Some of you may have noticed that I have not been posting for a few weeks. Last fall, my doctor noticed some abnormalities in some regular tests performed during my annual physical. He sent me to see a specialist and on February 7, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma - bone marrow cancer.
Wow. That was a shocker. Took my breath away. Made me angry. Made me cry. I have always been healthy and when, all of a sudden, you are diagnosed with a life threatening illness, your focus on life changes... drastically.
Luckily, they seem to have caught it in the early stages as my only symptom so far is chronic fatigue. I am undergoing 3 monthly cycles of chemotherapy and when that is finished in another 2 months, I will undergo a stem cell transplant.
On February 7, my life changed forever. Luckily, my wife Pauline is my Rock of Gibraltar. I really don't know what I would do without her. My family is also very supportive as have been the few close friends that I have already told. I cannot stress how important the encouragement and support of my family and friends are to me.
Interestingly, one of the things that I thought would change, but has not, is my interest in collecting. It has almost become therapeutical for me.
Pat and I had a few recent lengthy discussions about collecting and I thought it necessary to explain to him that even though I am going through a rough period, talking about and discussing aspects of collecting are actually helping me cope.
One of the few positives to come out of this is that I have decided to retire. As such, although my buying power will be seriously curtailed, I will still endeavour to pick up a piece here and there from my friends on GDC.
So I would just like to say that I will be back in the game here on GDC, my health permitting, and will endeavour to continue to monitor the SS Dagger Forum to the best of my ability.
I have been keeping a "blog" of my experiences so far and have decided to make it public. For those of you interested, it is located at
http://mylifewithcancer.blogspot.com. I will endeavour to keep it updated with my treatments and my personal thoughts and experiences on the road ahead.
It's good to be back.
My thoughts and prayers with you My Friend.................. every second of the day.
JR
Bernie... I wish you all the very best. The medical profession works wonders these days. A family member of mine has also been hit with a different form of cancer to yours but everything was fine in the end. Keep your positive attitude, continue on with this obsessive hobby of ours and remember us GDC members are here supporting you too. We maybe strangers in cyber world but we're all just friends that haven't met yet. Scott
My prayers are also with you. Although I have never had cancer last year my mother and god-mother were both diagnosed with breast cancer, and they both luckily caught it early like it sounds like you did the same and that will make all the different’s in the world to the outcome of cancer. You got lucky you caught it early even though getting cancer is a horrible thing my mother and aunt have both been strong and are both keeping a positive attitude about the whole situation and are doing very well now. Remember keep strong, think positive, and above all enjoy life as much as you can still, until you are fully recovered! And may God be with you.
Bernie:
I almost fell over when Pat and Stephane told me about your problem at the Show. I'm glad to see your looking past the "Dark Side" of this setback and are keeping a positive attitude.
You will also be in my prayers.
Regards
Jim
I've known about Bernie's health problem but didn't want to go public, until he was ready to make the announcement himself.
Bernie and I, have a special realationship, beside being best of friends, he was also my "mentor" when I first started collecting.
He's the one who really got me interested in the hobby and taught me much.
He's the one also responsible for taking me to my first Max show in 2001.
At the time, I still remember how excited I was about the whole thing. I remember Bernie telling me, "you remind me of myself when I first went to the Max show".
From the bottom of my heart, I wish you well and you'll always be "one of a kind".
Anything I can do, I'm only one phone call away my friend.
I will see you soon !
Bernie,
We have never had the pleasure of meeting in person however I greatly enjoy our emails. Although we have not had personal contact I do consider you of my good collecting friends. If you need any thing I can help with, as always, I am here for you. You will be in the hearts and prayers of my family and I!
Best Wishes,
Bob
Bernie,
I was also shocked when you told me about your illness a few weeks ago. However, having known you for a long time I know that you are a strong person and that you will get over this. As you and others have said, early detection is paramount and with the medical technology available these days this sort of illness can be beaten...and does get beaten. A continued positive outlook coupled with the heartfelt support of your hundreds of friends here at GDC and your wife Pauline and family will help immensely.
I agree with your desire to continue collecting. It will certainly aid in your positive outlook and give you another reason to get up and at 'em in the mornings.
My prayers and best wishes are with you. Hope to see you again soon at one of the militaria shows this year.
Bernie very sorry to here of your health.I think you made a wise decision to retire,Live life to the fullest.
"It doesn't matter were you go in life...
What you do...
Or how much you have...
It's who you have beside you"
You have your family beside you and I'm sure the entire GDC members.Good luck and our prayers go out to you.
I know that i am a novice guy on this forum but i want to wish you luck and power to fight with yours illness . From me i can only say that many things has connection with a state of the mind ,a year ago doctors find in me strange disease but with my wishes and will to live i can say everything is better. All the best for you.zet
Bernie, my BEST to you and also your family as you take on this challenge. I also agree with the importance of a positive attitude. My father was 66 when diagnosed, through chemo and radiation and attitude "I'm gonna beat it!" he used to say, he lived to the ripe old age of 79.
Roger
I do not have a response worthy of your sobering news. Just believe that many people you do not know are touched by it.
Bernie:
You have my prayers and I am sure you have everybody elses on GDC. May ther Lord be with you. Rod
Bernie, as one who was involved in health care at the hospital level, I know what you are going through, but am also aware that early detection is the best in this situation.
Chemotherapy is, at best, ever changing and improving and, while undergoing it is never pleasant, it is much better today than in the past.
My best hope for your series and outcome and I sincerely hope that the side effects are minimal,
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria
quote:
Originally posted by Skyline Drive:
I do not have a response worthy of your sobering news. Just believe that many people you do not know are touched by it.
Definitely sums it up for me and i sure many many more.
Regards Mark
Bernie, My thoughts and prayers are with you. We also have never met but you have always replied to my questions and always had nice comments about pics of my items that I posted. A positive attitude I am sure you will have as well as the support of your many friends here at GDC.
Bernie, I wasn't supposed to know but a was informed of your illness a couple of weeks ago. Truely shocking news. Cancer is not the death sentence it was just a few years ago. It is still an incredible challenge, but with the support of your friends and familly you will come up on top.
Stephane
Bernie, I have learned a lot from you posts. My God Bless you during these very trying times. Erich
Bernie,Glad to hear you are back in the game!!keep it up we all appreciate you sharing with us .Best wishes and prayers from the Ward family!!!!
Geoff.
Bernie,
You're so fortunate to have had such a test early. That's a good thing, so remember to keep those good thoughts handy.
I'm happy a thing like collecting, while small in the scale of life, can actually be therapeutic in reality. All the best my friend, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Bernie I have never met you but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Get well soon.
tonym
Bernie;
I don't post very often, but this is definitly a needed time. My families prayers and hopes are with you and yours.
George
Bernie,
My thoughts are with you as well. All possible wishes and goodwill to you sir.
Bernie,
Like others, I don't know what to say. Hang in there and God be with you. I will keep you in my prayers.
Hang in there and I look forward to seeing you back around the forum!
Tyrel Linkhorn
Sorry to hear the news, Bernie, but the good news is they caught it early, it is treatable and you have a positive attitude. All of these elements point to a complete recovery. Continue as well as you can, stay strong and stay on the forum!
Bernie,
It is with sadness and great empathy that I hear this news, but I share your hope and optimism. Although the emotional and physical pain you must be going through right now is hard for me to imagine, I take heart that your doctors have detected this early. As Ron has pointed out, that is indeed something to be grateful for, and something that should give hope.
I will pray for you also. Moreover, anytime you want to talk collecting, give me buzz (dad4ajj@comcast.net) - it is therapeutic for me as well.
Take good care, and know that your friends here are with you.
"He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds."
Psalm 147:3
Mr Brule:
I wish you a fast and decisive victory in your personal Battle.
In these crucial times my thoughts are with You.
Pablo Sela
Romans: vs 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know
what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with
groans that words cannot express.
The Lord will lead you thru the darkness, trust in him. Get well soon.
Bernie:
I've known you for over 20 years now and enjoyed your company through all of them. I wish you a speedy recovery. All my best to you and your family.
Brian Rich
what is there left to say that others have not already said better than I am able too with my bad english...Bernie...my thoughts are with you...you are and will be the mainstay of this forum...bleib stark...und werd bald wieder gesund...Roland.
PS...and when you get stronger...and spring is just around the corner...come and regroup in Ocean City, Maryland...hope that you will be able to take me up on that soon...again...your SteinMeister.
Bernie-
Please let me add my wishes for a rapid recovery from your illness. Knowing that so many of us are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers will, hopefully, lighten your burden a bit. That's what we're all here for....
Bernie, We live a mile from each other and didnt know until I saw this posting. I remember when my wife and I came over for dinner a month or two back all seemed well. You had mentioned having the flu for a week or so but you never let on that it was more serious. Ansley and I had a wonderful time and hope to invite y'all over when the time is good for you.
Im sure the treatment will be no picnic but Godspeed my friend and teacher.. All the best
Chris
This pic is Paul Hogle, Chris O'Connor and Bernie Brule in my house in Ottawa.
May you have a speedy recovery Bernie.
Bernie,
i also dont know what to say except my family wishes you a fast healthy recovery, and our prayers are with you and yours, and your blog is a great one, you are a strong man to face this problem, and share with others.
Bernie
Good spirits,Good Faith and Family..those along with your Doctors will have wonderful results.Keep your head high.Godbless.
TOM
Chicago.
Bernie, I wish you the very best. I still have the nicest private purchase SS ring I ever got from you. I'll keep you in my prayers.
Best
Mark
Bernie..........You are in my thoughts and prayers now on a daily basis. Your contibutions to this hobby have been and will continue to be magnificent.........Best Always Jimmy
Bernie, i wish you a full recovery and I will add you to my prayers. Thank you for sharing this with us so openly. My brother David is fighting cancer as well, so I know a little of what your family is going through. God bless you and your loved ones.
My best wishes to you and your family Bernie.
May you fight it off and have a speedy recovery.
Ulf.
Hi Bernie,Stay positive,and all the best for the future,Good Luck, Best regards Stan
Godspeed on your road to recovery, sincerely Ryan S
Bernie,
Heartfelt best wishes for a successful recovery. I am sure the knowledge that so many members of this collecting community wish you well can only add to the strength you have shown.
Derek
Bernie, Sorry to hear it, Bro! Keep the shiny side up and stay involved with your activities, here and elsewhere! The only thing that makes it worth while is what we are involved in and it will make a real difference! Keep it New!
Three Finger Louie
Best to you Bernie!
I know all your friends are behind you!
Get well
PVON
Best of luck Bernie, our prayers are with you. Be strong!Be positive! Tiep
Bernie- I don't know you, but I have enjoyed your posts. As you can see by the outpouring of support here, you are a very well-respected asset to this community.
We wish you and your family the best, and you are in our thoughts and prayers as well!
The Krause Family
The best wishes to you, Bernie, a strong attitude and much strength to fight this malicious disease with success.
Bernie,
God bless and be with you and your family.
Thanks for sharing these trying times so that we are all aware of God's blessings.
John Pepera
Bernie,
We've never met but I feel as if I know you through your many insightful and often times humourus posts.
Please know that even those you do not know are thinking of you and praying for you and your family.
Bernie, wishing you all the best in a speedy recovery.
What can I say Bernie You've been an example, a mentor and most of all a friend to me. In the hobby, always there with advice and encouragement through the lean times. I appreciate you. Prayers and all my best wishes are with you. I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks, till then I wish you improved health.
Your Friend
Paul
Dave & Vern,
May I suggest that his thread be moved to the 'Community Forum' so that all of our GDC members are informed and we can all share these trying times with Bernie.
John
As with everyone here Bernie you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers! ~ Ian
bernie-you will be in my prayers every day till you are ok.god bless you.paul zaya
Good luck with your teatments.I can empathize. I went through 11 months of chemo treatment for HepC & came out of it cured. Having hobbies & a positive attitude definately helps.God Bless,Be Well!
Bernie, You are in the prayers and thoughts of myself and my family. God be with you and your family in this extremely difficult time. FP
Bernie,
May God grant you a full and speedy recovery.
Bernie, I enjoy your posts very much and I wish you all the very best.
Regards
Russell
Your strong mind can beat this illness, Bernie!
Take good care of yourself and of your family.
Herman
Dear Bernie-I'm so sorry to hear the news of your illness. I appreciated your good wishes and thoughts toward me 3 yrs ago when I had prostate cancer- please consider these rebounded toward you- the chemo can be unpleasant, but the long term results are worth it. There have been great advances in this field in only the past few years, and further improvements are occuring daily. I wish you the the very, very best, appreciate your situation,but know you will come through it just fine and will continue to advance the cause of The Dark Side( gosh it hurt to write that!) All the best-Mike
Bernie,
I have always enjoyed reading your posts, and look forward to reading many more in the years ahead!
All the best, and hang in there, you WILL beat it!
Chief
Dear Bernie :
Sorry to hear of your illness .
Our thoughts and prayers . A bumpy road ahead, but you will make it !!!
Douglas
The outpouring of support from GDC members is overwhelming. And I thank each and every one of you form the bottom of my heart.
And thank you Dr. Mike for those heartfelt words. Your example of surviving cancer is an inspiration to me. Perhaps you will yet buy me a beer at a future militaria show.
And I think we've seen the first miracle on my long road to recovery when Dr. Mike said "...and will continue to advance the cause of The Dark Side". Nothing short of me having a deadly disease could have forced those words from him.
How true those last words were, Bernie, but feel comforted in the fact that if this miracle can happen, lesser ones(such as your complete cure) will be a piece of cake. Please call or mail me with any questions or problems-all the best, Mike
bernie,
i truely wish you and your family the best and hope that everything turns out ok for you in your time of difficulty.if i can help in any way please feel free to ask!!!
sincerely
mark
Hi Bernie, how's your health? How are the treatments going? All the best -Mike
Hi Mike and thanks for asking about my health. I trust you are still in good health and will continue to be so,
As it stands now, I am finished my chemo, feel pretty good and now proceed to the stem cell transplant phase of my treatment.
I met with the stem cell transplant doctor on Wednesday and he explained some of the transplant procedure to me. I should be starting around the end of May with daily injections of pentogen (I think) to stimulate stem cell growth for about a week. Then stem cells will be collected from me through a dialysis-type procedure lasting about 6 hours.
Then high doses of chemo to kill all cells - good and bad. That's when I will be most vulnerable to infections as my imune system will be effectively destroyed.
Then at some point, my stem cells will be infused back into me. I will also probably need some blood transfusions along to way to help my imune system regenerate. The procedure will last through June, July and August. He didn't candy coat it and I appreciated that.
It will be a rough road but the end results should justify the tough times. Hopefully the Good Lord is not ready for me yet and I will pull through ok.
A big thank you to all of you who have prayed for me and offered me encouragement these last few months. When you are in a fight for your life, you need all the help you can get.
And this hobby continues to be therapeutic for me and thanks to some fine people like Patrice and JR, I even managed to pick up some great pieces these past few months.
So, all in all, things are progessing quite well.
That is good to hear. Take heart in the days to come, and know we will continue to pray for you.
Yes, in the midst of everything, it is important to have something to take us away from these troubles. It isn't an insignificant thing, and I am happy you get enjoyment from it.
Take care.
Bernie
Wish you the best - you’re a fighter - an inspiration to us all.
Bernie, I've just stumbled upon this thread after a period of absence and I'm sorry to hear of your illness.
It's great to see you are coping so well and keeping a fix on the positive aspects of life. I found after having and been diagnosed and treated successfully for cancer (only to then have a near fatal Myocardial Infarct) that caring for people with AIDS in Africa has been very beneficial.
Being atheist I can't pray though I no less sincerely wish you all the best.
I wisch you all the best Bernie!!!!
I will pray for you, remember put your faith in God and he will grant you strength.
Hello Bernie!
Keep up the faith,I know you will fight and eventually,even as it seems impossible some times and to much to handle,you will win.
/Regards Draggen
I wish you all the best, Bernie. Having just lost the love of my life to liver cancer, I know how challenging life can be. You have a good attitude, which is very helpful in the situation. We are all pulling for you.
I sincearly hope you'll pull through this. Hang in there Bernie.
Bernie I have read your diary and you are a strong man all the best to you and your family Pete UK
Bernie-
This is Rick from the left coast, we’re very sad to hear about your illness Bernie and we wish you all the best as you make your way through this situation. You will be in all our prayers old cohort, fight the good fight.
Best Regards
Rick and Tanya Turner
Hang in there Bernie,my grandfather had the same thing, but 30 years ago. The doctor told him it was just arthritus and sent him home.Medicine has come a long way since,early detection is a huge plus too.
As I told Burne in a private email, my Mother had this procedure in 1994. It works. Burnie will have a few very rough weeks as the process concludes and he is reinfused and we especially need to keep he and his family in our prayers during that time. BUT I can attest to how sweet the years thereafter are. Modern medecine is truly a miracle and its God's hand that allows these discoveries already made and the ones to come. Russ
Burnie I want to wish you all the best and my prayers are with you.My best friend and fishing buddy had this done and it works we have been fishing together many times Paul
I have just found this posting. I hope that all is improving. My thoughts and prayers are with you as well!
Regards
Paul
Bernie,
You're a strong man to not only undergo all this but to be as candid as you are. Still thinking about you and keeping you in my prayers.
Bernie Brule,
I admire your strength and I admire your courage. Stay strong in the faith God will not let you suffer more than you can endure. There are too many prayers for you to allow otherwise.
Remember, amen means "so be it".
Amen
Well, my stem cells were collected on June 14th and although it was a log day (7Am to 4PM), all went well. As you can see in the pic, the blood was retrieved from an IV in my right arm, went through a machine to extrapolate the stem cells and was then pumped back into me by an IV in my left arm.
I just returned from a follow up visit with the doctors today expecting them to tell me when the transplant would occur. But to my surprise, they told me that the Myeloma is way down and that I am in partial remission. The chemotherapy worked better than expected so that I am now in Stage 1. So the transplant is delayed indefinitely.
It was nice to get good news for a change and I just wanted to pass that on to all those who have encouraged me so much these past few months.
My heartfelt thanks go out to you all.
Super, Bernie! Keep hangin' in there. We all felt you could beat this thing.
Keep at it Bernie. I'm predicting you'll be back to regular fast-draw practice in no time!!
Jim
Bernie,that's good news.Chemo is not something I ever want to do again but the alternative is much worse.Your in our thoughts and prayers.Stay strong.
"I am in partial remission".
Excellent!! Definitely positive.
Great to hear this good news and hope that you continue to get stronger each day !
Great to hear, Bernie! It takes a lot to keep an ol' gunslinger down. My crystal ball says you're going to make a complete and full recovery!
Cheers pard'
Bernie
Thats very good to hear...Hope all goes well and you look good with Lack of Hair...not many people do,maybe get an Earing and a Harley and hit the road.Take Care : )
TOM
Bernie,
My wife and I will pray for you.....
Great news! Now you're on your way to a complete recovery. I thought you looked good when I saw you back in May.
That's great news Bernie - praise to God for some good news.
I hope the collecting is still good "therapy" too. Everyone needs something to get their mind off of things, and in your case, that's an awful heavy load.
Bernie...I just got my first SS "Reichssicherheitsdients" helmet...probably my last...but once you feel better you got to come down here and rest and we will drink some Molson's beer out of it...be strong...Roland.
Great news Bernie!! We all hope and pray for a full and speedy recovery. Hang in there!!
Roy
Great news Bernie and God Bless!
WOW! That is great news which for sure made my day.
Erik
Inner strength and outer faith, Bernie, looks like you got 'em both.
All you need now is a little time.
Bernie, got your e-mail bud, sounds like things are starting to turn for you. Sorry man but that picture of you in the hospital bed broke my heart. However, it looks like there is a small smile on your face and thats the Bernie, aka "Da Blade", that I remember.
Da Razor
Hi,
I shot Bernie a note the other day and it got returned.. Has anyone heard from him?
Chris
I've spoken to him over the phone not too long ago and he is doing just fine.
Will get to see him this summer when he comes down to show me his new "hot rod" vehicle.