[Toph]

Originally Posted by Blade

I don't understand why we (general) ignore the important things in life that we actually have control over, if we will just take control. I have always gotten my yearly exams. I will be 50 in a few weeks, so yall know what that means.

Below is a partial list of people in my life, who's life has been cut short due to letting the symptoms slide or not getting an annual check up.

That constant cough may not be from smoking
RIP...... Tony 47...2005....lung

Cancer doesn't care that you are retired Navy
RIP ......Tim 49 2003.......liver

Doesn't matter that you are a nurse
RIP..... Paulette 63..........2007....breast

Cancer doesn't care that you are a Mom with small children
RIP Barbara 38........2007......ovarian

Say your get up and go has got up and gone, you feel sickly daily and this isn't like you
RIP Lanny 54...........2012.....leukemia

You are a highly decorated Vietnam vet, picture of health, nonsmoker, suddenly you can't swallow, get checked
RIP Mike 49..........1999.....Throat likely from breathing agent orange

RIP Johnny 53......2001...Stomach also likely from bathing in agent orange

You are a great father, husband, employee, christian, but you continually unexpectedly lose your bladder...dude cancer don't care
RIP Bobby 52....2000.......back and bladder cancer

You are never to old to get cancer get it checked out
RIP Maude 83....1993.....melanoma

Or to young
RIP Jeff 23......1992......shoulder.......started as a lump

Cancer doesn't care how many kids lives you have touched or how many times you have been teacher of the year
RIP Ricky 52......2006........leukemia....remission....leuke mia

The earliest I remember losing someone to cancer was my homeroom teacher in 1977...Mr Cully...I have no idea how old he was but I believe younger than my parents were so early thirties, nor do I remember what kind of cancer.

See where I'm going with this? Just go get checked if you have unusual symptoms and get your annual check ups. Your family and friends will thank you.

sadly, we all have lists like this!

the losses are astounding the grief sometimes unbearable.

thanks for your words