Today...

[hiddenmuse]

would have been my step-dad's 49th birthday.

You know, I thought it would be insanely hard - that I'd have a hard time getting through the day. But, it wasn't bad at all. Yes, I'd thought of him a few times, and cried once twice.

Day by day, it is getting better. Very slowly, but surely.

Comments

[nikitaquincy.livejournal.com]

*BIG HUGS*

[gardengnomegeek.livejournal.com]

*hugs and more hugs*

My, he was very young to die. What happened? I hope you don't think that is a nosy question.

Hope today is better for you.

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Thank you. *hugs back*

He'd had testicular cancer a few years back, and the chemotherapy (among other things) just wreaked havoc on his system - he'd had strokes, kidney failure, and ultimately had a heart attack.

It was a lot of suffering - but he's in a better place now (wherever that place happens to be)

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Thank you!

[nikitaquincy.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I just don't know what to say. But I certainly know what you're going through. I'm not looking forward to my dad's next birthday. :(

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

No worries. Sometimes hugs (even virtual) are the best form of communication.

Thank you for being part of my support system - I hope that I can do the same for you. :-)

[gardengnomegeek.livejournal.com]

I am just a little bit sick of cancer. When I was a pretty small kid, I heard this stat that you would never go through life without knowing somebody die of cancer. At the time, it seemed surreal. Now it seems obvious.

Kevin had a testicular cancer scare many years ago. We were actually broken up at the time, but it brought us back together.

[nikitaquincy.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. And thank YOU. Your support has been so very much appreciated. I feel so blessed to know you and have you in my life. :)

I'm so thankful that FOB has brought you and all the trch2thrthwrms girls into my life. I'm so grateful to them, and to you, and even to my dad, for all of this. ♥

And now I'm crying, so I'd better post this.

[nikitaquincy.livejournal.com]

It's true. I never believed that statement either, until I lost a couple of friends to cancer when I was in high school. After that, it seemed like it was neverending. :( I lost my godmother a few years ago to lung cancer, and she'd never smoked a day in her life. She was the closest thing I'd ever had to a grandmother, and I was devastated when she passed away.

And now to lose my dad, it's just so heartbreaking. :( And my mom had uterine cancer last year, but fortunately hers was caught early enough that they could operate and she hasn't had it since.

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

You're not the only one that's sick of cancer. Several years before my stepdad's diagnosis, I had a co-worker whose son died of testicular cancer. I was so afraid to mention that my stepdad was sick, and that eventually, he'd had some time cancer-free, because I didn't know how this co-worker would take it.

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

I'd known *of* people that had cancer in one shape or form - but when it's someone close to you, that's when it really hits hard.

I'm glad that your mom has been cancer-free - that is probably a relief in your mind.

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

:-D

Yes, if we actually met them, it would be like - "hey, thanks for the music. it brought us all together as friends" Maybe we'd even refrain from glomping Patrick. ;-)

[gardengnomegeek.livejournal.com]

Ah, that is so sweet Nerysa. I feel the same way about all of you.

Over the years, some bands biggest impact on my life has been the wonderful friends I have met because of them.

I hope we all get to meet them when we are together and tell them about it.

[nikitaquincy.livejournal.com]

I'm glad too. I don't think I'd have been able to handle losing both parents. :(

[nikitaquincy.livejournal.com]

LOL no I'd still glomp him, but yes, I think it would be awesome to be able to meet them collectively and tell them that. I hope we get the opportunity :)

[nikitaquincy.livejournal.com]

♥

It's amazing the friends you meet through a shared love of a band. And this by far has been the best fandom I've been a part of, with the most amazing people in it. :)

I too hope we get to meet them collectively. That would be so awesome. :D Besides, Patrick owes me a hug ;)

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Yeah ... that's true. Kinda hard to *not* glomp him!