Hi George and friends,
Back in 1984, J. Robert Wood was driving me home from the radio station in Toronto somewhere close to midnight. My place in Mississauga was about 45 minutes west of the centre of the universe (otherwise known as Toronto) on the Gardiner Expressway/QEW combo. While we engaged in a wide range of topics during the ride, one comment from Bob stood out in particular. JRW was listing the various poisons in a cigarette and urged me to consider quitting the habit saying in part, “someday those things are gonna kill you.”
“Someday” has arrived. I have been diagnosed recently with lung cancer.
Over the years Bob was not the only one to issue such a wise warning. As I write this, I am nauseous, weak, light-headed, and tired. Fatigue like I’ve never experienced before. Of course I wish I had heeded that warning but I can’t do anything now. The damage is done. Reaching the age of 65 is pretty good as life spans go but it didn’t have to be this way.
Last summer, my Angel spouse Rachel and I moved back to the mountains in Alberta from dreary old Winnipeg. We had all kinds of plans; camping on weekends at Waterton Park, Banff, Lake Louise, babysitting the grandkids in Calgary, doing the annual Stampede—again, seeing the Flames play the Leafs at Saddledome and most especially that planned trip down the Oregon coastal highway this summer. None of it is going to happen. Instead I live day to day hoping the nausea will go away for a few hours. My system is screwed up having to take oxycodone and morphine in large doses. Life sucks when you’re dying.
The message here is quite simple: STOP smoking now. Right now. Flush those damn things down the toilet. If you don’t, you’re going to end up like me.
Rick Hallson
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Geez, George don’t give up. Get yourself to a teaching medical center UCLA, Mayo, MD Anderson… Check out US News and World Reports web site for a complete list. Now that you have a diagnosis, seek a second opinion. Listen for subtle treatment differences/options. Access these differences/options with a third opinion.
Had a doctor tell me, I would be dead in 6-months. That was 20-years ago. Doctors are not God. They are mortal and as such make mistakes.
Thank you Alan, I will definitely pass this on to Rick.
Hi Rick,
We haven’t met, but like many we have radio and George in common. I just want to thank you for using your precious time to speak of the dangers of smoking. We lost my husband’s younger brother to lung cancer two years ago, so we have some small sense of what you are going through. We beam you good thoughts and hope your family, friends and especially your grandchildren keep a smile on your face in the days to come.
Best regards,
Sharon Henwood
Rick, Sharon was one of the insiders and part of original crew along with Rick Moranis, Sandy Hoyt, The Magic Christian, Earl Mann, Doc Harris, Keith Elshaw and Don Valli at CFTR when we were doing battle with CHUM back in the very early 70’s. We could have used your help Man!
Hi Rick: You have had some pretty tough breaks in life – but this is the roughest. My thoughts & prayers are with you Rick & I am glad you have your love by your side. Sincerely Embree McDermid