I'm going to be in the hospital for a while...

Paul Steinberg · Active Member Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 81

I recently discovered that I have a growth on my bile duct, and that it's cancer. Quite a bombshell for a 40 year old guy. I'll be hospitalized for 10 days and on bedrest for about 3 weeks after I get out. It's a 5 hour procedure where they take out a bunch of stuff, some stomach, some pancreas, some intestine, then put it all back together (called a "Whipple Procedure" for those of you who are medically inclined).

There are some things I'm *beep* off about, and some things I am thankful for.

What I'm *beep* off about (it's a short list):
-I'm 40 and I have cancer

What I'm thankful for:

-It was on my bile duct, which turned me yellow right away. About the earliest detection of a tumor that you could ask for. If you have to have cancer in your intestines, my doctors say this is the luckiest spot to get it.

-They're giving me every chance of a complete surgical cure and recovery.

-Because I built my business slowly on a sound foundation, I expect it to perform without me while I am in the hospital and recovering.

-I don't have to worry about getting fired from a job while I'm laid up.

Even though I don't post a lot in these forums, I did want to mention to everyone that I wouldn't be around for a while, and why.

I also want to push a little advice on you:

However much time you think you have to get things done, you don't. Tell people how you feel about them. Put a fire under yourself to build your business, because you never know when you are going to need it. 3 weeks ago I though I had all the time in the world, to pay more attention to my kids, to call old friends, to get that next business project going, to tweak up that existing campaign that was profitable but not hitting that high note. Now I'm looking at things a little differently...

One of my old friends that I looked up thought I was mad at him for something he said the last time we spoke over 2 years ago. He was completely mistaken, I barely remembered what he said, I just always thought "tomorrow would be a good day to call him".

If this is more life advice than you were looking for, then I'm sorry I took up your time with it, but I just had to get it off my chest and out there.

I'll be online a bit between now and Monday night, then not so much for a few weeks. Please send a kind thought my way on Tuesday (or a prayer if that's something you do), I'm sure it will help.

An open note to John Reese: There is no doubt in my mind that I am going into this ordeal financially secure rather than in financial distress because I embraced the ideas that you teach in Traffic Secrets and The Report. As grueling as this ordeal is going to be for me, it would be that much worse if me and my family were also worried about money. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And to all the members of this forum, and the Traffic Secrets Club forum, and those who I have corresponded with personally in the past, thanks for your help, support, ideas and positive attitudes. It's been a great help to me, and to everyone else who has come to this community serious about building their business and future.

All my best wishes and regards to you all!
-Paul

mika · Active Member Joined: 02 Jan 2005 Posts: 84

Good Luck Paul
Take it easy.
Get Well Soon.
Mick
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kellymccausey · Active Member Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 60

Paul you have my prayers (thats something I do!) for a fast and complete recovery.

Amazing isn't it that our bodies can interrupt our lives so suddenly! I am glad for you that your business and finances are sitting well to bring you through the health crisis.

You take care of yourself and keep us informed!
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Dwayne · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 12:31 am Post subject:

Take care Paul and I hope you have a full and quick recovery afterwards. While cancer is never good at least you were lucky enough to have it picked up really early.

Get well soon.

John Reese · Site Admin Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 133

Paul,

Thank you for sharing that with us. I will definitely pray for you.

Just make sure to stay positive. Although "cancer" is an ugly (and somewhat feared) word, there are millions of people affected by it. Nowadays, the majority of people that are diagnosed with it early have it taken care of with no lasting issues. The treatments and procedures have come a long way. I'm sure you'll be just fine.

We'll miss your input on the forum while you are away but we look forward to the day that you return!

Enjoy your off-time away from the computer and enjoy spending more time with your family. It sounds like this "wake up call" will help you live a happier, more fulfilling life.

~John

Derrick Pizur · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:31 am Post subject:

Good luck Paul although you won't need it your a tough guy and will take care of business.

You few posts here have taught me a lot and I appreciate that. My prayers will be with you as well.

Derrick
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dayne1234 · Contributor Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 29

My thoughts and prayers will be with you also Paul. Sometimes the things in life that seem to be the most difficult are actually keys to a better way of living.

Your situation reminds me of one of my favorite quotes...

"Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness."

When it all comes down to it in life, it doesn't matter how rich we are, how attractive we are, etc. What matters most is that we are AWAKE in our everyday living. That is true life.

God bless and keep your chin up. You'll be fine. Smile

Dayne

Leo · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 6:44 am Post subject:

Thank you for the advice you gave me at the $10K/month thread. Take care and see you soon. You have my prayers Paul.

DJ Dave Bernstein · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 7:36 am Post subject:

Paul -
My best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.
Three of my family members went through cancer treatments during the last year (including my mom), and all made it through. Being almost 39 myself, believe me, I keep waiting for me having to kick cancer's ass, too, and I hope it is a speedy recovery for you, and about as pain free as can be.

Someone told me that about 1 in 2 Americans will get some form of cancer in their lifetime. I don't know whether I think that figure is too high or too low, but I do know that fear is something that "kills" many souls - keep brave, Paul, and not only will you conquer this, but succeeding in any business venture will seem like a walk in the park after this experience.

God Bless you, Paul - DJ Dave
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Paul Short · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 11:48 am Post subject:

There'll be tons of positive thoughts coming your way from me too Paul. Here's one right now - just think of all those high paying Adsense keywords you'll be learning about over the next few weeks!

Ok, a little crude but thats just me sometimes.

Here's my favorite quote and something I try and think of in everything I do...

"The true measure of a man’s worth is the degree to which he has made a difference in the lives of those he has touched." –Jackie Strange

...and your words here on this forum have made a difference for all of us. Looking forward to reading a lot more of them when you get back on your feet.

Sincerely,

Paul Short
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Gary Gresham · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 4:04 pm Post subject:

Paul,

It sounds like you have your priorities straight and sometimes it takes a wake up call for that to happen to us.

Your message is how I live my life now because I have had a close brush with death.

Believe in your own mind that you will recover combined with all of our thoughts and prayers and you'll be back posting before you know it.

Although we will all miss your imput, we look forward to your speedy recovery and return.

Sincerely,
Gary Gresham
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Peter Murphy · Active Member Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 63

Paul,

I am sure you will have a great recovery. You have a great attitude and that will see you through. People beat this thing all the time, you´ll do a Lance Armstrong too!

If you need more encouragement check out the work of Dr. Bernie Siegel and Norman Cousins.

We look forward to your return.

Peter

Larry Foster · Contributor Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 12

Paul, best wishes for a speedy recovery. I can empathize with you because I just learned Friday that I have to have biopsies.
Unlike you, I haven't lined my ducks up but your message meant so much to me about how important time is. Thank you for the lesson.
Good luck, God Bless. See you here soon.

Roosevelt Cooper

May God bless you with a speedy recovery and I can't wait to see you back on the discussion forums sharing your wonderful knowledge with us all. Thanks for putting things in prospective Paul. You've certainly lit a fire under my lazy butt, that's for sure!
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