TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Upleasant News

"While Di was ill, I began having blood/urine issues. Not wanting to burden her, I waited to see a urologist. He scheduled me for a procedure on Oct 29. I'm sad to say that the results weren't good. I've begun weekly dialysis - and - some cancer was found. I'm opting to do the dialysis, but not treat the cancer and let it take its course. I'll manage the pain and deal with hospice and final arrangements with the help of good and loyal friends. I suspect I'll be doing hospice in Chattanooga, TN, when the time comes.

Been in the hospital for a week and doing a week in rehab to gain strength for outpatient dialysis. Then back home. Would like to work if they can find a place for me part time but we'll see about that. For now I feel pretty decent and don't have that many uncomfortable days.

Yeah, miss the hell out of Di but glad I didn't have to put her through this. She had enough health issues of her own. Doubt I'll be doing any island trips but will sure be thinking about all of you and the special times we've had there. It's still "heaven on earth". Also, didn't mean to bum you out but also didn't want you to find out about any of this through an obit.

So.. cheers and here's to an ice cold Presidente at Cow Wreck!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Bill... So sorry to hear that news. What a terrible time you've had recently. We'll be thinking of you.

Sometimes life sucks. So sorry to hear about the latest health problems. We will be at cow wreck in a few days and salute you and Di with a cold presidente.

I wish you the best, my friend. Like you, health issues have prevented my husband and I from returning to the islands but that's why I love reading these posts on TTOL. I've always enjoyed your insight and hope you will continue to post as long as possible. You have many friends here who will be thinking of you daily.

So sorry, Bill. I just had surgery for Melanoma, with removal of some lymph nodes, and received the all clear 2 days ago.
We'll be sending positive thoughts your way.

Aw Bill, I am really sad to hear this latest news. I remember back in the day (mid 90's) when the old travel forum was still up and running and you used to call me late at night looking for info about this place or that ... I always enjoyed our talks.

Getting older sucks big time and getting sick and older at the same time just isn't fair.

I am of the same mind as you when it comes to letting (aggressive) cancers take their course and making the best of the time you have left for as long as possible. I think it is so sad that people spend so much of their valuable time seeing specialists, homeopathic practitioners, going for a multitude of tests, taking treatments of all kinds (that usually make them feel worse than they already do) ... and praying to God for a miracle. I'd want to use every last minute possible to be anywhere but in a doctor's office or in a hospital!

I love your positive attitude. Get out that bucket list and start checking them off my friend. Go have as much fun as you are possibly can and go out with a bang rather than a whimper! Your just the guy to do it too!

Take care Bill and please stay in touch with us all.

Bill,

Our hope is for you to have all the
comfort and courage that you need.
Well done, good and faithful servant.

Mike and Ellen

Bill,
Life can be so unfair sometimes. This news is devastating. Granted, we have never met, it doesn't make this news any less disconcerting. Reading your posts about your love of Anegada has been most enjoyable. Especially about waiting for the bridge cut on Anegada. That was influential in my decision to have my ashes scattered in the BVI's.
Here's wishing you smooth sailing in your journey. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Read about your skin issues, Chris, and so happy you're all clear. Hang in there and keep an eye on them. You know what to do and just don't let it get away from you.

Liane.. I was thrown for a loop at first. Got the usual blue funk feeling sorry for myself.. the usual "woe is me". Then you realize... no family, no relatives, no close by friends to come feel sorry for you and you quickly realize that no one gives a damn about all that but you.

Next I tried to find out what I could/couldn't do and things were wide open. When I asked, "what can I eat, drink, travel, do, etc...?" they said, "what can you afford?"

So... I came up with a plan. I'll see if I can work part time to help pay the bills but otherwise I'm going to do whatever feels good at that moment. Not going to worry about gaining weight or high cholesterol. Plan to stay clean but likely will sleep late and watch late late movies. If bloody mary sounds good for breakfast, have two! Lobster tails and ice cream are a good combo. Right now I'm limited by only my bank account.

No.. not spending hours in some clinic dosing poison in hopes it will kill something else. Not hot on radiating myself until I glow in the dark either. If I feel bad, they have meds for that.. or Grey Goose, Three Olives, etc..
Not going to buy many lifetime warranties or extended service plans. The dialysis cruises sound interesting but those ships are likely full of sick people.

Just going to play it a day at a time and have fun with each day that rolls by. I think you plan better and do more
if you don't have so many days to work with so getting on that too.

Stay in touch...I'll report on any adventures that sound fun.
Best.... B

Bill--so sorry to hear this.. Take care.

God bless you, Bill...are you sure there's no room in the bank account for a trip to your Heaven on earth? I will be praying that a trip to Cow Wreck comes your way....

Bill, I am so sorry for you. You have a great attitude and a plan for the rest of your life, whatever time that is. I hope you can go and do things that are meaningful to you and Di's memory. Take care....

Bill, when my Mom was told she had liver cancer, she told me point blank that she was not going to do anything about it ... other than indulge herself.

At first, I was very upset with her that she wasn't going to fight ... and then I thought about it long and hard and asked myself, "what if it was me?"

I soon came to the same conclusion that she had ... so from that day forward, she was indulged. She had the best food money could buy, we went various places that she normally wouldn't have and spent lots of money just having fun. If truth be told, we had some of the best times (and best discussions) I can recall.

I plan to do exactly the same thing when my time comes. I already have most of my bucket list items and if I get even just a few items ticked off, I'll be a very happy camper.

The dialysis thing makes it tough for you to travel, but I am sure there are other fun things to do close by that you can find to give yourself a thrill or two.

I have always had a fear of small airplanes and though I never had a problem with heights when I was younger, I have developed acrophobia over the past 20 years or so. One of the things on my bucket list is to conquer both of my fears at once and go sky diving. I'm going to wait until I hear from some doctor that the time is nigh before I do it though. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I kind of look at receiving that nasty news from some doctor as though it is the start line for my last hurrah.

Man ... I won't be wasting any time divesting myself of all worldly goods, cashing the cheque and heading out the door for the party of a lifetime! It's going to be my reward to myself for a lifetime of hard work before I go to my last reward.

I would be so pissed off if I were to die in some stupid car accident or something like that. I am counting on enjoying an extended vacation/party ... indulging myself to the hilt and trying to tick off as many items as possible on my bucket list, before I hang up my jet pack and leave my family the last $10.00 in my purse. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Fair winds my friend and God speed. I'd love to hear about any cool things you manage to dream up to do!

So sorry to hear Bill..all good thoughts coming your way.

Wishing you the best. I've never met you (or Di before her passing either) but I am still deeply effected by news of a fellow TTOLer facing those challenging times. Hang in there, make the most of your time, and reflect on a life well-lived.

Bill, we haven't met and I won't pretend to know anything about you. But I believe short-term goals have some healing powers for the mind. I hope you will consider setting a goal to make a trip to Anegada or your favorite place(s) in the BVIs this Spring. Start shopping flights. Pick a date. Work your mind on figuring out how to make the finances to work. Keep dreaming. Make it happen. Announce your arrival on TTOL, and I'm sure you will have friends there to welcome you and share in a sundowner. Perhaps the chance of that trip coming to fruition is low, but everyone on this board knows that much of the thrill of the travel is in the planning. It's in the dreaming. In the anticipation. I hope you will find that passion in you at this time. Again, I don't know your true self or situation. Just my thoughts to help you focus on the positive. Wishing you all of the best.

Just DAMN Bill! You know Belinda and I think of you always as well as the great memories of Di. We're praying for you and we WILL see you back in the BVI's in 2016. SOMEHOW <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Bill, we have never met but I feel like I know so many great people through TTOL by just reading their words and hearing their stories...

I am sending positive energy your way to do with whatever you please! Have that lobster and ice cream.

I understand the choice not to fight by further damaging your body. I personally don't see the point in living a life that is no longer a life and trying to get extra time on earth that is not truly living.

I love hospice. My father had hospice are at home in his final time and he was at peace and comfortable. That is all we can ask of our last time here.

Please keep us all posted on your adventures!

Best

Lisa

Damn Bill, you old Soldier...sorry to hear this. My best wishes to you no matter what. A life well lived is my goal like yours...Dave

Sorry to hear this, Bill, but I'd like to say that I admire your pragmatic attitude. Wishing you the longest, happiest, healthiest, and most comfortable life possible.
Many hugs.

Rick,
If I could figure out how to make the finances and dialysis work I'd be planning a BVI return trip for early '16 for sure.
Wish it were in the cards. I think I'm going to be partying in GA from here on out and staying close to dialy clinics!!

Sorry to hear this news Bill. If you can figure out a way to get down, Euphoria is yours for the asking. Still some time available in January.

Bill - I'm so sorry to hears this news.
You seems to have a handle on it all. Godspeed.

Bill,
We're devastated to hear of this news! Just like you though to make lemonade out of lemons, or is that Martinis out of Grey Goose?! We remember all of the wonderful days shared at Cow Wreck playing Mexican Train - do you? Fun fun fun in the sun! Remember those days with a smile and let that joy fill your heart in the days ahead. We love you miss you and wish you nothing but the very best .... and when we find ourselves at Cow Wreck or Neptune's you'll be with us .... we'll enjoy a drink 'together.' Love you dear friend, Beth and Gary

Well then Belinda and I will have to figure out how/when to come see you. Maybe if any TTOL'ers live around the Augusta area a TTOL gathering could be planned like Bill and Di used to organize that was held here in North Atlanta??

Bill,
I like other have said do not know you .....but I wanted to say wow, you have the best attitude! Lean on your TTOL friends. If there is something you need we will work together to make it happen.

Bill,

So sorry to hear the news, being on TTOL for 15 years, I feel like I know you and want to thank you for all of your wisdom through the years.

I admire your selflessness of not wanting to burden Di in her final stage, that shows how much you loved and cared for her.

God Bless!

Bill so sorry to hear, good to hear that your attitude is as positive as can be , that will carry you forward more than you know! Take care and best wishes, Laura

"Well then Belinda and I will have to figure out how/when to come see you. Maybe if any TTOL'ers live around the Augusta area a TTOL gathering could be planned like Bill and Di used to organize that was held here in North Atlanta??"

Not sure that's practical. Just trying to get from day to day right now. Let's chat privately about that stuff. Would love to see you both..
B

Will do....