A Time To Reassess Life's Priorities

[Ken Salisbury]

As a lot of you know I have been battling bladder cancer for more than 4 years having had 4 operations and every imaginable treatment known to the medical profession.

In the last 6 months or more I have been constantly losing weight (which I sure can't afford) and my energy level and appetite has been in constant decline. At the urging of my Urologist I went to my family physician and asked him to schedule me for CAT scans of my chest and abdomen. Even though I had a chest xray less than 6 months ago in preparation for my last bladder operation which showed no problems.

I received the results of the CAT scans this past Friday which indicate I have a tumor on my left lung and also the possible presence of cancer cells on my liver (as diagnosed by my family physician). I am scheduled to visit a lung specialist and a cancer specialist this coming Monday and Tuesday.

Based on this development it came to me quite quickly that I need to adjust my lifestyle priorities. Woodworking will have to take a back seat to other things. I have already vowed that I did my last WW'ing job for money Saturday (Some office name boards). All woodworking activies will be limited and used strictly for mental therapy, as necessary.

I have no idea what medical procedures I will subjected to, however I expect them to be quite extensive.

Already being a "cancer survivor" I will fight and survive this new bout with that dreaded disease.

[Charlie Knauer]

Ken, I am so sorry to hear this news. I will add you to my prayer list. Please keep us posted. Attitude plays a big part in beating it and you seem to be determined.


Charlie

[Jim Becker]

Ken, we are with you. Your health is paramount, so do whatever you need to do to deal with it.

[Ernie Hobbs]

Ken,

Hang in there. We have a pretty good group of Huntsville-area Creekers. Give us a call if there is anything we can do to help...

[Karl Laustrup]

Ken,

So sorry to hear of your health issues. :(

Please be assured you will be in our thoughts and prayers as you undertake this battle. Good wishes from Wisconsin!!
Karl

[Jason Roehl]

Hang in there, ol' buddy. We're praying for you.

Jason

[Richard Gillespie]

Ken;

Kathy and I are so sorry to hear this latest development. We wish you the best in the coming fight. Cancer doesn't give up until you eliminate every cell in your body. You have made much progress. Keep in the back of your mind the rest of the road isn't that long.

Rick and Kathy

[Don Henthorn Smithville, TX]

I sure am sorry to hear of the assessment, Ken Will keep you in my prayers. Remember we are all pulling for you.

[Frank Pellow]

I am sorry about the latest news Ken. Keep fighting!

[Tim Morton]

The Morton family will be pulling for you Ken...this bud light is for you!!!! Let the doctors get you better...but get educated and don't mess around here....live well!!!!

[Charles McKinley]

Hi Ken,

Fight hard and hug those grandchildren often. We are praying for you.

[Ron Jones near Indy]

Wish you the best Ken. You will be in my prayers.

[Warren White]

Ken,
I am very sorry to hear the latest. You will be in my prayers and those of a lot of folks; take care of yourself and concentrate on healing and resting.

Warren White

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Ken....sorry to hear of this latest health issue. You're in our thoughts and prayers!

[John Miliunas]

Ken, strangely enough, I am left barely over speechless. Please, take care, my friend. Best wishes and prayers abound!

[Earl Reid]

Hi, Ken,
Barbara and I were sorry to hear about your latest test results. You will be in our prayers.
Earl

[Randy Meijer]

Ken:

".....have dedication and pride - and never quit...."

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!

[Robby Phelps]

Ken,

I also will keep you and your family in my prayers. I can tell you are a good man and will fight to the end. We are all pulling for you. Keep us posted

[Joe Mioux]

Ken:
I am sorry to hear about your latest health problems. Live Strong! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
JOe

[Alan Tolchinsky]

Ken,

The others have said it all and I can only echo their sentiments. I will be thinking of you in the coming days.

[Michael Stafford]

Ken, I am sorry to hear of these diagnoses. Prayers will be offered for your speedy recovery....

[Ernie Nyvall]

Ken, you are in my thoughts and prayers and as Charles wrote, stay close to your family and beat this thing. The Creekers are pulling for you.

Ernie

[Tom Pritchard]

Ken, my family's prayers will be with you!

My wife is a 21 year cancer survivor, and we learned that outlook, determination, and follow through are as important as the chemo regimen that they put you on. It sounds as if you have already stepped to the plate by taking control of your life, and your outlook is a positive. I pray for a speedy treatment and a quick recovery for you!

[John Hart]

Ken...You seem to be a fighter and that's what it's all about. I admire your strength and attitude. The mental therapy is a big plus. Be well sir.

[Keith Starosta]

Ken, may God be with you. Take care.

Keith

[Tyler Howell]

Take care Coach. ;)

[Donnie Raines]

Ken,

My family and I will keep you in are prayers for sure. We wish you and your family nothing but the best!!!

[David Wilson]

Ken
I am so sorry to hear of your health problems. Hang in there, we all wish you the best.

[lou sansone]

Dear Ken
As others have said, I am sorry to hear about your cancer. If its been 4 years now I am sure that you have had plenty of time to ponder the title of your post.

"reassessing priorities in life"
And as others have said I will try to remember you in my daily prayers. My mom is a 15 year cancer survivor and I think I understand your position. The strange truth is that none of us know when our last day will be. With that in mind, your suggestion about reassessing priorities is one that we all need to take to heart each and every day.

Kind regards and thank you for all you are doing for this forum

lou sansone

[Mark Singer]

Ken,
Hang in there....life has many twists and there is always hope....we are with you through this course and you are doing what you must do.

[Russ Filtz]

Ken, kick this things butt!! Just like you do any forum hooligans!

[Dave Anderson NH]

Mental attitude is really important on this one. Fight with everything you've got. It's gonna be tough as you well know, but keep that positive mental attitude. My prayers are with you.

[Dennis Peacock]

Ken Ol' buddy,

I'm very sorry to hear about all this. I will pray for you and your health. Get some rest buddy.

[Bill Sampson]

Ken,
As a cancer survivor, I have a feeling of what you are going through right now. I offer no advise, but know that you and your family will fight this challange with all the energy you have. Your friends at SMC will be praying that your doctors, with Gods help, will do their job well in your behalf.
Bill Sampson, Richmond

[Lee Schierer]

Ken, sorry to hear about the additional problems with cancer. I'm sure it has been devastating considering all you have already been through. Hopefully you will be able to poke your head in here once in a while and say hi, we'll sure miss you if you don't. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

[Lou Morrissette]

Ken,

Fight hard, my brother.

Lou

[Jules Dominguez]

Ken, I'm not much of a believer in prayer, but you'll be in my thoughts and hopes for defeating this cancer. Your positive attitude will be one of your best weapons.

[larry merlau]

keep your chin up and remeber the game isnt over till the whistle blows. keep fighting ken

[Scott Coffelt]

Thinking of you Ken, I hope all can be cured and many, many years of Bud Lights are in your future. God Bless!

[Jim Hinze]

Ken, hang tough and beat it!

I'll keep you in my prayers.

[Don Baer]

Ken;

With your attitude I know you'll beat this. My prayers are with you.

[John Scarpa]

Ken,

You are in my prayers. I just finished surviving a bout of cancer myself (Leukemia) and will have to deal with it again down the road as the condition is chronic. I know from experience how much attitude plays is this fight and you have it in spades! You're an inspiration. God Bless,

John

[Wes Newman]

Ken, So sorry to hear about your circumstances. My family will be praying for you. If you need any help with anything, please let me know. I can be there in a moments notice.

Your Friend,

[Roger Fitzsimonds]

Ken
I am sorry for this diagnosis. Hang in there and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Roger

[JayStPeter]

I'm rooting for you too. Kick this things butt.

Jay

[Alan Turner]

My thoughts are with you.

[Kurt Aebi]

Ken,

You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you endure these treatments, etc.

God Bless and Good Luck!

Keep checking in as much as you can and let us know how you progress!

Keep on keepin' on, good buddy - we're here for ya!

Your friend Kurt in Vermont!

Take care Reb'

[Jim O'Dell]

Ken, I'm saddened to hear this news. Like the others have said, you have a great attitude and that is a BIG plus. We'll also be praying for a healing to occur in your body. There are miracles that happen everyday, even in the medical field. And new advancements in cancer research all the time. I have a friend I grew up with that is a big time cancer reasearcher that has made some marvelous strides in this field. I'm sure that part of her passion is the cancer that is affecting her father. Great minds won't stop until there is a cure and prevention. Jim.

[Randy Moore]

Ken,


It has all been said but I will say it anyway.

Keep thinking positive, keep your chin high and believe you will beat this.

You are in our prayers in the Moore house.

If there is anything we, Creekers, can do for you just ask.

God be with you.

Randy

[Russ Filtz]

Forgot to mention, eat lots of Curry! Read of few days ago there's studies going on for the cancer fighting benefits of cumin or tumuric (I forget) that's in it. It didn't just help, it actually KILLED cancer cells!

[Rob Littleton]

Ken, God bless you and know that prayer and attitude will overcome this battle. You got the prayer from us, stay strong brother and lets see you in here once in a while.

[Michael Gibbons]

Wishing you well, Ken


Mike

[Dominic Greco]

Ken,
I just stopped by the site after being away for a while and saw this post. I just wanted you to know that my family and I will be praying for you my friend. Take care.

Dominic

[John Shuk]

Ken,
You are the best! Hang in there! I really mean it. My prayers are with you.
John

[Bob Noles]

Ken,


I rarely ever come to ths area of the forum, but for some reason I did so tonight.

I am so sorry to learn of your plight. God's will be done our friend.

You are and will remain in our prayers until the battle is won.

Best wishes!

[Richard Wolf]

God bless.

Richard

[Bill Turpin]

Take care of yourself and take your vitamins. We are praying for you. See you at the next swap meet. :)

Bill in WNC mountains

[Ray Thompson]

Hang tough you old fart. If you need anything from any of us, just ask.

Ray

[Jerry Olexa]

Ken, take care of yourself during this difficult time. Keep your faith and a positive attitude. We will pray for you in my family...Keep us posted.

[Vaughn McMillan]

Ken, add me to the long list of people who'll be pulling for you to beat this. We're all behind you 100%.

- Vaughn

[Joseph O'Leary]

Deep Peace of the running waves to you.
Deep peace of the flowering air to you.
Deep peace of the smiling stars to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the watching shepards to you.
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.
An old Gaelic prayer
You will be in our prayers.

[Pat Monahan]

Ken
Sorry to hear the news. We're pullin' for you.
All the best
Heather & Pat

[Dave Dionne]

Ken

Your attitude is already an insperation to many, You will be in mine and my familys prayers.

Take care Dave

[Aaron Koehl]

Ken, you're in our prayers. Get well, friend!

[Dave Brandt]

Hang tough, Ken. You have our thoughts and prayers!

[Dan Bussiere]

Ken,
I haven't posted here in over a year. But I felt compelled to wish you God's speed and healing. You were very helpful and gracious to me when I first started lurking here. I hope some of that is returned to you now in your time of need.

[Steve Ash]

Ken,
I can only echo what so many here have already said.....I'll offer my thoughts and prayers to you as well.
Take good care,
Steve

[Carl Eyman]

Ken, because of my age I perhaps relate to your situation in a closer way than some others. I hope when - not if - my challenge comes as yours has I handle it as well as you are. Thanks for all you've done, are doing, and will continue to do.

If I knew what I could do to help, I'd be doing it. If you know, let me know, 'cuz I'll do it.

[Jim Andrew]

I read that a combination of flax seed and cottage cheese can get rid of cancer. Do a google search on flax seed and check out an article about the researcher named Johanna Budwig. I found it a few weeks ago. Tells about
guys who have prostate cancer taking the seed and cottage cheese and tests
finding lots of dead cancer cells in their blood. Don't give up hope and try
this out. Might just work! Jim

[Mike Weaver]

Ken,
You are an inspiration to us all and you are in our prayers.
Get Well Soon!
-Mike

[Ray Bersch]

Ken,

When there is so much to say, one usually is speechless - that is the way I feel. Having met you at the SwapMeet I have felt you are among my group of friends and it really hurts to hear that you are going through so much. I wish you well and stand ready to help if you need it - just send a message.

Ray

[Steve Inniss]

Ken,
My best wishes to you. Kind regards, -Steve

[Bob Hovde]

Ken,

Hang in there. We have a pretty good group of Huntsville-area Creekers. Give us a call if there is anything we can do to help...

Ditto. If you need anything, please let us know. We'll keep you in our prayers.

Bob

[Tony Falotico]

Hang in there Ken, you can beat this ....... My thoughts and prayers are with you daily my friend.

[Terry Quiram]

Ken

Connie and I are both pulling for you.

Terry

[Rob Blaustein]

Ken,
Best of luck with this, and as others have said, hang in there.
Rob

[Brian Hale]

Fight the good fight Ken, we're with you.

Smile often, Laugh regularly and Hug your family every chance you get.

Brian and Kathy

[Martin Shupe]

Hang tough, Ken, we are all in your corner. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

[Bart Sharp]

Ken,

I just came across your post and I haven't read the replies yet, but let me add one more voice to what I am sure are hundreds of others wishing you the best as you fight this. You will be in all of our thoughts.

Bart

[Jim Shaver, Oakville Ont]

Hi Ken,

I know that you have everything in order, I too am a Cancer survivor...you have been down this road before...I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, if there is one thing I know about you, you are a great guy and I know you will back to your old self soon enough... Fight The Fight...

take care,
Jim

[Jay Knoll]

Ken

All the best wishes to you and your family, I echo all the thoughts of your fellow Creekers. Your gentle presence has been one of the defining factors to this forum, get well soon!

Jay

[Dan Forman]

Ken---Wishing you the best possible outcome, know that you have the support of all of us here.

Dan

[Greg Ladd]

Good luck Ken. Keep a positive attitude. Don't hesitate to ask the Lord for a healing.

Greg

[Ronald DeWeese Sr.]

Ken,

Hang in there. We have a pretty good group of Huntsville-area Creekers. Give us a call if there is anything we can do to help...
and along with Bob. I say you can take it one day at a time and with God's help you can lick this. Good luck!

Ron & Fran

[Zahid Naqvi]

Sorry to hear about that Ken. Your presence on the creek continues to be inspiring. Hopefully everything will turn out for the best.

[Dale Thompson]

Ken,
I am not a really great member of the church.

MY cathedral is the stars and the galaxies that brighten the skies of the darkest night over the calm waters of my home in far northern Wisconsin.

MY cathedral is my firm belief in the fact that: "The beasts of the wild shall be led by a child and the lion shall lay down by the lamb".

MY cathedral is my respect for the folks like you who have willingly shared their skills, knowledge and advice with those of younger generations.

I don't pray very much, Ken. However, that may give me an advantage because I don't "bug" GOD with a lot of extraneous tasks that I can handle myself or with the help of generous, wonderful folks like you.

I don't know of your beliefs. In fact, they are none of my business. However, I can assure you that my prayers are with you. You're one of the "GOOD GUYS"! I hope to see you back REAL soon - even considering the fact that you delete 97% of my posts! :) :)

Dale T.

[Keith Christopher]

What can be said that already hasn't. Ken I will be praying for you and add you to my church prayer list. Fight on old rebel !