Season Lost But I Still Have My Wife

[flipin4bass]

Early this past spring, after spending the winter outfitting a new kayak and preparing my gear for another season, the love of my life and wife of many years was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had paid my fees for a kayak bass tournament back in January, so my wife told me to go ahead and fish it. I drove the six and half hours to the tournament, launched my yak, but returned to the ramp after just a few minutes. My heart just wasn’t into it. Time passed and the day of her surgery arrived. I was able to bring her home after three days and spent several days empting her drainage bottles and tending to her other needs. I spent the rest of the summer helping her recover both physically and emotionally. During those many days while she slept, I played with lures and other equipment, sat in the garage and looked at my yaks, and kept abreast of everyone’s exploits here on the forum. Every day, when one of you posted a picture of a new PB, I was there with you, in spirit at least. September came and my wife is back on her feet and is again her ole self. She encouraged me to get out and do some fishing. I made a short trip to my favorite wildlife refuge, but I didn’t get much fishing done. It did feel good to get out and paddle around the lake and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors. I’ll probably get out one more time, but then I’ll call it a year as the old bones don’t handle the cold like they use to.

The doctors have given my wife a clean bill of health and we are looking forward to her next checkup this coming January. If that goes well, and I think it will, I plan on hitting those lakes like there’s no tomorrow. I might even pull the trigger on that new Big Game II…it looks like one mean fishing machine.

Twenty plus years in the military, watching kids grow into adults, and growing old with the woman I love has taught me a valuable lesson; life is short and it will on occasion throw you a curve ball. If I could share just one thing with all of you, it would be to never take life, or the people you care for, both family and friends for granted. Although we think there is no end when we’re young, time is fleeting and there is an end. This season is ending and those hawgs got a pass this year, but look out…I’m starting spring training right now!

 

[Dwight Hottle]

Well written. Hope it continues to work out for you both. 

[bassinOUT89]

Glad to hear everything worked out good for your wife. Best of luck to you and your very fortunate wife.

[A-Jay]

We are navigating a similar course.

 

Many hard lessons have been learned here as well.

 

We Live for Today, As Tomorrow might only be a Dream.

 

Best of Luck & Continued Good Heath to you Both.

 

A-Jay

[Fishing Rhino]

Yesterday is history.  Tomorrow's a mystery.

 

Today is a gift.  That's why we call it the present.

[mmrivera86]

Thanks you very much for the story and for your service as well. I pray tbhings continue to go well for you and your wife.

[EvanT123]

I'm glad to hear your wife is doing well. Cancer is a SOB. Thank you for posting and continued good health to you both.

[Catch and Grease]

Glad everything worked out, thanks for posting that. Now go catch some hawgs!

[F14A-B]

God Bless you & you're family... From a fellow veteran, family man & fisherman...

[preach4bass]

You're the man! Way to have your priorities right.

[WDinarte]

my pray for your wife and you, God bless you guys.

[SirSnookalot]

I'm glad you still have your wife, many aren't that lucky so there is a lot to be thankful for. 

[Bluebasser86]

I wish I could like this more than once. 

 

Great to hear your wife is doing better. 

[Lund Explorer]

Here's to hoping that your wife continues on the road to full remission and that the only time you are pulled off the lake in the future is when you are welcoming a whole slew of grandchildren into your lives. 

[whitwolf]

Thanks for posting this flipin'! I'm happy for the both of you!

[Oregon Native]

We to (wife and I) have seen this battle (cancer).  Our daughter went to be with the Lord this year ....she was such a fighter and we were there for her for everything so I can relate to you and yours.

May God Bless you more and more.

[Bigboy28438]

I will also be praying for u and your wife. Good fishing and tight lines.

[Jaderose]

I love to fish but I have a tough time doing it when there are other matters to attend to.  My wife suffers from depression and there are times when, for whatever reason, she needs me to be around.  So I am.  When I was younger, this would have made me bitter because I was a selfish jacka$$.  Now that I'm pushing 50, I've discovered what's TRULY important.  My wife is my best friend, lover, partner, and the person with whom I will hopefully grow old with.  I'll put off work to fish.  I won't put off family.  I'm glad to hear your wife has a clean bill of health and I salute your having your priorities in order.  When you DO get to go, I hope you get a string of PB's.  God Bless

[spsmith713]

Time definitely flies, my oldest will be 8 in a few weeks.  I remember bringing him home from the hospital like it was yesterday.  Thank you for your service and am glad to hear you wife is doing well.  One quote that has always stuck with me is "learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."

[Redlinerobert]

Having a great woman by your side makes you a very rich man indeed.  I will say a prayer of gratitude for you and your loved one tonight. 

 

My wife is also a cancer survivor.  She went to battle before we met.  I wish I could have been there for her during those years.  I will tell you, that there is no singly moment that we take for granted. 

 

Thank you for sharing your story.

[Sam]

Flipin, my wife has had 10 back, two neck and three hip surgeries in the past 10 years.

 

She is getting along better but still has a number of medical problems.

 

She is now encouraging me to get back into fishing more and more.

 

This year I have missed three club tournaments and will not fish the final on Smith Mountain Lake as it is too far from home should something happen and I have to get home fast.

 

Sometimes it is best to pause to make sure all is OK at home and with loved ones so when you do get back on the water you can enjoy the beauty of nature and chase those little green monsters around.

 

Great reading that your wife is OK. Hope she is gaining her strength and will be 100% soon.