“Sit-Rep” .. No.39
Just what exactly is a “Sit-Rep”?🤔

As I was sitting around this morning and thinking about what I should write as I prepare for this next stage, it occurred to me that many of you might have no idea what this is even all about.

I decided to go back and try to provide an overview that might help you understand all my ramblings.
So, here it is!

Ray’s Buffet and the Sit-Rep series were never created to tell anyone what choices they should make.
They were created to show what it actually feels like to live inside the world of cancer — for the patient, for family, for friends, and for the people who unexpectedly become part of the support team.

These posts are simply real-life field reports.
They document fear, denial, humor, exhaustion, stubborn optimism, bad days, good days, and everything in between.
The goal has always been to put real experiences on the table, not instructions.

And just to be absolutely clear:
Nothing in these posts should ever be considered medical advice.
I’m not a doctor, not a nurse, not a therapist — I’m not even qualified to instruct anyone on how to properly use a Band-Aid.

Chronological Overview of my Cancer Journey

Phase 1 – The Early Signals (2010–2019)

Long before the official diagnosis, there were warning signs: elevated PSA levels, unexplained physical issues, and moments that were easy to ignore because life was busy and I felt strong. Looking back, those early numbers and symptoms were the opening chapters that only made sense in hindsight.

Phase 2 – The Diagnosis (January 2020)

The turning point came with the official diagnosis: Stage IV Prostate Cancer. From that moment forward, life became a cycle of scans, labs, waiting, and trying to figure out what “normal” even meant anymore. This is where the Sit-Reps truly begin — not as medical logs, but as mental survival reports.

Footnote… The title changed from “Ray’s Buffet” to “Sit-Rep” in remembrance of one of my former 11th ACR Commanders Glenn Snodgrass (R.I.P.), who contacted me on a regular basis with a short text that contained only the words “Sit-Rep”? That meant it was time to call and talk.
It was because of him that I began attending the Regimental Reunions.

Phase 3 – “Next Play” Mentality

Instead of letting cancer define the narrative, I sort of framed it like a basketball game:
bad calls, bad breaks, but always “Next play.”
This mindset became a recurring theme — pushing forward, coaching again, traveling, staying connected to the game even when the body was failing.

Phase 4 – Independence Day (2022)

In July 2022, I made one of the most radical decisions of the entire journey:
I stopped treatment and chose quality of life over quantity of time.
This wasn’t denial — it was control. A deliberate choice to live on my own terms for as long as possible.

Phase 5 – Radiation & Crossroads (Late 2024–2025)

Eventually, symptoms forced another crossroads. Radiation therapy began, along with all the physical side effects and emotional second-guessing that came with it. The Sit-Reps show the constant tug-of-war between hope, realism, fatigue, and stubborn independence.

Phase 6 – Hospice Reality

The moment hospice entered the conversation, the journey shifted again — from “fighting cancer” to planning for the end while still living in the present. These posts are some of the rawest: finances, funerals, autonomy, fear, and the mental weight placed not just on you, but on everyone around you.

Phase 7 – Ongoing Sit-Reps (Now)

The most recent Sit-Reps show where things stand today:
still coaching, still traveling, still joking, still scanning, still negotiating between medical reality and personal freedom. Not cured. Not finished.
Just… still playing.

What Makes This Series Different

Most cancer stories are written after the fact.
Mine is written inside the experience — with uncertainty, dark humor, contradictions, and no clean ending.
It’s not inspirational fluff.
It’s not tragedy porn.

It’s a long, messy, honest Sit-Rep from someone who refuses to pretend this is neat, fair, or predictable.

In other words:
Not a guidebook.
Not a sermon.
Just real life — served buffet style.
That brings us to today.

👉🏽 “Sit-Rep” .. No.39
(Lots of Information doesn’t always lead to conclusions.)

The Biopsy taken 10 days ago revealed cancer in my ribs. It explained the pain that was, at times making things really uncomfortable.

The doctor who performed the procedure said that the results would be back in 3-5 days.

My Oncologist called me late in the afternoon “the next day” …
We discussed from “A-to-Z”
My next appointment is 2.February.

We will have one more discussion and after he finishes singing the praises of Stephen Curry, we’ll talk about the next chapter.
Right now we are (he is) learning towards another round of “palliative” radiation ☢️ therapy on my ribs.

The goal would be to slow the spread and lessen the pain.
For those contemplating / worrying about the procedure, all I will offer is that it “shouldn’t be” as difficult as the last bout.
That’s because the stomach and bladder are not involved.

That means that I won’t have to follow that ridiculous diet and procedural time regimen that I had last time.
No more drinking chicken broth for breakfast.😵‍💫

All of this will be decided on 02.February.
Footnote: Once again I must comment on my experience with the VA. The Doctors, Nurses, Technicians, Admin Assistants have been outstanding!

In closing, I’ll jump to my “B-List”
There were two things left on it.

1️⃣ Coaching a “Team” … That started out looking good, as I selected the players I wanted to play in the National Tournament in Dallas.

Unfortunately, it’s not quite going as planned because, getting men (with families and jobs and real lives to live) to come to practice regularly is not easy. And many of you know me … “No Practice - No Play!”
So, I might not be able to check this one off my list. More to follow….

2️⃣ Visiting Germany … Still on the list… not entirely in my control. Has to work physically and financially!

Footnote:
I might have a “Plan-B” for Number-1 😊 … It means putting in a few more hours of work, but might be more fun.

I’ll put the details in the next “Sit-Rep” 🤡 … so stay tuned.
If it does work, it might help with Number-2 on the list.😊

As Paul Harvey, my favorite old-school radio commentator would say … “and now you know - the rest of the story!”
But in true “Ritz” fashion I would add … “but not the end of the story!”
See you next time!

#Cancer #quakenbrueck #fulda #usarmy #basketball #Hofstra #coaching #booktok