Hello, Fellow Members

My birthday is June 18th, if I make it.  My oncologist gave me a year or less to live last December.  If you want to commit a Random Act of Kindness, you can offer me a book from my TBR list, or an other in the genre, or sub-genre, "alternate history".  I am trying to read good books in that category until I die.  I would tender you thanks from my heart for any such generosity.

Sincerely,

   Michael L. Lewis

Hi, Michael,

What type of cancer are you dealing with? I have breast cancer metastacized to the bones, and while it has drastically reduced my chances of survival past the 5 yr mark, I am and have taken some trial medications that have shown good results in prolonging the length and quality of life of those with metastatic cancer. Most of the time I do pretty well with the pain, how about you? Have you managed to find a level of meds that keeps your pain under control? If not, send me a PM, I'll send you some info on the trial med that I'm taking primarily for pain, and you can look it up, then discuss it with your DR to see if he & your hospital want to become involved with it for you.

Try not to let that time stamp get to you too seriously. When I asked my DR about the percentage factors concerning metastatic cancer, he pointed out that none of us have any dates stamped on us, nor percentile of survival rates. He reminded me that miracles do happen, and many people have been known to live years beyond the initial predicted life expectancy. I like to remember that, and have decided that there's no guarantees that I'm GOING to die, any more than there are any guarantees that I'm going to live. I take one day at a time, and live life to the fullest of my ability each of those days!

God bless you Michael, and if you would send me a PM with your address, if there's anything off my shelf you are interested in, I'd be happy to send it. Also, people can't see your TBR list or RL list, you will have to go thru and tag those, and place the tag here in this topic so that they can see the titles and look for the books if they choose :)

Between the Birthday wish and the end of life reading request, I think this is one of the types of requests the people that started the RAOK topics had in mind when they started. Being able to do something small that doesn't kill my pocket book, but makes an impact on your life. A great RAOK request. Thanks, Michael.

I hope there are some people out there that have PM"d Michael privately. There's nothing wrong with what he's done here, in case you are worried about that. This is just like any other RAOK request. The same as if he'd asked for VHS tapes on boxing or if someone had a mechanics manual to a 1993 Ford Ranger pickup truck.

While there's never any guarantee that someone isn't out to get what they can from you, neither is there any guarantee that the person asking for the mechanics manual doesn' t have a buyer that has said "If you can find me one of those, I'll give you $50 bucks!" Just as much of a scam. So, you might lose a couple dollars and a book and be sorry for it later. Better than to keep the book and be even sorrier another day. Sorry, folks, just my thoughts :)  

I probably just feel more connected right now because of the stress I'm having with my insurance, and being able or not able to get my treatments and know for sure that they are covered or not. Love, hope, and peace tonight to all of us.

Hi, God bless you too.  I'm glad to hear that your cancer is basically under control and not depressing you too much.  My prostate cancer has so far defeated all their strategies and micrometastasis has begun in the bones.  My Dr. says that he expects it to get worse soon and progress quickly.  When you say you deal well with the pain, or it's not too bad yet, how bad is it?  I don't so much dread dying, but the pain before death.

I'll look at your list and see if there is anything I could use.  I'm trying to be economical about my reading and so far haven't sent out or received much.  It seems like you're a real going concern in this Club.  Well, it's almost one in the a.m. and I'm going back to bed.  All the best.

I forgot to add, Happy Birthday.

Michael, I would send you a book, but can't get to you TBR list--tell what kind you are interested in and send your addy, please.