[Boatanchors] Keep Them Lit While I Am Gone

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

As some of you may recall I had surgery for colon cancer in August of 2003.
During the various post surgery procedures I was subjected to something
apparently happened that was not supposed to. At least nobody wants to take
credit for it!

I was told in June 2006 that my teeth were fine and to come back in three
months. When I was examined in September, three months later, I was told
that I had fourteen teeth that were "beyond repair". Not much shocks me
after thirty years of stage, but this sure did!

How can half of my teeth go from "ok" in June to "beyond repair" in three
months? Just did not sound possible then, or now, for that matter. However,
the damage is there and real.

After much consideration, and additional consultations, I decided the only
practical approach to this nightmare was to have all the teeth extracted and
learn to live with dentures. I stalled as long as I could, but the pain won
out, as I knew all along that it would. But letting go of ones teeth is not
an easy thing to accept. Especially when it affects ones speech patterns,
and my voice was, and is, my trademark. I have wrestled with every possible
fear and even created a few new ones! But like it or not, this was one more
challenge I had to summon up the courage to face, the strength to get
through and the belief that I could and would come through it, no matter
what.

The surgery is Wednesday June 27th. I do not expect to be on the air for
either the HHI Saturday or Sunday Nets that weekend, but I do 'hope' to be
back for Sunday July 8th.

Al Waller, K3TKJ will monitor my lists, so if you need assistance, call him.
I should be back to reading e-mail by July 1st.

I will be staying at home, but not alone. A life long friend will be staying
with me for four days. He was a medic in Vietnam and his companionship and
assistance will certainly help me for those first few days.

Keep the vintage radio faith. Keep the Hallicrafters lit. Keep the Net
frequencies nailed down! Hear you soon -

Duane Fischer, W8DBF/WPE8CXO
dfischer at usol.com

HHI: Halligan's Hallicrafters International
http://www.w9wze.net

HHRP: Historic Halligan Radio Project
hhrp.w9wze.net