Aloha Alaska!!!

Joel
I've only had the pleasure of chatting with you a handful of times, but you really helped me get started yak fishing with some excellent advice.  Like everyone else you have my support.
My wife was a medical office manager. She says - if they haven't already told you,  you need to get your ass down to the Health Services in Belmont and apply for support services immediately !  Will email you some links for those services.

Dude I was so looking forward to having you guide me in Ketchikan this August.  When I go out with Howard McKim and catch that Big BIG Momma fish    I'm going to send her back down and she is going to be waiting for you as soon as you get better 

Hang in there mooch.
speedy recovery
allan

When I go out with Howard McKim and catch that Big BIG Momma fish    I'm going to send her back down and she is going to be waiting for you as soon as you get better   

I was hoping you'd catch a big momma fish and bring me back a fillet

Brother Mooch! I just saw this news about you being ill. I really should lurk more but I haven't been so I'm late in telling you that you are in my prayers. Hang in there and your NCKA bros will try to help you keep your spirits up!

Sincerely
Frank

Well, just back from the Oncologist Clinic in San Mateo County General today. Doc asks questions I've already answered from the 2 previous docs I've seen earlier. They then took more blood samples after to check for HIV or Hepatitis. They've drained blood from me at every visit I've made so far...you would think they've had enough already...but what do I know?

Anyway, the word is that it is Cancer and it's at the 4th stage. The oncology doc is sending me on more tests (PET scan, ENT and EGD) cause they still cannot identify what type of cancer it is. The next step is for me to wait for appointment phone calls for the clinics that will be conducting these tests.

This is all for now.

Once again, I thank you all for the prayers, concern and the support. I'm truly overwhelmed!!!

LIVE life!
Joel

It is presumptive at this point Joel.

http://cancerguide.org/stories.html

-Brian G

Joel..

As all the guys said, stay positive!  If there is anything you need, just let me know.


John

Joel, I've only heard good things about you, and although we've never met, I wish you high spirits during this time.  Your ability to talk about this so openly demonstrates your strong character and positive outlook. 

Grego

Hard news like that is a mother...... but we have faith in you. Lance Armstrong had stage 4. We are  looking to you to be the Lance Armstrong of Kayak Fishin - complete with rock star girl friends  :smt035

Joel, I've only heard good things about you, and although we've never met, I wish you high spirits during this time.  Your ability to talk about this so openly demonstrates your strong character and positive outlook. 

Grego

Grego - well said, and thank you for posting that.

Joel - I got to experience something very cool when some individuals who rarely post came out of the woodwork to come to GS3, last year.  It made me realize that what I was doing was touching even those who aren't always on the surface, but they are OG of their own kind - they've been around here, but they don't choose to post, and, especially when we see a post like Grego's - a post that really shows us what kind of person HE is, that is just fine.  So when people came from this elusive yet noteworthy and honorable "long-time semi-lurker" position and they showed up for my hookup, I was very touched and appreciative.  For Grego, an NCKA member for almost 5 years, to throw down the Love for you here as his 10th post...  I'm touched x10.

I maintain that we need an emoticon that's a happy cryer.   

Keep the Good Vibe going!   

Joel -

My thoughts and prayers are with you. My wife was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer 2 years ago and after surgery and 6 months of chemotherapy she has been cancer free for over a year. Cancer is a journey but I believe you will beat it. One thing that really helped us get through the ordeal was Molly. She was always at Karen's side when she was not feeling well. Let me know if you need anything or want to talk. I think you have my cell#.

scott

Joel,

You are in Donna's and my thoughts and daily prayers. As Scott said, it's a journey. But it is treatable and beatable as he described and as Brain's post illustrates. Let's see what the oncologists conclusion is and go from there.

We have a guest suite in our home in Ben Lomond, and we would love to have you come spend some time in the Santa Cruz Mountains and enjoy some really fine cuisine cooked by an old white guy... (shit, that's me).

Anytime Joel....

Rich and Donna

Best wishes for a healthy and speedy recovery.

Joel~

Hang in there my brudda.
You were the second guy I ever met who was with NCKA, SCALLEN was the first. Met both of you at the SC tourney where there were a total of 17 entrants. You guys were the reason I joined NCKA.
That was a while ago. I haven't forgotten.
My boss was diagnosed with cancer in the hip and throat and it didn't look good.
That was in January. I saw him last week and he looks fantastic. The cancer is shrinking and it looks like he will make a full recovery.
What helped him the most was his totally positive attitude.
I think you should adopt his motto:
"I have cancer, cancer doesn't have me!"
Kick the shit out of it.

Joel, My brother Matt was diagnosed 20 yrs ago. Cured, clean and full of piss and vinager too this day!!!
 Kick it's everlovin ass!
 Randall