7-11-2011 Update.
A thank you from me and my family and an update brings me back to posting in my own thread.

I’m chugging along and generally feel very good depending on what they are doing to me chemotherapy wise. I believe I’ve been through 18 rounds of chemo. I need to check for bragging rights lol.

We’ve made a reservation to go to Napili Surf on Maui next spring break. That’s thanks to your many generous donations and I’ve placed adds in our classifieds today to help cover the rest.

I’m truly blessed in many ways. I never expected the support and love I felt here. And action you took. Thank You!



I’ve never been one to post personal things on the internet. Where the appropriate boundaries are I’m honestly not always sure.

So this July of out of the blue I was diagnosed with stage 4 Colon Cancer. It’s in my liver and lungs too. I’ve been through many rounds of chemo, and the ups and downs that come with my situation.

I’m married and have to young daughter’s ages 7 and 9.

I’ve always been the quintessential family man. Both my girls were born at home. The second one, the birthing tub, was larger enough I could be in it with my wife, and “caught” Tsaina, my little one. Amelia is my older daughter.

I always led the division in paid time off at work at the Sheriff’s Office, taking almost all of my overtime in “comp” rather than the money. I would then spend the time with my family. I’ve gone to school every Friday for the last 3 years with my girls. I quit competitive shooting when they were born, and have never spent time away for things like golf. I love my wife and kids, and spend the time with them.

So among other things, I’m going to pare down my gun collection. I can sell enough guns to spend two weeks on Maui with my family, and still have plenty of guns to pass down. I love guns and they’ve been a big part of my life. My kids may or may not be particularly interested in my guns.

I will leave my kids and my wife enough guns to protect themselves and some works of art made of steel and Walnut.

So in the coming weeks or months I’ll get my act together and place some guns for sale here.

My favorite thing to do is go rafting and camping with my family. So here are a few pics.








Best Regards,
Emory

Very sorry to hear the news. Beautiful family there.

I am terribly sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You have two beautiful little girls who I am sure adore you for all the time you have spent with them letting them know just how important they are to you. It shows in their smiling faces in the pics! You keep fighting!


WG840

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Freedom above all else.

I am really sorry to hear this. Your love for your beautiful family is evident in the many pictures you've posted here over the years.

I hope there's a miracle in your future. I really do.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I have always enjoyed our conversations in the past... going way back to the Old Days.... Your special brand of dry humor and pragmatism flavored with common sense and practical experience.

I hope it's not seen as morbid to say this, but you will be missed.

But I admire your forward thinking and level headedness about this situation. Sounds exactly like you....

Drew

Miracles do happen and I pray there is one with your name on it. Please hang in there.

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Mighty 90's,Trying 4 a 100!

I cried as I read your post. I too have been battling health issues and its been tough. I thought I had it made with no worries. I found God and was saved in october. I have given my health and my life over to God. I pray for your health and for your family. You are in the storm,God may not have created it but he is in the storm with you. God bless you and your family.

I'm very sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Sounds like you are living a wonderful life, with your beautiful family. I can't begin to imagine what you are going through right now, but pray that you have strength and comfort during this time, God bless.

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NRA Life Member

Sorry about your news and the pain you must be going through.

You have a beautiful family.Hang in there and never quit.

I will be praying for you and your family.

That's hard news to handle in the right way, but your matter-of-fact description of plans and designs make it sound as though you should be the model for all of us to follow if we ever get similar news. I'm sorry you had to go through the challenges of the last few months, and I suspect further challenges lie ahead. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Your daughters are perfect kids, by the way. I love it when kids can show that much happiness. And you found a perfect place to use up some family vacation days.

Cancer is not an eviction notice. It is possible to be optimistic about this situation without losing sight of practicality. You have hundreds of friends here on this board, including many you have never actually met. We are all wishing the best for your and your family.

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David Wilson

Prayers sent from me, for you and your family.
Stay positive.
TB

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frontsightnsqueaz

Crofoot629,

I am very sorry to read your note. Life is precious and all too often too short. It sounds like you’ve lived much of your life the right way, with your family. Quite frankly you can tell from the pictures of two wonderful daughters and from your writing. You found out what really matters, more than any job, any amount of money, any gun or camera or any game of golf or trip to Vegas. I've known so many people who find out way to late if at all. Your family is far richer for how you have loved them than many many out there.

Don’t forget to put the accessories up too, every little bit helps. Please make sure there is a fund set up to help with school and such. Some lawyer your way should be able to help for free.

Please reach out to chat (virtually and such) and when in doubt ask.

It’s a hard road ahead and please keep us in the loop.

You, your family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.

B2

Our Father in heaven. We come to You tonight with bowed heads, and humble hearts, to lift this man and his family up to You. Father, we ask for healing if that is in Your plans, for we know all healing comes from You. Father, we ask for courage, and strength. We ask You to be with him, and his wife and his children Father. We ask that You provide them with the peace that surpasses all understanding. We know they are facing fear Father. We ask You to take that fear from them, with the promise given through Your Son, Christ Jesus, in who's name we lift this prayer.

Amen.

May God bless you, my friend I've never met.

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John 3:16 .

I am sorry to hear this. You have a nice family and you did right for them. I pray the treatments and God will turn the odds in your favor.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

You have my prayers and deepest respect.

Jeez what do you say. Considering the situation I wish you and your family the best. God speed Sir.

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Stay safe people!

If there really is a heaven, and I'm betting my life there is, it will make this earth and all the suffering that goes with it a place we don't miss when we get there! That being said, my prayer is that you and your family find peace and even joy in the precious days you have left. Some of us posting who think we have decades left on this earth may precede you into glory....I just hope we all "live like we are dying" the way you are...

Please set up a fund for those sweet girls....lot of your brothers on this board will be there for them if needed.

I salute you

A very moving post, Crofoot: thanks for a good reminder of how a man should be. I can always use role models. Emory, we'll be praying for you and your family here as well. Thanks for this thread, and God bless you.

Prayers sent from Florida for you and your family & Friends.

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I drank what? - Socrates

My prayers are with you and your family.

While, sadly, while we all must pass, very few of us can live a life as well as you have. You are an 'American Idol'. May God Bless you with many, many more opportunities to take those gals on vacation. Never give up. I will have my wife, a pastor, place you on their prayer list as well as our's. May God Bless you.

Stainz

Thank you all for the many kind words, it’s humbling.


Many of you have mentioned to keep fighting.
When I was first diagnosed my wife and I both agreed to fight, and I’m a fighter by nature, but things change.

I was diagnosed in July. In October I traveled to Houston Texas to be evaluated at M.D. Anderson. The institution that our research told us was the best colon cancer hospital in the world. They did all of their tests over several days, and basically had the same diagnosis and treatment protocols as here in Medford.

Then in December I traveled 300 miles North to Portland and saw the finest cancer Doctor there. It was nice to hear that here in little Medford they where doing everything for me that either Portland or Houston would. But of course hugely disappointing too.

I’ve now been through three different types of chemo, and will continue chemo for as long as it’s effective. All the chemo treatments I’ve had have come with significant negative side effects.

I see the three pages of lab results they do for me on sometimes a weekly basis, and never longer than two week intervals. I know what they mean. Chemo has been very effective at slowing my disease. Without it I’d already be dead. Instead I may have a few years left. Part of the trick is to make those good years. Part of the challenge is to keep the chemo from being so terrible that I can still have fun.

I’ve done river trips and camped and hiked in Yellowstone with my family since cancer. I’m not done yet. But I also can read those lab reports, and have candid discussions with my Doctor.

For me now the trick is to balance fighting and hoping for a miracle, with surrender and letting go so I can be present with my wife and kids.

My children are extremely happy little people. Some of you picked up on that from the few photos I posted.

The only thing that is important to me anymore is that I’m a man dying of cancer and that my wife and kids love me and that I love them.

It may sound a little bit like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, but I do get to have the fun of putting their gun collections together for them.

Mom, the liberal, feminist, social worker, home birther has been to Thunder Ranch twice. She’s easy. She likes Glocks.

Each of my kids will have a Glock 19, S&W J-frame, and AR-15 to protect themselves with.
For fun they each get a K22, a CMP Garand, and a Winchester 9422 Trapper. And they each get a Wilson Combat 1911 with my name engraved on the frame. good luck selling those .
They also likely will never have to buy a round of ammunition.
I may have over did it with 60,000 rounds of rimfire!

There may be a few other left overs but the bases are pretty well covered.

I can’t imagine what to do with my gun room. Buckets of brass, boxes of holsters and on and on. But I’ve got time to sell it off and organize it so my wife can deal with a manageable amount.

This pic's a few years old on a Klamath River trip, but gives you an idea of how my wife likes her river trips


Then this is my wife last July on a five day Rogue River trip, just days before our lives where changed.





Emory

I know there is a lot of BS out there but have you looked into some of the “alternate” or “natural” cancer treatments? Google will bring up all sorts of different sites and I have no idea how to filter the junk out. I would of course keep up with the standard treatments but some of this other stuff could at least maybe help. It sounds like you may have the most level headed and proper attitude about this and that I’m sure has helped you and those you love through this trying time. I wish there was something I could do to help.

I will keep you in my prayers sir.

I have looked into alternatives. It’s Ashland Oregon for God’s sake. The most liberal place on the planet.

I consult with and take many herbs from The Natural Healing Center here in town. I credit them with my holding up so well to so much chemo.

Emory

So do I. My prayers for you and your family.

First, my prayers go out to you and your family.

My father passed away from liver cancer in 2006. I got the word of his diagnosis in 2004 and was lucky enough that the Air Force granted me a humanitarian transfer to be close by.

I wanted to pass on to you what was important to me as a son with the hope it helps you with your daughters. The only good thing about the cancer was that it wasn't instant and gave us time to spend together and we knew to treasure it. We went fishing, boating, out to eat, etc. as much as we could. The problem was the chemo knocked him down so much that he just wanted to sleep and not go with us very much. That's the worst balance; the chemo extended his time, but it wasn't quality time as he was so sick and tired after each treatment that he just stayed in bed and slept. If I could change one thing, I'd have told him to forgo the treatments a little and spend more time doing things with us and making happy memories. I treasure what time we did spend, I just felt sad when he couldn't go with us to the zoo, etc. because of the chemo. The last weekend before he had to go to the hospice we sat together watching a football game. That was our last thing together, just the two of us. I don't think we even talked much, but I think we both knew it was soon.

Don't miss any opportunities with your kids and wife. Don't leave anything unsaid or undone. I'm not saying to abandon the chemo, but don't let it rule your time left if the time isn't quality time and you're just sick. Few people will tell you this as it's not the socially accepted/expected thing to say. I'm not saying to give up; I'm just saying to make every minute count.

God Bless and best of luck. I truly do pray for a miracle!

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"... shall not be infringed."

Prayers extended for you and your lovely family. Miracles do happen.

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Sure you did

Thinking of and praying for you and your family....

Canoeguy

I will be remembering you and your family in my prayers sir. God bless.

Emory, while not the same, I had my entire nose removed due to skin cancer about 3 years ago. I was freshly remarried, else I might not have had it done. They gave me 2 to 6 months if I didnt. The operations were done at the huntsman hospital in salt lake. I cant say enough praise`s for that hospital. I can belive it just might be the worlds best!
Every one of us is dieing. Could be the healthiest of us reading this just might be dead by tonight getting T-boned or whatever. The younger doctor that diagnosed me got killed flying about two years ago.
I guess the point is we all should live today like it might be our last. I assume you are a guard at joesphine county? Pretty area. We will be praying for a mirical.

Prayers are with you amigo. No matter how it plays out, God has the ball.

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Forum consigliere

One thing you have done is create memories that your family can hang onto when you are gone. So many fathers were too busy or distant and are vague memories for their children to fall back on in later years.


Your family has a real Father and real memories with which to remember you. Neither you or they can put values on those as they are pricless.

Don't give up. Keep on makin' those memories, they will be important to you and your family.

crofoot... I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Some words of encouragement, from experience. My wife was diagnosed with cancer 16 years ago, Stage 3B. After undergoing a trial study through M.D. Anderson in Houston the cancer went into remission for 7 years. Nine years ago she was diagnosed with a recurrence as a late Stage 4; the cancer had spread. Average time for late Stage 4 patient survival is two years. That was nine years ago. She has been in constant chemo since the recurrence. Healthy eating, good natural supplements, exercise, good doctors, the support of family and friends, lots and lots of prayers and a strong faith have brought her and our family a long way. My point is that God has a plan for each of us and His timing is not ours. You are living life the way you should. Enjoy each and every day and live for that day. I will keep you lifted up to the Lord.

Peace be with you and your family.
You and your family will be in my prayers.

You're a good man, Crofoot.

I'm so sorry to hear this. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Emory,

I always read every reply to threads before posting; sure glad I did this time because after reading your updates (and the well wishes/advice from Forum members) I am now smiling through the tears.

Keep up with your battle; make the outcome be on your terms. You are surrounded by grace and happiness. As others have suggested, may there be a miracle, too.

Be safe.

You've been blest with a great family, and maybe their strength and some of ours will help. TACC1

Emory, I don't pray very often, but your story touched me deeply as we share the same family values. I just prayed for you and your family with tears in my eyes and running down my cheeks. I wish you all the best and I do pray for the miracle to continue for years to come.

Prayers sent Emory.

How did you find out you had colon cancer? What symptoms led you to see a doctor?

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Man of Steel

My thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family. You have provided your daughters with an invaluable gift, a gauge by which to determine the true measure of a man and father. I'm sure that will serve them well in the future. Though we've never met I respect you immensely Emory.

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SWCA #1917

I am very sorry to hear this. I have no idea what the right words are, but will keep you and your family in prayer.

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Soli Deo Gloria

Emory, it sounds like you have your family first, which is the right way to do most everything in life. Know that there are people who survive stage 4 cancer (I have one I go to church with) and there is no reason to ever give up. I will be praying for you and your family.

Orlando

Yep, I'll second that.

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Festina lente - A. Caesar

We're all pulling for you, Emory. You're a role model for us all.

Emory, I can't add much to what others have already said except that I'm adding my prayers for you and your family. God Bless You and Yours.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

Emory, our thoughts are with you and your family.

The Swiss-Family

Well, this ain't fair. But I'm sure you know that. You've been one of my favorite posters over the years. Always fair and thoughtful, giving good opinions and perspective. Sorry about the big C. Wish there was something we could do to help.

If it means anything, my thoughts are with you.

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Dick Burg