Hello from the Wild, Wild West!

[rokkitsci]

I've been gone a few days driving from Florida to Arizona. I have a wonderful friend of over 40 years who has managed to contract terminal prostrate cancer. Unfortunately, none of his 4 ex-wives is readily available (nor willing) to be there for him, nor can his amazing adult daughter provide the attention which will be necessary soon since she has a very full plate with her own full time job plus has taken over the custody of my friend's 14-year old, troubled problem child (her half-sister).

Since I'm in a unique and strange position in my life, I packed my 9 humidorii into my near-antique, 1992 Nissan Quest (had to leave the middle seat in Florida to accomodate them), threw in a few unders and headed west. Amazingly, the anticipated 5-6 day trip (a touch over 2100 miles) was accomplished in just over 54 hours by virtue of almost non-stop driving (one 4-hour nap) and the assistance of a most wonderful product I discovered: Energy Drink!

Despite Las Vegas odds of 7:4 against, both antiques (that would be my motor vehicle and myselves) made it across country. My knowledge of geography; however, was severely challenged since I hadn't been aware of the fact that the state of Texas actually extends from coast to coast. Horrible, long trip. Am not looking forward to the eventual return journey.

So, I'm settled in for the duration. Don't know if I'll be here for 3 weeks, 3 months, or even 3 years. Family doesn't really understand but is grudgingly supportive. Hard to explain to them even though my relationship with my mate is longer than the one with my wife. Best I can do is to tell them that were the situation reversed, I've no doubt that he would do the same for me.

Finally got my computer set up. Much has changed in the few days I've been absent and I'm busy catching up whilst triaging my voluminous emails and moving into my strange new surroundings (not many mountains in Florida, y'know).

But it's good to be back here again, bringing a little semblance of "home" to this faraway place...

[peanutpete]

hi mate really sorry to hear about your friend,i think your doing a great thing in giving him the support he will need in this time of his life,be strong for him, i hope this little forum of ours give you a break from the situation,

[celsis]

Sorry to hear of your friend. Hang in there.As someone who has been seriously ill in the past, I know how much I enjoyed having a friend around.

Have yourself a ball on the way back. Stop at all these sites that only the two Johns (Ford & Wayne) have seen at thir best. You'll be doing it at the best time of the year as well.

[tippexx]

Rokkit .... you over-generous, inconsiderate bugger, what's with all this swanning-off to do kindly deeds and comforting of an' old and good friend when you know full well I'm sat here attaching the last bit's o' wiring to a device.

Good luck to you George. It's a bitter sweet thing that you're doing. I (we) all wish you well.

But you will have to go home one day!

[Soulmanure]

George, that is a great good thing you've done, and if your family doesn't understand, then I suppose that just shows how family can be different from friendship. I jumped on a plane a few weeks back to help a friend move from Seattle to Oakland. Didn't have the time, but I wasn't going to let a friend of seventeen years down.

Good to hear your settled in and ready to post, and best of luck to your buddy.

[bopmachine]

Wow what a great friend your are george. I hope you are able to give your friend lots of loving kindness and help them in this difficult time. You, sir, are an example of what we all should strive to be.

[Styler]

What an amazing thing to do, if only the world was full of people like yourself!

I wish both you and your friend the best of luck in difficult circumstances.

[Stevieboy]

You're a good guy George...very humbling to read of what you're prepared to do.

He must be one helluva mate

[whisky77]

Hope.

Hope it all works out in the end George, i am sure it will.

[MarkSDMF]

This thread has just gave me some semblance of hope that there is some empathy and kindness left in todays society.

Best wishes to you and your friend George. Keep the chin up and enjoy the time together.

Mark.

[rokkitsci]

Many thanks for all the kind words; however, I'm no saint. I'm only doing what my heart dictates needs to be done. My old dear friend is still in reasonable condition, but after researching this horrible disease a bit, I quickly found that things are not going to be very pleasant in the not-too-distant future. Having visited him quite recently, I knew that he really didn't have anyone to watch out for him and after very little thought, I knew what I had to do and starting making preparations. As I stated, I know with certainty that if our positions were reversed, he'd do the same for me. So -- as they say -- it was a no-brainer. I only hope I can convince the jury that when I turned up the morphine drip and "accidentally" overdosed my buddy, that it was a failure of the equipment ("No, your honor, I have no idea how that bypass line came to be attached to the IV") and not homicide. Doesn't matter, though. Gaol shouldn't be such a terrible place for an old person who's had a good life.

[cohibaIV]

Jeez mate...

I second all that have posted here, and if you find yourself running out of cigars just PM me and I will send you and your mate a cigar first aid parcel...

Regards

CIV

[Son of Cigarsmoke]

Ride on Butch Cassidy and the Rokkitsci kid!

[Habana-Habanos]

Great man, nice of you. Would love to visit .

[bambini]

Helluva thing you're doing - this is no time for modesty. Were I wearing one, I'd take my hat off to you.

I truly hope that your presence can make your friend's remaining time as comfortable as possible.