FOSTER, David
From Kidney Cancer Resource
Contents |
David Crawford FOSTER
Overview
Born: 22-Sep-1945
At: Mobile, Alabama, USA
Died: 15-Apr-2008
At: Augusta, Georgia, USA.
Aged: 62
Cause: Kidney Cancer
David INTRODUCED Himself
BIOGRAPHY:
David Foster is a member of the IMAG board of the Magazine Publishers Association. He is also National Strategic Advisor to Morris National Magazines based in Augusta, Georgia. Until last year he was also Editor-in-Chief and a columnist for Gray’s Sporting Journal, a literature based hunting and fishing magazine. Before joining Morris Communications in 1991, David was editor and publisher of New Orleans magazine, Group Publisher for Consumer Periodicals at Communication Channels Inc in Atlanta (Atlanta magazine and Business Atlanta magazine). Before that he was pretty much an itinerate writer working for newspapers and magazines of all stripe.
CANCER INTERVENES
Cancer always seems to come as a surprise. Not that the person with it doesn’t believe something is wrong, but cancer? Well, we all think about it, know somebody with it, but like car accidents, don’t think it will ever happen to us.
I was one of those people. Then, one beautiful fall day in the Patagonia region of Argentina I fell down while fishing a trout stream. For twenty years I had waded trout streams, sometimes with water up to my chest, but not once had I fallen down. Worse, I could not get up, yet the water in this steam was barely enough to wet my boots. It was embarrassing to ask the guide to come over and help me up.
For months I knew I had been more tired than I should have been and while I had been on a low-carb diet the year before, I was eating regularly again but continued to lose weight. My Internist told me not to worry, that he liked my weight, that the fatigue could just be a sign of age or maybe a testosterone problem. But after the fall in Patagonia and I went to his office and made this demand: “I am sick. You find out why.”
A week later a CAT scan showed some twenty plus tumors, from the lungs to the kidney, from the stomach to the lymph nodes. A biopsy would show that that it was renal (kidney) cancer. I thought that was good news, since it was not lung.
Renal cell cancer hits about 53,000 Americans a year. In its early stages it can be eradicated with surgery. But since it has few symptoms, it is often found accidentally when the patient is being scanned for other illnesses. For me, the tumor in my stomach, which everybody thought was a bleeding ulcer, fortuitously led to the CAT scan, which showed the greater degree of the damage.
Advanced renal cell carcinoma is the sixth deadliest cancer in America. Of the 53,000 discovered with it annually, more than 12,000 die within in five years, almost all of them with advanced cancer upon diagnosis. When I was diagnosed in 2005, there was no specific medicine for renal cell and the best bets were that I would have five to eight months to live.
Almost two years later l remain in the battle and will for a at least thenforeseeable future. As part of my therapyand to keep friends and associates across the country informedI began sending periodic updates of my situation through e-mail. While I was happy to inform them of my progress, or lack of it, I was thrilled to get their replies. They were meaningful and uplifting. And during my travels for any if three industries I work inmagazines, hunting and fishingpeople always commented on how much the e-mails meant to them. Believe me, that was something of a surprise.
But the main thing I have discovered about cancer? It is not about reporting it or suffering through it, it is about living it. Oh, and it is the most fulfilling thing to ever happen to me.
Details
15-Apr-08 Into The Woods
With a sad heart I wish to let you know that my dear brave husband David gave up his long hard fought battle against cancer this morning at approximately 10 a.m. EST. He went with a sigh and seeming peace. I like to think of him walking the woods with his beloved Gracie and Jeb, while likely discussing with God the best way to manage the fields for quail cover. He loved and realized tremendous support from all of you and I very much believe that support kept him in the fight far longer than he would ever have managed alone. For that I thank you. My love to you all... Go with God my brave knight, Hillary.
Final Arrangements
David Foster's memorial service was held at 5:00 pm on Monday, 21-Apr-08 at the Church of the Good Shepherd (2230 Walton Way, Augusta, GA). There will be a visitation immediately following.
Since David was cremated, there was no burial side service.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of David.
A Tribute
We're still working on the arrangements, and I will let you know when they are all set in stone (probably late this afternoon). In the meantime, I thought you might like to read a tribute to my dad that ran in the Augusta Chronicle this morning (Tribute to David) .
For those of you that have been reading my blog as well, thank you for joining me in this journey, for your kind words of support and encouragement. Dad may have lost his battle, the war rages on. Whether you are a warrior yourself, a caretaker, or one left behind, we all have the ability to fight. I have to confess that I haven't been very involved in the war against cancer. Before dad was diagnosed, I had never really been affected by the disease. But that is all different now. I'm angry, furious, that something so evil could invade someone I love and take him away. It must be defeated. I can picture my dad scolding me now for sounding so trite, but that doesn't mean he didn't agree. Afterall, he was a Warrior.
I know I say this a lot, and will continue...Thank You! Hillary
Articles
Grays Sporting Journal (KC) 27-Apr-08
- A Tribute to David Foster
David's Blog
To view David's Blog Click Here
|
Disclaimer
Kidney Cancer Resource (KCR) is not influenced by sponsors. The information contained herein is not intended as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other licensed health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and information purposes only. Early accurate Diagnosis (Dx.) saves lives. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill, never ignore Symptoms. To help your health care specialist make an accurate Diagnosis please keep notes of dates, times and details of your Symptoms. We are not offering medical advice nor do we consider links, individuals or articles accessed through this site to be offering medical advice.
E&OE - Errors & Omissions Excepted
As much of the information posted on this Web Site for peoples convenience is of a medical or technical nature, and may be a matter of life or death the E&OE is a Disclaimer showing that to the best of our ability information is accurate and correctly written or transcribed. Before acting on information on this site you are responsible for checking it with your relevant medical team. We can not be held responsible for any Errors & Omissions made; nor for information on links and articles provided in good faith.
