Just gloating for a minute

[rubiranch]

This is the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and Research Center in Salt Lake City.
A place I have been visiting since November 2011. Between treatments and volunteering I'v been here over 100 times at 400 miles round trip each visit.

I have been traveling there every other week since Jan doing volunteer work. Best job I have ever had.



​​​​​​​My daughter Andrea flew in from Medford OR on Sept 25 to help me celebrate my one year anniversary being cancer free on the 26th.



We celebrated by providing a very nice Italian lunch of two different lasagnas, garlic toast, salad and drinks.
Tiffany, the Nurse Manger of the two clinics that I have spent the most time reserved this beautiful conference room for us to serve lunch.
She also had Huntsman's catering provide chafing dishes and one young lady to help us serve a very nice lunch to over 60 doctors, nurses and staff from both clinics.

It was advanced stage IV metastatic melanoma. Metastatic meaning it has spread to other organs.

I'v had tumors in my brain, a cracked rib, pelvis, abdominal wall, the side of my head and face, a ping pong ball size tumor in my lung and one by my left kidney. I had an adrenal gland removed and last year it spread to my stomach muscles.

Making it one full year without a single re-occurrence puts me in the 5% club.

I am truly grateful for everything they have done for me.

​​​​​​​

This past Saturday I was honored by being asked to share my story at a Melanoma Patient Symposium with other doctors and patients held in an auditorium at the Huntsman Cancer Research Center.

Life is good my friends.

Be grateful for all of the good things that you have in your life.

 

[snuffy51]

Only thing I can think of to say is AMAZING.

 

[ameridaddy]

Ooo-rah!!!
Congratulations on winning your fight, and then giving back!

 

[Firesticks]

Thank you for posting. They can not operate on me so it is radiation and chemo then hope for the best. A very big congratulations to you.

 

[woodsltc]

Congrats on your 1yr milestone.......and here's wishing you many, many, more milestones in the future for you to celebrate with family and friends.

God Bless !!


Don

 

[bigwheelzip]

Congratulations for fighting the good fight. I hope your future screenings keep coming up clear.

I'm sending Andrea a prayer and a big hug for being there for you, and for the worry she carries.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Thanks for sharing your story, and a heartfelt congratulations.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I applaud you for both beating cancer and volunteering to help others.

I earned my survivor's ribbon 4 years ago. Welcome to the club.

 

[16thVACav]

Congratulations on surviving cancer, and for giving back so generously!

 

[6518John]

Congratulations!

And I want to see pictures of the lasagnas!

 

[italiansport]

Congratulations: You have truly been blessed!
Jim

 

[ancient-one]

I am a two time melanoma survivor but have not had the problems you faced. You are giving back to those who helped you and that is great. You are a good man.

 

[vonn]

Nice to hear a cancer story with a good ending! Good luck!

 

[CLASSIC12]

Congratulations, it sure takes courage to fight that disease.

I did business with the Huntsman group (in chemicals). One executive told me that Jon Huntsman's goal was to grow his company enough to reach a cap value of $ 10 billions, then sell it and find a cure for cancer. Looks like his people and clinic are doing a great job.

 

[rubiranch]

Thank you for posting. They can not operate on me so it is radiation and chemo then hope for the best. A very big congratulations to you.

I'v had 3 surgeries and 6-7 radiation treatments and 4 different types of chemo including both intravenous and oral.

Its amazing what the come out with all the time. They have made amazing strides in treatments that target specific cancers and kill them.

We never know what they will have tomorrow.

Wishing you the very best with your treatments.

 

[rubiranch]

Ooo-rah!!!
Congratulations on winning your fight, and then giving back!

Thank you. I love my volunteer job.

I try but I'll never be capable of expressing my true gratitude to soo many.

 

[rubiranch]

Congratulations for fighting the good fight. I hope your future screenings keep coming up clear.

I'm sending Andrea a prayer and a big hug for being there for you, and for the worry she carries.

Thank you soo much for thinking about my daughter.

This is the third time I'v done one of these appreciation lunches and she has come in from Medford for all three.

I have 4 daughters, 2 have jobs and the other one was out of town.

They are who I live for. And my 13 grandkids.

 

[rubiranch]

I applaud you for both beating cancer and volunteering to help others.

I earned my survivor's ribbon 4 years ago. Welcome to the club.

Thank you very much and huge congratulations to you too.

I love volunteering. I was a volunteer back in 2013-14 and then again Jan of this year.

They generally make you wait one year after your last treatment or the lose of a family member but due to a couple recommendations they grandfathered me in.

There are times when the end of the day comes I feel that I was the one who was helped the most. Its an amazing place to work.

 

[rubiranch]

And I want to see pictures of the lasagnas!

Sorry for the bad picture. This was taken March 2017 at my first appreciation luncheon.

I should have taken a couple but I spent too much time talking. LOL

My son-in-law manages an Italian Restaurant that is celebrating their 50th year in the same location.

He went in at 2:00 AM to prepare the food. He fixed both meat and veggie lasagnas.

 

[rubiranch]

I am a two time melanoma survivor but have not had the problems you faced. You are giving back to those who helped you and that is great. You are a good man.

Its been an experience for sure.

I try my best to make sure they know that they are greatly appreciated.

They have a tough job.