A co-worker passed away this afternoon. It was expectedly unexpected. He got sick last spring and after weeks of tests, they figured out that he had a tumor on his liver. He went to Chicago for surgery. They removed 70% of his liver, but it had started regenerating out the healthy side. They said that he'd be relatively back to normal in six months and he'd have a fully functioning liver. All summer, he rested and worked at healing. He even came back to work part time in the fall. And then around Christmas time, the tumor came back. He did chemo and it kicked his ass. He needed more surgery, but wasn't strong enough to go through it again so soon. Hospice was called in last week.
He was just about the nicest person I know. He was kind and smart and funny and just an all around cool person. He had a great outlook on life. When the young punks at work were having troubles, they always got a few days out on a job site with Steve. He had a knack for helping them get back on track. He was such a gentle soul. My big thing with Joan is her trying to convince me that you can be nice and stick up for yourself, and not have it be the whole "nice guys finish last" thing. Steve was truly a nice guy who finished first - not because he was seeking it out, but it just came to him.
He loved being outside. He always had a great tan. We both loved summer and hot weather. We joked all the time about how tan he was compared to me, the palest of the pale. Every time he phoned in (after I said my signature "Helloooooo, Steve" which always made him chuckle, he gave me a tanning report. On nice summer days, it was "Oh, it's a good tanning day today." On cloudy days, it was, "Not a good tanning day." On cold days, it was the same (sunny days = *would* be a good tanning day IF he didn't have to wear a turtleneck and a Carhartt, cloudy days = not a good tanning day, and we'd count the weeks until spring). Today is cold (about 28°), but there's not a cloud in the sky. The sky is a beautiful blue color and the sun is shining. It feels so good on your face. It's a beautiful day. It's a perfect tribute to you, Steve. I hope you got to look outside this morning.
I woke up this morning thinking about him. I wondered if today was the day. It turned out it was. Rest in peace, Steve.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
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2 comments:
Wow. He passed away one day before his birthday? GAH! He was born the same year as the Hubs (my husband, in case you don't know him by his moniker "the Hubs"). Scary.
I lost a very good friend last year very (sort of) unexpectedly as well. She was diagnosed with Cancer but a very treatable form, there was no reason they expected her to die. She passed away due to a complication in her chemotherapy, not the actual Cancer. It's hard. I hope you have someone/friends to talk to about it. I found it easier to to grieve by myself but to talk happily about the fun times with her with other people who knew her.
I'm sorry for you loss.
Thanks, Q. I'm just glad that I had the chance to know him. He was such a cool person.
I'm sorry about your friend. Cancer just sucks.
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