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NWCCTV
Posts: 3,629
I am not sure if anyone had even noticed, but for the past couple of months my time and postings on the Forums have been very limited.
Time to explain: The week before Thanksgiving my brother (whom I am very close with and lives just down the hill from me) was in the ER. They diagnosed him with cancer throughout his entire body but could not confirm what type it was. After transferring him to 2 other hospitals they found that it was Small Cell Lung Cancer. A very rapidly spreading cancer. They put him immediately on Chemo and Radiation therapy. They would not let him go home because there was no one to keep an eye
on him 24/7 and he had no Insurance. (Obamacare site was down, he tried). So, my son volunteered to keep an eye on him as did his son and myself. We figured since he was going to pass away within year that we would get him to his own home as this was what he wanted. His only dream was to see the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl. For Christmas I had bought him a Russell Wilson Jersey and Seahawk hat. He watched the NFC playoff game and was ecstatic the Seahawks won. Needless to say, the cancer was too much. The following day he had a stroke from the cancer swelling in his brain. 2 days after that he passed away quietly while I was at the hospital with him. He would have been 53 next Monday. He was cremated with his Jersey and Hat and low and behold the Seahawks pulled it off!!! I have since quite smoking and everyone in my family is also working on it. I am only one year younger and this really smacked me in the face with a dose of reality. Life is too short, enjoy it while you can.
Time to explain: The week before Thanksgiving my brother (whom I am very close with and lives just down the hill from me) was in the ER. They diagnosed him with cancer throughout his entire body but could not confirm what type it was. After transferring him to 2 other hospitals they found that it was Small Cell Lung Cancer. A very rapidly spreading cancer. They put him immediately on Chemo and Radiation therapy. They would not let him go home because there was no one to keep an eye
on him 24/7 and he had no Insurance. (Obamacare site was down, he tried). So, my son volunteered to keep an eye on him as did his son and myself. We figured since he was going to pass away within year that we would get him to his own home as this was what he wanted. His only dream was to see the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl. For Christmas I had bought him a Russell Wilson Jersey and Seahawk hat. He watched the NFC playoff game and was ecstatic the Seahawks won. Needless to say, the cancer was too much. The following day he had a stroke from the cancer swelling in his brain. 2 days after that he passed away quietly while I was at the hospital with him. He would have been 53 next Monday. He was cremated with his Jersey and Hat and low and behold the Seahawks pulled it off!!! I have since quite smoking and everyone in my family is also working on it. I am only one year younger and this really smacked me in the face with a dose of reality. Life is too short, enjoy it while you can.
Comments
Life is definitely too short.
Chris Wardell
We all complain about getting older until we realize what the alternative is.
53 is much too young. I'm glad you had a chance to spend some time with him before he passed.
And do make every effort to give up the cigs. I did it more than 30 years ago. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done but worth every pang and withdrawal to accomplish.
-Phil
He probably knew the Seahawks were going to win, so he could leave in peace.
I'll be turning 54 in three short weeks, so I will echo the thought. "53 is way too young!"
The story is so sad. I'm so sorry you had to face losing your brother this way. It seems that he gave you lasting joy and many things to consider.
May the lord bless you and keep you. May you and your family find peace.
As for smoking ... make up your mind completely first, then go cold turkey, and use the patch. That's what I did and am smoke free now for the last 14 years. There are hard times ahead in quitting, and the patch works, but it will give you vivid nightmares.
Your brother is happy to have the Seahawks win, and we're happy that you're smoke-free and perhaps soon ready to resume some electronic diversions. God bless you and your family.
For the smoking, I quit after smoking since I was 12. You feel better after a few days. Most states have a smoking quit line. The will offer support, and a month's supply of help quit aids(patch, gum, lozenges), if you need it. My biggest help was my friends and family, and spearmint gum.
So sorry to hear about your brother's passing. Nobody is ever prepared for the loss of a sibling. From your history around here I'm sure you've done the best you could in this situation.
I lost a friend last Friday at age 50. This person I'd worked with for several years in the mid-90s, and we've continued to live in the same small community. His passing was also an abrupt surprise - the result of H1N1.
I lost yet another friend at age 50 due to lunch cancer two years ago. She was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and lived for five years before it finally ended.
50 is so young. There's nothing else to say about it, except that it seems far too soon. Quitting the cigs is a real tribute to your brother, too.
Hang in there and know that you have our support. We're glad to see you back, too.
Sincerely,
Ken Gracey
Condolences and strength to you and the family.
Erlend
One year ago my father-in-law was diagnosed with liver/colon/pancreatic cancer.
He passed away this last week.
My condolences to you and your family...
-MattG
I have two younger brothers, both have various ailments mainly the result of smoking since they were about 14-15. I started when I was 15 and smoked for 20 years. Then I came across a remarkable program that helped me quit in 5 weeks. Haven't had a smoke or the desire for over 35 years now. I just turned 70 and am in much better shape than my brothers aged 65 and 60. Both are "disabled", I'm still working. Neither can move around well at all, I am physically active. One is still smoking and I'm afraid that he will never quit. The other has COPD, mainly from smoking, but there are other reasons, too. He is on oxygen part of the day and can't walk 50' without having to rest. Just a few years ago we all used to play golf together - walking. It's tough to see that.
I attribute my health to quitting all those years ago. It's definitely worth it. Don't "give it up", just QUIT. That idea is one of the main motivators. If you "give it up" you are lamenting the loss of something dear to you. If you "quit", you are making a statement that you don't need it anymore.
Hang in there. Soon you won't miss them at all.
I lost my father 15 years ago to cancer.
But I have interaction with him through dreams at least once a week. We still discuss engineering stuff.
I hope you can find a similar situation.