From owner-usna-net@usna.org Fri Feb 1 21:21:56 2008 Received: from navy1.usna.org (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1]) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m123LuW1008346; Fri, 1 Feb 2008 21:21:56 -0600 Received: (from root@localhost) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1/Submit) id m123Lu5s008345; Fri, 1 Feb 2008 21:21:56 -0600 Received: from Orion (cpe-76-189-59-89.neo.res.rr.com [76.189.59.89]) (authenticated bits=0) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m123LtfU008341 for ; Fri, 1 Feb 2008 21:21:55 -0600 Message-ID: <018801c86553$046e5650$0402a8c0@Orion> From: "Mike Zets" To: "" Subject: usna-net Summer Seminar Registration NOW OPEN for this summer. Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2008 23:21:00 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3138 Sender: owner-usna-net@usna.org Reply-To: "Mike Zets" A special message from your USNA-Net Moderators... ================================================== The USNA Alumni Assocation has forwarded the message below as requested by USNA Admissions Office for widest distribution. On February 1, 2008, the United States Naval Academy began online application for current juniors (current high school class of 2009) to apply for our Naval Academy Summer Seminar (NASS) Program. If you are not fully familiar with our NASS Program, it is a six day immersion program that runs the first three weeks of June in three sessions: (Sessions I - 5/31 to 6/5, II 6/7 to 6/12, III - 6/14 to 6/19). Participating in each session will be 740 of the nations top rising seniors! We want to get the word out to the best and brightest around the United States to come to NASS and hopefully become a midshipman at USNA! We need your help reaching these young men and women and encouraging them to participate in NASS this summer! Direct your candidates for NASS to our online application at: www.usna.edu/Admissions/nass.htm Go Navy!!! Mike Zets Westlake, OH Moderator - USNA-Net Listservers Lt. Michael Stoker USN '00 - Newport, RI *** USNA-Net List message from: "Mike Zets" ========================================= This Message may not be shared with any non-member! Remember, your Mid is NOT a member of this list. ========================================= Unsubscribe? Send an email to Moderator@usna.org From owner-usna-net@usna.org Fri Feb 8 15:57:10 2008 Received: from navy1.usna.org (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1]) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m18Lv9x9027121; Fri, 8 Feb 2008 15:57:09 -0600 Received: (from root@localhost) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1/Submit) id m18Lv9CO027119; Fri, 8 Feb 2008 15:57:09 -0600 Received: from Orion (cpe-76-189-59-89.neo.res.rr.com [76.189.59.89]) (authenticated bits=0) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m18Lv886027115 for ; Fri, 8 Feb 2008 15:57:09 -0600 Message-ID: <021b01c86aa5$6aa4ea40$0402a8c0@Orion> From: "Mike Zets" To: "" Subject: usna-net Cancer... Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2008 17:53:26 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3138 Sender: owner-usna-net@usna.org Reply-To: "Mike Zets" A special message from your USNA-Net Moderators... ================================================== Ok folks. I suppose it's time I brought you all up to date because I'll be MIA (missing in action) for a couple of weeks. Sandi will be doing double duty in my absence. Last October, I went in for a routine colonoscopy/endoscopy because, as my doctor said, "You're not getting any younger and we should keep an eye on all that stuff." My blood iron levels were low and they suspected a "bleeder" somewhere in my intestine. Nothing serious. Just routine, mind you. A young doctor (A Fellow at the VA hospital here in Cleveland) decided, almost as an afterthought, to do an endoscopy (down my throat) after the colonoscopy (up my ...) as long as I was going to be there anyway. I agreed with the provision that he change instruments between procedures. :>) A stomach ulcer was the cause of the bleed, nothing too serious but there was something "funny" about the appearance of the stomach lining in the lower section of my stomach. They biopsied a half dozen sites and sent me home with some meds for the ulcer. Three weeks later, I got a call from the Chief Surgeon who had done the procedures. The biopsies came back as CANCER. She wanted me to come in for a visit and to plan a treatment. Another three weeks went by. Tests, CAT Scan, PET Scan, MRI and a whole bunch of blood work. Yep. It was Gastric Cancer. Treatment: 9 weeks of chemotherapy followed by general surgery to remove my stomach followed by another 9 weeks of chemo to cinch the cure. Prognosis: Pretty good. While Gastric Cancer is very often fatal, they found this very early. Only one lymph node (low, outside the stomach) "might" be infected. No other indications of cancer anywhere else from my chin to my ankles. Believe me, they looked hard. It had not yet started to spread (no metastasis). So Sunday I check into the Cleveland VA Hospital and the Assistant Professor of Gastric Surgery at University Hospitals (Case Western Reserve College of Medicine) will remove some or all of my stomach (Partial or Total Gastrectomy). Following the second round of 9 weeks of chemo and with a few adjustments to eating habits, I should be good as new by Commissioning Week. So there you have it. I'll be in the hospital for between 5 and 10 days depending on how long it takes them to be sure everything went well and I've adjusted to solid foods in the right consistency and quantities, etc. Everyone guarantees me that I'll lose some weight and that many individuals actually undergo Gastric Bypass Surgery voluntarily. This is one diet that I'm not looking forward to. :>) By the way... I had few side effects from the first round of chemo. No nausea or other problems. Just tired A LOT! It wipes you out. Oh... And my hair thinned out. Those who know me, know that I hadn't succumbed to Male Pattern Baldness despite my 59 years. But the chemo thinned it out. I was shedding like a long haired cat in August. Sooooo... Three weeks ago, I went Marine. Shaved everything except my eyebrows. I look like Mr. Clean without the muscles or the earring. :>) Hopefully it will all come back after the last chemo is finished. Hopefully. If there is anything that you've been putting off with regard to your subscription (like changes of address or add/drop from one of our lists), I ask that you continue to put it off for a couple of weeks until I'm back at the keyboard. You know me, I can't stay away for long. I check in on Sunday and the surgery is first thing Monday morning. Keep me in your thoughts. Sandi will keep you appraised of my progress and we'll get through this quickly. I'm very much looking forward to another night at Buddy's before Herndon with all of you. It will be our 10th Birthday Celebration and a party in Annapolis on the evening before Herndon will be our way of saying thanks to all of you. Details will be forthcoming but reserve the evening before Herndon for another Annual Meet and Greet for USNA.org members. This will be the eight time we do this. A fun time is always had by all. Go Navy. Mike Zets Westlake, OH Moderator - USNA-Net Listservers Lt. Michael Stoker USN '00 - Newport, RI *** USNA-Net List message from: "Mike Zets" ========================================= This Message may not be shared with any non-member! Remember, your Mid is NOT a member of this list. ========================================= Unsubscribe? Send an email to Moderator@usna.org From owner-usna-net@usna.org Mon Feb 11 16:25:37 2008 Received: from navy1.usna.org (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1]) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m1BMPb81016388; Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:25:37 -0600 Received: (from root@localhost) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1/Submit) id m1BMPb2Y016387; Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:25:37 -0600 Received: from TOSHIBA1 (c-68-36-26-8.hsd1.nj.comcast.net [68.36.26.8]) (authenticated bits=0) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m1BMPR29016381 for ; Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:25:36 -0600 Message-ID: <000801c86d04$d6e46c10$6501a8c0@TOSHIBA1> From: "Richard Albrecht" To: Subject: usna-net Update on Mike Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:21:31 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3138 Sender: owner-usna-net@usna.org Reply-To: "Richard Albrecht" A special message from your USNA-Net Moderators... ================================================== I talked with Sandi late this afternoon. Mike was still in recovery when I spoke with Sandi, but it appeared that he came through the surgery fine. They only took half of his stomach, which was the best case scenario. The doctors are optimistic of a full recovery. When I spoke with Mike yesterday, he said he had received several hundred messages from members, wishing him well. He was encouraged by the outpouring of concern by the membership. Sometimes a kind word is just as important as medicine. Sandi and I will keep the membership updated. Thanks for the concern and prayers. Richard Albrecht Technical Advisor, USNA-Net Meredith, '04, Navy Air *** USNA-Net List message from: "Richard Albrecht" ========================================= This Message may not be shared with any non-member! Remember, your Mid is NOT a member of this list. ========================================= Unsubscribe? Send an email to Moderator@usna.org From owner-usna-net@usna.org Thu Feb 21 17:59:27 2008 Received: from navy1.usna.org (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1]) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m1LNxRG9002028; Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:59:27 -0600 Received: (from root@localhost) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1/Submit) id m1LNxRwI002027; Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:59:27 -0600 Received: from sandi (cpe-76-189-59-89.neo.res.rr.com [76.189.59.89]) (authenticated bits=0) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m1LNxQRw002023 for ; Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:59:26 -0600 Message-ID: <0d0d01c874ee$073ebe10$0302a8c0@sandi> From: "Sandi" To: "" Subject: usna-net FYI Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:58:24 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3138 Sender: owner-usna-net@usna.org Reply-To: "Sandi" A special message from your USNA-Net Moderators... ================================================== Just some random stuff............ 1. A new major has been added at the Academy - Computer Engineering.........so now there are 22 majors. 2. The 65%-35% rule will go into effect when plebe class picks majors this spring. 65% in group 1 or 2 (Math, science, engineering) 35% group 3 (humanities) 3. Starting w/ the Class of 2012, there will no longer be the $2,500 fee. Their computers/calculators will still be provided for them but the Mids will not pay for them. *** USNA-Net List message from: "Sandi" ========================================= This Message may not be shared with any non-member! Remember, your Mid is NOT a member of this list. ========================================= Unsubscribe? Send an email to Moderator@usna.org From owner-usna-net@usna.org Sat Feb 23 05:44:11 2008 Received: from navy1.usna.org (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1]) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m1NBiBXg013819; Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:44:11 -0600 Received: (from root@localhost) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1/Submit) id m1NBiBlj013818; Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:44:11 -0600 Received: from Orion (cpe-76-189-59-89.neo.res.rr.com [76.189.59.89]) (authenticated bits=0) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m1NBiAbO013814 for ; Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:44:10 -0600 Message-ID: <283f01c87619$064a9430$0402a8c0@Orion> From: "Mike Zets" To: "" Subject: usna-net Cancer Update.... Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2008 07:38:42 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3138 Sender: owner-usna-net@usna.org Reply-To: "Mike Zets" A special message from your USNA-Net Moderators... ================================================== Dear Family... Let me brighten your day the way the Doctors brightened mine yesterday. I reported as scheduled to the Cleveland Wade Park Veterans Hospital to have my surgical staples removed, a procedure not for the faint hearted and one to which I was not looking forward with any great joy. After a few preliminary questions, I unbuttoned my shirt and laid back on the exam table. The Surgeon, a wonderful young fellow with all the confidence and bed side manner of a one Dr. House, began to take out the staples, one by one with the simple announcement, "This won't hurt, it only pinches, a little." Ha! 32 Staples, I felt each "pinch." You have to remember that I was only 10 days post-op and my lower chest still felt like I'd run chest first into the coupling knuckle of a run away freight car. But then... Ahhh! That was over. "Button Up. You're done." As matter of factly as any other part of the conversation. "Thanks" I said and began to ask when I'd have to come back for the rest of the stuff. "No! You're done! Finished! Fini! The pathology came back from the surgery and the cancer is gone. No lymph node involvement. No need for Chemo. YOUR CURED! You've got a little less stomach than before but you're cured!" The words just hung there in mid air. They were too good to be true. Then I realized that I should probably take another breath because the last one I took felt like it was five or ten minutes earlier. "You're serious??? That's it??? NO Chemo?" "No Chemo. No more follow up treatments. No more hospitals. Done. You can return to work as soon as you feel up to it. Just be gentle with the incision site and no heavy lifting for a while." The doctor's bedside manner had just improved about 1,000%. A big hug for the guy to say thanks and then out into the waiting room to find Sandi. For the first time in months, she had opted to wander off while we waited to be called in and hadn't been back by the time they called my name. She wasn't in the room for the news. I walked out with my Navy Coat over my arm and said to her for all to hear in the waiting room, "Come on. Let's go. I'm done." Pause... "No. Actually, I'm not done. I'm cured! We never have to come back." The look on her face... priceless. So there you have it. A few more weeks to get past the ache in my belly and I'll be better than new. I'm on an unrestricted diet as for WHAT I eat and it's still going to take a while to adjust to the amounts that make up meals for the next year or so, but eventually, I'll be back to regular portions of regular food. And it's all thanks to all of you. Without your thoughts and prayers, this would have been an entirely different experience. From the bottom of my heart.... THANK YOU ALL! Thank you for your kindness, your letters of encouragement and your genuine concern for your Moderator. It's a truly humbling experience when you have to face death and know that there are thousands of your friends standing steadfastly behind you to help. Give me a little time to recuperate and I'll be back to Moderating 100%. Meanwhile, Sandi and I are overjoyed to be back at our keyboards as usual. All is right with the world. Thanks again for all your prayers. They worked!!! Mike Zets Westlake, OH Moderator - USNA-Net Listservers Lt. Michael Stoker USN '00 - Newport, RI *** USNA-Net List message from: "Mike Zets" ========================================= This Message may not be shared with any non-member! Remember, your Mid is NOT a member of this list. ========================================= Unsubscribe? Send an email to Moderator@usna.org