Thoughts and Prayers for a Cave Diver

A very dear friend and Cave diver from Ohio has been battling cancer for almost a year
and has been taking chemo, radiation and some new medication for throat tumors.
He is having a 7 hr. surgery today at the James Cancer Center at The Ohio State University. Bob was diving the caves in Florida from 1972 to the late 1980's.
He inspired 10 of use from The Guernsey County Underwater Rescue Unit to take up
cave diving over the years and 6 of us are still at it. Bob has shared both stories, pictures and some pretty cool hand drawn maps of Peacock, Little River and some I
have never heard of with us around a camp fire and a cold beer.

Please keep Bob Ray and his wife Betty in your thoughts and Prayers today.
I will post and update following his surgery.
Jim

Thank you for sharing with us, Jim. Thoughts and well-wishes go out to Bob and Betty.

Shirley

absolutely.....

I have lost a few family members to cancer. My thought and prayers are with him.

My thought and Prayers are going out to him and his family and friends.

I remember Bob Ray and so does Ken Davis who manages my store. I dived with him and Ken in Devils Eye back in the early 70s when the mainline started around the corner at the lips. He used to make some pretty cool homemade lights back then too. We will keep them in our prayers.

He still has those lights and the homemade charges.
I'll keep you posted.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by adam0321

I have lost a few family members to cancer. My thought and prayers are with him.

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Same same

Having lost my wife to cancer 12 years ago, I will certainly keep him, his family, and friends in my thought and prayers.

A fellow Ohio cave diver

LORD we thank You for Your strength and the power of God touching and healing Bob's body and life today and from now on to walk and live in good health. We ask You for a speedy recovery for him, and great peace and comfort for Betty. Thank You for a long prosperous life for them both, may all their dreams come true. In JESUS name, amen.

Bob went into surgery at 1:00 pm and his wife just texted me and said he is on his way to the recovery room and is doing well.
Thank you all for the kind words and most of all prayer.
God Bless and Ill post an update tomorrow.

Jim

Thanks all for joining in with your thoughts and prayers for Bob and Betty. Bob and I were certified together in 1972 by the Guernsey County Underwater Rescue Unit and by the the YMCA program in 1973. We still dive together along with darkdiver211 and others from this area. Bob is a great friend and has mentored many new divers thru the years. Please continue with your prayers.

I got this text directly from Bob and I want to share it word for word.
Hey Jim Im still alive I think, time in surgery and recovery 12hrs. At 1 am had some problems being dehydrated B/P was 70/50
Im freezin. Heat bags and lamps helped. Didnt think I was goin to make it. Betty would have kicked my butt so I decided to make it. Bob

You folks on the forum are great, just knowing you standby an ole buddy no matter what makes me pround to be a cave diver and a member of this forum.
Jim

Hello Jim glad to hear of Bob's recovery and we will keep him in our thoughts and prayers.
Cave dive buddies are the best my friend!
Till we are diving once again you be sure to take care now!

JCG

Bob came home on Friday the 4th. doing great. He will have a feeding tube for about 4 months and want to dive when the doctor gives him the ok.

Jim

I am sorry for your loss

Dude he came home and is doing great. I sat with him for over 2 hours looking at his photo album. LOL