2016 - the crap year I am grateful for

1. My wife was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in two years (stage 3 papillary thyroid cancer), with a possible recurrence of her breast cancer in her lungs – and I am grateful she is alive and doing well at Christmas

2. My son was hospitalized for depression – and I am grateful he is alive and doing well at Christmas

3. My brother was diagnosed with a recurrence of his prostate cancer, hospitalized over 15 times, lost over 130 lbs. – and I am grateful he is still alive and was able to go to his son’s wedding this November

4. Another brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer, had surgery, and his cancer was re-graded post-surgery to aggressive (he is receiving radiation and hormone therapy) – and I am grateful that he is alive and doing well at Christmas

5. One last brother has suffered multiple strokes and is untreatable, just a matter of how long until the next one takes him – and I am grateful for the time we have with him

6. My wife’s only brother died two weeks ago after a decades long battle with alcoholism – and I am grateful his pain is over, and grateful for the last two years we had with him (he died two years ago and was miraculously revived by doctors)

7. I started a new business this year and it’s a struggle – and I am grateful for the opportunity

8. My daughter is doing great and will join me, hopefully, in the family business in 2017 – I am grateful for her happiness

9. I am coming up on 4 years undetectable on my PSA tests, and while I have other minor issues, my health is good – and I am grateful for all the ‘ologists in my life that help me (not fun having ‘ologists, but better to have them when you need them than not)

10. The world turned rough this year, more division in the nation, hate, anger, fear – and I am grateful its almost 2017

Raise your glass to 2017 – you can’t get here fast enough!

Old Guy -- I had a tough year too (yours was worse) but the bottom line is i'm healthy and in my 7th year of remission from prostate cancer. so here's to you

ed

I read you loud and clear, OldGuy. For me, although there are not so many data points, 2016 was the worst year we can remember. We, too (wife and I) are truly thankful that we are here to see 2016 end, and wish everyone a much better year in 2017.