Farwell from Java

Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
Well this is a difficult thing to announce.

On March 28, 2014, I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Based on Ct-scans and ultra-sound, I was a candidate for surgery to remove the tumor. On April 8th, I was wheeled into surgery where they found it in-operable. Oh ****. Now I have this wonderful 10” incision on my belly and not much else to show for it. Met with the Oncologist and will start chemo about the first week of May. So the saga will continue. Not much hope here, they are saying 8 to 12 months with chemo is all they can say. So the dice is being rolled.

So with that, the wonderful saga of Java is coming to an end.

Have been blessed with lots of friends on this website and happy to have contributed to the discussions as they occurred. Java is currently on the hard and have people lined up wanting to paint my bottom, align the shaft and engine and get me in the water for some summer sailing. Joan and I have been sailing Java going on 13yrs and have been anywhere we wanted to go. Mostly south to warmer weather. Was planning for Keys and Bahamas this coming year but that appears to be on hold.

My bucket list has been well taken care of. Got a wonderful wife, Joan who has been my companion thru everything. Got two wonderful daughters from a previous marriage and their children. Two great children from Joan and their kids. So now I have 4 children, 9 grand children and two great-grand children, Wow... Survived Vietnam, got a commercial instrument pilot license, was an Air Traffic Controller (yes PATCO), did some wonderful computer programming at the National Library of Medicine from where I retired.

So with that said, Thank You to everyone for support and good vibes.

Believe me, this really SUCKS!

Jim 'aka Javaboat'
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,759
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Jim,

Such a blow. So sorry to hear that and please hang tough. Wish we had not missed that potential for a beer last time I was in MD. If you need anything just let me know...
 
Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
Someone once said "don't give up the ship". I am applying it here figuratively more than literally.

Fight like hell !!

Good luck
 
Aug 20, 2010
1,399
Oday 27 Oak Orchard
Never got to chat with you since I hang around the Oday forums mostly. I have read several of your entries and enjoyed reading them. May good fortune come to you and something tells me your swan song is a long ways off. Good luck Jim and welcome home.
 
May 1, 2011
5,473
Pearson 37 Lusby MD
Jim, you've been an inspiration for many of us on this site. As gettinthrere said, don't give up the ship!
 
Jun 14, 2011
277
Hunter 22 Fin Keel Lake Martin
Don't give up the good fight.

But above all else enjoy each and every day!
 

sfgary

.
Sep 25, 2008
123
Challenger sloop Alameda
Jim

I'm shocked and deeply saddened to hear this. I know you will fight hard and give it your all. I'm glad we got to spend some time on the water together and want to thank you for turning me on to this site. Many prayers coming your way!

Gary
 
Jan 18, 2013
76
Hunter 340 Bayfield Ontario
I do not live to sail, but I sail in order that I may live, and return with greater zest to the labor of life." As a "survivor" myself you need something to strive towards no matter how grim the outcome may be. With me, and by your words, family and friends is always first and a great motivator. I firmly believe in the power of positive thought and that you can greatly increase your outcome with a positive mindset. My second love is the water and sailing and it was also a great motivator to me. I sat and listened to the Doctors tell me the worst, but here I sit today. I hope I have worded this correctly and I wish you well and never doubt the power of positive mindset.
 
Aug 2, 2005
1,155
Pearson 33-2 & Typhoon 18 Seneca Lake
In the historic words of an earlier captain..... "Surrender, Sir? I have not yet begun to fight!"

Second opinions and information may be a great inspiration. By re-reading your post mentioning your family you can see how your life has already been blessed. Don't be too quick with the "farewell".

Best Wishes
 
May 18, 2010
543
Oday 27 Gulfport, MS
Jim, I'm sorry to hear about this and thank you for sharing with us on SBO--we are all here for you in any way we can support you. I'll have my family say prayers for you with your fight.

Regards,

Jonny Quest
 
Dec 16, 2006
353
Hunter 25.5 Cayuga Lake, NY
We can only trim our sails so much before the wind ultimately decides our direction. Good luck and fair winds Sir!
 
Jul 28, 2010
914
Boston Whaler Montauk New Orleans
Jim, when I was diagnosed with lymphoma a couple of years ago, a very good friend left a message: "there are a lot of people out there who love you, and they're all pulling for you."

We're all pulling for you!
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,753
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
Jim, Don't give up! We have a friend who was told the same thing - inoperable pancreatic cancer, 6 months to live, Chemo was successful and he's now in remission for 3 years.
We'll be rooting for you, please let us know if there's anything we can do.
Chuck
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,996
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
"there are a lot of people out there who love you, and they're all pulling for you."
I don't know you except from this forum. But your post said there were numerous folks who would prepare your boat for you so that you could sail this summer. Their love for you speaks for how you are regarded by your peers. That is powerful testimony to your value to your community. You've already given us a beautiful description of your relationship with your family. We wish you the best. Please let us know how things are going - good or bad.
 
Feb 10, 2004
4,234
Hunter 40.5 Warwick, RI
Jim,

I don't know what to say. My prayers are with you. Don't lose faith, this may not be meant to be.
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,643
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Wel Java is currently on the hard and have people lined up wanting to paint my bottom, align the shaft and engine and get me in the water for some summer sailing.
At the very least, I'm hoping you get to enjoy a summer of sailing.

More than that ......... I'm hoping you get to enjoy many, many more. We're all hoping.
 

caguy

.
Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
Sounds like you've had a pretty good and full life and way more than most. You've done and accomplished as much as you be caused of your zeal for life. Use that strength to overcome just another challenge.
BTW:I love your signature saying and think about it every time I'm on the water.
 

KD3PC

.
Sep 25, 2008
1,069
boatless rainbow Callao, VA
So with that said, Thank You to everyone for support and good vibes.

Believe me, this really SUCKS!

Jim 'aka Javaboat'
Jim

Our thoughts and prayers to you and Joan, best of luck in your coming days. Just one more challenge and on to better things.
 
Oct 26, 2008
6,432
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
Jim, my brother-in-law found during the past year in his fight against leukemia that there is so much strength to be gained by the support of all of those who surround you and have you in their prayers. Despite his battle with cancer, he has had a year filled with promise and even joy. Keep up the good fight. You have all of us in your corner.