Trinka, get well soon

Gaf · Aug 4, 2013

I second John's sentiment Joe. You have given so much advise to this forum, and you have so many followers pulling for you. Keep the positive thought hang tough. Fair Winds my friend!
George

Joe11688 · Aug 4, 2013

Thanks John! I've been feeling pretty well lately. I've been getting treatments at the best hospitals in Boston.
I plan on spending some time hanging out in the cabin of my boat this month. It's the next best thing to being out on the water for me, as I've been doing this off and on for many years when I was working stand-by for my company and had to hang out at my house.

I've spent half my life searching for answers to some of the questions I had regarding some of my many interests like music and boating. Today if I'm able to help someone in any way I can other than monetarily, I jump at the chance.
To me, it's just a way of giving something back and it only cost me a little time.

Best Wishes
&
Warmest Regards,

Joe

jimmyb · Aug 4, 2013

Joe,
I don't do much posting here but you have helped us in the past and it was ALWAYS appreciated. In fact it was during a time when I was experiencing challenges to my health. I will have good thoughts for you regarding your health. Keep up the positive thinking, it helps more than you can imagine.

Get well soon sailor,

Jimmyb and the Admiral

cbourne200 · Aug 4, 2013

Joe - others have beaten the big C, and I'm confident you can also. Medicine has come a long way in the last 10 yrs. I have several friends that are survivors of recent diagnosis.

Thanks for all the help and information you have given me in the almost 2 yrs since I purchased my 272. It has been a big help...

Charles

Joe11688 · Aug 4, 2013

Thank you Charles! I've been on Chemo pills for the past couple of weeks and I'm feeling a big difference. These Boston hospitals I've been going to are the best in MA. All the doctors work in pairs and believe me, they are really on the ball. I'm so happy that my wife got me into Dana-Farber Hospital in Boston. I feel like I have a chance.

I just keep doing what I enjoy doing every day. I play my guitar, watch TV, get on my PC, and take walks. I'm not one to sit around an worry about whether I'm going to live or croak. Hey if I croak, I croak. There's nothing I can do about it. I believe that the next life is far better than this one. All one has to do is believe.

I'm happy that I was able to be of some help to you and others. The pleasure is truly mine.
Have a great sailing season!

Warmest Regards,

Joe

RECESS · Aug 5, 2013

My mother survived 5 treatments and lived 40 years past her first diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. The treatments are so much better than the used to be. Stay strong, you will be back on the water soon.

cb32863 · Aug 5, 2013

Good luck, get better fast, and hope you get back on the water soon!

Pat · Aug 5, 2013

Joe, these posts reflect everyone's love and appreciation to you for your great help and
knowledge....just get well soon and keep the good spirit...let us all know if we can do anything to help, Patrick inn Wichita.

25yearslater · Aug 5, 2013

Get well soon Joe. Wishing you all the best from the crew of the YOT. Glad you accompanied me on my journey. Your well wishes and advise have yielded an Oday nobody believes is a 1976 model. Take care my friend.

Joe11688 · Aug 5, 2013

Thanks guys! I'm going to give it my best shot. Life has so many twists and turns and I've always been pretty good at making the best of a bad situation. There is one thing for sure though. Just being able to communicate with you nice folks through the years has really filled my life with joy. I've also learned a lot on this forum. I love this forum. Where else can you gain knowledge and make friends?

Best,
Joe

callnab · Aug 6, 2013

Hang in Joe

Joe:
My wife was stunned 15 years ago when diagnosed with breast cancer. Dana Farber was the key to her beating the thing.
You are in the best hands, DF's and God's.
Thanks for the many helping words over the past years.

Joe11688 · Aug 6, 2013

callnab said:
Joe:
My wife was stunned 15 years ago when diagnosed with breast cancer. Dana Farber was the key to her beating the thing.
You are in the best hands, DF's and God's.
Thanks for the many helping words over the past years.

Hi, Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. I'm happy that my wife called DF for a second opinion. I've also been having appointments at B&W and Falkner Hospitals. I can honestly say that the people are right on the ball. The care that I have received at these hospitals has been tremendous.
Getting Cancer was never a big surprise for me. Both my Dad and brother were taken by Cancer at age 57. I feel very fortunate that I have made it to age 69. Maybe I'll live a while longer. Only God knows.

Regards,

Joe

LordNelson · Aug 8, 2013

I just logged in after a long absence and was very sorry to hear Joe has been ill. Joe has given me a ton of advice over the last few years and I hope and pray he will be around to give us advice in the future. I wish you well and will pray that you are cured and back on the water soon.

Hydro Therapy · Aug 8, 2013

Joe, I'm praying for you and your family.

I havnt owned my O22 for very long. I've had a lot of questions during the short time I've owned her. I always looked forward to reading your responses to my questions.

It sounds like your in good hands. I'm anxious to read about your recovery, stay strong and positive.

Joe11688 · Aug 8, 2013

Spooled Again said:
Joe, I'm praying for you and your family.

I havnt owned my O22 for very long. I've had a lot of questions during the short time I've owned her. I always looked forward to reading your responses to my questions.

It sounds like your in good hands. I'm anxious to read about your recovery, stay strong and positive.

Thank you so much for the prayers. I'm doing a lot better now since I started the Chemo pills and did the radiation to my back. The pain I was experiencing has disappeared and my walking is getting better. My legs are weak but outside of that, I'm doing a lot better now than I was about a week ago.

I'll probably be spending some time lounging around in the cabin of my boat this month as it sits in the yard next to my house
with the mast up and tarps over the boom. It's the next best thing to being on the water and I don't have too far to go to get on board. I miss those naps that I used to take on board even on rainy days. Thunder and lightning? I sleep right through it on board. My friends think I'm crazy.

Best,
Joe

djmeaney · Aug 8, 2013

Joe,

Sounds like you've got the right attitude and are getting great care -- DF is among the best anywhere.

We're pulling for you and looking for more great advice and wisdom from you in the coming years!

justsomeguy · Aug 9, 2013

What everyone else said, and all my best wishes.

You're not crazy at all, I think.

Joe11688 · Aug 9, 2013

justsomeguy said:
What everyone else said, and all my best wishes.

You're not crazy at all, I think.

Thanks Guy! I've done some crazy things in my life. When I was 12 years old my buddy and I swam across the Cape Cod Canal and back. We were at the Mass Maritime Academy and swam over to a place called Gray Gables on the other side. Looking back on that though I think to myself "boys will be boys."

Years ago in the late 1980s, my wife and I were sailing Trinkka down the Cape out off Cuttyhunk Island at the of the Elizabeth Islands heading down toward Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard. I had my bathing suit on with a towel wrapped over my shoulders and It was so hot sitting in the cockpit that I decided to cool off by climbing down the swim ladder and hanging off it in the water. I had my autopilot steering the boat because she never liked to steer. Later on that morning my wife pointed to a large fin sticking up above the surface of the water not too far from our boat and she said, "Hey what's that?"

We were both sitting in the cockpit sailing along when we saw it and I guess you know that this was the last time I hung of my swim ladder,--at least in those waters. Today as I look back, I can chuckle but sometimes I wonder how I ever made it to "Geezerdom."