Where's the light at the end of the tunnel?

Paw update. Ron has been my stepdad for just about 20 years, actually longer than my biological dad. Pretty much, all I've ever known. To see him going through this breaks my heart.

Over the weekend, the bad got worse. Ron was supposed to get a port placed today in order to start chemotherapy for his pancreatic cancer. This a.m., we learned that his kidneys and bowels were not functioning, so chemotherapy was not an option. So...no need to put him through the stress of surgery and risk infection. His abdomen was swollen beyond belief.....now retaining fluid in the intestines, as well. In the early afternoon, fluid was beginning to enter the lungs. As of 7 pm, with an update from bro, things were progressively worse by the second. Paw was taken off his IV (no need for additional fluid) and begain to cough up fluid. It is now 9:05 pm and I am sitting her waiting for the dreaded call. Not that I want to end to come, but I can't stand to think of the suffering. He is in good company, I am at home with the boys. Greg, Nik, Jason, and Ron's 2 kids are there, among other visitors every minute. One of the nurses has become very attached and has had a couple of breakdowns throughout this process.

I am in disbelief of the speed of this whole process. Ron walked into the ER 7.days.ago. He worked a full time job 9 days ago. He was diagnosed with cancer on Wednesday and is fighting for each breath on Monday.

Because You Have Lived.

To laugh often and much.

To win the respect of intelligent people, and the affection of children.

To earn the appreciation of honest critics.

To appreciate beauty. To find the best in others.

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, or a garden patch.

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

Not, How Did He Die, But How Did He Live?

Not how did he die, but how did he live?

Not what did he gain, but what did he give?

These are the units to measure the worth Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.

Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed?

But had he befriended those really in need?

Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,

To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?

Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,

But how many were sorry when he passed away.