MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Rest in peace, Mike
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Rest in peace, Mike

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Rest in peace, Mike

  • Post
    • March 17, 2013 at 3:01 pm
    POW
    Participant

      Nine months after  his initial diagnosis (stage IV with brain mets at that time) my brother passed away peacefully under hospice care yesterday. 

      Nine months after  his initial diagnosis (stage IV with brain mets at that time) my brother passed away peacefully under hospice care yesterday. 

      I posted before about our "last visit" 3 weeks ago (see:http://www.melanoma.org/community/off-topic-forum/update-re-last-visit  ). Even though he couldn't talk at that time other than to say "yes" or "no", we had a very good visit, we had some fun, and we communicated what needed to be communicated. A week or 10 days ago, he could no longer say even "yes" and"no", he could not get out of bed without assistance, and he started to have trouble swallowing. He still claimed to have no pain (he could nod his head "yes" or "no") but his medical team decided it was time for hospice inpatient care. He was moved from the nursing home to the hospice house last Wednesday.

      On Friday morning, I got a call from the hospice nurse that "it was time"– hospice felt that my brother was near the end. So I threw my clothes in a suticase, jumped in the car, and drove 8 hours from Atlanta to Tampa. I arrived at hospice house at about 9 PM. My brother was semi-comatose, but resting peacefully, not in pain or struggling to breathe. No tubes, no beeping monitors, no glaring lights. Just apparently sleeping. I sat with him for quite a while. I talked to him and reminded him about some crazy St. Patrick's Day stunts he had pulled in the past. I put a cool washcloth on his brow, and cried a little. He woke up a couple of times and seemed to recognize me. At one point, he raised one hand and moved it toward me, which I interpreted as him wanting to give me a hug. So I sat on the edge of the bed an we had a long hug. When it was time for me to leave, I told him to go back to sleep and that I would be back in the morning.  At 8 the next morning, hospice called to tell us Mike had just passed.

      It seems strange to say it, and I could never prove it, but I can't help but think that he was waiting for me to get there before he let go. I have been the closest person to him throughout his life (other than his dear, departed Margaret) and I can well imagine him using his incredible will to hang in there long enough for me to see for myself that he was not in distress and for us to both have a loving good-bye.

      His gentle, fiercely independent life, his long valiant struggle, and his final passsing are over. I was able to arrange for his favorite priest to say Mass for my brother that same day, and our 91-year-old mother and I were able to attend. This evening, I am hosting an Irish wake (on Saint Patrick's Day, no less!) at his favorite local bar. It's a "Friends" type place where everybody knows Mike's name.  I promised to buy a drink for anyone who can tell a funny story about Mike– gross exaggerations will be encouraged. My brother was very cooperative in the last few months about settling his affairs, so there really won't be much left for me to do as his executor– just some forms to fill out and a final interment/memorial service in June. 

      Farewell, dear big brother. From now on, I will imagine that you and Margeret are happily and forever sailing away to fascinating new harbors in Heaven.  

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • March 17, 2013 at 9:18 pm
        Cielo
        Participant

          My deepest sympathy……from the bottom of my heart. 

          Cielo

          • March 17, 2013 at 9:18 pm
          Cielo
          Participant

            My deepest sympathy……from the bottom of my heart. 

            Cielo

            • March 17, 2013 at 9:18 pm
            Cielo
            Participant

              My deepest sympathy……from the bottom of my heart. 

              Cielo

              • March 18, 2013 at 12:53 pm
              Colleen66
              Participant

                I am very sorry hun.  But I'm also grateful for that last good visit and being there for him at the end.  The "Mike" stories should be lots of fun and good memories. 

                My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

                Colleen 

                • March 18, 2013 at 12:53 pm
                Colleen66
                Participant

                  I am very sorry hun.  But I'm also grateful for that last good visit and being there for him at the end.  The "Mike" stories should be lots of fun and good memories. 

                  My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

                  Colleen 

                  • March 18, 2013 at 12:53 pm
                  Colleen66
                  Participant

                    I am very sorry hun.  But I'm also grateful for that last good visit and being there for him at the end.  The "Mike" stories should be lots of fun and good memories. 

                    My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

                    Colleen 

                    • March 22, 2013 at 12:51 pm
                    BillMFl
                    Participant

                      Sorry to hear of his passing.  I read his obit this morning and what a varied and interesting life he had! From the quality of the writing I am guessing you were the author. I lost my "little" sister, my only sibling and last remaining family member from my childhood just a few years ago. It is so hard to lose those kind of people with all the ties they represent to our pasts. Hope you and your family are doing well.

                      • March 22, 2013 at 12:51 pm
                      BillMFl
                      Participant

                        Sorry to hear of his passing.  I read his obit this morning and what a varied and interesting life he had! From the quality of the writing I am guessing you were the author. I lost my "little" sister, my only sibling and last remaining family member from my childhood just a few years ago. It is so hard to lose those kind of people with all the ties they represent to our pasts. Hope you and your family are doing well.

                          • March 23, 2013 at 11:10 am
                          POW
                          Participant

                            Thank you, everyone, for your kind messages of condolence. In point of fact, I and my whole family have been grieving in little bits and pieces for the last 9 months, so this final chapter is not being as traumatic as I expected. A certain thought or situation crops up and I find myself beginning to cry, but then it passes and I go on. I assume this will continue to happen on and off for quite a while.

                            Bill, its a weird feeling to have my "cyber" life and my "real" life cross paths like they did when you correctly identified my brother's obituary in the local paper. You're very astute! And, yes, I did write the obit. I didn't know that my writing style was so identifiable. smiley

                            For me, losing my brother is worse than losing my parents. Mike and I shared a foxhole during our childhood when my parents were fighting like cats and dogs for so many years. When he was 10, he punched 10-year-old Johnny in the nose for threatening to tell 7-year-old me that there was no Santa Claus. When I was a poor graudate student, he insisted on trading me his suped-up "muscle" car for my falling-apart "old lady" car because he was afraid I would break down on the highway. That was a hell of a sacrifice for a young man to make! He was my rock and my protector and he was supposed to be here for me forever. And I for him. Well, as you said, he lived a varied and interesting life. He marched to his own drummer and never hurt a soul. And now he is at peace and together with his beloved Margaret forever. 

                            Thank you again for your sympathy and support. 

                            • March 23, 2013 at 11:10 am
                            POW
                            Participant

                              Thank you, everyone, for your kind messages of condolence. In point of fact, I and my whole family have been grieving in little bits and pieces for the last 9 months, so this final chapter is not being as traumatic as I expected. A certain thought or situation crops up and I find myself beginning to cry, but then it passes and I go on. I assume this will continue to happen on and off for quite a while.

                              Bill, its a weird feeling to have my "cyber" life and my "real" life cross paths like they did when you correctly identified my brother's obituary in the local paper. You're very astute! And, yes, I did write the obit. I didn't know that my writing style was so identifiable. smiley

                              For me, losing my brother is worse than losing my parents. Mike and I shared a foxhole during our childhood when my parents were fighting like cats and dogs for so many years. When he was 10, he punched 10-year-old Johnny in the nose for threatening to tell 7-year-old me that there was no Santa Claus. When I was a poor graudate student, he insisted on trading me his suped-up "muscle" car for my falling-apart "old lady" car because he was afraid I would break down on the highway. That was a hell of a sacrifice for a young man to make! He was my rock and my protector and he was supposed to be here for me forever. And I for him. Well, as you said, he lived a varied and interesting life. He marched to his own drummer and never hurt a soul. And now he is at peace and together with his beloved Margaret forever. 

                              Thank you again for your sympathy and support. 

                              • March 23, 2013 at 11:10 am
                              POW
                              Participant

                                Thank you, everyone, for your kind messages of condolence. In point of fact, I and my whole family have been grieving in little bits and pieces for the last 9 months, so this final chapter is not being as traumatic as I expected. A certain thought or situation crops up and I find myself beginning to cry, but then it passes and I go on. I assume this will continue to happen on and off for quite a while.

                                Bill, its a weird feeling to have my "cyber" life and my "real" life cross paths like they did when you correctly identified my brother's obituary in the local paper. You're very astute! And, yes, I did write the obit. I didn't know that my writing style was so identifiable. smiley

                                For me, losing my brother is worse than losing my parents. Mike and I shared a foxhole during our childhood when my parents were fighting like cats and dogs for so many years. When he was 10, he punched 10-year-old Johnny in the nose for threatening to tell 7-year-old me that there was no Santa Claus. When I was a poor graudate student, he insisted on trading me his suped-up "muscle" car for my falling-apart "old lady" car because he was afraid I would break down on the highway. That was a hell of a sacrifice for a young man to make! He was my rock and my protector and he was supposed to be here for me forever. And I for him. Well, as you said, he lived a varied and interesting life. He marched to his own drummer and never hurt a soul. And now he is at peace and together with his beloved Margaret forever. 

                                Thank you again for your sympathy and support. 

                              • March 22, 2013 at 12:51 pm
                              BillMFl
                              Participant

                                Sorry to hear of his passing.  I read his obit this morning and what a varied and interesting life he had! From the quality of the writing I am guessing you were the author. I lost my "little" sister, my only sibling and last remaining family member from my childhood just a few years ago. It is so hard to lose those kind of people with all the ties they represent to our pasts. Hope you and your family are doing well.

                            Viewing 8 reply threads
                            • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                            About the MRF Patient Forum

                            The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                            The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                            Popular Topics