I just wanted to post this up because I have found writing about life events here, good and bad, have helped me a great deal. I know I haven't been around the board much as of late, but it was for good reason. A lot has been going on in my life and I have found myself very busy.
Yesterday, my closest and dearest friend left this world for a better place. This was a person who I could call for a favor, and at a drop of a hat, no matter what else was going on he would be there for me, no questions asked, and I in return for him. I have had the priveledge of knowing this person for over 24 years. We considered ourselves brothers, even though not by blood. Hell, most people thought we were because of our close resemblance, looks and builds.
5 years ago my friend fought a rare cancer and beat it. During routine check-ups, they discovered a spot on is lung. After a biopsy, they found the cancer had gone from his ankle, to his lung. My friend called me at 3:30 am with this news. It was the first time I ever witnessed him to be scared of anything. He went in for treatment, chemo, etc. They removed a portion of his lung, and went in and made sure the cancer had not returned in his ankle. Well, due to the radiation treatments he went through on his ankle previously, it had killed the flesh in this area. Therefore, it was not healing. So, they went in to do a muscle and skin graft. However, they found blood clots below his knee and it was not allowing the muscle to take. The doctors decided to forego the muscle and just do the skin graft. He was healing up well, and in a wheelchair to keep his leg elevated for 4 weeks. He was then given permission to get up and use crutches to get around the house. He started to suffer small bouts of asthma when he would get up, but it would subside. He had asthma prior to this.
My friend was due back at his treatment center this week to begin his last bout of chemo. Everything was looking good, doctors were optomistic. Monday night he went to bed, but woke up an hour later telling his wife he could not breath. After going in and out of conciousness, he was on the way to the hospital. Less than an hour later, he was gone. It's believed he suffered a blood clot that traveled to his lung that took his life.
One thing for certain, my friend always said he would not let cancer kill him, and that he did. It took a blood clot to travel to his lung and deplete his oxygen to take him. He was a true fighter from the beginning to the end, both times.
It going to be strange not being able to pick up the phone and call him, or stop by his house to see him. He was a person who was always there. He left behind a beautiful family, wife, 12 yr. old son, and 9 yr. old daughter. He was 39.
My best friend is gone, but will never be forgotten.....
Yesterday, my closest and dearest friend left this world for a better place. This was a person who I could call for a favor, and at a drop of a hat, no matter what else was going on he would be there for me, no questions asked, and I in return for him. I have had the priveledge of knowing this person for over 24 years. We considered ourselves brothers, even though not by blood. Hell, most people thought we were because of our close resemblance, looks and builds.
5 years ago my friend fought a rare cancer and beat it. During routine check-ups, they discovered a spot on is lung. After a biopsy, they found the cancer had gone from his ankle, to his lung. My friend called me at 3:30 am with this news. It was the first time I ever witnessed him to be scared of anything. He went in for treatment, chemo, etc. They removed a portion of his lung, and went in and made sure the cancer had not returned in his ankle. Well, due to the radiation treatments he went through on his ankle previously, it had killed the flesh in this area. Therefore, it was not healing. So, they went in to do a muscle and skin graft. However, they found blood clots below his knee and it was not allowing the muscle to take. The doctors decided to forego the muscle and just do the skin graft. He was healing up well, and in a wheelchair to keep his leg elevated for 4 weeks. He was then given permission to get up and use crutches to get around the house. He started to suffer small bouts of asthma when he would get up, but it would subside. He had asthma prior to this.
My friend was due back at his treatment center this week to begin his last bout of chemo. Everything was looking good, doctors were optomistic. Monday night he went to bed, but woke up an hour later telling his wife he could not breath. After going in and out of conciousness, he was on the way to the hospital. Less than an hour later, he was gone. It's believed he suffered a blood clot that traveled to his lung that took his life.
One thing for certain, my friend always said he would not let cancer kill him, and that he did. It took a blood clot to travel to his lung and deplete his oxygen to take him. He was a true fighter from the beginning to the end, both times.
It going to be strange not being able to pick up the phone and call him, or stop by his house to see him. He was a person who was always there. He left behind a beautiful family, wife, 12 yr. old son, and 9 yr. old daughter. He was 39.
My best friend is gone, but will never be forgotten.....
RIP Berni
05-09-06
05-09-06