Help a Member in Need

Most of us fight life’s battles on a daily basis. For example, uncertain economic conditions lead to stress about our jobs and our ability to keep up with the mortgage payments.

One of the most stressful events that can happen is a battle for our health. When this happens, the support of family and friends can make a huge difference.

Long time NPN member Wayne Jones is now in his second bout with cancer. Though his spirits are up and he is under no immediate financial stress, intensive chemotherapy is predicted to cause increasingly severe physical problems and require periodic isolation due to the effect on his immune system during the next several months. Offering our encouragement and moral support to Wayne would be greatly appreciated.

Since Wayne enjoys the work of so many NPN members, we are inviting you to create photo greeting cards featuring your own photography and some words of encouragement for Wayne. These can be in the form of a greeting card or simply a note with one of your photos attached. The photo cards/notes can be sent to;

Wayne Jones
C/O Nature Photographers
P.O. Box 10601
Bedford, NH 03110

We will collect the cards and forward them to Wayne on a weekly basis.

Let’s do all we can to support a fellow NPN member in a time of need!

What a great idea Jim!

Jim: Ditto what Hank said. Superb idea. >=))>

Jim, needless to say, we all at NPN have benefited from Wayne's many previous posts and comments. We surely hope for the overall best for him with a very speedy recovery, as well as we'll be looking forward to seeing his future posts and comments too. Thank you for this update.

Wayne,

I want to wish you the very best and that maybe you can just draw a little bit of strength from the community here who I'm sure all send their thoughts and prayers.

Looks like I'll just have to buy myself some note-card paper and see what I can come up with.

Hang in there and we hope to see you back here real soon.

Lon

ps. And thanks Jim and Donna for making this offer. I know Wayne will love receiving some notes and images.

Amen to what Lon said, thanks for posting this, Jim! Im gonna dig up some old photos from the 'dacks!

Best wishes to Wayne and a speedy recovery.

I will send a photo.

Prayers and good wishes for you, Wayne - and A wonderful idea, Jim.

Sandy r

THanks Jim.... prayers for Wayne!
JG

I'll join everyone else in saying what a great idea in such bad circumstances. Hope Wayne gets well fast.

Very thoughtful of you to reach outside your busy life to all of us in a time of need for someone in such a situation Jim. Thanks for the headsup and I will certainly contribute.

Wayne,

So sorry to hear about your cancer. Best of luck in this battle and our thoughts and prayers are with you.

- Dan.

THANKS JIM, and Everyone! (I' write more soon. A bit beat after a big day: Had to miss a Christening at Church due to crowds, but attended a small family gathering with my surgical mask and bottle of hand disinfectant.)

CINDY: I know I already have your good thoughts, and am included in your prayers. That's what is important to me. You have already been much, much, more of an inspiration than you know (and not just because we are both "bug people" ).

THANKS, Part 2: ("Hyperdrugs" overpowered the sleepy drugs after 4 hr., so I am doiing fun stuff after orgnizing my meds for my 8am to 4pm outpaint chemo today. Don't worry, I'm NOT starting a blog. )

Thanks again to Jim and Donna, and everyone for your support. Your personal communications and Jim and Donna’s offer to take on this new task is much appreciated!

Some background: In image posts last week, I explained my recent absence from NPN. I added "I’ll check in to NPN whenever I can for inspiration. Thanks so much for your encouragement and friendship!" I said that because I knew the good wishes were about to flow. That happened in 2008, when my lymphoma was first diagnosed, and the encouragement and prayers were factors in my survival then (surprised some doctors).

I believe most friends want to know if they can do something. So last week, without asking in direct words, I was really saying "Friends, I am in a fight for my life now. It's not going to be easy, and I could sure use some cheerleaders."

"Cheerleading" does make a difference when you are faced with things that can wear you down. When Jim, and then some of the moderators sent me E-mails asking how to help, I said "...what I need from the NPN community: more of the support, encouragement, and prayers if you are so inclined." Written notes would certainly be uplifting, whether it’s one of a photographer’s cards or a note on a scrap of paper; but your electronic communications through this forum or E-mail are just as appreciated. As they say, it's the thought that counts.

One more thought: I know other NPN members are living with cancer and other serious challenges to their health and/or well-being, but may not have chosen to be as open as I am about it. To them I say Your friends can't help much if you don't communicate with them. Whether it's an E-mail mention to one or two people you feel a connection with (including me), or you decide to let lots of people know , thier moral support can help. I guess it depends on how comfortable you are with that kind of personal communication.

Wayne, we're happy to help! Thanks as well for setting an example for others who suffer serious health conditions. Sometimes reaching out can be good medicine for all concerned!

Wayne, I am SOOO sorry you have to deal with this again. Damn! When I was hospitalized for 5 1/2 weeks the first time three years ago with my leukemia, Cindy and Jim got the NPN community going by asking for prayers and good wishes for me. And all was greatly appreciated! When all you do is stare at four walls and the TV day in and day out, you look forward to when the mail comes. And e-mail. And so it was with me.

Then, I was allowed to tape my photo notecards (over 130 at the time) to the walls of my room and it made a difference. So Wayne, I'll be more than happy to send you cards and I hope they'll help your outlook as you battle this ugly disease. God Bless!

Hey Wayne - I'm really sorry to hear you're going through this again! I hope you know how much you mean to this community, and I'm sure you also know that we're all definitiely "cheering" for you. I will certainly keep you in my prayers. Please keep us informed, both on the good times and the tough times. Together, we'll put through this once again.

Wayne has always been a hell of a nice guy and a valued member of NPN. He's in my thoughts and prayers, and I look forward to his recovery and continued contributions at this great site. Get well, Wayne!

Wayne - I have admired your photography and appreciated your comments and critique here at NPN. I am wishing the best for you.

Pete D.

Will be thinking of you Wayne, As a nurse with first hand experience with this disease, I know what you are going through. Be strong and have faith. During your bad times, just think of all the beautiful photography you have created that has meant soooooo much to everyone. We need more of these photographs, Wayne.

Best to you Wayne. Our prayers are with you.

Wayne, my prayers go out to you. Stand strong against this cancer. Mind over body. I have always loved your images and I hope they provide you with great pride and will help you fight this affliction. Please know you have a lot of support out here. I look forward to seeing more of your photos and comments here on NPN real soon.

Wayne, I wish you strength thru these tough times. My father is a 2 time cancer survivor... It is possible. I believe his attitude made a big difference and I wish you the ability to stay strong and positive.

Hey Wayne, I just want to encourage you in anyway I can to keep fighting the battle and to keep a positive attitude throughout this challenge. In the last 3 years I have had to battle Liver cancer twice and just this week I had a complete bone scan to determine if the cancer had moved into my bones. We live with the fear of recurrence daily, but can continue to battle with the help of family and friends who cheer us on. We don't know what tomorrow brings and today is all we are promised in this life. Be strong my friend, my prayers and thoughts are with you and I expect to see you out capturing more beautiful images for me and others to enjoy. God bless!

My thoughts and prayers are with you Wayne. Looking forward to seeing more of your images as you make progress in your recovery.

Don't you dare to give up!!! We need to see more of your excellent shots an learn from your comments.
c'mon, give it a big kick in the ass.

Luca,

Wayne you are in my prayers. When we are weak He is strong.

Dearest Wayne, I am glad you find comfort in this community in a difficult time. The body of work is inspirational, and sometimes images transcend words and emotions. I sincerely wish you all the best, and look forward to seeing more of your beautiful images. Warmest wishes.

Good luck Wayne, Hang in there, looking forward to see more of you're great images

Best wishes, Wayne. My wife has beaten cancer twice so keep your spirits up and live life on your own terms. It's doable. Be strong--we look forward to seeing more of your great images.