For now, SPLDR will serve as my personal web site and photo "Holder".

What happened?

In March of 2003, at age 44, I was diagnosed with Stage 1a Lung Cancer. I had the lower lobe of my right lung removed. The tumor that was removed was remarkably small. (.8 cm for those that might know about such things, and yes, that is a decimal point you see, not a typo) The cancer was fully contained within the tumor itself. Because of this, my prognosis is excellent and there is a very strong likelihood that I will go on to live a long and normal life. There is also a possibility I will not.

I was never ill at any time, my disease was found by a routine test while the med pros were checking for something else.

Because of this "Scare", and the looming fact that even tho my prognosis is very good, there is always a possibility of recurrence, or a second primary developing, I have chosen to work less and live more. Pretty simple. I am doing my best to do what most folks would do at retirement NOW instead of waiting.

Kinda hard to retire AND hold a day job, so the server has been put on the back burner.

A few unknown facts about lung cancer:

1: It is not always a death sentence. 20% of those diagnosed survive many many years if it is caught early enough. Get regular check ups. This practice saved my life.
2: 20% of those diagnosed have never smoked a single cigarette. It is unjustly labeled as a "smokers" disease. True, 80% of those diagnosed are smokers or former smokers. I am one of them. Quitting does not eliminate your risk of getting the disease. Once again, if you smoke or are a former smoker, get regular check ups. Early detection is the key in any cancer. Don't lock yourself into the mindset that since it's a smokers problem, it doesn't deserve research. Say that to me, fine. But DON'T say that to the non smoker that has it.
3: Lung cancers are the biggest cancer killers in the US. More people die of lung cancer per year than breast and prostate cancer combined. Yet, lung cancer research is the least funded cancer research in the world.
4: You can live quite normally with a partial lung or even just one lung. This barely limits my abilities. I have a nasty scar tho. I guess I can live with the scar. I may not live if I lose any more lung tissue tho.
5: Symptoms do not develop until the very late stages of the cancer. I cannot say it too often: GET REGULAR CHECK UPS.
6: Lung cancer is NOT an old persons disease. I was diagnosed at age 44. I have lots of company. Some even younger than me. The time to put the pack down is NOW.