UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Helmet Forum Serious Illness

I have posted this in the SS Dagger Forum but since I am also a "closet helmet collector" and have made many friends here on the Helmet Forum, I thought I would post this here also.

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 therapeutic for me.

Patrice 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.

Darryl and I had a great chat during his stop over here in Ottawa last weekend. I brought a few helmets to his hotel room and before we knew it over 2 hours had flown by. Every time I talk to him, I learn something new about helmets. But then I have an awfull lot to learn....

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 participate on the GDC forums 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.

Hi Bernie,

As I mentioned in your thread in the SS Dagger section of this forum, our thoughts and prayers are with you. However, as we discussed in my hotel room in Ottawa, with your very early detection there is no reason why you cannot beat this and I am sure that you will. A positive attitude is paramount and it has been shown that the brain has a way of healing the body, coupled with the technology of today's medicine.

I am glad to read that you will continue to collect...one more positive attitude and a reason to get up in the mornings.

All the best, my friend.

Cheers,

Bernie,

As Darryl mentioned, attitude is so very important in times like this and your positive attitude is excellent. You are going to be fine.

Retirement ain't such a bad thing - wish I could join you!

Bernie,
We are behind you my friend. Keep the faith and keep focus. Darryl is right on about keeping a positive attitude and I believe your decision to keep collecting shows your dedication.

Hang Tough!

Larry

Bernie:
I forgot to mention something in the other thread so I'll mention it here. I hope you will keep up your cowboy action shooting as well. If you are not currently reloading your own ammo I'd also recommend you take this up. Reloading is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable hobbies I have.
Take care!
Jim

Jim,

Actually my Cowboy Action Shooting interest is second only to my TR collecting. I may miss a few early matches because of my chemo but I am hoping to make most of them this year.

Shortly before I was diagnosed, I wrote a web page for our club: The Ottawa Valley Marauders. You can see it here at http://eohc.ca/cas complete with a few pics of the Orleans Outlaw.

Bernie,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Keeping up your interest in collecting is beneficial. It keeps the mind on more enjoyable issues. I do pray the chemo goes well and will look forward to your making a full recovery.
God bless you and your family.
-Mike

Bernie,
I'm sure you'll go through this hard time with
God,friends and family help.
From this side of the world I can assure I'll
keep you in my mind while praying.
take care Mario

Bernie,

My thoughts & prayers are also with you. Modern medicine is a wonderful (although sometimes painful) thing. You can best this thing & we are all here for you.

All the best
Don

Bernie I concur with Don and I'm living proof of it, all the best to you man...keep your chin up.

Robert

Bernie:

I am sad to learn of your diagnose. But in today's high tech world, early detection is the difference. So with your early detection and positive attitude I believe you have the odds well in your favor and you have an excellent chance of winning this battle. We all enjoy your presence in this forum, and you should know that me, as with everyone else, stands firmly behind you throughout this.

I would also add that this shows the importance of regular physical exams and blood work. This is often the only way to detect cancer and other illnesses at an early stage. I just had mine done 2 weeks ago, which included removal of pre-skin cancer cells (the price of being blond and living in a sunny climate). For those of you who have not had a physical over the last 12 months I strongly urge you to go and get one. Early detection, like in Bernie's case, is the key.

Erik

Ich druke meine doumen fur dich. Traslation: "I'm crossing my fingers for you/I'm pulling for you."

God Bless you Bernie, you are in my prayers!

Bernie my thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Bernie,
My thoughts and prays are with you and your family at this trying time.Remember to not over extend yourself when going through chemo,take it nice and easy.

Bernie,

Shocking news. The only thing I can do is wish you the best luck and strenght for yourself and your wife and family.
This hobby is connecting many of us and many and many collectos wish you all the luck, I'm sure of it.

I know, very close, what this diagnose means.

Wishes all the courage,strength and hope.

regards,

Hello Bernie,
I don't know you except from the posts,but I, like Thies, have very personal experiance with
a diagnosis similar to yours. I know that it is devestating to oneself and family. I also know it can be beat.
Its a very exclusive club you are in, and you may be surprised how many folk are/have been admitted. There's plenty of help out there.
Very best of luck to you and yours.
Paul

Bernie,

That is heart wrenching news,so sorry to hear it.

My best wishes for a speedy recovery..


Take Care,

Glenn

Bernie,

My thoughts and prayers go out to you. I admire your courage and faith.

Please stay in touch,
Ty

Hey Bernie,
My best wishes to you in this difficult time.

Never stop fighting!
Peter

Bernie:

Likewise, My thoughts and prayers go out to you. All the best.

Bernie,
My thoughts are with you.
You are going to be fine.

Best Regards,

Anders L.

Bernie, Hang in there! I work 40 hours a week making anti cancer drugs at the biggest antibody factory in the world! Modern science has made great advances in fighting, and curing cancer! We get people coming in all the time to speak to us and thank us for making the drugs that saved their lives! Ten years ago these people would have no hope and today they are totally cured and in remission (Non Hodgkins Lymphoma) for years with no signs of relapse! Chemo is a hard road but does work! Chemo and antibody ****tails work too and are a little easier on the body. Do some web research on Avastin....many doctors are using this off label and are having fantastic results! Do as much research on the web about your disease as possible. New therapies are developed all the time that are very promising and sometimes doctors are slow to pick these up! You have to tell them about what you have read and turn them on to it! Best of luck! Chris

I dont know you but I really wish you all the best.

Tom

I`ll pray for you Brule.

Get well soon! Halt die Fahne hoch!
me

Bernie:

All the strength to you and your family, wishing you all the best

To have an supportive famely and an hobby that keeps your mind focused is very important!

Best of luck!



Cherio
/Thomas

Get well soon and keep positive!
Dean

Hello Bernie. This is my first post here and I just wanted to add to the wishes and most of all to encouragement you during this difficult and challenging time of your life.

Wishing you all the best,
David

Wishing you all the best Bernie .
Be strong ,couragous and get well soon.

Best wishes,

NCO

Just came back from my extended tour to the US to visits collectors after SOS. Very sorry to hear about your illness, Bernie. Please keep up your spirits. Wish you good health. Definitely we need you here, buddy!

Shu

Hi Birnie
Hang in there mate & keep up the positive attitude.Talk to as many people that will listen to you. I've just been through a similar experiance myself except I had a burst appendix with all the added complications you can imagine.I ended up in ICU for 8 days & had a total stay in hospital of 6 weeks fighting off various infections. To cut a long story short, I've spent the last six months recovering & finally started back working this week although only 20hrs/wk. Like you, I'd never had a health problem before & then something like this comes along & bites you in the arse. Once again, my wife & family were the total foundation to my recovery & the support from friends & even people I've had little to do with over the years has been a warm & humbling experiance.
When I first got out of Hospital, the last thing I could even think about was collecting but as time went on & my energy levels started to pick up, my enthusiasm returned & its definately been very therapeutic towards my recovery.So once again, hang in there & keep positive, dont let the bad news get you down instead use it as a challange to get back on top.
Good luck
Mike

Hello Bernie..wishing you a speedy recovery, my sister survived two bouts with cancer, it can be beaten.!