Friday, April 20, 2012

Dead

Dad died at 10:58 p.m. on April 18, 2012.  He was 46 days away from his 50th wedding anniversary.  In the week prior to his death, he conducted a Seder, watched his granddaughter open birthday gifts, watched Stanley Cup hockey, considered treatment with Votrient, and saw his doctor.  He even saw a concert a couple of weeks ago.

When he first got to the ICU on April 18, he asked me to please update his blog if he died.  I promised I would.  I will expand this post further as I get my thoughts together.  I don't want to post too much until I can do so cogently.

I miss him already.

8 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. He and my mom were diagnosed around the same time, so he has a special place among my "MCC friends." We all appreciated his willingness to explain medical terms to folks on the list, his kindness, and his great sense of humor.

    Love to all your family in this time of sadness,
    -Vicki Martinez (aka Vicki from Seattle)

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  2. thank you gary. this is priceless. you and your father are a writing team i don't even dream of ever seeing again in my life. bless you both and your families. the shuster is dead long live the shuster. dave joins gary williams in multifaith heaven, both leaving monument testimony to the journey for posterity on earth in their blogs. may we all rest in a sacred-to-me form of peace created in their words, written for us. grateful. marty c, seattle

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  3. David and I were first cousins, the same generation, similar aspirations, wonderful upbringing and cultural sensitivities. His loss hurts me because it is my loss as well. His legacy is his heirs and friends and the countless patients who will benefit from his insight during his painful journey. Our profound condolences to Judy and the Shuster Family
    George and Sandy Forester- Ottawa ON

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  4. I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I have been reading his blog since the beginning of July 2011 when I found out my grandmother was diagnosed with merkel cell carcinoma. We lost her in October to this horrible disease but that did not stop me from reading your fathers blog. From reading his entries, it is more than obvious how much of a fighter he was and how strong he was with this battle. He was always so positive when writing his blog and has become an inspiration to many people battling cancer and those who are just looking from the outside. I am glad to have found his blog, knowing that there are people out there who try their hardest to never give up. I am sure that he is a hero and inspiration to many.

    Again, I am so sorry to hear about the loss and my thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.

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  5. Gary,

    My father-in-law died within just a few hours as your father. Jim died on April 19th at 8:41 a.m. They began their journey with MCC about the same time. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I hope you are feeling the peace that we feel now.

    Hugs...Heather Detchman

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  6. I've been following your father's blog since I was diagnosed with MCC almost a year ago. He was a very special man to use his experiences to help the rest of us. I am going to truly miss reading his blog. My thoughts & prayers are with your family now. Rest in peace Dave.
    Ellen

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  7. I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I have been reading his blog since the beginning of July 2011 when I found out my grandmother was diagnosed with merkel cell carcinoma. We lost her in October to this horrible disease but that did not stop me from reading your fathers blog. From reading his entries, it is more than obvious how much of a fighter he was and how strong he was with this battle. He was always so positive when writing his blog and has become an inspiration to many people battling cancer and those who are just looking from the outside. I am glad to have found his blog, knowing that there are people out there who try their hardest to never give up. I am sure that he is a hero and inspiration to many.

    Again, I am so sorry to hear about the loss and my thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.

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  8. Dear Doc Dave's family, I have only just been brave enough to read the blog of your precious dad's last days here, and I am saddened by the way this dreadful cancer has hurt so many people. I think of you and the other family who lost a loved one around the same time, as we did, and hope that the tenacity and endurance of your precious dad, pays dividends for the future relief of sufferers. I am grieving the sad loss of the love of my life, who went Home on 19 April, as a result of MCC, 11 days after his 74th birthday. This site has blessed so many,thankyou, and I hope it has blessed you and your family, Regards Glenys Biddle

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