80 year old Vietnam era Navy vet here, but never had to go to Nam, thank God.

Oh wait, can I say that here?

And I wish you a speedy recovery too!

a heart for you my sweet!

I’m Byron, I’m a writer with two grown kids (lawyer and a math teacher) and a big German shepherd. Greetings!

a heart for you too byronius!

Last edited Sat Feb 7, 2026, 04:58 PM - Edit history (1)

When I die I'm leaving money to the FFRF group. Freedom From Religion is cool and so is Ron Reagan's ads for it. He has a certain wit that I enjoy.

"Ron Reagan, son of President Ronald Reagan, famously appeared in TV ads for the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) starting in 2014, declaring himself an "unabashed atheist, not afraid of burning in hell". These ads advocate for the strict separation of church and state, with Reagan identifying as a secularist and urging support for the FFRF."

I'd guess that 90% of my friends are either atheists or non-religious. When I was in my 30s I realized that most of them had at one time in their youth were practicing Catholics. That particular religion has created a ton of atheists in the US over the past 40 years (Raygun's prime time).

I don't believe in "God" but I do know that something happens after you die since I have personally experienced it many times and when that happens you just KNOW in your gut we do not turn into worm food. I sort of wish we did since I do NOT want to reincarnate on earth (the real hell). My two dogs visited me after they died and so did my dad. That was more than enough proof for me to know our energy just changes forms and some things can't be explained (not at this point in time anyway).

My two little girl doggies, Max and Spike, are part of my energy.

The Catholic Church did a number on our family! But we came out ok in the long run. We’re all on the same side of the political spectrum so don’t have any divide among us in that regard like so many families do now.

Einstein’s theory that energy cannot be created or destroyed leads me to think that when we pass on from earth our energy lives on, maybe going into a universal pool of energy of all other former life forms. I’ve never had anyone who dies visit me in dreams or visions, but I understand why the allure of a heaven is so appealing to those that believe in religions where heaven is part of the carrot and stick approach to living a good clean life. On the other hand, if the threat of going to hell is the only thing that keeps one from being a jerk in life, that says more about them than it does about me and my atheism. I’m badly paraphrasing that last line from someone but my memory won’t manifest it now.

particular religion, or even "god" by name. I want to hear about near death experiences from of religious themes and BS. I like to watch them from people from various societies and countries.

The ones I have seen say there is no hell. They have similar experiences like seeing a light from a tunnel, having a life review, seeing your family, friends and pets, speaking with their spirit guides, seeing the brightest colors that can't be described, being able to communicate telepathically, being able to see 360 around you, complete and total peace. Everybody agrees about this experience. Total love amd peace. It sounds like what the hippies said in the 1960s.

The "problem" is that when they come "back to life" and they remember what they saw while "dead" they are unable to tell us anymore. The rest of it is purposely kept as a secret beyond the white light

Welcome to DU! LOTS off “pet slaves” here. We have three cats - or maybe it’s more accurate to say the three of them have two human pets!

I am well trained by my poodle masters.

😉

He does my husband’s dog whistle so perfectly that the dogs race around like nuts.

He says “hey boy” when he wants something.

And he perfectly imitates the smoke alarm if he hears us in another room.

There was once a study that showed prayers had an effect on healing. A later study showed “sample errors” in that study.

Sending healing vibes and lots of love to you and your family.

I am also a breast cancer survivor of 40 years! Hope someday you can say the same!!

So I gave you another.

I am Susan, 73 retired and I have the most wonderful son. He is worried about my health as he should. So he converted his attached garage into a beautiful apartment for me. The kitchen has convinces I could only dream about before.
He has two Yorkies. They are said to be sisters just different litters. Daisy and Suki keep me company during the day. Of course DU also keeps me up to speed on the news and any thing else I want to read. I kind of like Facebook but it sucks for deciding what I want to see. I like a wide range of subjects.
I worked for a State agency and worked my way up from data entry/receptionist to Supervisor in Accounting for just one part of the agency.

recovery from any malignancy is 90% mental in my experience
this might help, peace
https://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/cancer-treatment/stay-positive?algobjid=39_0

I am sorry about your breast cancer and mastectomy. I know some who have gone through it and the recovery is as tough mentally as it is physically. I am happy to hear you have quite a crew to rely on for support--Molly, Fergie, and Coco. Our pets are wonderful sources of love and support. I understand dogs--we have standard poodles, but the parrot! Wow! Does she talk?
One of my friends that went through the surgery later had some beautiful tattoo work done. I'm sure you've heard of this already and have your own plans to face outwards after such a trauma.
My poodles and I are sending some love.

I have four cats and a small dog.
Cats: Fluff Tommy Nevi and Wilbur
Dog: Lola
-Airplane

My wife had breast cancer twice starting at the age of 34. She is now a 34 year survivor.

Breast cancer is no longer a death sentence it was many years and decades ago.

We've always had cats and dogs in our home. The cats finally left when my daughter grew up and left. She is still a cat lady and
I'm glad the cats are gone! (messy creatures!!)
But we will always have our puppers. ALWAYS RESCUE dogs. They all have so much love to give.
I'm convinced humans don't deserve dogs. They give us unconditional love always.

Best wishes on your recovery. Keep a positive attitude, enjoy life and your pets!

I’m a nurse and science fan. I believe if I don’t help others, no entity in the sky is going to swoop along and do it.

I love animals both domestic and wild. I love travel and learning about other cultures.

Hope your recovery is as smooth as can be.

My mom had a lumpectomy and then when her cancer returned several years later, a mastectomy. Then it was 19 more years cancer-free.

I'm not here for the hearts, I'm here for the humanity!

All the best to you.