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DairyKing's Journal, 10 May 2012
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This is going to be a sad story, so you might want to skip it. I lived most of my young life in foster homes until I was about 12, before going to live with my mom and my new stepfather. Things didn't work out to well, and I left home when I was 15 and went to live with my grandmother near Cleveland for a while. She was from the old school and she didn't put up with my antics, so she kicked me out. I hooked up with a Junior in High School and we became best friends. He convinced his mom and dad to let me move in with them, if I got my mother's permission. He became my 'brother from another mother'. Well, I got a job washing dishes in a hotel, while I continued to go to school. It got to be a little too much for me to handle, and I was kind of wearing out my welcome with my friend's mom, so I joined the Army at 17 - again with my mother's permission. We stayed in touch through my Army years and up until I went into the Navy in 1975. I lost touch with him until about six months ago, when I finally hooked up with him again via the internet. Within 4 months of finding him, his wife died of lung cancer, and two weeks before she died he had two brain tumors the size of golf balls surgically removed. He refused chemo or radiation; said he prefered not to spend what little time he had left, being sick. He has been traveling the US in an RV, but had to quit driving it because he started having seizures since the operation. I noticed he wasn't answering my emails or phone calls over the last two weeks. Before that, he seemed to be in good spirits and doing great. Tonight I received a phone call from his phone number, thinking it was him; It was his son. He had driven out to Arizona and brought the RV and his Dad back to Ohio and checked him into a hospital who transferred him to hospice. My friend wanted so much to stop on the way through and see me, but his son said he just wasn't in any shape to be able to do that. His son is going to pick him up from the hospice tomorrow and bring him home to die. He says the doctor told him that there is nothing they can do, and has given him about 6 or 7 weeks to live. It's been almost 40 years since I've seen him. He's the only childhood friend I've ever located. My wife gets her last intense dose of chemo on the 21st, so I'm still planning on running my race next Saturday on the 19th, and hanging around to see how well she takes that chemo treatment, before I go out there. There's a chance I won't get out to see him before he dies, but I'm praying that he holds on till then. We have a lot of catching up to do. Just giving you guys heads-up that I may be traveling after next weekend. This is going to be a tough one.
Diet Calendar Entry for 10 May 2012:
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2983 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Running (jogging) - 5/mph - 18 minutes, Running - 6/mph - 20 minutes, Resting - 18 hours and 22 minutes, Sleeping - 5 hours. more...
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 Comments
Ohh DK... I'm so sorry.. :( I'm praying that he will hold on for you as well.. Lots and lots of thoughts and prayers for you and yours, my friend...
10 May 12 by member: erika2633
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Thinking of u and your friend. ((((Hugs))))
10 May 12 by member: jessabridge4444
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So sorry buddy. You've had quite the life. I hope you get to share a moment with your 'brother from another mother'.
10 May 12 by member: JessWhatINeeded
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*huge hug* This is pretty sh1t, but it's awesome that you've had a friend this close. All my fingers crossed and prayers for him holding on til you get there. xx
10 May 12 by member: ferlengheti
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Heavy stuff DK......Keep leaning on your faith buddy.
10 May 12 by member: Rpalmst
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I've had a good life. Not ready to give up the ghost yet. My bro is the only remaining link with my early past. It will be like a part of me dying. The only true sorrow in living a long life is that not all of my friends do.
10 May 12 by member: DairyKing
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Praying for you and your friend!
10 May 12 by member: hobo1219
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(((hugs))) winging their way to you. I hope you 'brother by another mother', hangs on for you, and your DW's chemo session goes well, so that you can get to see him, without worrying about her x
11 May 12 by member: Sk1nnyfuture
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Hey buddy..So sorry to hear this...Praying for you and your brother and your DW...Life is soo short...we went to a viewing of a freinds brother last night..he was only 58..to some that may seem old but to me that is very young..he had a rare cancer too..Praying that you can see him before he is gone..Take care my friend...{{{BIG HUGS}}}....Bren
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Hi DK! I just happened to catch Bren's journal this morning and came to see how you were. What a wonderful friend you have! I hope all goes well with your wife's treatments and the race (good luck) and if it is meant to be.... you will get to visit with him. I know how much he means to you. I know this is hard but you are prepared. I will be thinking of you. Thank you so much for sharing this. You are such a special guy. ((((BIG HUGS!!)))
11 May 12 by member: Mom2Boxers
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So sorry to hear! Prayers for you and your friend!
11 May 12 by member: Bkeller1023
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You're in my thoughts! He sounds like such a wonderful person. I have a feeling he'll hang on long enough for you to come see him. That's just what good friends do :) **HUGS**
11 May 12 by member: peppymint
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I too will keep you and this situation in prayer.
11 May 12 by member: HeidiG
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Big hug DK. I hope you have some time with your friend and all goes well with your wife. Not much more I know to say except your in my prayers.
11 May 12 by member: petuniak
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Thanks everybody! I really appreciate your thoughts and prayers. We lived a rowdy lifestyle in a bygone era. You wouldn't even think we were the same people you'd meet today. We weren't choir boys. He had my back and I had his. It's hard to let go of the only connection you have to that time in your life, whether you're proud of that time or not. I have always looked forward to the opportunity to reminisce with him about those times. I hope I still get a chance to do that.
11 May 12 by member: DairyKing
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11 May 12 by member: DLynneGarner
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