Shipmates:
As I have said the last few months, it has been my honor and pleasure to create the Navy Storekeeper.com for our sailors, and in 2 days I will taking it offline. My stength is decreasing quite a bit but I have awesome wife, some awesome friends, and some fantastic family coming back and forth from Chicago and New York (especially my brother) and it has been a godsend. You can't ask for anymore. And your personal prayers and support comments on this Blog adds more to all that.
If you wish, shipmates, you may email directly to my home email at czwierzynski@yahoo.com, and if I do not reply for sometime, please feel free to email my wife, Demetria, at demetria@usa.com. Our 8th anniversary is in April ---- I was I met this wonderful woman 10 years ago instead! She is an absolute joy!
So for now, have a great Navy Day! Your prayers and support are always a great part of our days!
Regards,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Doing Well Health-Wise, Shipmates!
Good Morning Shipmates!:
Been receiving a large amount of emails and cards lately wishing my family and I well with prayers and support. It's like receiving holiday presents every day! My wife reads all of them as well and cannot believe how many sailors and friends we have met over the years who keep in contact .... and new ones that we have only met online or have heard about us. What great therapy!
So if I may, let you all know my current medical status as it is today --- as said in an earlier blog, it simply appears, after 18 months, that we have exhausted all treatment options for the melanoma cancer in the liver and brain, and actually, I am doing pretty good except for a few side effects. Legs are week, but am mobile getting around the house. Have entered into a TRICARE-sponsored Hospice program this month (30-day CONV Leave) and have a great 24/7 nurse living here (my gorgeous wife, Demetria!) that is ENSURING I stay with the after-care & follow-up programs. She does not miss a trick.
But not a worry, shipmates.... Demetria and I have PLENTY of family from Chicago, AZ and New York visiting the last 6 weeks...some great Chiefs and my bosses aboard the BUSH visiting all the time...and this house is NEVER without loads of noise, food, and partying almost every day. We are taking all this a day at a time, and have to tell you again: if you have anyone in your family now experiencing cancer or friends, neighbors, etc. the most important support group you can ever have is simply to create your own
We're not quitting and simply letting this crazy cancer get to us as you just never now what it's going to do. We're simply living our lives.
You all have a Great Navy Day! Demetria and I sure are.
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Been receiving a large amount of emails and cards lately wishing my family and I well with prayers and support. It's like receiving holiday presents every day! My wife reads all of them as well and cannot believe how many sailors and friends we have met over the years who keep in contact .... and new ones that we have only met online or have heard about us. What great therapy!
So if I may, let you all know my current medical status as it is today --- as said in an earlier blog, it simply appears, after 18 months, that we have exhausted all treatment options for the melanoma cancer in the liver and brain, and actually, I am doing pretty good except for a few side effects. Legs are week, but am mobile getting around the house. Have entered into a TRICARE-sponsored Hospice program this month (30-day CONV Leave) and have a great 24/7 nurse living here (my gorgeous wife, Demetria!) that is ENSURING I stay with the after-care & follow-up programs. She does not miss a trick.
But not a worry, shipmates.... Demetria and I have PLENTY of family from Chicago, AZ and New York visiting the last 6 weeks...some great Chiefs and my bosses aboard the BUSH visiting all the time...and this house is NEVER without loads of noise, food, and partying almost every day. We are taking all this a day at a time, and have to tell you again: if you have anyone in your family now experiencing cancer or friends, neighbors, etc. the most important support group you can ever have is simply to create your own
We're not quitting and simply letting this crazy cancer get to us as you just never now what it's going to do. We're simply living our lives.
You all have a Great Navy Day! Demetria and I sure are.
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Saturday, March 22, 2008
An Important Leadership Trait -- Commitment
Good Morning Shipmates:
Was inspired for this blog post after attending a Supply Corp Birthday Ball recently where the guest speaker was one of my heroes...former NFL Coach Mike Dikta (I am a life-long Bears fan!). And he made note of a very popular life & leadership training principle called "ACE" - Attitude, Commitment and Enthusiasm. The word that popped out at me (one of our Core Values, of course) was Commitment.
Why? Because it is one of the most important leadership principles I use in passing on my experiences to our young Chiefs, LPOs and upcoming Second Class Petty Officers. Take a look at what the Chief of Naval Operations defines as Commitment: simply, "Taking Care of our Sailors".
You, as a leader, make a Commitment to your sailors.....all the time. For example: I faithfully, for each sailor in one of my divisions, put together an Every 3-Month Review Program. It includes the following for discussion, follow-up, correction, and advice:
* Review last Career Development Board or schedule
* Ensure Semi-Annual Review scheduled & ensure sailor is aware
* Provide schedule for next Eval/FITREP & ensure sailor aware of prepping brag sheet
* Discuss: Qualifications (i.e. 3M, DC, etc.) including any rating school/course qualifications
* Discuss: Job Satisfaction (interested in learning other portions of rating)
* Division Officer Notebook updates, as needed
* Discuss: Personal (i.e. family, financial, time issues, command issues, etc.)
* Discuss: Career Plans Status (i.e. college, special programs, etc.)
* Provide review of sailor's leadership and mentor skills
* Discuss: Navy advancement exam study skills, references, any problems or questions
10 simple items that will take only about 15 minutes per sailor in your division -- and don't forget to delgate the junior personnel to your CPOs and LPOs so they learn this program as well. It pays ENORMOUS dividends.
Now I understand most of the above should be discussed at CDBs. However, over the year's period, things change, you get busy, and this program may suddenly, if you do not make a COMMITMENT to it, will fall by the way-side. Do it one period, and then the second, but then your schedule overwhelms you, and you forget the third 3-Month Period Review.
Don't let that happen! Why? Sailors will notice --- I guarantee it!
They will then think it simply was another program, with good intentions, that meant nothing.
Make a COMMITMENT to your sailors. Once you do, you will easily see a bunch of "ACE"s in your division.
Have a great Navy Day!,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Was inspired for this blog post after attending a Supply Corp Birthday Ball recently where the guest speaker was one of my heroes...former NFL Coach Mike Dikta (I am a life-long Bears fan!). And he made note of a very popular life & leadership training principle called "ACE" - Attitude, Commitment and Enthusiasm. The word that popped out at me (one of our Core Values, of course) was Commitment.
Why? Because it is one of the most important leadership principles I use in passing on my experiences to our young Chiefs, LPOs and upcoming Second Class Petty Officers. Take a look at what the Chief of Naval Operations defines as Commitment: simply, "Taking Care of our Sailors".
You, as a leader, make a Commitment to your sailors.....all the time. For example: I faithfully, for each sailor in one of my divisions, put together an Every 3-Month Review Program. It includes the following for discussion, follow-up, correction, and advice:
* Review last Career Development Board or schedule
* Ensure Semi-Annual Review scheduled & ensure sailor is aware
* Provide schedule for next Eval/FITREP & ensure sailor aware of prepping brag sheet
* Discuss: Qualifications (i.e. 3M, DC, etc.) including any rating school/course qualifications
* Discuss: Job Satisfaction (interested in learning other portions of rating)
* Division Officer Notebook updates, as needed
* Discuss: Personal (i.e. family, financial, time issues, command issues, etc.)
* Discuss: Career Plans Status (i.e. college, special programs, etc.)
* Provide review of sailor's leadership and mentor skills
* Discuss: Navy advancement exam study skills, references, any problems or questions
10 simple items that will take only about 15 minutes per sailor in your division -- and don't forget to delgate the junior personnel to your CPOs and LPOs so they learn this program as well. It pays ENORMOUS dividends.
Now I understand most of the above should be discussed at CDBs. However, over the year's period, things change, you get busy, and this program may suddenly, if you do not make a COMMITMENT to it, will fall by the way-side. Do it one period, and then the second, but then your schedule overwhelms you, and you forget the third 3-Month Period Review.
Don't let that happen! Why? Sailors will notice --- I guarantee it!
They will then think it simply was another program, with good intentions, that meant nothing.
Make a COMMITMENT to your sailors. Once you do, you will easily see a bunch of "ACE"s in your division.
Have a great Navy Day!,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
A Bit Of Humor To Lighten The Day
Good morning shipmates:
Thought I would share a short story that happened the other day that gave Demetria and I a good laugh.
Occured at the PCU BUSH weekly Department Head meeting with the CO & XO, when a fairly uninformed RP Chief wrote a note and passed it down the table to the CO. It said: "Senior Chief Z can go at anytime". The CO, who had just visited me the day before, chuckled, and forwarded the note to my Suppo, who promptly read the note to all and said: "Just so all are aware, Senior Chief is doing just fine".
Our Command Master Chief, Jon Port, looking startled, immediately piped up: "I sure hope so, I'm supposed to go over to his house at 6 o'clock for dinner tonight!!! He better be there!!!"
Geezz, I love this command.
Have a great Navy day!,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Thought I would share a short story that happened the other day that gave Demetria and I a good laugh.
Occured at the PCU BUSH weekly Department Head meeting with the CO & XO, when a fairly uninformed RP Chief wrote a note and passed it down the table to the CO. It said: "Senior Chief Z can go at anytime". The CO, who had just visited me the day before, chuckled, and forwarded the note to my Suppo, who promptly read the note to all and said: "Just so all are aware, Senior Chief is doing just fine".
Our Command Master Chief, Jon Port, looking startled, immediately piped up: "I sure hope so, I'm supposed to go over to his house at 6 o'clock for dinner tonight!!! He better be there!!!"
Geezz, I love this command.
Have a great Navy day!,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Not Giving Up, Shipmates
Good morning shipmates:
A nice and understanding response to my decision to take Navy Storekeeper.com offline and provide the information to other sources to continue providing our sailors direction, advice, and tips on their navy advancement exam studies. Your thoughts, prayers, and kind words are truly appreciated as well. And not a worry -- this old Senior Chief is not giving up yet!
As a matter of fact -- GOOD LUCK to all our active duty sailors participating in the March 2008 exam cycle....First Class Petty Officer tomorrow, Second Class Petty Officer next week, and Third Class Petty Officer the following week. I know you have been studying hard, take a relaxing night the evening prior to the exam, and go get 'em!
Although, currently, all treatment options have been exhausted, my wife and I have options if a successful, and clear, Brain MRI results come out in 2 weeks. So hope never ends....neither do family and friends who are there every single day for us. How can you not love that?
Right now, I am pretty limber, feeling a little fatigued, but otherwise, each day is a blessing. Demetria and I do not dwell on this each and every day. It would be useless. Matter of fact, we have plenty to do each day, and my wife is one awesome cook! She even changed a famous recipe by Chef Wolfgang Puck the other day --- trust me, her's was better! Got an extra 4 pounds on my frame!
So have a great day, shipmates, and of course, your emails of support have been heartfelt and appreciated.
SKCS Charles (Chuck) Zwierzynski
A nice and understanding response to my decision to take Navy Storekeeper.com offline and provide the information to other sources to continue providing our sailors direction, advice, and tips on their navy advancement exam studies. Your thoughts, prayers, and kind words are truly appreciated as well. And not a worry -- this old Senior Chief is not giving up yet!
As a matter of fact -- GOOD LUCK to all our active duty sailors participating in the March 2008 exam cycle....First Class Petty Officer tomorrow, Second Class Petty Officer next week, and Third Class Petty Officer the following week. I know you have been studying hard, take a relaxing night the evening prior to the exam, and go get 'em!
Although, currently, all treatment options have been exhausted, my wife and I have options if a successful, and clear, Brain MRI results come out in 2 weeks. So hope never ends....neither do family and friends who are there every single day for us. How can you not love that?
Right now, I am pretty limber, feeling a little fatigued, but otherwise, each day is a blessing. Demetria and I do not dwell on this each and every day. It would be useless. Matter of fact, we have plenty to do each day, and my wife is one awesome cook! She even changed a famous recipe by Chef Wolfgang Puck the other day --- trust me, her's was better! Got an extra 4 pounds on my frame!
So have a great day, shipmates, and of course, your emails of support have been heartfelt and appreciated.
SKCS Charles (Chuck) Zwierzynski
Friday, February 29, 2008
Navy Storekeeper.com Offline As of 1 April 2008
Good morning, shipmates!:
Yes, the title above is correct and was a decision not taken lightly. I wanted to post a comment to the NavySK.com Blog to notify my fellow sailors who have utilized the site as a Navy advancement exam study tool for the 5 years it has been online. It with great regret that I make this decision, but it is the right one.
As I have noted on the Home Page today, 2 reasons have sparked this: I believe the original intent for the site has been met, and of course, my medical situation. It would not be fair to our sailors, when the next advancement exam cycle begins in April, if I am unable to update the site properly.
Thus, I am providing some of my Chief contacts at the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site many of my Occupational Reference material to post on the NKO Library as they choose. And an old friend, Tony Monaco, PNC(Ret), will be allowed to utilize any Professional Military Knowledge (PMK) Reference material on his site at PMKTraining.net.
I cannot find any more words other than it has been my absolute pleasure to be able to create the Navy Storekeeper.com web site for our sailors. Although labor-intensive on my own personal time, it was actually great therapy for me during the last 18-months of cancer treatments and working onboard the PCU George H W Bush CVN-77.
I thank you all for your support and will post again soon.
Have a great Navy day,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Yes, the title above is correct and was a decision not taken lightly. I wanted to post a comment to the NavySK.com Blog to notify my fellow sailors who have utilized the site as a Navy advancement exam study tool for the 5 years it has been online. It with great regret that I make this decision, but it is the right one.
As I have noted on the Home Page today, 2 reasons have sparked this: I believe the original intent for the site has been met, and of course, my medical situation. It would not be fair to our sailors, when the next advancement exam cycle begins in April, if I am unable to update the site properly.
Thus, I am providing some of my Chief contacts at the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site many of my Occupational Reference material to post on the NKO Library as they choose. And an old friend, Tony Monaco, PNC(Ret), will be allowed to utilize any Professional Military Knowledge (PMK) Reference material on his site at PMKTraining.net.
I cannot find any more words other than it has been my absolute pleasure to be able to create the Navy Storekeeper.com web site for our sailors. Although labor-intensive on my own personal time, it was actually great therapy for me during the last 18-months of cancer treatments and working onboard the PCU George H W Bush CVN-77.
I thank you all for your support and will post again soon.
Have a great Navy day,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Monday, February 25, 2008
Best Cancer Support Book I Have Found
Morning shipmates....
Doing well this beginning Monday of the work week....a bit fatigued in the legs but otherwise an all-around what-can-we-do-today type of morning!
Thought I would post something that may help and support others as it has for my wife, Demetria, and over the last year and one-half. It is simply: a book. A great and inspirational book on dealing with cancer.
And if YOU know of someone in your lives: a friend, a shipmate, one of your relatives or neighbors, or the relative of one of your shipmates.....who may be having a hard time dealing with their own cancer, this may be of great help. It is fun reading, it is uplifting reading, and may possibly give someone who may be depressed or unwilling to accept what is happening, a different perspective on what to expect, what to deal with, and how to live with battling cancer.
The name of the book: CRAZY SEXY CANCER TIPS by Ms. Kris Carr. Have to tell you: read thru this book -- it gives another perspective all together in a manner that people can relate to.
The ISBN is 978-1-59921-231-9 and printed by the Morris Publishing Group LLC.
It is inspiring, powerful and informative....geared toward women and cancer, however, it really is a personal template for all.
Have a great day, shipmates:
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Doing well this beginning Monday of the work week....a bit fatigued in the legs but otherwise an all-around what-can-we-do-today type of morning!
Thought I would post something that may help and support others as it has for my wife, Demetria, and over the last year and one-half. It is simply: a book. A great and inspirational book on dealing with cancer.
And if YOU know of someone in your lives: a friend, a shipmate, one of your relatives or neighbors, or the relative of one of your shipmates.....who may be having a hard time dealing with their own cancer, this may be of great help. It is fun reading, it is uplifting reading, and may possibly give someone who may be depressed or unwilling to accept what is happening, a different perspective on what to expect, what to deal with, and how to live with battling cancer.
The name of the book: CRAZY SEXY CANCER TIPS by Ms. Kris Carr. Have to tell you: read thru this book -- it gives another perspective all together in a manner that people can relate to.
The ISBN is 978-1-59921-231-9 and printed by the Morris Publishing Group LLC.
It is inspiring, powerful and informative....geared toward women and cancer, however, it really is a personal template for all.
Have a great day, shipmates:
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Friday, February 22, 2008
A Little Humor To Lighten The Day
Good morning shipmates and friends:
Thought I would log on this morning and share a little story that occured on a conversation with our Navy Oncologist who has been there for us the whole step of the way since my cancer diagnosis in October 2006.
At first, our Doc's bedside manner was a bit abrupt and non-caring. We did not understand this at first since the diagnosis was incurable, but treatable and we were looking for some answers. But as we grew to understand the life of cancer and medical appointments, it became clear he tried to keep a bit emotionally-detached.
Well, that has changed after 17 months of working together and we have developed a GREAT relationship....he has a sense of humor now!
So, although he was bearing not-so-good news last Friday after the full-body PET Scan, he understood my wife's and my humor in getting through all of this and noted:
"Senior Chief.....I think this last chemotherapy treatment we decided to do just PISSED THE DAMN THING OFF!" Had all 3 of us laughing.
Always good to hear that sound.
Have a great Navy day,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Thought I would log on this morning and share a little story that occured on a conversation with our Navy Oncologist who has been there for us the whole step of the way since my cancer diagnosis in October 2006.
At first, our Doc's bedside manner was a bit abrupt and non-caring. We did not understand this at first since the diagnosis was incurable, but treatable and we were looking for some answers. But as we grew to understand the life of cancer and medical appointments, it became clear he tried to keep a bit emotionally-detached.
Well, that has changed after 17 months of working together and we have developed a GREAT relationship....he has a sense of humor now!
So, although he was bearing not-so-good news last Friday after the full-body PET Scan, he understood my wife's and my humor in getting through all of this and noted:
"Senior Chief.....I think this last chemotherapy treatment we decided to do just PISSED THE DAMN THING OFF!" Had all 3 of us laughing.
Always good to hear that sound.
Have a great Navy day,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Monday, February 18, 2008
News Not The Best - But What A Life I've Got
A very good morning to you, shipmates!:
Just spent a superb weekend with old military friends up at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland....including my best Senior Chief pal and his family from Ft. Meade. Met both couples while stationed overseas and still have kept in touch. These are the weekends that recharge your batteries.
Which, my wife and I needed after the full-body PET Scan results came thru this past Friday afternoon. As you know, it has been pretty darn miraculous in fighting off this melanoma cancer for the last 17 months, and hopefully many, many more months to come.
However, we received some less than hopefull news after a full-body PET Scan result showed the cancer is just not stopping in the liver or adrenal glands.....so all current chemo treatments have been halted. So with the Brain lesions, I do not qualify for ANY clinical trial in the country. Just the way it goes. We will, however, do another Brain MRI in March to see if the gamma ray treatment I had in December has made all the brain lesions disappear. If so, game on, boys....the flood gates of clinical trials opens back up.
But, of course, cancer is tricky....and although I am feeling pretty darn good and still working half-days on the BUSH every day...the fatigue is starting to get to me a bit and you never know what will happen one month from now or two years from now.
Yet as we....and my family and shipmates who are supporting us, mind you!.....take it day by day, you can nothing more than enjoy what you've got. Heck, you should see the number of family from around the country, and old shipmates, are starting to fly in within the next couple of months. It's fantastic!
And Demetria and I have a well-developed plan of family/friends scheduling (what a nightmare - smile!), future plans, places to go, people to see, and whatever else we need to add to the calendar. You think after 17 months, I am going to stop what I am doing because of this mindless cancer? -- You can bet, NOT!
Still have knowledge, experiences, opinions, and recommendations to pass on to our junior sailors, junior Chiefs, and junior officers onboard the BUSH. It gives me great pleasure to do this every single day.
So my best to you all today....give that wife and, if you have kids, a huge hug today, shipmates!
Many regards,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Just spent a superb weekend with old military friends up at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland....including my best Senior Chief pal and his family from Ft. Meade. Met both couples while stationed overseas and still have kept in touch. These are the weekends that recharge your batteries.
Which, my wife and I needed after the full-body PET Scan results came thru this past Friday afternoon. As you know, it has been pretty darn miraculous in fighting off this melanoma cancer for the last 17 months, and hopefully many, many more months to come.
However, we received some less than hopefull news after a full-body PET Scan result showed the cancer is just not stopping in the liver or adrenal glands.....so all current chemo treatments have been halted. So with the Brain lesions, I do not qualify for ANY clinical trial in the country. Just the way it goes. We will, however, do another Brain MRI in March to see if the gamma ray treatment I had in December has made all the brain lesions disappear. If so, game on, boys....the flood gates of clinical trials opens back up.
But, of course, cancer is tricky....and although I am feeling pretty darn good and still working half-days on the BUSH every day...the fatigue is starting to get to me a bit and you never know what will happen one month from now or two years from now.
Yet as we....and my family and shipmates who are supporting us, mind you!.....take it day by day, you can nothing more than enjoy what you've got. Heck, you should see the number of family from around the country, and old shipmates, are starting to fly in within the next couple of months. It's fantastic!
And Demetria and I have a well-developed plan of family/friends scheduling (what a nightmare - smile!), future plans, places to go, people to see, and whatever else we need to add to the calendar. You think after 17 months, I am going to stop what I am doing because of this mindless cancer? -- You can bet, NOT!
Still have knowledge, experiences, opinions, and recommendations to pass on to our junior sailors, junior Chiefs, and junior officers onboard the BUSH. It gives me great pleasure to do this every single day.
So my best to you all today....give that wife and, if you have kids, a huge hug today, shipmates!
Many regards,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Count Your Blessings
Good Morning Shipmates!,
Before the 3-day holiday weekend, wanted to blog a story from yesterday....it was a pretty emotional day around this house, from here in Virginia, and all the way back home to my family in Chicago. Sitting back at the end of the day had my wife and I counting an enormous amount of blessings.
I had a full-body PET Scan yesterday to see how all the melanoma cancer is doing in my liver and brain, and the results were not good....but, as always, Demetria and I took it all in, talked in detail about the next steps, and hugged & hugged. More on that later....as it all changed from one phone call an hour later.
My wonderfully fun, hard-working older cousin back in Chicago, Bobby, had passed away yesterday morning from something we only heard about, in detail, 5 days prior. Bobby died of esophagal (throat) cancer. It was incurable, but treatable, just like mine.
We only heard Bobby was ill this past December, but had no details. He was doing well. Then, last Monday, one of my other cousins, Bobby's sister, emailed to tell us about his medical situation and that he had his first round of chemotherapy scheduled for 19 February at the Vet Hospital in Chicago -- Bobby was a U.S. Army veteran from the Vietnam War.
Suddenly, on Tuesday, he had a temperature well over 100 degrees and a staph infection and went to the hospital. The doctors could not control the high temp and his body gave up yesterday morning. I did not get a chance to talk with him and that hit me hard.
This family will forever miss this wonderful man who worked hard to take care of his family, and was always at every family function. And our Polish family functions are not small!
But as we discussed it, Bobby only lived 2 1/2 months after diagnosis of his cancer. I have been extremely lucky to be in my 17th month. Count your blessings, shipmates.
As for me....the most important thing right now is my cousin and the family pulling together back home in Chicago. I wish I could have talked with him and shared with him my experiences, if it could have helped. I remember the first 3 months after my diagnosis and it was overwhelming, at first. Demetria and I thought we could help and support. But Bobby is needed elsewhere.
So, in Memoriam for a U.S. Army Veteran: Our thoughts are with you -- Robert (Bobby) Zwierzynski, Romeville, ILL, Died: 15 February, 2008. My cousin. Bobby was 54.
SKCS Charles Zwierzynski
Before the 3-day holiday weekend, wanted to blog a story from yesterday....it was a pretty emotional day around this house, from here in Virginia, and all the way back home to my family in Chicago. Sitting back at the end of the day had my wife and I counting an enormous amount of blessings.
I had a full-body PET Scan yesterday to see how all the melanoma cancer is doing in my liver and brain, and the results were not good....but, as always, Demetria and I took it all in, talked in detail about the next steps, and hugged & hugged. More on that later....as it all changed from one phone call an hour later.
My wonderfully fun, hard-working older cousin back in Chicago, Bobby, had passed away yesterday morning from something we only heard about, in detail, 5 days prior. Bobby died of esophagal (throat) cancer. It was incurable, but treatable, just like mine.
We only heard Bobby was ill this past December, but had no details. He was doing well. Then, last Monday, one of my other cousins, Bobby's sister, emailed to tell us about his medical situation and that he had his first round of chemotherapy scheduled for 19 February at the Vet Hospital in Chicago -- Bobby was a U.S. Army veteran from the Vietnam War.
Suddenly, on Tuesday, he had a temperature well over 100 degrees and a staph infection and went to the hospital. The doctors could not control the high temp and his body gave up yesterday morning. I did not get a chance to talk with him and that hit me hard.
This family will forever miss this wonderful man who worked hard to take care of his family, and was always at every family function. And our Polish family functions are not small!
But as we discussed it, Bobby only lived 2 1/2 months after diagnosis of his cancer. I have been extremely lucky to be in my 17th month. Count your blessings, shipmates.
As for me....the most important thing right now is my cousin and the family pulling together back home in Chicago. I wish I could have talked with him and shared with him my experiences, if it could have helped. I remember the first 3 months after my diagnosis and it was overwhelming, at first. Demetria and I thought we could help and support. But Bobby is needed elsewhere.
So, in Memoriam for a U.S. Army Veteran: Our thoughts are with you -- Robert (Bobby) Zwierzynski, Romeville, ILL, Died: 15 February, 2008. My cousin. Bobby was 54.
SKCS Charles Zwierzynski
Thursday, January 31, 2008
A Good Bit of Advice, Shipmates
Good morning to you all....
Am recuperating at home for a couple of days after my 2nd of 3 chemotherapy treatments went down on Wednesday, and am doing quite well, actually. With all the medicine that is available out there, and the cancer research technology that comes along, it seems, every 3 months, I feel quite a lucky sailor for the last 16 months fighting this melanoma cancer disease. In many ways shipmate, I am a very lucky man.
And let me tell you why --- it was because of a long sit-down talk with my wonderful wife, Demetria, a few days ago. I was thinking of all the different protocol treatments we have participated in since October 2006 -- the chemo, the biotherapies, the brain radiation, and gamma radiation -- and at this time, our wonderful Navy Oncologist is looking for different ways to keep it going. As long as the treatment STOPS the growth (it may not shrink it for over a few months period....so be patient), then it's a success. Those are the little successes we are experiencing.
Well, to get back to my wife -- I was thinking, on our monthly health check-up with our Oncologist to ask....down and dirty, sir, with all we're doing, how much time do you think I have left? My wife almost tossed me out the kitchen window! I don't know everything, but I know when the time is right to listen to your life partner!
Demetria said: Why do you want to know? Who cares, actually. We are enjoying every single day together, your quality of life is pretty good right now, we have lots to plan for ourselves and with the family for at least the next 4 months..... and you have to get the leaves out of the gutters when spring time comes.
Now that was a slap in the face I truly needed. She's right. Why worry. That is why, whenever we finish a treatment, I email the entire Friends and Family address book with the update -- and then tell them when they call, just want to hear about how your life is going.... and don't forget the family gossip.
I love my wife.
Regards and have a great Navy day, shipmates ---
SKCS Charles (Chuck) Zwierzynski
Am recuperating at home for a couple of days after my 2nd of 3 chemotherapy treatments went down on Wednesday, and am doing quite well, actually. With all the medicine that is available out there, and the cancer research technology that comes along, it seems, every 3 months, I feel quite a lucky sailor for the last 16 months fighting this melanoma cancer disease. In many ways shipmate, I am a very lucky man.
And let me tell you why --- it was because of a long sit-down talk with my wonderful wife, Demetria, a few days ago. I was thinking of all the different protocol treatments we have participated in since October 2006 -- the chemo, the biotherapies, the brain radiation, and gamma radiation -- and at this time, our wonderful Navy Oncologist is looking for different ways to keep it going. As long as the treatment STOPS the growth (it may not shrink it for over a few months period....so be patient), then it's a success. Those are the little successes we are experiencing.
Well, to get back to my wife -- I was thinking, on our monthly health check-up with our Oncologist to ask....down and dirty, sir, with all we're doing, how much time do you think I have left? My wife almost tossed me out the kitchen window! I don't know everything, but I know when the time is right to listen to your life partner!
Demetria said: Why do you want to know? Who cares, actually. We are enjoying every single day together, your quality of life is pretty good right now, we have lots to plan for ourselves and with the family for at least the next 4 months..... and you have to get the leaves out of the gutters when spring time comes.
Now that was a slap in the face I truly needed. She's right. Why worry. That is why, whenever we finish a treatment, I email the entire Friends and Family address book with the update -- and then tell them when they call, just want to hear about how your life is going.... and don't forget the family gossip.
I love my wife.
Regards and have a great Navy day, shipmates ---
SKCS Charles (Chuck) Zwierzynski
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Great Holiday Season - Now Back to Work
Shipmates:
Did not realize, until this morning, that I had not posted anything on the Blog since the day before Christmas. Just goes to show you we... and hopefully all of you as well ... had a great time with family and friends. Took a break from the cancer for several weeks and simply enjoyed good food and good company. My wife... who has turned into one of the best cooks of all time ... saw a prime rib recipe on TV for Christmas Dinner that was developed by Wolfgang Puck -- one of the most famous chefs in the world. And what does my wife do? -- well, she takes the receipe and says: I can do better than that! and proceeds to change the receipe, just ever-so slightly to the way she cooks. Could not believe it. But have to say: it turned out awesome! Go figure.
All is well on the PCU George H W Bush too as we continue construction of this great warship. One item, concerning our youngest sailors right out of Storekeeper "A" school had concerned me ... at first. I recall, 20 years ago, when the SK "A" school was 8 weeks long and we had tests twice a week with a huge final exam. Today .... the school is self-paced, and many of us senior enlisted were worried about the quality of supply knowledge these sailors were getting. Well, we can dispell that myth! ... we have received 8 young SKs from the school in the last 9 months and I have to say -- they are some awesome young men and women. They are like sponges and want to learn more. Send us another 8! ... these are the kind of sailors that make you proud to have aboard.
Now to update on a personal level -- I am definitely doing well, shipmates. My wife is great therapy, my family in ILL, NY and AZ are therapy, and so is going to work in between treatments. Can't ask for anything more. Today -- I go in for another chemotherapy treatment at Portsmouth Naval Hospital.... a 9-week package every 3 weeks to go after the melanoma cancer in the liver and adrenal gland area. Loads of other options are available if this treatment is only partial success ... but Demetria and I are looking at all of this with a positive attitude and just see where it takes us if there is be a next step. The only disappointment? -- I have had hair on my head for the last 2 months....and all that growth will most likely go away in the next month. Thank goodness my wife still thinks I look good as a bald guy!
Again, will keep you posted, shipmates, and wish you a great Navy day!
Many regards,
SKCS Charles (Chuck) Zwierzynski
Did not realize, until this morning, that I had not posted anything on the Blog since the day before Christmas. Just goes to show you we... and hopefully all of you as well ... had a great time with family and friends. Took a break from the cancer for several weeks and simply enjoyed good food and good company. My wife... who has turned into one of the best cooks of all time ... saw a prime rib recipe on TV for Christmas Dinner that was developed by Wolfgang Puck -- one of the most famous chefs in the world. And what does my wife do? -- well, she takes the receipe and says: I can do better than that! and proceeds to change the receipe, just ever-so slightly to the way she cooks. Could not believe it. But have to say: it turned out awesome! Go figure.
All is well on the PCU George H W Bush too as we continue construction of this great warship. One item, concerning our youngest sailors right out of Storekeeper "A" school had concerned me ... at first. I recall, 20 years ago, when the SK "A" school was 8 weeks long and we had tests twice a week with a huge final exam. Today .... the school is self-paced, and many of us senior enlisted were worried about the quality of supply knowledge these sailors were getting. Well, we can dispell that myth! ... we have received 8 young SKs from the school in the last 9 months and I have to say -- they are some awesome young men and women. They are like sponges and want to learn more. Send us another 8! ... these are the kind of sailors that make you proud to have aboard.
Now to update on a personal level -- I am definitely doing well, shipmates. My wife is great therapy, my family in ILL, NY and AZ are therapy, and so is going to work in between treatments. Can't ask for anything more. Today -- I go in for another chemotherapy treatment at Portsmouth Naval Hospital.... a 9-week package every 3 weeks to go after the melanoma cancer in the liver and adrenal gland area. Loads of other options are available if this treatment is only partial success ... but Demetria and I are looking at all of this with a positive attitude and just see where it takes us if there is be a next step. The only disappointment? -- I have had hair on my head for the last 2 months....and all that growth will most likely go away in the next month. Thank goodness my wife still thinks I look good as a bald guy!
Again, will keep you posted, shipmates, and wish you a great Navy day!
Many regards,
SKCS Charles (Chuck) Zwierzynski
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