Phx-Suns.Net

So, it feels kinda narcissistic of me to post this thread (here or otherwise), but hell, I'll do it anyway!

Having had cerebral palsy from birth, I never really thought that I took life (or the greatness that is Suns Basketball) for granted. And for the most part, I still don't think so, but...

...Earlier this week, I had my esophagus scoped and the results showed a strong suspicion for Barretts Esophagus, or even worse, esophageal cancer, the latter of which is not really all that survivable.

At any rate, after sleeping (at best) sporadically this week, I get *the call* today with my pathology results.

Turns out they were/are negative for both esophageal cancer as well as Barretts.

So happy happy joy joy n all that, but after staring down two cancer scares (skin cancer previously), I think I now know what the dearly departed Craig Sager meant when he said something like "...Time is simply how you live your life."

I mean, there's no denying it - life is a repetitive exercise in which we live our lives out for who knows how long, all the while having our bodies ultimately succumb to *something* (if not from birth...represent!).

But somewhere in all that day-to-day mundane repetition are moments of joy...to go along with everything else.

So yeah, I now know (again) that all we can really control in life is our attitude and approach to everything that can and will come at us. And this, to a large degree, enables us to control how we feel about...pretty much anything.

I dunno about you guys, but I'll always be a work in progress...with all of this, haha.

But I can tell you that from here on out, that I'm gonna redouble my efforts to enjoy and get something out of everyday, no matter how small. The Suns may suck, our management may suck, and our ownership may suck, but you guys don't suck...not in that way, at least. Y'all here on this here message board are largely the reason that I am still a Suns fan. Been around the .net for about 15 years now. Here's to at least 15 more.

Thank you

Congrats on staring down one of the scariest situations anyone can ever face! It is even more awesome to see that you have come out smiling and positive on the other side. That is a lesson we can all learn from.

Go get'em, CS! May cancer be scare of you now!

And thanks for the reminder of what matters more than micro-analyzing box scores.

Thanks for not getting cancer, Charlie! Keep up the good work!

I'm glad to hear you are o.k. Take care of yourself, Charles.

You're the best! So glad you checked out OK. Sometimes we forget our lives on this planet aren't forever. Might as well enjoy the ride while we're here. Cheers!

Thanks, guys.

Like I said, ALL Y'ALL are just the awesomeness!

Great news, and even more great the way you are growing through it. Make me think about how much we take for granted, so we start bitching even for things that really are worthless without all the other stuff. Cheers for your health and thank you for share not only the news, but that reflections as well.

Hey C.Smithy, thanks for sharing your story with us. We are all of course very happy to hear that the results came back as they did. And I find your reaction to the news very heartwarming to hear. We all have a limited time to spend on this Earth, and hearing inspiring stories help remind us how special that time is and that we should make the most of it. We are so happy to have you here on phx-suns.net and should all take your example to heart in terms of finding joy in watching our team regardless of its faults. Thanks again for sharing this with us.

Thanks for being you and for allowing us to get to know you. Here's to 15 more, and 15 more after that.

Glad you're still with us, C_S. Much love.

Charlie Smithy! wrote:So, it feels kinda narcissistic of me to post this thread (here or otherwise), but hell, I'll do it anyway!

Having had cerebral palsy from birth, I never really thought that I took life (or the greatness that is Suns Basketball) for granted. And for the most part, I still don't think so, but...

...Earlier this week, I had my esophagus scoped and the results showed a strong suspicion for Barretts Esophagus, or even worse, esophageal cancer, the latter of which is not really all that survivable.

At any rate, after sleeping (at best) sporadically this week, I get *the call* today with my pathology results.

Turns out they were/are negative for both esophageal cancer as well as Barretts.

So happy happy joy joy n all that, but after staring down two cancer scares (skin cancer previously), I think I now know what the dearly departed Craig Sager meant when he said something like "...Time is simply how you live your life."

I mean, there's no denying it - life is a repetitive exercise in which we live our lives out for who knows how long, all the while having our bodies ultimately succumb to *something* (if not from birth...represent!).

But somewhere in all that day-to-day mundane repetition are moments of joy...to go along with everything else.

So yeah, I now know (again) that all we can really control in life is our attitude and approach to everything that can and will come at us. And this, to a large degree, enables us to control how we feel about...pretty much anything.

I dunno about you guys, but I'll always be a work in progress...with all of this, haha.

But I can tell you that from here on out, that I'm gonna redouble my efforts to enjoy and get something out of everyday, no matter how small. The Suns may suck, our management may suck, and our ownership may suck, but you guys don't suck...not in that way, at least. Y'all here on this here message board are largely the reason that I am still a Suns fan. Been around the .net for about 15 years now. Here's to at least 15 more.

Thank you

Are you in Phoenix? I'm a Gastro and could go over your reports with you if you have questions

Glad you got the all-clear, Charlie. Stay well.

Nothing like a couple of harrowing diagnoses to heighten your appreciation of life on terra firma.

Very happy it turned out blue skies rather than singing the hospital blues...

Glad to hear the diagnosis wasn't scary, CS. Your words ring very true, and thanks for sharing it!

Singh wrote:

Charlie Smithy! wrote:So, it feels kinda narcissistic of me to post this thread (here or otherwise), but hell, I'll do it anyway!

Having had cerebral palsy from birth, I never really thought that I took life (or the greatness that is Suns Basketball) for granted. And for the most part, I still don't think so, but...

...Earlier this week, I had my esophagus scoped and the results showed a strong suspicion for Barretts Esophagus, or even worse, esophageal cancer, the latter of which is not really all that survivable.

At any rate, after sleeping (at best) sporadically this week, I get *the call* today with my pathology results.

Turns out they were/are negative for both esophageal cancer as well as Barretts.

So happy happy joy joy n all that, but after staring down two cancer scares (skin cancer previously), I think I now know what the dearly departed Craig Sager meant when he said something like "...Time is simply how you live your life."

I mean, there's no denying it - life is a repetitive exercise in which we live our lives out for who knows how long, all the while having our bodies ultimately succumb to *something* (if not from birth...represent!).

But somewhere in all that day-to-day mundane repetition are moments of joy...to go along with everything else.

So yeah, I now know (again) that all we can really control in life is our attitude and approach to everything that can and will come at us. And this, to a large degree, enables us to control how we feel about...pretty much anything.

I dunno about you guys, but I'll always be a work in progress...with all of this, haha.

But I can tell you that from here on out, that I'm gonna redouble my efforts to enjoy and get something out of everyday, no matter how small. The Suns may suck, our management may suck, and our ownership may suck, but you guys don't suck...not in that way, at least. Y'all here on this here message board are largely the reason that I am still a Suns fan. Been around the .net for about 15 years now. Here's to at least 15 more.

Thank you

Are you in Phoenix? I'm a Gastro and could go over your reports with you if you have questions

Do you only respond to medical questions, Singh? Haven't seen you much around here lately.

Get well! I nearly died two weeks ago after a "routine" surgery. Life is fragile. Enjoy it every day and stop putting off the things you want to do. Tomorrow is not a guarantee.

Glad it was just a scare and not the real thing, Charles. Both my parents had cancer in the past 5 years and my mom passed away because of it.

sose wrote:Get well! I nearly died two weeks ago after a "routine" surgery. Life is fragile. Enjoy it every day and stop putting off the things you want to do. Tomorrow is not a guarantee.

Sorry to hear that, Sose. I hope you're going to be all right and that you're starting to feel better soon. This life of ours is short and precious.

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:

sose wrote:Get well! I nearly died two weeks ago after a "routine" surgery. Life is fragile. Enjoy it every day and stop putting off the things you want to do. Tomorrow is not a guarantee.

Sorry to hear that, Sose. I hope you're going to be all right and that you're starting to feel better soon. This life of ours is short and precious.

My mamma always said, Life is like a Tyler Ulis.