• Registered: Sat, 28 May 2011
  • Posts: 65

Topic: A warrior has passed on...

Dearest friends, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I share with you the news of the passing of my dear brother Bruce.

Bruce fought the most courageous battle against cholangiocarcinoma over the past 3.5 years, after being originally told that he would only have 4-6 months.  He was a beacon for many fighting this terrible disease.  Bruce's cancer was diagnosed after a routine physical in 2009. He did not shy away from the battle and used the setback to help raise a half-million dollars for the Raizman-Haney Endowed Fund to finance liver cancer research. This fund will be used to teach and train surgeons to work with bile duct cancer.

Bruce went peacefully January 17th, not in pain and at home. Bruce was a brilliant meteor blazing across the sky - flashing with beautiful and amazing light, but gone too soon. Our hearts are so heavy with grief...but filled also with gratitude that he is home and safe.

Please lift up my family and Bruce's many family members and friends in prayers for strength and healing. We loved him so! And OH did he love us! I will miss you always, dear brother...until we meet again...

  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 8,218

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Dearest Patti, I am so very sorry to read about Bruce. Yes, he was a valiant warrior and to raise the money he did for Liver Cancer we cannot thank him enough! He was one of a kind and I love you comparing him to a meteor! Yes, he is home safe and healthy and happy!

From a book of blessings called "Benedictus" by John O'Donohue - Irish Poet & Philosopher

When you lose someone you love,
Your life becomes strange,
The ground beneath you becomes fragile,
Your thoughts make your eyes unsure;
And some dead echo drags your voice down
Where words have no confidence
Your heart has grown heavy with loss.
And though this loss has wounded others too,
No one knows what has been taken from you
When the silence of absence deepens.
There are days when you wake up happy;
Again inside the fullness of life,
Until the moment breaks
And you are thrown back
Onto the black tide of loss.
Days when you have your heart back,
You are able to function well
Until in the middle of work or encounter,
Suddenly with no warning,
You are ambushed by grief.
More than you, it knows its way
And will find the right time
To pull and pull the rope of grief
Until that coiled hill of tears
Has reduced to its last drop.
Gradually, you will learn acquaintance
With the invisible form of your departed;
And when the work of grief is done,
The wound of loss will heal
And you will have learned
And be able to enter the hearth
In your soul where your loved one
Has awaited your return
All the time.

•

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

3 Reply by Patti77 (edited by Patti77 Sat, 26 Jan 2013 20:11:03)

  • Registered: Sat, 28 May 2011
  • Posts: 65

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Thank you Lainy!  You have been an angel providing support, hope and encouragement as we made this journey with Bruce...and are now providing comfort and solace.  The blessing from the book "Benedictus" by John O'Donohue, which you provided, is beautiful and touches me deeply.  Thank you for sharing!

Although my heart is broken, I am grateful that Bruce was in my life.  To have never known or loved him would have been the greater tragedy.

Bless you for all that you do...

  • From: Hilton, New York
  • Registered: Fri, 15 Jan 2010
  • Posts: 681

Re: A warrior has passed on...

I am incredibly sad to hear about Bruce's passing.  Sounds like he was loved and loved so many.  Please accept my sincere condolences.

This is a poem that always sums up for me life's transition.


I am standing by the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength,
and I stand and watch
until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sun and sky come down to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says, 'There she goes!
Gone where? Gone from my sight - that is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar
as she was when she left my side
and just as able to bear her load of living freight
to the places of destination.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone at my side says,
'There she goes! ' ,
there are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout :
'Here she comes!'


-Randi-

Survivor of breast cancer (1994), thyroid cancer (1999), cholangiocarcinoma (2009).

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based only on my personal experience as a cancer survivor. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.
  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 774

Re: A warrior has passed on...

I am so sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. May you find peace in the strength he showed fighting this horrible disease.

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • Registered: Sat, 28 May 2011
  • Posts: 65

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Thank you, Randi & Kris, for your kind words and compassion.  Bruce was truly (and I mean this with all of my heart) the kindest, most generous, and bravest person that I know.  He was also (along with my husband), my best friend, confidant, and sage advisor...I am having a bit of trouble figuring out how to move forward without him, although I know that he would want all of us to forge ahead. 

Truly, thank you all for your assistance and advice over the past 3.5 years...and for your heart-felt and kind sympathies now when I need them.

Once I get past the deluge of tears, I will be back to add more info (some lessons learned over the past 5 months) that may help others who are fighting this most dreadful disease.

With love and God bless,

Patti

  • From: Dresher, pa
  • Registered: Thu, 19 Jul 2012
  • Posts: 72

Re: A warrior has passed on...

My deepest sympathies.  May his memory be forever a blessing.

Lauren

  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,488

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Dear Patti,

I am so sorry to hear about Bruce's passing. He truly was a warrior against CC. What a wonderful man he must have been to take the time to raise money for liver cancer research. I am forever grateful for the great work he has done to help others. Bless you all and my prayers are with your family and friends that will miss Bruce so much.

Love and hugs,
-Pam

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • Registered: Sat, 28 May 2011
  • Posts: 65

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Thank you Lauren and Pam!  Bruce's greatest quality was that he thought of others first...always.  Although he is no longer with us physically, his legacy will help others to continue the fight...

Love and God bless...

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: Sun, 07 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 1,990

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Dear Patti,

I too am sorry to hear of Bruce's passing.  You and your family have my deepest sympathy.  Try to remember all the good times and know that he is no longer in pain or suffering.  He has moved on to a better place.   Keep him forever in your heart and memories. 

Love & Hugs,
Darla

"One Day At A Time"
  • From: London
  • Registered: Fri, 28 Aug 2009
  • Posts: 1,058

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Dearest Patti, I'm so very sorry. You are in my heart at this incredibly painful time.

With love
Julia

Missing my lovely sister ...

"When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars" - Lee Salk

Lalupes's Website

  • Registered: Sat, 28 May 2011
  • Posts: 65

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Thank you Darla & Julia...Your kind words are a solace. 

Love and God bless,

Patti

  • From: Calgary, Canada
  • Registered: Sun, 07 Mar 2010
  • Posts: 361

Re: A warrior has passed on...

I'm so sorry to hear about Bruce.  He sounds like an incredible human being, and I'm sure an angel like him will continue to bring light, even in his absence.  May your memories bring you peace and comfort.

Jen

  • From: Akron, Ohio
  • Registered: Mon, 11 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 407

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Dear Patti, my deepest sympathy for the loss of  Bruce. May God bless you with peace and comfort. Thank you for the money raised for research, that is amazing.
Hugs,
Lisa

Everyday is a gift

lisacraine's Website

15 Reply by Patti77 (edited by Patti77 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:10:24)

  • Registered: Sat, 28 May 2011
  • Posts: 65

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Thanks Lisa & Jennifer!  Bruce wanted so much to help others in this battle.  He truly does leave an amazing legacy of selfless acts for others...I am so proud to be able to call him my brother.

Best to everyone in this continued war on a dreadful disease.  Keep the faith!

Love,

Patti

  • From: Danville, Va
  • Registered: Fri, 21 Dec 2012
  • Posts: 28

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Dear Patti....

What an honor it has been for me to read about your incredible brother! Your love for him is a testament to his bravery and I am sure that same love helped him to maintain joy in his struggle.

Bless you for sharing his life with us here....Prayers for you and all his family as you grieve.

Deane

  • Registered: Thu, 28 Oct 2010
  • Posts: 105

Re: A warrior has passed on...

Dear Patti,
I, too, want to support others gratitude for the life your brother has lived and for your sharing his journey with us.  And, in the midst of your sorrow, the support and care you are showing toward others.
Thank you.....Hugs, Kathy