A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

So I think this might be the first one of these on the new platform, hope it's OK to post this here in the cooler.

Back on the old site I had posted a couple of times about a young man who is the son of good friends of mine that contracted a rare form of cancer at age 12. His name is Drew and he has undergone a ridiculous amount of radiation, chemo, surgery and all the other associated things that cancer brings about - each time showing everyone how amazingly strong and courageous he could be. He was diagnosed cancer free about 2 years ago but that did not last long and last night his family got the worst news of all, that things have gone too far to even continue treatment of any kind. He is being allowed to return home in hospice care but his time on this earth is now likely only limited to days.

I know several of you here have witnessed cancer and other illnesses in your families, I have too. But when it's a 16 year old who had a full life ahead of them just a short time ago, there's just no words or actions that can describe it. It f**king sucks is what it is to be blunt.

Bottom line, his family who are very dear friends of mine, are not asking for anything on his behalf other than prayers and privacy. I cannot imagine what they must be going through, but in the grand scheme of things I would like to hope that collective thought/prayer/mojo sent in their general direction cannot hurt - and maybe it can help. If you would feel so inclined please do share a prayer or a thought today for him, his family and all the others that suffer.

Prayers going up now for Drew, and for everyone who loves him. I hate that he had such a hard life.

A couple I was friends with had a son born with a heart defect. Surgery saved the baby and he grew for 5-6 years as a healthy happy boy. But then he stopped growing, then he stopped thriving. This was early to mid 1980's. Test after test after test after test. Nothing. Then they tested for AIDS because there was nothing else left to test for. Poor child had received AIDS infected blood during the surgery that save his infant life.

My friends were a Faith Filled couple who did not blame God, or even the person who gave that infected blood. They made sure their son got to do as many things he wanted to do while he was still able. I was blessed to attend his final birthday party just months before he died. He had a blast and so did the rest of us. It was a great party.

His father shared with me that they were with him when he passed. He had been non-responsive for some time, seemingly in a coma. His Dad said suddenly he opened his eyes, reached up toward the ceiling as if to take someone's hand, smiled, and was gone.

His mother was a nurse, and the couple moved close to a very large hospital where she went to work in a children's cancer ward, where she felt she could do the most good helping very sick children and their families. She was able to share her experience and strength with many families, including too many who lost their children, just as she and her husband had lost theirs.

Best to the boy and his family. I've seen too much of this to last for a while - hope he comes through well.

prayers sent

Bless Drew

Mojo Sent

Cancer sucks! Prayers to Drew, family and friends.

Prayers sent

I have a deadline at 3:00 today and for some reason decided pause to check in here. I am glad I did. The stack of papers, the calculations and summary is. just. not. that. important.

It can wait for a bit.

I'm signing off to pray that he and his family can find a quiet moment of peace that encompasses their love for one another before he passes.

Thanks for sharing. I needed a break to pray and this was the best reason.

fullonshred wrote: ↑Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:49 pm His father shared with me that they were with him when he passed. He had been non-responsive for some time, seemingly in a coma. His Dad said suddenly he opened his eyes, reached up toward the ceiling as if to take someone's hand, smiled, and was gone.

That is an amazing thing indeed, thank you for sharing. I will freely admit that I am still confused in what faith and religion and spirituality really means, and maybe we aren't ever supposed to fully understand - probably not. Stories like this, told by real people here on earth do give you hope though that there is truly something bigger and better watching over us. I find hope that when Drew's time comes that he will be lifted up like this and the burdens of his broken body will be taken away. And that his family can also somehow find peace in that.

@uwmcscott Drew and his family will be in our family prayers from now on.

Prayers sent

Prayers sent.

Multiple prayers and mojo sent.

Mojo sent, things like this are so very hard for everyone.

All- thank you for all the sentiments here. As an update, Drew passed away this morning peacefully surrounded by his immediate family. If you would care to, please continue to pray for his family at this time. Below is a sentiment that one his classmates shared today that the family asked to be shared via the caring bridge site they had maintained.

Dear friends and family,

Late this morning Andrew Joseph Coleman peacefully returned home to Jesus.

A friend of Drew's shared this sentiment this morning, "St. Nicholas may have assisted St. Peregrine and the other Holy Angels who came this morning to escort into heaven the very special and humongous spirit baptized at birth as Andrew. We understand that "Andrew" is derived from the Greek meaning brave, courageous, warrior. Let us all rejoice for having been blessed by his 15 years 7 months' presence in our lives."

May the angels lead you into paradise.
May choirs of angels welcome you to the holy city.
May you have eternal rest.

Sorry I missed this when you posted it on Thursday, @uwmcscott. Will be praying for Andrew's family and friends of the family, and that Andrew is the paradise of Heaven among God and the angels and saints.

Matt

I am sorry for those left behind without him. I am sorry for his struggles and suffering. I am happy that he is now Truly Free.

Prayers will continue for all.

I'm thinking of Andrew & hope his family and friends find strength in this unfortunate time.

So sorry for that family; my sympathies and prayers to them.

Hard cold reminder about perspective.

All spare Mojo to Drew and his family. May they find peace.

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Sun Dec 06, 2020 2:34 pm All- thank you for all the sentiments here. As an update, Drew passed away this morning peacefully surrounded by his immediate family. If you would care to, please continue to pray for his family at this time. Below is a sentiment that one his classmates shared today that the family asked to be shared via the caring bridge site they had maintained.

Dear friends and family,

Late this morning Andrew Joseph Coleman peacefully returned home to Jesus.

A friend of Drew's shared this sentiment this morning, "St. Nicholas may have assisted St. Peregrine and the other Holy Angels who came this morning to escort into heaven the very special and humongous spirit baptized at birth as Andrew. We understand that "Andrew" is derived from the Greek meaning brave, courageous, warrior. Let us all rejoice for having been blessed by his 15 years 7 months' presence in our lives."

May the angels lead you into paradise.
May choirs of angels welcome you to the holy city.
May you have eternal rest.

Hi, Scott. I was about to ask you about Drew - obviously I missed this update from you -, and found about it when I read this. I´m very sorry, as he was such a young man. I´m confident he´s in the presence of God, forever.

I feel sorry for his family, as even though they might feel the same about him, not having him with them to hold him is a tough feeling. I´ll pray for comfort in their souls.

Thanks for letting us know. My condolences to you too.

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 28, 2020 12:02 pm Hi, Scott. I was about to ask you about Drew - obviously I missed this update from you -, and found about it when I read this. I´m very sorry, as he was such a young man. I´m confident he´s in the presence of God, forever.

I feel sorry for his family, as even though they might feel the same about him, not having him with them to hold him is a tough feeling. I´ll pray for comfort in their souls.

Thanks for letting us know. My condolences to you too.

Thank you for your sentiments and prayers Sabas. Bob ( Fullonshred ) had also been sharing prayers for Drew since his sickness began, and also shared a very touching story about one of his friends just a couple of posts up - who also had experienced the loss of a child. Learning the news of Bob last night really hits hard coupled with his propensity to share and care for others. If nothing else I hope we can all learn from both of their examples as to how live can be lived, even in the face of adversity - and that we can indeed still help others.

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Mon Dec 28, 2020 2:05 pm

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 28, 2020 12:02 pm Hi, Scott. I was about to ask you about Drew - obviously I missed this update from you -, and found about it when I read this. I´m very sorry, as he was such a young man. I´m confident he´s in the presence of God, forever.

I feel sorry for his family, as even though they might feel the same about him, not having him with them to hold him is a tough feeling. I´ll pray for comfort in their souls.

Thanks for letting us know. My condolences to you too.

Thank you for your sentiments and prayers Sabas. Bob ( Fullonshred ) had also been sharing prayers for Drew since his sickness began, and also shared a very touching story about one of his friends just a couple of posts up - who also had experienced the loss of a child. Learning the news of Bob last night really hits hard coupled with his propensity to share and care for others. If nothing else I hope we can all learn from both of their examples as to how live can be lived, even in the face of adversity - and that we can indeed still help others.

Yes, I read his post; wonderful, in a sense. We have much to learn from guys like Bob, yes.

Stay strong.