I'm pulling this thread up to say thank you to JohnR and the people that make S-B the best community of people gathered together in the interest for fishing.
I really don't know where John came up with "cantankerous" as a fitting description of me. Crusty or cranky maybe. But cantankerous?
That's okay John.
I saw JohnR at the MSBA Show this past weekend and he presented me with a reel (ABU 7000i CS Pro Rocket
), a few plugs, and an MP3 player. I would like to thank everyone that contributed and the gesture is appreciated more than you can imagine.
Backup about one year; Last year was indeed a most difficult year for me and my family. In the late spring we found out that my wife had a tumor on one of her kidney's. The best course of action was to remove that kidney rather than to guess as to whether they got it all or not. She actually made a fairly speedy recovery considering and has been doing quite well.
Then, in the fall, I was having some medical issues and got checked out. At that time I was diagnosed with Adult Non-Hodgekins Lymphoma. I began a chemotherapy regimen and decided it best to take some time off from work. I've been in and out of work (mostly out) since then. This has put a major financial strain on us, but we're getting by.
I had also put up a post back in the late fall telling of some gear that was stolen out of the back of my truck. I had some time before a hospital visit one day, so I threw some gear in my truck to hit a couple of local spots before my appointment. I stopped at a Dunkin Donuts and wasn't in the two minutes only to come out to find my gear had been stolen. The strains of everything going on at the time and this event really pushed me over the edge.
But, it's troubled times like these that bring out the best in people and it's really uplifting to know that there are some people that you can always count on. It's equally uplifting to know that there is a community of people right here on S-B that are ready to step up to the plate when a fellow member is in need.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. My wife cried a few tears of joy when I told her what you all did for me. I'm starting to get some good progress reports from my doctors. Between that and the wonderful generosity of S-B members I'm really looking forward to a good year of health recovery as well as a good fishing season. It's really bringing me out of some major depression issues I've been having. I'm not out of the woods yet as far as the treatments go, but I'm getting closer.
Thank you John for everything you do here to make this the best community. It's more than just a website. Really.
Thank you to everyone that contributed here. Again, the gesture means more to me than you can ever imagine.
There are a few other people that I'd like to publicly thank as well that have help in more ways than one in also showing continued moral support by keeping in contact.
Macojoe; Thanks buddy
maddog2020; Ray is one of the finest standup guys I know
BigFish; Larry is another one pushing me to keep thinking positively
Leptar; Thanks Paul
Riddler; Thank you too man.
Bill and Jules; Awesome people. Even with Jules' ongoing medical issues, she's been a major support and always willing to lend an ear for me to bend.
There have been others that have lent an ear and offered well wishes and I thank you all. You're not forgotten.
