Take Care of Yourself

[Scastles]

The title isn’t meant to be a lecture or a good bye note (at least I hope not).

Recently I was diagnosed with a parotid tumor (salivary gland) and it will naturally have to be removed, and hopefully, not malignant, but possible. So, by saying , take care of yourself, I mean if you smoke, try and stop.
This has been a difficult year. Months ago one of my closest friends and a bandmate was diagnosed with lung cancer, and now I get hit with this. Ain’t always a cup o’ tea getting older. Don’t know if in my case, it has to do with age, but more likely too much hard living.
Guess I’ll be in and out of here for the foreseeable future. I haven’t been posting much anyway. Probably preoccupied.
I find this difficult to write, especially since it’s about myself. Maybe it’s cathartic.
Take care of yourself. Seriously. It’s real easy to take everything for granted.

There are great things and people on this forum. Keep it up!

[johneek]

Stan, thanks for your willingness to "talk about yourself" in this case. While it's not the kind of news we want to hear, when it does happen we do want to hear about it. There are a bunch of folks who will be praying and thinking good thoughts for you. Hang in there and take of yourself

[beatlefreak]

we'll all be thinking the best thoughts for you, Stan. Stay with us - You're part of this forum. That's just like family.

[winston]

I'll keep you in my prayers Stan............God bless.

[doctorwho]

You'll be my prayers, Stan, I hope things work out for the better.

[jps]

I am sorry to hear this, Stan. I take it form your post that you were a smoker? I hope things work out; my partner at the lab had surgery for throat cancer last year and is doing just fine now. , hopefully, you too.

[kiramdear]

I'll say a prayer or two for you. Button up your overcoat, Stan, and stay in touch. We'll be waiting for good news

[paologregorio]

Ditto here Stan; I wish you a quick, pain free surgery, benign biopsy results, and complete and speedy recovery!

[johnallg]

Let me echo the others concern and good thoughts, Stan. Do what is necessary to get this taken care of, then follow your own advice, take really good care of yourself! I'll be thinking of you in the days and weeks to come.

[rickenbrother]

Stan, my best wishes and prayers to you for a full and speedy recovery.

[melibreits]

Stan, I'll be praying for you too.... Hang in there, and take care.

[admin]

Stan: I am sorry to hear of your tumor and the recent diagnosis of your close friend. Taking life for granted is surely something that most of us do daily. Your situation, bravely and unselfishly stated, stems from the wonderful person that you are. All that have read your posts know this.

As time marches on, we all will get a wake up call. For those who are healthy now, never complain of old age as all too many are denied the privilege. As you have so aptly articulated Stan, growing only is not for the faint of heart.

One of the hardest things we will have to face is seeing our loved ones pass on as we sit by their side unable to help them as we have always done in the past. This is especially devastating when those who lose are our younger brother, sister or dear friend. Before my brother died of cancer at age 36, few things made me cry. Now I cry at commercials, children's recitals, and every time I hear "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother." Those first few harmonica notes are all it takes.

Through your courageous post you have just helped everyone who has lost someone or is afraid they might. You have allowed us to look briefly into the mirror and to take but one more healthy step forward than we did before. With the karma that you have sent out with this post, I have to imagine that with each reply you will get stronger.

Move forward my friend, I especially look forward to your Beatle posts in the future. My thoughts and those of many on this forum are with you. And ".. so on we go."

[jingle_jangle]

Stan: my sentiments echo those already expressed above, especially so eloquently by Peter. Let's just hope that it's only a false alarm, compadre.

[whojamfan]

Our hearts and prayers go out to you for a speedy recovery and good health.

[mrs_brown]

The very best medical care followed by a very speedy recovery and lots of friends and family to be by your side. I think I speak for all when I say we are wishing you a quick recovery. Hopes, Thoughts and Prayers go out to you ...