A tough day
 

A year ago today, my older brother Stu Colby passed away at 47 years old after battling colon cancer for four years. He left behind his wife, a 13-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. In his memory, I am asking anyone over the age of 40 to get screened— especially if there is even a remote trace of family history—so that no more moms and kids are left husband-less and fatherless. More often than not this disease is beatable if caught early enough and the screening process is not that bad. It can actually help you get started on dropping those extra five pounds your wife has been nagging you about.

Thanks for reading.

I'm 24, but that's still good information to know. Sorry about your brother. :(

I read and hear you. Will get checked.

I am sorry for your loss. That is a hard thing to get over. I can respect that you are trying to do some good after such a terrible thing to happen to someone.

We lost a good boating friend last November 1st after a 3 year fight with colon cancer. He made Bill get checked. This boating season won't be the same without him. Good post.

Hey Eric,

Very sorry about your brother. I read the great story in PRA about you taking your brothers son on a cigarette down in CT.

Cancer is a nasty miserable disease and many of good people in our sport have passed on because of it. I used to joke about being out of shape but as I approach the 4-0 in 13 months I have become a gym rat. I have to say that I feel a million times better and will also be getting screened for colon cancer in the near future.

The bright spot is that your brother, Doug Lewis, Scott Applegate and others that we have lost will live forever in the great memories that we have of them.

You always spoke so fondly of your brother. The people who know you understand how much you loved and respected him. The loss to Stu's family, as well as you and your family, is as heavy as they come. All condolences to everyone involved. Tough day, indeed.

Tough day indeed Eric, Your brother Stu is in our thoughts.

Kurt

My 40 year old brother with 3 kids under the age of 7 was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer in november. No family history, never had any health problems. Currently he is doing radiation/chemo and is making good progress. PLEASE do you and your family a favor, if you are over 30 get a colonoscopy! I had it done a month ago, you dont feel a thing.

I go next tuesday,it sucks to get old 44 whew.Not looking forward to it but what can ya do.Sorry for your loss,there was a article in the paper today about a 40 yr old guy who had no history and they found polyps and he was lucky.My wife saw that today and made me an appointment for screening today.Hope the test comes back neg.

Sorry for your loss, my brother passed away in November from Pancreatic cancer. Went in for surgery January 07 and was in remission as of August. By October it came back with a vengence. He was 62 the same age as my Dad died of liver cancer. In June I'm turning 50 and curently under going testing and will continue every year. Cancer is a bad a$$ disease and would not wish it on my worst enemy.
On another note I was talking with an old friend yesterday. Her 37 y/o sister inlaw was diagnosed in January with colon cancer. Her Mom had it at the early part of her 40's which ran in the family. She had it in her mind for testing once she reached 40 but came 3 years prior. Fortunetly the colon is now clean but liver cancer has surfaced.
It's never too early to test for this if in fact other family members have had colon cancer. Early detection is a key.

Sorry about your brother and it is so important for everyone to get checkout. It isn't as bad as you may think, in fact it is simple to have a colonoscopy. Thanks for reminding us to get checked for colon cancer.

Hey rolling writer I lost my oler brother on March 11 2007. His one year was just a week ago. Its a rough thing to go through. I wouldnt wish for anyone to go through such a thing.
My thoughts are with you and your brothers family.

RW,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

I'm 49, and have had 2 colonoscopies over the last 2 years, each time they found a single polp, and removed it. Biopsy on both were negative for pre-cancerous cells, and now my internist and surgeon say I'm good for another 5 years before my next poop-a-scope. This is nothing to mess around with, get it done, NOW. I and I have no family history either.

my father-in-law is battleing prostate cancer now, and he's winning the battle!:D

Take care,
Dean

Eric, I'm sorry for you loss. I turn 44 in 3 weeks and just signed up for a complete workup.

That was me. It was a pleasure Eric!! Sorry for your loss.

Dan Kleitz

wow Art, had no idea you had all that going on, best of luck. Lost my dad to colon cancer in 98. Screening starts this year, me at age 44.

I've been asking my docs for 4 years- they won't send me. The last one said "no need until 50" The latest one, just last month said the same thing. I'm 49 in 3 months.

I'm going to call tomorrow and insist.

Eric,
I,m very sorry for your loss.Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Keep in touch !

Chris,
yeah sometime you have to really get involved with your health care, (IE telling your doc what you think is needed here) Luckly, my wife's side of the family has 1/2 dozen of docs.:D

Dean

I lost my father to colon cancer when he was 50, I was 27, worse suffering I've ever seen. You really hit home here with your advice, I've been getting checked since I was 30. Just to let everyone know the procedure is not a big deal, and after the first one no different than going to the dentist. the peace of mind you get knowing you dont have this cancer is well worth it, Just call your doc tomorrow schedule it and get it done.

Mr. colby, sorry to hear of your loss. This silent killer is easily taken care of with todays technoligy. I had 40 percent of my colon removed and still not out of the woods yet. Brian

Im very sorry for your loss. I lost my pop to fast acting bone cancer last month, but it all started from his colon cancer. He has been on me for years to get it checked out, it does run in our family. Before he passed, that week, I promised my pop I'd go in and get checked out. I will make an appointment this week. Thank You for your post, and I'm truely sorry about your brother. Jeff

Found out last night that my Uncle has colon cancer. Needs second visit this week before we know any more. Really scary.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Brad.