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About Lugnut -- Patrick Malone

Many of us have come to know Patrick Malone (Lugnut) as a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and kind individual. He is a frequent and enthusiastic contributor to our analog discussion forum. He has initiated only 17 threads, but responded to 559 threads. I would guess that many, if not most, of us can recall a time when Pat replied with helpful advice to a question we posted or helped us track down a rare recording. I have come to love Pat as a friend, and to respect him as a man, and I suspect many of you share those feelings.

Today I write to share difficult news with you. Pat has been diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer. It has yet to be determined whether surgery will even be worth it. If surgery is performed, most or all of the stomach will be removed, and Pat would face a difficult and long post-op period in the hospital. The medical course is still uncertain, but will be determined soon. Whatever is decided, it will not be easy or pleasant.

Something may be planned in the future to assist the family. For now, Pat could use some of the friendship he so often and willingly showed us. You can email Pat at: lugnut50@msn.com. You can also mail cards, letters ... or whatever. You may email me for Pat's mailing address. My email is: pfrumkin1@comcast.net.

I hope to spend a few days with Pat in Idaho or Nebraska (from which he hails) soon. Between this news, my legal work, getting ready for family arriving for the holidays, Audio Intelligent, and trying to make plans to visit Pat, my head is spinning. If you email me and I don't respond, please understand that I am not ignoring you, but rather simply do not have time to reply.

Pat may or may not have time to respond to posts here, to emails, or to cards mailed to him. But he has asked me to convey to each and every one of you that he has cherished your friendship, your comradery, and sharing our common hobby on this great website.

As we prepare for our holiday season celebrations, and look forward to -- as we should -- enjoying this time of year, I ask that you keep Pat and his family in mind ... and softly offer up, in quiet moments in the still of night and early morning, prayers for Pat and his family. God bless.

Warmest regards to all,
Paul Frumkin
paul_frumkin
jdodmead
257 posts
 
I truly don't know what to say, but I feel a need to show that I am here for you.
God Bless

Jeff
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Oh man, Pat. 2nd and 3rd sentence got me thinking that this would be one of those feel good pieces about the hard-working doc bringing some good news. Sweet dream, but a dream nonetheless. At least for now. I know you have developed a good relationship with your oncologist and he has given you some real relief the last few months. It must have been very tough on the two of you, and your wife and family as well. From your words, it sounds like you may be considering either experimental or alternative therapy. To say that I wish you luck in whichever path you choose (or choose not to take) is an understatement. At times like this I wish I was a religous guy and could offer my prayers for you and your family. That's not the case for me, although you know that there are plenty here who will be doing that. I sincerely hope that they are right and I am wrong and the prayers provide you and them some comfort. Please forgive me for rambling- have a great weekend; enjoy your family and wife and know that I will be thinking of you all.
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Pat,
How is it possible that the Tour de France starts tomorrow, and while all eyes will be on Lance (going for his 7th straight victory), I won't be able to stop thinking about you climbing up those mountains? You've had that much of an impact on me.

Enjoy your weekend, and please do consider the invitation.
All the best,
Howard
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Howard,

I will be rooting for Lance big time. It's funny how his cancer actually changed his body so that he is a better rider. Proof that good things come out of what seems to be bad events. Something really good is going to come out of what is happening to me too. I don't know what it is, and I may never know, but it will happen. It's obvious that this thread has had a large impact of many of us. I've gained so much and I think that maybe a lot of people have experienced getting kicked around by life through me without having gone through anything so profound themselves. Others have shared their own previous and current heartaches. It should be obvious by now that we need not be lonely. We need to also keep in mind the perfect balance we've been given. At times grief may seem overwhelming, encompassing our entire existence, but so many wonderful things happen to us during our time here on earth. Let's just forget about the trials and tribulations I'm experiencing and get behind a cycling legend.

If I can actually come see you do you think Dean would make his green, oddly shaped head appear for pleasure as well? I haven't heard from him in a long time and wonder how he's doing with his new job. I bet he misses fixing up those world class bossoms he previously worked on.
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Lance says that he wants to be remembered first as a cancer survivor, because that has shaped his life more than anything else. He certainly would never have won the Tour de France had he not gotten cancer. He didn't have the body, and he certainly didn't have the mind, not for a three-week stage race. Thank you for sharing all of your powerful perspectives, Pat. It's amazing how an experience like yours, when expressed so eloquently, can bring such a richness to all of us who have only these threads as our history with you.

We will have to make sure that Dean and Tvad (Grant) make the trip up if you come for a visit. Now that would be a real treat. Have you been to San Francisco? Nothing like a sunny day on the beach at the Marina, with the Golden Gate overpowering the view just to our left.
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