The Cancer In My Family Now Includes Me

Cancer in the family

I am 72 and the oldest of six siblings. My next younger brother Tommy died of Melanoma at 38. Then my second youngest brother, Steven, died of a heroin overdose (addiction has always been rampant in the family) at 35. Then the youngest of us, my sister Jane, died of breast cancer at 49. Then my brother Gene died last year of esophageal cancer at 66. My brother Joe and I are all that is left of us. My dad died recovering from prostate surgery, of a heart attack, at 61. He also had severe heart problems for years as a result of his military service, which included fighting in two wars, then being in charge of nuclear weapons inside Cheyenne Mountain. My mom died of COPD at 70. I also have severe COPD as well as prostate cancer and a number of other issues. My remaining brother and I do have 34 years sober. He still smokes. My youngest son Ryan, who is a USMC Iraqi war vet with 2 tours, is also now 10 years sober, and both my kids have families with children, all doing well, so I'm very happy with that. My ex is also an alcoholic who still drinks. But our family has been dwindling for a long time. My grandparents were alcoholics, as was my dad and all my uncles. My dad was also an abusive father, and I have the x-rays and scars to prove it.

My life and history

So I spent a large part of my youth living on the street or being a cowboy on a ranch. But I tried to do better as I got older, so my kids and grandkids are close, which is my best thing. I also had many injuries from car and motorcycle accidents and from racing, including a bunch of skull fractures, concussions, and broken necks and other bones. My left leg and face have had some reconstruction several times. I spent my share of time in a wheelchair and a hospital bed. Needless to say, my body is now plumb wore out, having been run hard and put away wet way too many times! It has been a hard life, but it has had its blessings too. Most of my relatives, family, and even friends, are gone now, but I still have a few and we are still in contact. In the last year I have lost the ability to drive and sold my car, become homebound and can only go out to doctor's appointments. Since Gene died I now live alone, except for my cat. I rarely see family as they live a hundred miles away. But we talk on the phone, and fb. I still have a friend in New Zealand, my best friend from high school, my best friend from college and since, and my other good friend who is an old retired tugboater in North Carolina, as well as my cousins in South Carolina. I was a military brat, and I and all my siblings were born and raised on military bases all over the world. I also spent over 40 years as a big truck driver, all over the US and Canada. So. I can relate to that Johnny Cash song "I've Been Everywhere, and the song "Weed, Whites, and Wine!" I was born in the jungle in the Philippines, raised on the Panama Canal, lived next to freezing cold missile silos in Wyoming, and finally made it to Texas, where I am now. But the fairy tale ends.

My prostate cancer

I started my first chemo this week, so not having much fun, but I will get through it. My Gleeson score is 9. So, I have more work to do. I thought life would get simpler in retirement, but nope! Now I have more to learn. I hope to hang around here a while and see where it goes. Thanks for letting me in here.