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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Seabeck, Washington, 20 miles west of Seattle as the seagulls fly!
Posts: 1,053
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Adios...maybe
Just a note to say thanks to y'all. Not sure I'll be hanging around these parts much longer. Never know for sure, but making sure I say a few words. Had some most excellent times around here, and made a few friends along the way.
Eight days ago was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, a rare but considered aggressive form of cancer associated with blood vessels and the lymphatic system. Showed initially as a small sore on the tip of my nose, awaiting testing to determine whether or not it's already in other tissues. Lung involvement appears to be a strong candidate. Met Wednesday with my surgeon from UW Med (she's associated with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) and she was pretty candid. Possible that we've identified the problem early, but won't know more details until CT and MRI results. Surgery scheduled for the 18th, could be an additional surgery (or as many as 10) as they "chase" a clean margin of tissue. Upside is I may get to choose a new nose shape during reconstructive surgery...lol. We'll see about that... Generally prognosis is not very favorable for this particular cancer. OTOH, this SCCA group is on the cutting edge (pun alert!) of cancer care. In point of fact, a long term friend of ours is dealing with brain cancer, has been a patient with SCCA for the last year. Two years ago her type of cancer was "incurable", she's doing okay and still around.  Depending on tests and scheduled surgeries to come I may be re-evaluating my future pathways. I have a gent who's very interested in my S, so may be passing it on to him. Time will tell... Meanwhile, take care and ride safe! Cheers! Bill |
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10-08-2016, 09:22 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 909
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Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You seem to have a great attitude and even a sense of humour and those are valuable assets which, along with good medical care will help see you through this challenge. All the best, I hope things work out well for you.
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Kevin Moore |
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10-09-2016, 01:47 AM
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unsafe at any speed
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 12,357
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Hey Bill, thanks so much for you contribution to these forums. Hopefully things will go well with the surgery. The fact that you have taken the time to tell us your personal life stuff, shows how much this place is like a family. Will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
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Bill Swartzwelder 2002 R1100S Prep/ 2024 Tenere 700 |
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10-09-2016, 04:45 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Klein, Texas
Posts: 153
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They're making great strides in cancer therapies every day. Stay positive!
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10-09-2016, 05:58 AM
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Talk Less, Say More
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Moab Utah. Home of wierd red & orange radioactive stuff... And 1 billion tourists.
Posts: 13,182
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I'm really sorry to hear that Bill. I wand to wish you the best through all of this.
You always managed to be one of the cool heads around these parts, and you'll be missed!
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cRaIg CaRr 2000 Dyna FXDX, 2001 Sportster Sport, 2000 R1100S,2007 R1200S,2015 rNineT,2015 Gold Wing, 2023 F850GS,2023 R1250RS, 2017 Triumph T100, 2019 Jeep Rubicon, 2005 Jeep Sport, 2001 Corvette, 1978 Porsche 928. 2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 22 pairs of shoes. 24 bottles of beer. |
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10-09-2016, 07:48 AM
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I just moved west and was hoping to meet you, and others, at the Top O'Rockies rally. Sorry that won't happen now and wishing you all the best in your treatment, recovery and remission.
Cancer takes all the males in my family. So far the oldest one was my father who made it to 56, which I'm about to do. There has been a lot of recent progress in this field, so your odds may be better than it appears. I hope so. Also, the docs are a bit obligated to tell you your worse case early to manage expectations. Sounds like you'll know soon enough what your real odds are, best of luck with this.
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BMW R1150sR - Project Touring Bike Ducati Hyperstrada - Mountain Road Slayer Porsche 914-6 Vintage Race Car Porsche 944 S3S (S3 Studie) |
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10-09-2016, 08:19 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Seabeck, Washington, 20 miles west of Seattle as the seagulls fly!
Posts: 1,053
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Thanks to one and all for your positive comments and wishes.
In the nineties I endured nine heart surgeries, with my lady by my side the whole way. After the last surgery, emergency bypass after having my heart stop during angioplasty, the docs gave me a 50/50 chance of surviving...for three days. That was 18 years ago. Of course they also said there was a 90% chance of permanent brain damage from extended CPR. They may have been correct with that assessment. We have some practice facing medical challenges. This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the first date Cindy and I had. She's still my Rock Star by my side. "Keep Calm, and Carry On" as they say... Cheers! |
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10-09-2016, 10:53 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 77
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Sorry to hear of your prognosis. Keep strong and try and keep a positive mindset to all this. Really good to hear you have a strong women by your side too! Sounds like you have a really good medical team for your treatment. Take it one day at a time... you'll no doubt will have some really rough days ahead but you'll get thru this.
I was hoping to get with you sometime next year for a couple rides after I get my old 05 BCR out of retirement. I tell you what, you beat this and if feel up to it I'll let you ride my BCR and I'll ride my 1200S we can do a few rides next summer. Maybe do the Hells Canyon ride next July together. I live near North Bend Wa. just 50 miles east of you. My name is Mike. I'll PM you with my phone number and e-mail address. Take care of yourself...and may God Bless you in the days to come... |
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10-09-2016, 11:54 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Seabeck, Washington, 20 miles west of Seattle as the seagulls fly!
Posts: 1,053
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Quote:
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10-09-2016, 01:36 PM
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Living on borrowed time!
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tacoma, WA, USA
Posts: 7,020
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Sorry to hear this; I know what it's like to get rid of prized possessions due to illness, but it's just stuff.
Get a MMJ scrip for the nausea and watch the opiates, smell the roses, love your woman and play with your dogs. For us on the west/best coast, it don' help much when fukushima piddles on us every time it rains so stay out of the rain as much as possible (according to my nuclear medicine EPA buddy).
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Better a has-been than a wanna-be 'I am John Andrew Moffett of the Clan Moffat and by god I live, love, seek, fail, grieve and die as I so choose and I call no man master save me'. |
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10-09-2016, 03:23 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Seabeck, Washington, 20 miles west of Seattle as the seagulls fly!
Posts: 1,053
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Thanks all the way round Jony. Of my regrets here is never got to meet you prior to your plethora of medical problems. I don't worry much about the ****yshimmy disaster, I get my radiation during annual heart scans! It's one foot in front of the other and keep going at this point. One thing I'm glad about is that I managed to design and finish building a nice home for my bride last year. Right across the road from our daughter and grandson...
And the beat goes on... Take care! |
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10-09-2016, 04:14 PM
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Bill,
I am sorry to learn of your news. Hold on to that positive attitude! I'll keep you in my prayers. Simon |
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10-09-2016, 04:40 PM
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Bill, not great to hear that mate, not great at all.
But have faith in the wonders of modern medicine and technology, it's amazing what they can do these days, cheers bud Jonny |
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10-09-2016, 05:30 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Seabeck, Washington, 20 miles west of Seattle as the seagulls fly!
Posts: 1,053
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Quote:
I'm going to beat this mate! One beer at a time...
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10-09-2016, 07:57 PM
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Ghost Spoiler
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that sounds like a good plan to me...hehe
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10-09-2016, 08:52 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Kenmore, WA
Posts: 4,381
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Hello Bill-
Saw your post about an hour ago. Kind of at a loss for words. Has it really been 5 years since we had tea and coffee? I hope everything goes well for you and we see you back here with your next S. Besides your family, that positive attitude and sense of humor will help you get through this issue. Good luck my friend, Rick
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RBMann- The road is his workshop, and his trips are opportunities to do much needed repairs. -Bill S. * 2000 S, color-Salmon 108K+ -sold * '17 Africa Twin-totaled* '09 F650GS twin-sold * '83 GPZ 550-gone to a newbie * '75 CB400F-retired to AZ. |
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10-10-2016, 12:21 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Western NY
Posts: 4,311
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Hoping for the best Bill, still hoping to meet you one day. I know you rebounded from a rough patch before hopefully you will continue the trend. I remember your contributions here as one of reason and always enjoyed your take.
Fight hard, thoughts will be with you.
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Richard 2010 F800GS '04 R11BXA, '01 F650GS, '98 CBR600F3 track bike, '75 RE-5, '76 RE-5, '81 GS400E. Also residing in the barn my son's bikes: '89 GS500ES, Ducati Monster 620 dark |
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10-10-2016, 04:54 AM
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I see you
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 30,069
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All blessings Bill. The hardest part of facing this kind of challenge is getting up everyday and keeping positive. Feel free to use my recovery motto..."never underestimate the power of an unreasonably defiant attitude".
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Si non potes inimicum tuum vincere, habeas eum amicum and ride a big blue trike. "'Bipartisan' usually means that a larger-than-usual deception is being carried out." |
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10-10-2016, 06:35 AM
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I wanna Live 'til I die!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sun Diego
Posts: 10,324
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Don't. Ever. Give. UP.
I have seen too much of it, but a positive attitude will do wonders for your quality of life during the ongoing battle. Good luck!
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Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak... https://www.facebook.com/Uncommon-Adventures-by-Rick-Ralf-681965548931729 2005 R1200GS - 2006 Suzuki DR650 - 2011 Husky TE250 - 2014 KTM690 Enduro - 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 |
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10-10-2016, 07:13 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Round Rock (Austin), TX, USA
Posts: 1,212
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Bill, sorry hear your news. I'll echo what others have said that advances in therapies are continuous and a good reason to remain optimistic.
In a situation like yours it is reasonable to want to be fully informed. I work for IBM and we're investing billions in an artificial intelligence capability we call Watson. A huge component of this investment is developing tools for oncologists to assist them in selecting the most promising treatments for their patients. There is so much information coming so fast that they can't keep up. It is yielding impressive results. Here's a link you may choose to share with your oncologist. www.ibm.com/watson/health/oncology Best of luck.
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Paul. '11 R1200RT, '09 Buell 1125cr, '08 Suzi SV650A, '00 Suzi SV650, '97 328i (with sticky ass tires - I love this car). And the bikes I used to own: '68 Bultaco 100, '69 Honda CL450, '71 Kawasaki Mach III, '71 OSSA Pioneer, '72 Honda MR175, '72 Benelli 250, '75 Yamaha RD350 (then college), '83 Honda VF750F (then kids),'96 MZ Skorpion, '99 R1100S, '01 SV650, '94 Honda VFR750F and '04 R1100S w/Öhlins an' stuff, most wrecked. Last edited by pwillikers; 10-10-2016 at 01:27 PM.. |
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10-10-2016, 01:25 PM
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1978 Porsche 928
2003 BMW Dakar
2000 Harley-Davidson Dyna FXDX Super Glide Sport
2007 BMW R1200S
2010 BMW F800GS
1983 Honda XL600r
2000 BMW R1100S
2001 BMW F650GS
R1150sR Project Tourer
914-6 Spyder Tribute Vintage Race Car
Midlife crisis
Spirit of my R 90
2010 
