This is the sort of picture I'd often get comments on, from 'Uncle Ron' Chapiesky, who lived in Swansea, South Carolina. He passed away April 17th, from complications of prostate cancer. It had spread to places where it couldn't be controlled. And it was the American 'free enterprise' medical system that killed him, not that cancer specifically. I've had prostate cancer too, and I'm still here, and now cancer-free as far as we can tell. But in the USA, unlike Canada, the doctors own their own clinics and equipment, all of which is expensive, and they administer treatment based on keeping their investments on equipment paying for themselves, and not specifically on what's the best course of action for the patient's well-being. So 'Uncle Ron' couldn't get the brachytherapy procedure with the one-time injection of radioactive pellets directly into the prostate, like I received, because his clinic was apparently trying to pay off some expensive external radiation equipment. And they fucked around with chemotherapy too long, until the cancer spread from his prostate into his pelvic bones and lymph nodes. And from there, it was just a matter of time.... and time ran out for him on April 17th, 2015.
'Uncle Ron' was very artistic, and worked for the South Carolina Educational Television organization for many years. He was one of its pioneers away back when. And he would have enjoyed seeing this picture of this morning's sunrise.
Wherever you are, Uncle Ron, I hope you're seeing an even better one, and may God hold you in the palm of His hand, and keep you safe from harm.
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