Many of you remember a few weeks ago when I posted a prayer request here and here for my cyber-friend Bill, who was dying of cancer. A lot of you wanted an update on him, something I was unable to provide because he was beyond the point of sending emails and I had no other way to contact him.
Thankfully one of the kids he fostered and who is now grown -- her name is Willow -- dropped me an email today as follows:
Hi, I don't know if Bill has told you about me, but my name is Willow and I am the closest he has to a daughter of his own.
I have some sad news. Bill died a few hours ago. Yesterday they said he was slipping away, and today he's gone.
I'm sorry if that was horribly blunt. I can't find a nice way to explain it.
Kind regards,
Willow
I'm so grateful Willow took the time to let me know. The funny thing about receiving her email is that Bill has been strongly on my mind for the last couple of weeks. I think a part of me knew his time was close. I find myself relieved he's gone because he was suffering so much in the end. Now I have no doubt he's rejoicing in the arms of his Savior.
Thank you all for your kind comments and inquiries about Billl. It was a great comfort for him.
Showing posts with label Bill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bill. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Update on Bill
If you remember, a few days ago I posted a prayer request for a cyber-friend named Bill whose prostate cancer has metastasized up his spine into his shoulders and neck. You folks responded generously with prayers, jokes, anecdotes, funny stories, and other comments designed to lift his spirits.
As of this writing there are well over 100 comments left by you wonderful people.
And oh my goodness, you have no idea how much this meant to him. He emailed me and said, "I saw all of those comments and was totally overwhelmed, and just cried and cried. They meant so much to me, and I don't know how, or where to say something. But, please let them know I am reading every one, though it is taking me some time."
Bill called last night and we talked for three hours. His language skills are fading and this scares the bejeebers out of him, as you can imagine. He often lost the simplest word, and he found it helpful when I was able to fill in a blank for him. The inability to communicate through language -- the most elemental skill for everyone -- is a source of deep frustration for him.
But he can still read, and he's read every single thing you've posted. Bill wanted me to pass on to everyone how much he appreciates your prayers and thoughts. Appreciate doesn't even begin to express the depths to which those comments helped him through some dark hours.
His battle is by no means over. Some readers were generous in sending links to possible treatments (and yes, every single thing that was sent to me, I immediately forwarded to him) but I fear it might be too late. "My brain has been injured by the pain medication, at least according to my docs, but it really scares me which is very embarrassing to me," he writes. "I'm about to start with yet ANOTHER radiating treatment, this time against a thing, a bump thing whose name I knew yesterday! that is growing in the left side of my neck. I am scared that I'm losing more language and words...I may cry on the phone with you. I hope that's OK. I'm a bit scared about it, and that is brand new to me."
Bill did indeed cry a bit on the phone, but frankly not as much as I would were I in his shoes. He gave me permission to post this update and he was fervent in his wish to thank each and every one of you.
By his own admission (especially since he lives alone), Bill needs to get into a nursing home, but he is hampered by the need to sell his condo in order to fund it. He does not want to go on the government dole in order to get into a care facility. I'm asking for additional prayers for him -- for peace of mind, and for a buyer for his condo so he can get the care he needs.
And thank you all for your prayers. I love my readers!
As of this writing there are well over 100 comments left by you wonderful people.
And oh my goodness, you have no idea how much this meant to him. He emailed me and said, "I saw all of those comments and was totally overwhelmed, and just cried and cried. They meant so much to me, and I don't know how, or where to say something. But, please let them know I am reading every one, though it is taking me some time."
Bill called last night and we talked for three hours. His language skills are fading and this scares the bejeebers out of him, as you can imagine. He often lost the simplest word, and he found it helpful when I was able to fill in a blank for him. The inability to communicate through language -- the most elemental skill for everyone -- is a source of deep frustration for him.
But he can still read, and he's read every single thing you've posted. Bill wanted me to pass on to everyone how much he appreciates your prayers and thoughts. Appreciate doesn't even begin to express the depths to which those comments helped him through some dark hours.
His battle is by no means over. Some readers were generous in sending links to possible treatments (and yes, every single thing that was sent to me, I immediately forwarded to him) but I fear it might be too late. "My brain has been injured by the pain medication, at least according to my docs, but it really scares me which is very embarrassing to me," he writes. "I'm about to start with yet ANOTHER radiating treatment, this time against a thing, a bump thing whose name I knew yesterday! that is growing in the left side of my neck. I am scared that I'm losing more language and words...I may cry on the phone with you. I hope that's OK. I'm a bit scared about it, and that is brand new to me."
Bill did indeed cry a bit on the phone, but frankly not as much as I would were I in his shoes. He gave me permission to post this update and he was fervent in his wish to thank each and every one of you.
By his own admission (especially since he lives alone), Bill needs to get into a nursing home, but he is hampered by the need to sell his condo in order to fund it. He does not want to go on the government dole in order to get into a care facility. I'm asking for additional prayers for him -- for peace of mind, and for a buyer for his condo so he can get the care he needs.
And thank you all for your prayers. I love my readers!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Prayer request for Bill
Let me tell you a little story.
About 2 ½ years ago, a few months after I started writing for WorldNetDaily, I wrote a column called Rednecks Vote which was more or less a rant about the snobbery against rural and small-town Americans by the mainstream media and the liberal elites. I found it objectionable when people assume rural folks are too stupid to participate in politics or have intelligent opinions.
I received an email from a gentleman named Bill who related the most extraordinary background. He was raised with wealth and privilege. Private schools, chartered trains (with private train stops), various huge estates… the world of luxury and affluence he described is light-years away from what any of us will ever witness or experience.
But the world of the wealthy elites didn’t appeal to him. When he was a young man, he left most of that behind and instead learned every practical skill he could. He far preferred to work with his hands.
He’s mentored a number of troubled teens over the years, both in person and via the internet. Some he’s watched go astray and then return to the fold. He had a strong Christian conversation a couple decades ago. He obviously has a heart as big as the state in which he lives.
Anyway, Bill and I became cyber friends. Over the years we’ve emailed back and forth, recounting various parts of our histories, cheering each other on, and generally being pals.
He’s inspired a column or two, and I’ve come to admire his rugged independence and fierce admiration for the blue-collar backbone workers of this country. I’ve become very fond of him. Is it possible to love a person you’ve never met? If so, that’s Bill.
Then a couple months ago, quite by accident, he let drop that he has cancer.
Cancer! Alarmed, I requested details so I could be specific in my prayers. He was embarrassed that he let slip his condition and in fact hadn’t realized he had mentioned anything at all – drugs will do that to a person – but then gave a verbal sigh and said maybe God wanted me to know.
So here’s the skinny: Bill has Stage 4 prostate cancer. It has metastasized to both his shoulders and several vertebrae, and he’s receiving radiation in those areas. He writes, “I'm not having a ‘brush’ with death. I'm definitely going to die in about a year. But I look fine, and -- for the most part -- feel fine except for drowsiness, and this damned shoulder.”
Since writing that, his condition has deteriorated. He most certainly doesn't feel "fine" anymore. I don't think he has a year left.
It’s always distressing to face the imminent loss of a friend. But Bill’s condition caught me broadside and I’ve found myself saddened in a way I never thought I’d be – considering I’ve never met him.
But he’s a stalwart soldier, Bill is. Presumably he’s come to terms with whatever God has in store for him, for he continues to be bright and cheerful in his emails.
I asked permission to post a prayer request on my blog. I figure my puny efforts may not be worth much, but multiplied by thousands of readers sending petitions to the Almighty, who knows what might happen? It’s probably too late to pray for recovery, but it’s never too late to pray for a lessening of pain and peace of mind.
But he refused. Gently, but he refused. Strong individualist that he is, he felt awkward accepting such a gesture.
And he fights on. He writes, “I’ve experienced a most amazing increase in my closeness to God such that I’m not afraid. It is precisely the same experience that your friend Cheryl describes in that half hour video you put up in your piece about her – which totally blew me away – that someone else could so clearly, and accurately describe what I had experienced without even knowing me.”
Typical of his generous nature, Bill is asking people to pray for Cheryl rather than him. “She has two kids and a husband who adores her, and need her,” he writes.
Bill admits it’s hard to ask for help. The rugged independence that has marked his life since he was old enough to leave home means sometimes holding out a hand can be difficult.
So I’m asking for him.
Bill needs some help right now. He’s sad and lonely. He's in pain and low in spirits. Being so far away, all I can do is reach out a cyber hand toward him. It seems such a frustratingly small thing to do, but it’s all I have.
It’s taken me months to convince him to let me post this prayer request. Now that he’s reached a stage where he’s letting me, I want to swamp him with love. Hear that? Swamp him.
So post. Everyone, please post something. I’d love to see a thousand comments for him to read. Be upbeat. Be cheerful. Be funny. Bill has a terrific sense of humor, so the odd and quirky and funny would raise his spirits and appeal to his humor.
Please. Pray for Bill.
About 2 ½ years ago, a few months after I started writing for WorldNetDaily, I wrote a column called Rednecks Vote which was more or less a rant about the snobbery against rural and small-town Americans by the mainstream media and the liberal elites. I found it objectionable when people assume rural folks are too stupid to participate in politics or have intelligent opinions.
I received an email from a gentleman named Bill who related the most extraordinary background. He was raised with wealth and privilege. Private schools, chartered trains (with private train stops), various huge estates… the world of luxury and affluence he described is light-years away from what any of us will ever witness or experience.
But the world of the wealthy elites didn’t appeal to him. When he was a young man, he left most of that behind and instead learned every practical skill he could. He far preferred to work with his hands.
He’s mentored a number of troubled teens over the years, both in person and via the internet. Some he’s watched go astray and then return to the fold. He had a strong Christian conversation a couple decades ago. He obviously has a heart as big as the state in which he lives.
Anyway, Bill and I became cyber friends. Over the years we’ve emailed back and forth, recounting various parts of our histories, cheering each other on, and generally being pals.
He’s inspired a column or two, and I’ve come to admire his rugged independence and fierce admiration for the blue-collar backbone workers of this country. I’ve become very fond of him. Is it possible to love a person you’ve never met? If so, that’s Bill.
Then a couple months ago, quite by accident, he let drop that he has cancer.
Cancer! Alarmed, I requested details so I could be specific in my prayers. He was embarrassed that he let slip his condition and in fact hadn’t realized he had mentioned anything at all – drugs will do that to a person – but then gave a verbal sigh and said maybe God wanted me to know.
So here’s the skinny: Bill has Stage 4 prostate cancer. It has metastasized to both his shoulders and several vertebrae, and he’s receiving radiation in those areas. He writes, “I'm not having a ‘brush’ with death. I'm definitely going to die in about a year. But I look fine, and -- for the most part -- feel fine except for drowsiness, and this damned shoulder.”
Since writing that, his condition has deteriorated. He most certainly doesn't feel "fine" anymore. I don't think he has a year left.
It’s always distressing to face the imminent loss of a friend. But Bill’s condition caught me broadside and I’ve found myself saddened in a way I never thought I’d be – considering I’ve never met him.
But he’s a stalwart soldier, Bill is. Presumably he’s come to terms with whatever God has in store for him, for he continues to be bright and cheerful in his emails.
I asked permission to post a prayer request on my blog. I figure my puny efforts may not be worth much, but multiplied by thousands of readers sending petitions to the Almighty, who knows what might happen? It’s probably too late to pray for recovery, but it’s never too late to pray for a lessening of pain and peace of mind.
But he refused. Gently, but he refused. Strong individualist that he is, he felt awkward accepting such a gesture.
And he fights on. He writes, “I’ve experienced a most amazing increase in my closeness to God such that I’m not afraid. It is precisely the same experience that your friend Cheryl describes in that half hour video you put up in your piece about her – which totally blew me away – that someone else could so clearly, and accurately describe what I had experienced without even knowing me.”
Typical of his generous nature, Bill is asking people to pray for Cheryl rather than him. “She has two kids and a husband who adores her, and need her,” he writes.
Bill admits it’s hard to ask for help. The rugged independence that has marked his life since he was old enough to leave home means sometimes holding out a hand can be difficult.
So I’m asking for him.
Bill needs some help right now. He’s sad and lonely. He's in pain and low in spirits. Being so far away, all I can do is reach out a cyber hand toward him. It seems such a frustratingly small thing to do, but it’s all I have.
It’s taken me months to convince him to let me post this prayer request. Now that he’s reached a stage where he’s letting me, I want to swamp him with love. Hear that? Swamp him.
So post. Everyone, please post something. I’d love to see a thousand comments for him to read. Be upbeat. Be cheerful. Be funny. Bill has a terrific sense of humor, so the odd and quirky and funny would raise his spirits and appeal to his humor.
Please. Pray for Bill.
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