Cancer SUCKS

Today we attended a memorial service for our dear friend Robb. Robb was only 43 and had battled colon cancer for 6 1/2 years. It's really hitting me hard. Robb was only 2 months older than my husband, Dana, and was diagnosed 1 month prior to Dana. We met him when they, along with 3 other brave men, were on the same clinical trial back in 2002. As of this week, Dana is the "last man standing" in that initial group of warriors. Although, many warriors have come and gone and more still to come, Robb has a special place with us. Whether it was the same year of birth, the same diagnosis at such an early age (37), his valliant way of fighting the battle, or maybe all of the above, I don't think there'll ever be another "Robb" in our cancer journey. It was wonderful to hear everyone speak of the pre-cancer Robb, the Robb that we didn't know. The Robb that was very sought after on the speaking circuit and in the world of his business. The Robb that was always so "well dressed"....I had to think and I don't think I've ever seen him with his shirt tail tucked in or with a pair of dress shoes on. I guess we got to know Robb Uncut. We had the pleasure of meeting him at the cancer center at Vanderbilt every Wednesday morning and routinely going to "our corner" for YEARS. Robb always called this group of men his "Chemo Buddies". They were so much more than that. They were there for each others struggles, victories, and illnesses. They were there to share skin remedies for that awful acne caused by the trial drug, ABX-EFG. They were there to joke with one another about playing poker for Immodium....noone cared about money...these guys needed their diarrhea to stop. One of the "chemo buddies", Don, put it so well one day.....he said "This medicine (and motioned in a circle of all of us with our chairs in a circle) is so much better than this medicine (and pointed to the chemotherapy that was being pumped into his veins)." I don't think anyone could have said it any better. Now, we must continue on this journey, knowing that we're not the last ones left but we are the last ones left in a very special group and it's hard today, it's going to be hard tomorrow, and it's going to continue to be hard for weeks to come. Robb......know that we love you, we're so happy that you're pain free, and walking with the Lord. We can't wait to see you again.