To All My Friends On Shore…
Since very early in November of 2018, I have had very little presence on The Internet, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.
Last year was my annus horribilis…
-After losing the lower-left lobe of my lung to Cancer and my ninety-two year old Father in 2017, I thought things could only get better — at least for a time. The Doctors were amazed at my level of recovery and I was back at work full-time. But my Hubris was soon followed by my ‘old friend’ Nemesis.
Nemesis
-In the early Spring, two small cancerous tumors were found on my right lung and my ninety-two year old Mother was diagnosed with terminal Ovarian Cancer.
-While I was going through radiation for my condition in June and July, my Mother took a trun for the worse. We signed her up for Home Instead and lived with her for her last ten days so that she could die at home.
-She passed away, I’m happy to say, quite peacefully on 30 July 2018. Mrs. B. was a Saint, taking care of both my Mother and me. Her devotion to her Mother-In-Law was awe-inspiring.
-From August through October, I was not myself and we put that off to the stress accumulated over the past two-plus years. On Election Day 2018, I drove into work and thought I was having a Stroke. My best friend at work drove me immediately to my hospital, where it was discovered I was, in fact, suffering from a Brain Tumor on my left side [Damn Bolshes], along with two small tumors on my right side [Damn RINOs].
-After a week in the Hospital building-up my strength and restoring the usefulness of my right arm and leg, I had very successful surgery that removed the growing Tumor.
-After six weeks of recovery, I began radiation treatments in January and experienced every bloody side-effect you can image — including one the Radiologist had never seen before [go figure].
-Ah, Nemesis!
-I had no choice but to retire from working [well before I planned to].
So far 2019 has been about resting, recovery, and retirement [it stinks when it’s unplanned and unprepared for].
I had a chest to thigh CAT Scan a little while ago and no Cancer was discovered. In a few weeks, I’ll be having my head scanned to see if the Radiation worked.
I would normally say: ‘So far, so good’, but I know Nemesis is always lurking around the corner, waiting for me to trip-up again.
I’m sorry for so much detail, but I believe I owed my Friends-In-The-Ether and explanation for my six month disappearance.
I don’t know if I will be blogging because I am trying to write another book with the time I have left [one doctor said a year, my Oncologist and Neurosurgeon say I should have, at the very least, several]. We’ll see.
I especially would like to thank those of you who have continued to keep me listed in your Tweets and Facebook postings.
By the way, I waited until today because it was eleven years ago this day that I published my first blog post.
Bob Belvedere
I hope you get better and feel well, and be sure that I’m praying for you and your recovery. And I’m sorry to hear about your mother and father. I lost my father last April and am staying with my wheelchair bound mother there’s not much to say except you have my condolences and sympathy unreservedly.
Thank you, Old Friend.
My sympathies are with you, as well.
Hi Bob,
We never met but I remember exchanging a few comments with you over at SteynOnline after there was a collapse of some bourbon distillery in Kentucky. You said if we ever met you would buy me a drink. I think about that whenever life gets me down. Thanks for the offer, and while I said I don’t like other people buying me drinks, if it’s something you still want to do, I’m okay with that. I’ve enjoyed your posts and tweets and i’ll always remember you as the TCOTS man. “Cancer go away”! That’s what I always said when I had it twice, in June ‘92 and December ‘17. God bless you!
Thank you for the very kind words, Fran, and glad to know the offer is still on.
God Bless You and Yours.
Go out enjoy life get wild and crazy and do all the magickal things you never thought could be possible… ☀
We’re trying — that’s for sure.
It’s good to see you posting again.
I’m going to try. Spent many months, since the Election, thinking and observing.
Good to see you’re still out there in The Ether.
Bob,
Well done. What an amazing spirit – never give – fight till you can’t fight anymore…or until your nemesis decides you’re just not worth the trouble!
Will pray for you (hope you have that area “covered”)!
Keep it up, you continue to inspire many!
Vox
Thank you. Mrs. B. and I are Fighters, I can assure you — Never Despair.
Hang in there mate!
On Tue, May 7, 2019 at 1:31 PM The Camp Of The Saints wrote:
> bobbelvedere posted: “Since very early in November of 2018, I have had > very little presence on The Internet, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. Last year > was my annus horribilis… -After losing the lower-left lobe of my lung to > Cancer and my ninety-two year old Father in 2017, I” >
I’m hangin’.
I’m so sorry, Mr B, you are in my prayers. Ed from Miami, FL 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you. I’ll gladly take those prayers.
Stay strong my friend, there is no mountain too high for a climber….
Damn right. Thank you.
Bob, I am sorry for your losses this year. I pray you have a speedy full recovery. I wish for you and your wife to be happy.
We’re making the most of it, Evi.
Bob,
You may remember me as the proprietor of No Sheeples Here. I started another blog, Political Clown Parade. We drifted away from each other and that sorrows me. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am proud of the fight you have waged thus far and know you will valiantly challenge your “Nemesis” in the days, weeks, months (and hopefully years) to come.
It’s hard to fight when the fight isn’t fair. For this we need God. May God be by your side for all the days of your life and give strength to your beautiful wife.
All the best.
How could I ever forget my favorite graphic designer!
We do get strength from our Belief in God.
Thank you, Old Friend.
So sorry to hear of your misfortune. I’m glad you are in the recovery process and we send up prayers for you and your family.
On a happier note, Happy Blogiversery! Not many people can keep up the good night that long before fading off into the Ether.
I’m still remodeling retail space for that major drug retailer that seems to be in the financial news a lot lately.
Good luck and God bless you!
Glad to hear that work is still keeping you off the streets, Old Friend. /sarc
Thank you for the prayers and the Anniversary wishes.
God bless you, Bob. 🙏🏼
We’ve been missing your blog posts.
Glad you’re still Trudging the Road less travelled.
Keep hitting life’s curveballs.
Maybe my swing is getting better.
Thank you.
God bless you and may you be around for years to come. I’ve certainly missed your blog. And Happy blogiversary!
…and I’ve missed your commentary, Old Friend.
Thank you.
Hang in there, and at least it’s good hear from you. As I’m sure you know I don’t tweet or face book but I sent you a better email if you want to touch base. We’ve been friends for about ten years now since we used to beatup on Young Four Eyes together on Stacy’s site when it was still on Blogger. Thanks for all of the encouragement (and posting my crap) over the years. Praying for you and stay strong. I’ll get back to you when I find the words.
Replied via e-mail.
Glad to hear you’re still around. Stay strong.
Thank you, Old Friend. I’ve been keeping my mind strong, at least.
My friend, I am deeply sorry for your losses. I too am dealing with aging parents, and some health issues, although nothing that compares to yours. Lost my long time job last year, two months after losing my sister. So 2018 sucked for me too. But, I have, I fear, been selfish and have not visited your site as often as I once did. I am sorry, and am here should you need a friend, as I know I could damn sure use one at times. Know that I am ready to offer moral support, and prayers
Same here. I have been neglectful in visiting your site, but I know you’d be there for me…and I for you.
The battlefield hasn’t been the same without you Bob.
I transmitted an urgent CASREQ emphasizing your importance to the fightl.
But I have no doubt you will receive a promotion and transfer to Headquarters one day.
Until then, KEEP FIRING!
Yes, Sir!
Bon courage as my Quebecois friends say. Read about you on Mark Steyn’s blog.
Thank you.
Sorry for the illness, struggle, and emotions. Its a load isn’t it. While I’m going thru chemo for the second straight year (lymphoma) I try to find as many old comedy movies, old tv series, and books as I can. TRYING to find something to chuckle at just feels so good when I find one. Just recently got a few good out loud chuckles from the movie DATE NIGHT. Found you from Mark Steyn blog.
Thank you.
Mrs. B. and I have been semi-binge watching some series we love. We just completed Midsomer Murders and Lewis. And we’re down to last episodes for Poirot and Inspector Morse.
Hello, Bob. “RS,” commenter @ McCain’s. I had wondered what was going on and saw a brief report @ Steyn’s. I’m so sorry for your bad year, yet thankful you’re still around. If it’s any consolation, I suffered a similar situation several years ago which I was able to weather through the grace of God and a dear wife and children. You are in my prayers.
Cheers, my friend.
So glad to hear from one of my old Friends-In-The-Ether.
I’ll gladly take those prayers, BTW.
God bless you! I’m praying for you and your family. Miss your inspired work to encourage those of us who are liberty junkies….
Thank you for those lovely words.
Good luck and God’s speed. I know of you only through Mark Steyn and his writings. I hope your book finishes up soon and is successful and read by many people.
Thank you, Your well wishes mean a lot.
I just came upon your blog today (saw a link on Whatfinger News) and read this article. I’m going down the same road myself, although the weather has not been quite as stormy, I have to say … I was diagnosed with cancer last year & had robotic surgery, they think it’s all worked but now it’s scans left right & centre and the wait for results … hope you keep on hanging in there till you finish your book. And way beyond that …