Don't usually stop by the Lounge and have never posted in here before

[Skidmore]

but could use a little suppport right now. My brother called me last night. He has cancer--in his left lung, his colon, and his stomach. He's 48 years old--two years younger than me. He has always been a big strapping guy--250 lbs and 6' tall--who worked jobs that required plenty of brawn. Never has asked much from life, usually content to have a roof over his head. He dropped out of high school but went on to manage several shops and has been well respected as a plain spoken and honorable man.

I hadn't heard from him for a while and he's not one to keep in touch or stay put at home. He's dropped 80 lbs. I could hear the fear in his voice. He lives in Louisiana. I don't think his prognosis is good in spite of what he says. His attitude and hopefulness is evident. Our mother died of cancer 10 years ago and I know when it has spread like this the chances are reduced for survival.

I'm just having a bit of trouble believing I had that phone conversation with him and it feels pretty surreal. I don't think I'll be able to go there though. We're having a set of problems that is really biting into our finances right now in a big way. I feel helpless now.