Never easy

My mechanic buddy has fought cancer for a few yrs now . His wife called yesterday and said I better get out there ( to their house ) if I wanted to say goodbye . She said she understood if I didn't want to see him in his last days in his condition , but I told her I'd be there tomorrow , which was today . I left work at lunch time and drove the 30 minutes to thier house. During that drive I wondered what I would say to him . What do you say to someone on their death bed ? I arrived and entered into the living room where he was laying in a hospital bed . I spent the next hour in a chair next to his bed . He was in rough shape , could barely speak and had his eyes closed almost the entire time I was there . I did get him to smile a couple of times so I know he was coherent . A hospice nurse showed up so I figured it was time to exit , I held his Hand and told him I'd see him on the other side . Man it sure was a struggle to not let tears run down my face .

My buddy Craig is only in his yearly 60's and was delt a crappy hand with the cancer . He is done fighting the fight and his wife says the treatment has been worse than the cancer on him . He quit the treatment a month ago and quit eating about 7 days ago . He's ready to quit suffering and will be gone forever in a few days .

it's a sorry way to go, lost too many family and friends to it. A trapper buddy is on his way out with it as we speak also, his wife passed some years ago from it as well.

Times like that sure suck!. He knew it was time to check out and you being there with him gave him piece of mind going out.

Glad you got to spend his last minutes with him.

You're right. Never easy. Never really ready for it. Glad you were there for him. It meant a lot.

You did good ! That smile will stay with you every time you think of him .

You did well. Better , so much , to be able to have a loved one know you are there, to feel love, no need to worry about what to say. Even in silence, a touch, smile, even in tears, telling them they are loved, means the world. The regret for many is not being able to do this .

Tell loved ones often that they are loved. That will never be forgotten.

Your a good man AntiGov. Just being there meant a lot to your friend.

It would haunt you...if you didn’t go.

I got that same call a couple years ago. Buddy was 44, 3rd hit of cancer. I am unsure if he knew I was there, hope so. He woke once, made some horrible noises, and went back to sleep. He died 2 days later. It’s all sh*tty.

I'm glad you went to visit you're friend and his wife yes cancer sucks , yes the treatments are often worse than the illness talk about a rollercoaster ride for everyone involved .
A good friend of mine flat out told me to eat no matter how bad things get when I was going through cancer treatments and to avoid a feeding tube at all costs , I didn't and a feeding tube isn't any fun at all .

Rest assured that you're visit ment the world to both your friend and his family they get a break even if it's just for a couple hours .
I also lost a friend who was taking cancer treatments when I was to keep the conversation up beat and positive helps even if the outcome is bleak and a family member long ago which hit me the hardest .

Dang, That's sad to hear, May the Good Lord have mercy on the both of you and his family, you and your friend are truly blessed!!

Glad you went. I know your not into country stuff but i listened to this a little earlier and it sure fits.

[video:youtube]https://youtu.be/L-32VheYrJg

Glad you got to see him. God be with him and you.

AntiGov Thank you for being the man you are and being the friend you were to him. My hats off to ya.

Good you were there! The rest sucks when we don't know how they feel. Just being there is all we can do.

Gods grace and peace .

I would have done the same thing. Done it a couple of times with close friends myself but definitely a gut wrenching experience. I am sure he appreciated you were there although in his condition he couldn’t fully express it.

God Bless.
I know the experience.
I made the trip to see my friend and trapping partner in his last hours on earth as he was dying of Pancreas cancer in the hospital.

Good Deal! ...We'll worth your time!

Been there with family it stinks but would not trade being there. Was with my grandfather on his last day from Early early morning untill he passed late that evening. Many family came and went I never left his side.

Don't know if he knew I was there but I knew and know I was there and it makes a big difference to me if that makes any since. I couldn't imagine not being there. You will be glad you went and there is no way you wouldn't have.

Never worry about what to say in a situation like that.
The ministry of being presence is powerful.

Mac