guppie01

I don't have any of my own. Do have a Step-son who is certainly costing us an arm and a leg with his college. I'll pretty much be giving up everything for the next 3 - 5 years.

I would probably be more accepting to it all if he wasn't such an unappreciative, self serving, non contributing fart! But I love my husband, and he loves his kid, so I'm making the sacrifice.

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I thought you were starting a club for grouchy old safety conscious jumpers.

Thanks for venting.

ACK, Have I reached the grouchy old club! LOL

Much love to you and Val!!! Hope you're healing nicely!
xoxo
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We love you, Gia!!

I love you and Ms LouHou MUCHO! Steve and I were talking about maybe taking a couple weeks off next year to head north. Hopefully we can arrange to do it while you guys are there!

xoxo
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Here I came to vent a bit. Read a few post's and now I feel better - how scary is that!

You all are pretty darned cool!!!

xoxo
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You know we're all your favorite peeps!

Indeed!

I had dreams of skydiving and flying last night - haven't done that in years! Even though it was a dream, it was so wonderful to do some canyon flying!

This responsibility & life crap sucks donkey balls!

Hope you all have a wonderful Holiday Season!
xoxo
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Miss you!

Miss you too!

xoxo
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Here I came to vent a bit. Read a few post's and now I feel better - how scary is that!

You all are pretty darned cool!!!

xoxo
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Today is my Uncles 65th and last Birthday. He is in the end stages of his life with cancer... About a month ago the family asked my Uncle what he wanted for his Birthday, and he asked for a cure.

As skydivers we are (unfortunately) all too familiar with death, and tragic accidents, however watching someone being slowly consumed by a disease is absolutely heart wrenching!

Once again, I'm not looking for a pitty party. Guess I'm sort of using DZ.com as an outlet.

Despite the cancer, despite the pain, my Uncle (when awake) still likes to joke and enjoy his life as much as possible. He loves to share stories of his military past. He jumped rounds back in the 70's, and 6 years ago I got him under a square - he was grinning ear to ear!

Such a neat neat man!

xoxoxo
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Congats Amy & Bill!

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This is a lecture that I saw about a month ago Possibly relevant to the topic at hand.


Yes this is the sort of thing I watch on the internet

Love this guy... watched and read his lecture a while ago.

Much like Randy, my uncle felt perfect, had no signs or symptoms. My uncles last check up, he had over 40 tumors on his liver.

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Awesome pics, thanks for sharing! The water in day 5 looks ever so inviting, especially with the 100 degree weather we've had the last week.


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Hey Calvin,

I didn't see the opinions, but you have a right to your feelings on the situation. I wouldn't have taken offense, I am very curious. like I said I originally kept it vague, I'm not looking for the pitty replies, I'm looking for honest feedback.

All good!

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Thanks, it was pretty tough for all of us when he was first diagnosed and it weighs heavily still.
Yeah, I kept it vague intentionally to hear what critical factors one would use in the decision making process, and to keep the personal aspect aside.
xoxo

Thanks everyone, it's been great to see all the comments... I've had several discussions with my husband and family members on this, and not surprisingly the age factor came into play quite a bit.
The man in the thread is my uncle. He is mid 60's, was an environmental engineer and was exposed to some crazy stuff in the military both in the States and Overseas which the docs believe contributed to his cancer.
He has reached out to the family with the decision to not continue treatments in hopes of receiving all our blessings. It's not really up to us to decide or not, but he loves his family so much that it's important to him to know that we will support him either way.
I don't feel he is giving up, I feel he is embracing what time he has left.
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I voted cash in everything. I feel that if i'm going to die anyways, i'd rather die as painless a death as possible all while enjoying the finer things in life in my last days.

If suffering gives me an extra year or two, i don't feel it's worth it.

Thanks for the comment.
I'm curious to hear from the folks that opted for the experimental treatment and their reasoning behind it.

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A man goes in for a routine medical exam only to find out that he has a rare form of cancer that has proven does not respond to regular approved medical treatment (ie, chemo, radiation, etc.).

The doctors tell him about an experimental treatment, but there are no guarantees.

The man decides to try the experimental treatment, which has such adverse side effects he now feels worse than before he even knew he had cancer. After the first round there is no marked improvement.

The doctors tell him there is a second experimental drug that may help, however after further discussion the man finds out that the side effects of this second drug are even worse than the first.

At best, the doctors tell the man even with the drugs his life expectancy is 1 maybe 2 years...

What would you do?

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Well done beautiful ladies!!!

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God you guys suck at this!
BAM!
http://www.flirtyaprons.com/

OMG! those aprons are SO cute! not sure how that would be a thank you present though. That's a little much IMO.

Ditto -totally cute aprons... Love love love the Cherry Blossom one.


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Hopefully the bathrooms have improved within the last 4 years, if not be forewarned - TOILETS ARE FOR TARGET PRACTICE! ETA: Carry your own TP, some places do not carry it, and you must buy it $$$

Great Wall was cool
Forbidden City was cool
Chairman Mao - he looked like a wax figure
Peking Opera was cool
Ming Tombs were cool

Avoid tours (they willl take you to high priced jade factories and places you don't really need to see) , you can hire a private driver for the day for $80.00

Get out of the city, and enjoy the country!

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Can't hold a job, eh?

I'm glad Normiss likes me because now I have that twiced divorce stigma of not being able to hold onto a man and there must be something wrong with me. I'll have to keep him, I'd never be able to get a date after this anyway.

Nah, third times a charm!

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Very cool!

WOW, thanks everyone for the great suggestions! Now if only the weather would cooperate.


ciao for now,
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Walked alot to and from the otel to the convention center, and noticed a bunch of restaurant along that river that parallels the bay, and thought to myself, this must be pretty nice when the weather's nice

- I also checked out a few pubs and enjoyed most of them.

Yeah, I've been looking at the waterfront area, and it looks we could easily spend an entire day there.

We are thinking of maybe taking a dinner boat cruise to see the lights from the river.

Hmmm, I'll have to check out Safe House.

thanks!
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The Harley-Davidson factory tour and museum.

This is on the list of possiblities. I'm just afraid I'll never get my husband out of there... LOL

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We will be headed to Milwaukee for a family reunion. I've never been there so I'd like to take a day to try and enjoy the city.

Anyone have any recommendations of "must see/must do." While we are there???

xoxo
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To be held back on the verge of success is frustrating, esp for someone who has struggled through most of AFF and for whom, finally, the "light" has come on

"Light"... DON'T FUCKING DIE!

You were very fortunate the first time. Here is some "light" for you... If you are not smart enough to know when to ground yourself, you should not be jumping!

I'm not going to apologize for being harsh - It's a dangerous sport and deserves the respect!!!

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