h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It seems like I've been waiting on it for ages, but it's only been a few months. But this afternoon I finally got the call I didn't want, my brother has passed away.

Earlier this year he was diagnosed with cancer, but by the time he went to a doctor it was far, far too late. The primary cancer was skin, but the secondaries of liver, lung and spleen had all settled in. Basically, far too late to do anything.

He spent a couple of months on a new drug designed for when it's caught earlier, he was told quite distinctly that there was no way it could cure him, it'd just reduce the symptoms for a while, and make it less painful. This worked quite well until his body started rejecting the drug, which they said would happen, and he was rushed into hospital. He spent a week there, in which I got to see him, before he was moved to a hospice where he's spent the majority of a week being looked after very well, but in and out of consciousness.

He's spent the majority of these last two days asleep, heavily drugged to relieve the pain, and this afternoon he finally passed away.

It seems ironic in a way, that today we celebrate two years of h2g2, a site that I truly love, under our stewardship, and that I also lose my brother.

And now, I think I'm going to get *very* drunk. And for those that have seen me drink, you might have an idea of how much alcohol will be involved.

I pity the bar that keeps you in booze.

But, more seriously, .

Sincere condolences to you Pastey and your family and friends.
Take care mate.

Fortunately, my homebrew is very good these days, and a lot cheaper.

I believe he's in a better place, and free of pain.

My condolences to you and your family.

Condolences to you and the family. We're holding good thoughts over here.

I know you're going to miss him.

I'm so sad for you Pastey. You've supported us for the past two years, it's terribly ironic that your brother passed on today. I'm sending my love to you and Alabaster.


Lanzababy

I can't speak.

I wish the cheers smiley wasn't smiling.

I'm so sorry Pastey

Sorry Pastey.

My thoughts are with you. I'll be getting that call myself at some point in the next few weeks/months. Take comfort from the fact that your brother had time to say goodbye to people and time to prepare.

Life continues until it stops continuing. I don't want to think about "waiting" or phone calls. There is life and time spent with each other. Whether it is one hour, one day, one week, a month, a year, many years ... just do the best you can and try to organise your life so that you have time to share with those that you love.

MMF