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Patris's avatar

Rough times, and the death of a friend are a hard duo at the table. Peace to your friend, strength to those who will miss him, may perseverance take us to a better government and a saner world. 🌹🙏

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Steven Dundas's avatar

Patris,

Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind words.

Steve

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

Steve,

It is a blessing

to have our priorities straight.

You are loving

and honoring your friend.

May God give you comfort.

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Steven Dundas's avatar

Deborah

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and words. I didn’t sleep at all last night. I still feel like I’ve been kicked in the gut.

Thank you again,

Steve

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Babette Albin's avatar

The fact that you are hurting is the best news of the day.

So many of us are numb, or oblivious to our feelings!

Be assured that your informed priorities are working overtime!

Take it easy on yourself!

You were there for him when it mattered most!

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Steven Dundas's avatar

Babette,

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I will be back. Even tonight with a brief Irish reflection.

All the best,

Steve

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Vic Crain's avatar

Very sorry about your loss. Good friends are hard to find and treasured when found.

Separately, esophageal cancer is, after pancreatic cancer, a difficult diagnosis. Unless the primary care doc is highly (unusually) vigilant, this cancer is only noticed when it starts to obstruct swallowing, and by then it's Stage 4 and fatal. My wife got a Stage 1 diagnosis by accidentally swallowing bleach, requiring a scoping of her esophagus to do repairs. Not fun, but life prolonging. Inspection of the esophagus for pre-cancerous Barret's syndrome is usually how this is caught early, but the patient almost has to ask for it to get this done. The too late diagnosis sounds like what happened here. Again, very sorry.

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Steven Dundas's avatar

Vic,

Thank you so much. Like you I believe this was the case. His doctors told him that it was often caused by long untreated gastroesophageal reflux disease. We were all hoping for a better outcome. It really hit me hard.

Thank you again,

Steve

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Vic Crain's avatar

Reflux often but not always is a precursor to Barret's. By itself, that should have warranted inspection (scoping) of the esophagus. Scoping need not be a big deal. My son managed to swallow a lightly chewed piece of meet which blocked his esophagus, and the ER used a scope as a battering ram to move the meat to the stomach. Got great pics of both esophagus and stomach in the process. Simply not a big deal to do.

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Shelby Schneider's avatar

I am SO very sorry for this loss, any loss is hard; but such a dear friend and so suddenly is really really tough! A dear long time friend of mine passed under similar circumstances a year and a half ago now; my comment was “ she’s the one who knew where the bodies were buried” I did not get to say good bye , either. I miss her every day!

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Steven Dundas's avatar

Shelby,

Pete was like that to me. We shared so much and now he’s gone. Not being able to say goodbye is probably the hardest thing.

Thank you again.

Steve

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Shelby Schneider's avatar

Yes! Absolutely; your writing moved me! Yes , I agree as re not being able to say goodbye😢💔.

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