Last roll of the dice.
 

Guys, sorry I haven't updated for a while, I've been very ill the past six weeks but things have moved along quickly over the last few days. Tests have finally identified the problem and I'm booked for emergency surgery a.s.a.p. (probably tomorrow). Without the surgery I only have two weeks to live. There is no guarantee that the surgery will succeed, and even if it does it will only fix the immediate pain problem, not the cancer itself. Even with a successful outcome tomorrow I only have a limited time left at best because the cancer is beyond chemo or radiation therapy now, it's just too aggressive. Hopefully Deanne will be able to update on my behalf after the surgery.
To all the friends I've made here over the years, thanks for being such good guys.
See ya. :)

Oh FRAK me!

Thanks for coming back HERE and updating us. I know you haven't posted pics or even spoke much in the forums, but THIS means a lot, Craig. I hope like mad things work out for the best and you can remain strong thru it all!

OMG Craig
I hope you pull through and be strong.

WE ARE PULLING FOR YOU.

You are in our prayers.

I don't care how bad they tell you it is, craig. Don't give up! As Gunny Highway says in Heartbreak Ridge "Don't give the prick the satisfaction"

I'm praying for ya Craig. I don't know what else to say.

You are and will remain an inspiration to all of us. And I'm not talking gi Joe pictures either. I and the mrs. will be thinking positively for you and yours.

I second that
I'm pulling for ya dude

We're all here for you Craig, you can get through this.

Craig, you and I have privately discussed our faith........know that its that same faith that will get you and your family through what's to come.


I will ask my church to pray for you this week and I'll offer up these prayers durning the Easter vigil mass.


THANK YOU for being such a gentleman-you are an honor to your legacy. :cool:

I'm pulling for you, friend.

Good luck man. I hope for all the best towards you.

Best regards,
Andrew

Much love and light for you, my friend.

We are praying for you in Green Bay. May God's peace be with you and Deanne.

Joe

Still praying for you too. I'm still optimistic you can pull through no matter what doctors say. It's medical science, yes, but every body is different/reacts different and doctors have been known to be wrong.

I hope the doctors can get you some more time.

I propose that the Joe Dios Awards be re-named to:
The Outrider Awards

Keep strong my friend. I think I speak for all here, you have a special place in all our hearts!!

PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS IN OUR THOUGHT S AND PRAYERS!!!!!

...

Thoughts and prayers with you.

For Outrider.
 

We support You! G.I.JOE Italian forum is with You!

Craig, all my hopes and prayers are with you. Your photos have been the standard of excellence here as long as I can remember, and your guidance and friendship have been wonderful.

Our prayers continue for you Craig, I wish you the best, and hopefully God willing you will pull through. You are an inspiration to all of us.

Exactly! With that thought, there's hope. You're a big part of this community, Craig and subsequently a part of many people's lives here and on Flickr. Just your lack of posts has become an absence of positivity and creativity that we do not want to lose. A lot of people are thinking about you and I hope that somehow that can help you. :)

Outrider
 

Probably no one has shown more toughness and courage than you Craig. I want you to know we are all pulling for you here and are hearts and prayers are with you. Not a day passes that i don't think of you. Just know you are loved by your fellow joe dioers. You will be in my prayers always!! Your friend, Russ Spencer rds13601

Best of luck. You've always been a great supporter to all of us here. Your pics and comments will continue to be an inspiration to us all.
-Scott

Craig I hope you all the best in the world and hope those docs can pull off some miracle work. Will be keeping you in my prayers .good Luck .

Im truly sorry I did not have a chance to get to know you better. If the love and affection being given is any indication, you must be a great man. Any man who can get this much honor and respect out of people all over the world, is definatly worth having as a friend. I wish you the best, and hope we have a chance to become friends in the future.

Ourider, you set the bar pretty high for Joedios pictures, but were always gracious in commenting on other people's efforts. A positive comment from you meant I was doing something right. :)

I hope for the best for you.

Outrider, I always look forward to your photos and comments, and I dearly hope you'll be able to pull through. I, like others have prayed for you, and have faith you can make it.

Hi everyone, Deanne here – Craig underwent surgery last night, he came through ok but the outcome is not what was hoped for. Both the Surgeon and the Oncologist have said that there is nothing more that can be done. At the moment we are working on going home and making whatever time we have as comfortable as possible. Deanne, on behalf of Craig.

:( I hope Craig isn't in any pain. I won't give up on you guys! All I can do is wish for the best.

Andrew

God Bless you Deanne......and your family as well......Craig will always be with you....no matter what.

Damn, Sorry to hear all didn't go as hoped :( God bless you both, Craig will be with us all, always. :(

Take care
Mike

Craig, I think I can say the lot of us here all love and respect you as not only a friend but as both a mentor and an inspiration as well. You’ve never been one to think yourself better than any one here, your modesty speaks volumes, and your words of wisdom helped myself and I’m sure others through some very dark times. Our world wouldn’t shine as bright without you in it. No matter what happens in the next few days please know that we are mentally and spiritually by your side. And a “thank you” to your wife, Deannae, for keeping us updated in your absence. You are the King, Craig, and I'm proud to call you friend.

-Alexander

Deanne, thank you for the update.

I'm sorry, but I'm a realist which means I'm rather negative. I can only hope that your times together have been the best and that you will be able to reflect. And I hope that you know that Craig has pals that love him all over the world. We support you. We believe in you. We feel for you.

I always hope for the best and I know this is hard for you. Be strong. Help Craig be strong.

We are ALL there for him AND YOU. We always will be.

I really don't know what more can be said. You're The Man Outrider!
-Scott

I'm so sorry to hear that . as one of the others said I hope he's as comfortable as you can make him and doesn't feel any of the pain. just wish there was more any of us can do . thanks for the update .well always be thinking of him.

I've been sitting on the sidelines of Joedios since first discovering this site in´05. I've never posted a pic and only posted a reply once or twice. But I've been here daily to enjoy all the great pictures and stories. And it has really changed me.

To Outrider:

Looking at your pictures inspired me to always do things the best I could and to explore all angles and never settle for the first good available one. This holds true not only for taking pictures but also in taking decisions in life.

Reading your posts to other peoples pictures, your constant generous honest advice and constantly giving respect where it was due.
While being the best you never were shy about helping others achieve your status.
It is a way of looking at things that I strive to achieve myself.

And your battle against this foe. Your attitude towards it. It has really inspired me when my small insignificant troubles weigh me down.

You've really inspired me with your work, your words and your character.

Me, my family and friends will keep you in our prayers.

Thank you,
Arni Eggert

The outrider
 

I am sorry things did not go well Deanna. Craig is an inspiration to us all for his bravery, tenacity and strong will. He is loved and appreciated by everyone on this site. I hope he is comfortable and can now rest. I will keep you both in my prayers and thoughts. May God bless the both of you Russ Spencer rds13601