Posted by AuntieMel on January 30, 2008, at 11:44:13
And there is a hole in my heart that will never heal.
Last May, hubby and I had the most amazing vacation, over the pond where he lived. Two wonderful weeks, and my friend was in amazing shape, cycling around London, driving us all over Britain, looking for all the world like he had never been ill a day in his life.
Of course we all knew differently. The last time I'd seen him before this he was in the hospital after his first cancer surgery when he nearly died.
But, geez, he looked so great it gave hope. Even after surgeries, several bouts of chemo, radiation, everything they could toss at him.
This December they discovered a tumour on his spine - and it was interfering with his walking.
Now, this was the most vibrant person I'd ever met. A traveling partner from work - he taught me everything I know about dealing with clients under pressure, and more important, how to look at strange places with childlike wonder.
As "luck" would have it, I was heading over there in December to teach a course. The day I arrived they put him in hospital. More surgery, more pain. He looked so frail, but smiling the whole time, great humor, the same old personality still there.
Two weeks later he was gone. A wife and two little kids alone. I'd trade places in a heartbeat if I could.
I'm on another trip and I keep thinking "problem, I'll call...oh, crap" "Check out the moneys, wait until I tell...oh, never mind"
Have a good journey, Marc, and check out the scenery for me.
poster:AuntieMel
thread:809714
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/grief/20070414/msgs/809714.html