and for your friends in this difficult time. Please keep us posted, and let us know if there is anything else your DU family can do to help.

...you have sent your heart with your reply...blessed be.

...and thank you for the hearts.

It sounds like he has very supportive friends and family.

His dad is my IT guy and he runs the computers for the L.A. Unified School District and does the adult learning center computer classes. He is one of the best people I have ever met. The could not afford a fancy van with the motorized ramp, etc, for the wheelchair. His dad is a few years younger than me, early 60s, and he has carried this young man into the van, into bed, bathed him, fed him, and most of all loved him. The mom is just like this, too. They have devoted their lives to their son.

Edit for typo in title

I would like to say a word about Obama-Care: Because of what our beloved president did -- Steven was able to stay on his father's med insurance through the L.A. Unified School District. This family could have NEVER in any manner afforded the care and all the ER visits for pain that this young man has been through. I know it might be odd to think of this at a time like this, but it is one blessing bestowed on this family because we have Obama in the WH.

My thoughts are with your friends. I will hope for the best for Steven.

...I love my DUers. I wish I could give each and everyone a heart -- not just for Valentine's Day....but forever.

yet it seems to be not quite the battle Steven is going through...Godspeed...

I lost my beloved Ben not quite a year ago. Blessed be...

to Steven, his family, and you, Hepburn.

...and the same back to you.

along with a heart -for all concerned.

...blessed be.

because its so hard for all of you too.

No hearts to give but you have some big hugs from me, and blessings for the days ahead. Godspeed Steven....

....yes, the tears are here...but I do believe that he will soon be free of the pain...horrible pain...which he has suffered.

That Steven may have a swift and easy passage into his next journey, and that his parents may lose their fear and find peace in Steven's freedom from suffering and the knowing that he lives on in their hearts.

Hello friend, haven't spoke in a while. I'm so sorry that you have yet another cancer victim so near to you. You've had more than your share of this horrible disease. God bless you and Steven. I have lost two more friends to breast cancer since Carol passed, so I can empathize with you. It sucks!

Uben

And this...it brought me great comfort during my late husband's final days.

Gone From My Sight
by Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone"

Gone where?

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"

And that is dying...



I know how hard this is, but you need to stay strong for your friends...they need comforting arms. Cherish your remaining time with Steven, and remember when his time comes, he's being released from all the health issues he's dealt with since he was 4. I'm not a "heaven & hell" believer, but I do think our energy continues on in some form. Steven will be whole again on the other side, and the physical problems will be gone...the blood disease that put him in a wheelchair, and the cancer that is taking him will no longer have any power. Peace.

to Steven, to his family, and to you.

First to Steven, then his father, and mother and to you. It sounds like his father is taking this very hard. I hate this part of life, when we at times must let go of our dearly beloveds, and then go on with life. It is truly the most difficult thing to do in life. I send all of you a ton of strength to face the coming days and months and years without Dear Steven. And be reassured that Steven's Drs are doing everything possible to make him comfortable and to ease his passing, if death is imminent.

Peace to all, ReRe

Such a sad situation.

This old man will walk out to the sweat lodge in the late afternoon/early evening hours for ceremony. I will pray for your friends.

it's what you do with what you have left."

- Hubert Humphrey, after cancer surgery in 1978

He sounds like a young man that has accomplished much with what life gave him. My prayers and hearts for him, his family and you in this difficult time.

Mr MbZ looked at me and asked me what I needed it for. I didn't have an answer other then there is always someone who needs a candle lit for them. I will light it for your friend and their son.

his family and yours.

-Laelth

To your good friend and his son Steven. Hugs to you.

My prayers are with you, your dear friend and his family.

So sad for you and your loss of Ben, so sad for your friend's impending loss of his beloved son.

I hope it gives them a little comfort to know that many, many strangers are keeping him in their thoughts and in their hearts and sending him much love and wishes for a peaceful passing, if that is what must happen.

in this difficult time. May he be healed, and if not, may his passing be a peaceful one.

lost my Mum I know then pain you all are in