In Need Of Prayers

[Topwaterspook]

We're blessed, Bill. I too plan on making the very best of my time. Everything seems sweeter.

[bigbill]

Stitch,

Thanksgiving was special this year. I wish I could capture the smells of all the cooking going on. It's days of preparation and smelling up the house for days. Then we sit down for a wonderful meal that takes a few hours. We put up with the awesome smells of fresh pies cooking, then it's the pasta sauce being prepped then the turkey goes in at 5am. I wake up to all these smells and find a blueberry braid for breakfast.

Thanksgiving has to be the best holiday of the year.

Stitch I'm happy we're here to enjoy it.

God bless, bigbill

Btw. We through a big bash on Christmas eve we have everything you could think of. From stuffed mushrooms, scallops wrapped with bacon, king crab legs, mussels, stuffed clams, stuffed cod, stuffed shrimp etc. It's a five hour celebration. Then in the morning two big prime rib roasts go in the oven to feed the family.

Remember Jesus is the reason for the season. Too bad it has become so commercial.

[Topwaterspook]

Amen to the commercialism, Bill............... Is this Christmas feast the Italian tradition of all different types of seafood?................  Kit and I cooked all day on Thanksgiving. Then we transported it all to the hall where our family was celebrating.  With my shrunken stomach and the fact that I'd been sampling everything through the day, I ate one quite small plateful of dinner.....................Stay in touch , Bill........Be well and happy.

 

May God bless you and your family and friends with bountiful blessings.                                                                   Stitch

[KyakR]

Stitch, when I come on this thread and read what you and Bill have to say I remember what matters in this world. I don't think it's a coincidence that both of you, with your loving families and gratitude for your lives (I'm sure you had this attitude before. too) have beaten back your illnesses. I love reading your posts! Your descriptions are poetry. Thank you!

[Topwaterspook]

Laurie, we can only do it with the support of family and great folks like you. In my case, my perspective has changed. Life is much sweeter. Hugs take on a much greater meaning.

[KyakR]

I meant it's no coincidence that Your and Bill's lives are rebounding again! Thanks, Stitch and Bill! Laurie

[bigbill]

I think where on the next page of our lives. We're not ready for the final chapter, were just past the halfway point in the book. I realize our date with Destiny has been extended. It's about time we realized what we missed in the beginning of our lives because we were too busy working supporting our families. I was mad at my dad for never spending time with us four kids but I understood when I became a dad what it took to support a family. There's no instruction book about life and how life works. We kind of learn while we go its on the job training as we go. It's not easy having the responsibility of a family that relys on us for support. But some how we put it all together. Once we get into the groove of working and supporting a family father time seems to kick in and fly by. I have no clue were my late 20's to 50's actually went. That's thirty years that's just gone. Then I hit 52yo and the many years of hard work took its toll on my battered beaten up body. After two operations on both knees. The new buzz word was disability came up in '94 but I didn't want to hear it, I refused it. I stayed working till I had to crawl out of bed each day and soak my body with hot water to get it moving everyday. I was in so much pain on my ride home from work I would cry. In 2002 I took disability. Again the page was turned on my life. My body just really slowed down. Then in 2013 the next chapter of my life began when my doctor told me I had cancer my life kind of hit a road block. I can't wait for this year to end. Stitch probably you too right? Now I'm recovering slowly. My knees are hurting so I tried a knee brace on one knee. I'm starting to feel like a combination of the six million dollar man and to robo cop.I wear a support for my back and now knee brace. Again there is no book about life that warns us about the future of our lives. It's looking into the abyss but a little warning would of helped.(chuckle)

The coach of NC basket ball Jimmy V. Put it into perspective. He said we have to laugh once a day, cry once a day and love once a day. That's a full day he said. He also said that cancer can destroy his body but it can't get his soul. Jimmy V was so right. I stayed upbeat though it all. What kept me going was my life was in the hands of our creator.

Of course were about to turn the page again. We can't change the past but we are in control of the future. We look at life different now. We have a second chance at it.

New Years Resolution,(2014 & beyond)

1. Tell the misses I love her(more often)

2. Tell everyone in the family "I" love them.

3. See if anyone in the family needs any help.

4. Start doing things that I put off.

5. Don't sweat the little things that are out of your control.

6. Accept the things you can change.

7. Fish more.(I just want to see if your reading this)

8. Thank our creator everyday for another day on this side of the green.

9. Enjoy everyday.

10. Yup fish more too.

11. We only pass this way once. Life is short. Enjoy everyday.

12. Help others that need help.

13. Being rich isn't having plenty of money. To me being rich is having our family and the quality of the friends we surround ourselves with. That's what makes us rich. You are rich and don't even know it?

Remember Jesus is the reason for the season.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, how ever you celebrate the season have a safe holiday, God bless.

[Topwaterspook]

Wow, Bill. That is profound. I totally agree. God bless you and yours. Merry Christmas.

                                                                                                                                                                                         Stitch

[BassAddict1911]

So sorry to hear that ... will absolutely pray for ya bud!

 

God Bless!

[bigbill]

Enjoy what you have today. God bless, bigbill

You know what I worried about when I was in high school? What was going to happen as I got older. How would I get a job once I got out of school? I think this really bothers kids today. They need our support and for us to tell them it will be ok and it will all come together as they get older.

I ended up quiting trade school in my second year. My parents separated and I had to take $.05 soda bottles/cans and return then to get a loaf of bread so me and mom could eat. I got tired of doing that so I quit school and went to work full tone at 16yo. I worked as a

automechanic at a few dealerships. The I was a machine operator at 20yo. They were a big machine tool manufacturing company. I learned I had to work for 8hrs no matter where I worked so I might as well make the most per hour I could. My next step was to get my GED. Then with my mechanics background I was upgraded into the machine tool erecting dept. Then the first recession in '83 hit. The company I worked for 8 years went out of business. After losing my job I bounced around from job to job. I even built 155mm howitzers for the US ARMY. Then'86 when I went to work for Otis Elevator engineering world headquarters. That lasted for 20years. Time flew by.

I found that I could work anywhere, do any job if I applied myself. I could built anything with all my experience.

My point is for you younger guys to get all the schooling and education you can. If the company offers schooling were you work now take it.

The education will pay off. You will have a better job and a better life.

Just some words of wisdom. Bigbill

[bigbill]

Stitch were going to make it though this brother the goal is within our reach. We're almost there. We need to stay motivated now. I can't wait for it to be over so things can get back to normal again.

All I think about is bass fishing is 4 1/2 months away now. As my side effects from the radiation are almost gone. This is going to be an awesome year fishing. This is going to be a busy year. I have so many unfinished things to get caught up with. I pray that everything goes well for the both of us.

God bless, bigbill

[bigbill]

I received awesome news today. Since I was on so many meds at 390# now I'm under 330# I almost passed out at the cancer center after radiation. I found out I could get off four meds I was on. Now I was told I had a weak heart. I been cutting firewood between jobs full time and part time when I was working full time. I never forget the time I was taking back five cent returns to get a loaf of bread so we could eat as a kid. I was cutting between 50 to 100 cords of firewood per year. How could I have a weak heart? I was a gorilla in the woods with a 100cc

Chainsaw for many decades. Weak heart your kidding me?

My blood pressure standing up was 90/60. When I was light headed for a while. Yesterday at the doctor I got the report from taking four heart tests my heart is fine and normal. All my blood vessels are clear. My standing up blood pressure is now 110/60. I was told it takes a while for the blood pressure meds to wear off. My blood pressure meds were lowered. I'm taking a very low dosage now.

I'm starting to make a comeback. My goal is to be 250# to 275# by fishing season.

My problem is my wife is Italian and I am too. She's a Marca/John that's the part of Italy known for great cooks. My people are from Naples. I love good food not junk food.

Well I have a challenge in front of me.

How are you doing Stitch?

[retiredbosn]

Bill,

Take it easy coming off of blood pressure medicine, it can kill u if u try to wean off to quickly

[Topwaterspook]

I'm doing well, Bill. As we've decided, it's all a bonus from this point forward. I'm looking to the Mexico trip in March. I think it'll be fun meeting some of the folks from the forums. You continue to be in my prayers. Be well , enjoy the Holidays, savor every moment................Todd, you are in my prayers as well. I'm glad your recovery is progressing nicely..............I hope this upcoming year is a banner one for all of us................Monday I have a cat scan, Tuesday I meet with both the oncologist and the surgeon. Keep your fingers crossed for me ...............I want to go into Christmas with a smile on my face.

 

Stitch

[retiredbosn]

Stitch,

I believe u and Bill both will light up the season with your smiles. My recovery is good, feel better than I have in years

[KyakR]

This thread is a Christmas gift to all who read it. There's a gentle optimism, acceptance and a profound gratitude coming from you all. Even in the darker moments there's faith, and a belief in what's good and beautiful in this world. I've read some of it to a friend who's sick. It may very well be that the gift of life you have back is not just for you   

When I came on BR it was to learn about fishing. I've received so much more! Bill, I'm happy for you, Stitch, happy for you, retiredbosn too!! Merry Christmas!  Laurie

[Topwaterspook]

     Laurie , you must have been a heck of a nurse. The way you put into words; thoughts of encouragement; has had to help lots of patients over the years. Every time I read a post of yours , it lifts my spirits. My Christmas wish for you is the very best Christmas ever. May God bless you with every good thing. He has already blessed me by bringing you into my life.

 

 

Stitch

[KyakR]

Thanks Stitch  Wish you both could come to the Roadtrip so I could meet you! 

[Topwaterspook]

Laurie, with the southern trip planned, this year will be cost prohibitive. Dwight told me that the road trips coincide with smallmouth fishing in the Spring. This also conflicts with the largemouth spawn down in Mexico. Maybe next year will be my first road trip. I'd certainly like to be able to meet you and shake your hand. The trips really sound like they're a great deal of fun and informative to boot.

[Felix77]

Bill/Stitch,

 

I just caught up on this thread and there is a tear in my eye.  You two are an inspiration for not only fighting the good fight but also sharing with us your story.  Hang in there!

 

This Bassresrouce family is amazing!

[Topwaterspook]

    Kit and I just got back from my doctors appointments. We were surprised when there came a knock on the examining room door. The doctor said , "come in". It was my oldest daughter and her hubby. They just had to come for moral support. They were there when the doc said that my CT scan was clear.  This helps to make this Christmas a very special one.  Thanks again , everyone for your good wishes and prayers. This proves to me that our God is merciful.              

 

                                                                                                                                                                                      Stitch

[Dwight Hottle]

Stitch I could not be more happy for you and your family. Thanks for posting & letting us know right away. We have a lot of fishing to do.

[Shane J]

That's fantastic! Merry Christmas!

[aceman387]

Great News Stitch! Merry Christmas to you and your wife and family.

[retiredbosn]

Fantastic news brother, God is good.