My Friend

[DUD]

This is from a friend of Mine that I was in Vietnam with, I received it in July and He is still with Us. I email Him almost daily and I get a response, I have asked to be notified so I can try to go to the funeral. I don't remember posting this before, I feel so bad for Him. Bill

Hope you don't mind sharing this e-mail, thought I'd let you both know what's going on. During May I went through a whole series of tests and we found out that the bone cancer had spread to the bone marrow. In June I went into Hospice Care here at home. The Doc's give me about 5 months, around Dec. 22. If I make it that far I don't see why I can't make New Years, that's my plan for now. Just wanted you both to know. The Hospice team said I wouldn't have any pain, they've taken care of that so it won't be so bad. I've been fighting this for ten years now and I'm getting really tired.

I'm good and Jacquie and I have just about taken care of everything so it's all right here.



You two take care of yourselves and the best of luck to both of you.

Your Friend,

Bill

[oakchas]

Sorry to hear that DUD.

Sounds like your friend has it all together, though, and has a plan to see the new year. That's not so bad.

I know you're not feeling so hot about it. But as your friend Bill C. has said (and one thing I do admire him for), "There's gonna be a "homegoing!" and that's a good thing.

[jseklund]

Dud,
I'm sorry to hear that. Did he mean New Years of 2020? Tell him if he makes it to this New Years, he can make it to the next- he'll have already proved the Doctors wrong at that point.

I know Anthony Robbins is probably considered to be a hoax by many or at least some of you, but he had some good advice for situations like this. I can't deliver it like him, but the question to ask now is, "If this is what he has left- then what do I need to do in order to make the experience a '10' for him?"

I heard someone say once that she asked a Rabbi if it were true that before you die your whole life flashes before you. The Rabbi thought for a moment, and said, "No. Before you die, all of the possibilities that might have been flash before you."

I'm sincerely sorry to hear this Dud, and hope that he gets to do what he wants to do. Let me know if you need anything.

[BearPipes-1]

Hey DUD,

Sounds like the hospice folks are on top of keeping your buddy comfortable, that he's facing the sunset with dignity and is maintaining his important relationships. He sounds like he's doing very well being content in all circumstances. He sounds like a great person.

Is this someone who would enjoy a visit from you *before* the end of the year, or is that out of the question for one or both of you?

-Mike.

[DUD]

Mike I visited Him earlier this year, and He wants to remain in contact, but not face to face. I sometimes wonder how long it takes Him to compose an email to me. Bill

[LarryG]

Bill, I have two things I'd like to say to you at this difficult time. The first is to echo the condolences and good wishes that the others here have already sent your way. I hope you are able to take some small comfort in knowing that your friend is facing this with the kind of strength and dignity we should all be so lucky to have, when our times come.

The second is that I'd like to Thank You for posting this. The main lesson my own cancer experience taught me is that throughout most of my life, I was never one to give enough back. In the three years since the end of my treatments, I have tried to correct that failing by doing whatever I can to benefit, in some small way, cancer patients who are not so lucky as me. Posts like yours, sad as they may be, serve as a reminder to myself and other cancer survivors that our jobs are not finished; that there is still much work to be done.

[bmyers]

I am sorry to hear that Bill.

Your old friend will go through this phase of life on the soil of the grateful nation that he served. In the comfort of his own home with the love and support of his family and friends. When the time does come, he will be buried with military honors in the place of his choice.

Unfortunately I'm sure you can name many other, much younger, buddies who died in Vietnam with a lot less offered to them at the time.

Leave nothing unsaid and use wisely the time left, as should we all.

Bill

[Pappy]

Always a rough thing to deal with, Bill. It does sound like your buddy has prepared himself to face the enevitable.