On the other hand, at least now I know what a glioblastoma is

[DFW]

A stage 4 glioblastoma, to be precise. When I first heard the term, I thought
it was some kind of plant stem. When I heard my wife's brother had it, I thought
it was some kind of cyst. When I was told he had four to six months to live, I
took it a little more seriously.

He lasted two years, blew his doctors away, but it roared back with a vengeance
starting New Year's Day. He went from functional and conversational to a vegetable
unable to eat, drink, speak, or move in three weeks, and it took his life yesterday.
He was a good guy with malice toward none, and had just turned 52. His wife is sort
of pretending to keep an even keel, and his daughter is unconsolable.

Somehow, a lot of things that were of vital importance 48 hours ago don't matter
a whole hell of a lot today. My wife and I are traveling over to central Germany
near Hameln, where he lived, today. If I don't respond to messages for a little
while, that's why.

[XemaSab]

1. You have my condolences

:pals:

[Flaxbee]

2. I'm so sorry you (or anyone) has to learn what a glioblastoma is...

my condolences to your family, and his. Travel safe. :hug:

[ThomCat]

3. My condolences and best wishes for the whole family.

:(

I am so sorry for your wife's family. I hope you can offer them some comfort and make this hard time more bearable.

My best wishes go with you.

[Suich]

4. I'm so very sorry, DFW.

I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

[DFW]

5. Thanks, everyone

ThomCat, as it turns out, you were close to the mark. Her brother and I were/are decades-long
Leo Kottke fans, and when I finally met up with Kottke's legendary 12-string guitar builder,
Božo Podunavac in 1977, and had him build me a few guitars, I gave my bro-in-law a mid-1970s
Guild 512 that I had been playing up til then. He was over the moon, and got pretty good at it.

Since everyone knew where he got his inspiration for 12 string guitar music, they have asked me
to play at his funeral.

[lightningandsnow]

6. I'm so sorry.

My condolences to you and your family.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My deepest condolences to you, my dear DFW...

So young, too young...

Safe passage to him...

May the memory of your good times with him sustain you during your grief...

Safe travels to you and your wife...

:hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

8. My condolences to you and your family.

GBM are nasty, unrelenting tumors. It's amazing that he lasted two years after diagnosis.

[DFW]

12. He stole the time away from Mother Nature

He lived in a rural area, and he said, "as long as I feel OK, I will BE OK," and took long,
strenuous walks in the hills and took long bike rides as well. His doctors couldn't figure out
that he was still walking around and having 99% of a normal life way after his diagnosis said
he should have been long gone. But it finally caught up with him, and with a vengeance.

It's wonderful that he lasted this long, and even better that his descent was late and swift.
He suffered from pain in the end and was given morphine, but only in the last two weeks.

It was difficult, as we all got very used to his medical miracle, and committed the unpardonable
sin of thinking he would beat the inevitable. We had all forgotten that he was living on a whole
lot of borrowed time, and figured out very quickly that we were grateful to have had him around
so long after we had no right to expect to do so.

His daughter was close to my two daughters, and they have been in touch. They are her only cousins,
and though they are both now living in America (for now, anyway), they keep in touch via email,
and probably Facebook or similar things.

We just got back from his village, and he was back home for the day. He looked like he was sleeping
peacefully after a strenuous day. It fooled no one, of course, and his mother (i.e. my MIL) was
pretty shaken up. My wife and I brought her back here to stay with us here in the Rheinland for a
couple of days. I'm going to catch hell for not being in Brussels as scheduled next week. I think
they'll manage without me.

[auntAgonist]

9. Puts things in perspective doesn't it ? I'm sorry for your

family's loss. Have a safe journey as you prepare to say goodbye to your brother/ brother-in-law.

Please accept my condolences.

aA
kesha

[BlueIris]

10. Ouch. Terribly sorry.

All best to you and yours.

[Haole Girl]

11. Thinking about you and your family

:hug:

[DFW]

13. Mahalo!

[JohnnyLib2]

14. Such a tragedy.

Condolences to all the family.

[PassingFair]

15. I don't know you, but I always enjoy your posts....

Sounds like the world will be a poorer
place without your brother-in-law, and
I am sorry.

:cry:

[DFW]

17. You are quite right

The world lost a very good man yesterday. A wise old Frenchman once told me that the
cemetary is full of people the world couldn't do without. How true.

The comment on my posts is both appreciated and courageous--your opinion is definitely
NOT universally shared (we'll both probably live to tell the tale).

I don't know you either, but having an avatar with the name of an admired friend in it
certainly brings a smile to my face :-)

[Redstone]

16. Please accept my condolences for you and your family.

Redstone

[DFW]

18. Thanks again to all I haven't replied to individually

We are just winding down from the long drive back here, and having tomato soup and tea
before going to bed (11 PM here).

I don't post personal stuff as a rule, and this was definitely as much therapeutic for me
as much as anything else ("echar mis versos del alma," as Martí put it).

Every now and then, some unsung wonderful person gets snatched from me/us, and I sometimes
burden friends or a board with my sentiments. Apologies to those who would prefer no one
did--you're probably right. But I appreciate the tolerance all the same. I am in one those
positions where I am usually the one expected to give orders/directions, and be the shoulder
everyone else leans on. An internet board provides a convenient outlet for someone like me,
and I probably abuse the privilege on occasion..

[Redstone]

20. No apologies to DU members needed. None at all. Take some time, relax,

amd take care of yourself and your family.

Redstone

[I Have A Dream]

19. I'm so very sorry.

:(

:hug::hug: