My Buddy

[legion]

I haven't posted this story though it's been chewing at me for months. Now it seems to be coming to its end, unfortunately. My friend used to post on this forum, but hasn't been active in over a decade.

I've known this guy since high school. He's the only person from high school that I still talk to. We went to different colleges but kept in touch. His high school girlfriend broke up with him in college because she wanted to see other people "to make sure he was the one". He took a job at ILM after college and she tracked him down, convinced him to move back to Illinois, and they got married. Turns out she was a high-functioning alcoholic and he was miserable. They divorced after 7 years of marriage with no kids.

He marries again in 2012 to a nice girl 10 years his junior after a second stint in Silicon Valley. A few years in, she comes down with brain cancer. It is described as a form usually only seen in children and slow growing. She ends up getting brain surgery to remove the tumor and is in remission for years.

Fast forward to May of this year, and I contact him to tell him I'll be visiting Orlando (his new home) and want to get together. He tells me that his wife is three months pregnant with twins...and her cancer has returned. Because it was slow-growing, they are advised that the pregnancy is fine and she can start treatment once she delivers. She is encouraged to deliver two months early as a compromise between conditions. During our visit, she is visibly pregnant and in good spirits.

She delivers early, as planned, and aggressive treatment is begun immediately. I talked with my buddy a month ago and she is responding well. The twins are still in the NICU but no major issues and one is to be released to come home soon.

I contact my buddy Friday to check in with him. I expect that everything is progressing in the right direction. The twins are doing well, one is home and one is back in the hospital as a precautionary measure. His wife....is not so good. She's had multiple seizures and possibly a stroke. She is paralyzed on her left side. An MRI that day reveals that the cancer is very aggressive this time around. They say she has days to weeks left.

[mattdavis11]

Whoa! I hope she pulls through to recognize what has been produced.

[LWJ]

Horrible. Sorry to hear this.

[Evans, Marv]

Sad situation, & it seems like some just don't get a break. Wish him & his family luck.

[pwd72s]

Man..that is so damned tough! For his sake, hope your buddy is a strong man.

[MRM]

There is no greater love than for someone to give their life for another. Hopefully your friend and his children can be comforted for the rest of their lives by the memory of how much their wife and mother loved them.

[rfuerst911sc]

Wow tough to read , my only advice is be there for your friend in whatever capacity you can . He will need emotional help/support after she passes . Good luck .

[slow&rusty]

Absolutely tragic, thoughts and prayers.

[reachme]

really sorry to hear this. I wish him strength

[widgeon13]

Sad story, all too familiar. Prayers sent!