass the time in the hospital…
Our very best, and warmest wishes…
Rene
Comment by Rene Schillinger — 2008.08.06 @ 8:41 am
Ray — We are thinking of you and you’ll probably find the kindergarten parents want to be part of your support community. Let us know how to help your family. We’ve been taking care of a close friend with breast cancer for the last three years. Facing her cancer with her has become part of daily life, it is a just different head, not an exception to the rest of life, just a more lucid and on good days more appreciative standard of normal life. But it helps to have help! Let us know how we can be useful to you.
All best,
Steve and Melanie
Comment by Stephen Kent and Melanie Meer — 2008.08.06 @ 9:13 am
Speedy recovery, man. I’ve been missing lunch for the past few days because no one’s reminded me.
Comment by Chris — 2008.08.06 @ 3:56 pm
Dear Ray,
I have thought about you non-stop for two days and have sent you every “RAY” of hope within me. I don’t know what to say, ( I know I made you laugh on that one!) so I decided to get out my book of Chinese sayings, close my eyes and open to a page. Whatever I landed on was what I would write. So here it is…
“Express yourself completely, then become quiet. Open yourself to heaven and earth, then trust your natural responses; everything will fall into place.” -Lao Tsu
So there you have it… trust, and everything will fall into place.
Love and hugs,
We’re here for you.
Lenae
Comment by Lenae — 2008.08.06 @ 7:16 pm
hey Ray - not sure if this is working, but we all heard that you had a BM yesterday - nice work! talk to you soon, Cary
Comment by Cary — 2008.08.07 @ 5:14 am
hey Ray -is this working?
Comment by Cary — 2008.08.07 @ 12:22 pm
Hi……good to see you on the computer. John and I have been thinking about you and sending good vibes your way. This is the first time I have been on a blog. A virgin blogger. Hang in there and remember that you rock.
Comment by Linda Vanderlyn — 2008.08.07 @ 5:05 pm
Ray,
Thought you might like ot know that I am wearing my brown cargo shorts today (at work!), in honor of you. Hang tough! — PAL
Comment by PAL — 2008.08.08 @ 3:23 am
Dear Ray,
Can’t wait to see you again. I believe everything will be OK. It’s just this f*cking life that gives us strange surprises.
Hugs,
Slava, your Belarusian friend
Comment by Slava Bortnik — 2008.08.08 @ 6:22 am
We’re all thinking of you Ray! Stay focused and positive and call if you or your family need anything, anything at all.
Comment by CJ — 2008.08.08 @ 9:56 am
Hi Ray.
Happy to learn that your post surgery is comming along well. Seems like you went through much of what I went through with my surgery back in January 2008. I know you miss taking those vital signs at 2;am. Your first month of recovery will be the hardest after that it gets better and better.
Comment by uncle bob — 2008.08.10 @ 9:24 am
Dear Ray,
I heard about all of this from Jay just a day or two ago - thank you for putting up this blog of your experience. I think it’s beyond amazing that you can write about this and let us know how you are doing.
The tennis crew from Tues/Thurs are just waiting for you to get better so you can get back on the court and destroy us with your spin serve!
We’re all thinking of you and your family and cannot wait to see you feeling great again.
See you soon. - Christine
Comment by Christine from tennis — 2008.08.16 @ 6:57 pm
One more comment…l haven’t had the pleasure of meeting your wife. I’m looking forward to it…hopefully she can tell me how to deal with your damn serve. (ugh, ki. Wish he wasn’t such a good teacher.
Anyway, you are great…you will kick my butt when you return to class. Can’t wait’ t see you.
See you soon! Jay, Shanna, Barry et moi are very concerned about YOU. I absolutely love it when you KICK our asses.
:)
BIg hug.
CH
Comment by Christine from tennis — 2008.08.16 @ 8:19 pm