Just found out, an old friend passed away...

[JoePSU]

I just found out that an old friend of mine from elementary school passed away from a battle with testicular cancer last week. I do not know any details at all about his struggle, his obituaries read that he is finally at peace after a "long battle with cancer."

I had no idea he was sick, and hadn't talked to him in literally, 15 years. We even went to High School together but weren't friends after elementary school. Best friends in 2nd grade, and shared the same disease.

I feel as sad today as I did when I was diagnosed myself. I know I'm mourning my old friend, but I'm mourning myself a bit too.

I guess I feel some kind of brotherhood with his memory now, and maybe my emotion is misplaced, but this is an overwhelming reminder of the severity of what we have been through, and the struggle I still face with it daily.

[Margaret]

Joe, I am so very sorry about your friend and I know it will be hard to cope with the new found feelings it is creating. Boyce too lost a childhood friend to TC so if you need anyone to talk to, I am sure he would be helpful.

How have you been doing?

[Kev332]

Sorry to hear this news Joe. It definitely hits hard when we hear another person has passed away from this disease. Even though this disease has a high cure rate, its times like these when we are reminded of how lucky we are.

Hang in there Joe.

-Kevin

[Fed]

I guess I feel some kind of brotherhood with his memory now, and maybe my emotion is misplaced, but this is an overwhelming reminder of the severity of what we have been through, and the struggle I still face with it daily.

Joe,

Your emotions are certainly not misplaced. I was recently corresponding with my "big Bro" here, and this is one of the major things we have to confront almost daily... a huge anvil on our backs that makes us more sensitive to our fellow brethren that are dealing -or have dealt- with this fight. As much as feeling this way sucks, it is a part of who we are, and we must always strive to make the best of it. Just know that with these up and downs, you are not alone in this, and you should never hesitate to call on any of us for whatever you need.

I am also still hoping you can make it to the tat party in December. You wouldn't believe how helpful these family reunions are for one's psyche.

[boyce]

I hear you loud and clear, Joe.

The whole situation with Danny was eerily similar to what my childhood friend went through. There's no way to say why your body and mine were able to accept the treatment and kill the cancer while theirs were not.

It isn't fair and it isn't right.

I have made a very conscious choice to live my daily life in a way that would make my friend (John) proud. And I have rededicated myself to that end in Danny's spirit.

This disease just can't be explained......it's brutally unfair and cruel.

Please accept my condolences for your loss.

Fight on, though, OK? Get up every day and do something to celebrate your survivor status. If not for yourself, then do it for the ones who can't do it for themselves anymore.

I left Danny a voicemail a week ago today as I rode in a cab past Sloan-Kettering. Hope you got the message, Big Guy!! I surely got the one you have left for me.

[jdunn]

Joe,
I too, am so sorry for the loss of your childhood friend. It seems that when I hear of someone suffering of this disease or who has passed on I am automatically connected even though we've never met. Hard to explain but I know you understand. We are a family, somehow connected. It's comforting
knowing that we are not alone and that we have each other to count on.
My thoughts are with you.

[Karen]

Joe,
I'm very sorry for the loss of you childhood friend. You'll honor him in your survivorship.

Mark is right about the tat party...just physicllay being in the same place with others takes this "family" to another level. It is a reaffirmation of what we have been through and where we are.

[TCLEFT]

Joe,
I'm very sorry for the loss of you childhood friend. You'll honor him in your survivorship.

Mark is right about the tat party...just physicllay being in the same place with others takes this "family" to another level. It is a reaffirmation of what we have been through and where we are.

Actually Fed is right about the tat party, but I concur. I think Karen and I are about ready to burst to have this happen.

Joe,
I'm sorry for your loss. Just doesn't make any sense, does it? In the three years since diagnosis, I've had this beast three times. In those three years I've lost a friend and neighbor to colon cancer, a high school friend to a heart attack, and an all too young forum Brother to this disease, and there are others as well. I don't understand how any of these occurances can make any sense what so ever. The suffering and waste I just can't seem to wrap my brain around, and I'm not sure I even want to. What I do want to do is wrap my heart around "Now". For now, I'm still here. And I know I get strength from this group. And I feel just about whole again when any of us are physically together. You and your family are welcome to come and put the faces and names to the "forum handles". I'm Mark and have been longer than I've been TCLEFT.
Much Love,
Mark

[JoePSU]

Thanks for your kind words, everyone. It sounded from his obituary that he had a long struggle with his disease, and I hope he is at peace now.

Meanwhile, my mother in law, who is in her 50s and is 1.5years post chemo for Ovarian Cancer, just went in today for genetic testing So, we will likely find out soon if my Wife, as well, is at a higher risk for cancer than the "average" person.

Amazing how many people are affected by this disease. It is absolutely staggering.