I had forgotten how to cry....

[stickyfingers]

Until yesterday.<br /><br />I got a call that my girlfriend's (katie's)&nbsp;mom is in the hospital, that she collapsed at the gym.&nbsp; At this point, I am thinking that she may have fainted from exerting herself.&nbsp; Turns out that she had hemoraging at the brain stem and this basically shut down all of her organs.<br /><br />I know everyone says this but, she was absolutely the most caring person I have ever met.&nbsp; She took me into her family as if I was one of them.&nbsp; She would remember everyone's birthday without flaw.&nbsp; When I was bouncing from job to job and finally got a good one she went out and bought me a card and balloons.&nbsp; Sure, its dumb but no one else did anything like that for me.<br /><br />I am not the one who is hurting though.&nbsp; Katie and her mom were as close as could be.&nbsp; I once asked Katie, on the way down to Baltimore, who her best friend was.&nbsp; She did not hesitate to say her mom.&nbsp; Every morning they would get up at the same time and have breakfast and just talk as if friends and not mother-daughter.&nbsp; After work they would meet at the gym like good friends do.&nbsp; Katie is now lost and I don't know if I can do enough for her to help get over this, but I am going to try. <br /><br />~The Marriage~<br /><br />What most people dream of.&nbsp; Met in High School, were each other's first everything, and still acted like little kids around each other to the very last day of thier 32 year marriage.&nbsp; When, they were around each other they always spoke fondly of the other.&nbsp; When apart, they spoke even greater of each other.&nbsp; They loved like no one else.&nbsp; 4 children, 2 boys, 2 girls, 4 lives in disarray.&nbsp; Katie's father is amazing.&nbsp; He still calls her the most beautiful girl he's ever seen.&nbsp; Now he's alone.&nbsp; He worked his way up from the mailroom at a large international bank in NYC to become vice president of some part of the bank.&nbsp; He works tirelessly, always on call, 3 am phone calls from India were commonplace, just to provide for his family.&nbsp; She likewise, going back to college to better herself, going to the gym so &quot;he'll still think I am sexy.&quot;&nbsp; They only knew how to love and nothing else.<br /><br />~Status~<br /><br />So now she is on life support.&nbsp; Fittingly, the only organ that is functioning is her heart.&nbsp; A heart that will be donated to someone in need if deemed able by the time this is truly done which will be sometime tonight or tomorrow.&nbsp; She is 51 years old.<br /><br /><br />This is the first time I have been away from the whole family since this started around 6 pm last night.&nbsp; I came home to shower and pack some things.&nbsp; Now I am off.&nbsp; I know some of you know Katie and many of you do not.&nbsp; She is one hell of a person and I am hurting for her and her family.&nbsp;

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by stickyfingers on 6-7-06 @ 4:13 PM</span>

[EliSnow]

<font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Sorry to hear about this.&nbsp; You have my prayers and thoughts.</font>

[Don Stugots]

shit, dude i am so srry to hear about this. you cant take life for granted. you really cant.

you and yours are in my thoughts and prayers. dont hesitate to ask for help if needed, or just people to talk to.

[Iamnotatool]

<p>Stay positive and be there for her, and don't be ashamed of crying, it's a natural progression of feelings.&nbsp; Let that shit out or you'll end up with 2 ulcers, like me.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Thoughts + Prayers from the tool</p>

[mendyweiss]

<p>Hang in there man,</p><p>The Weiss family</p>

[reeshy]

<p>Sorry to hear that.</p><p> </p><p>As a nurse....I had worked in a hospice part time. I took care of terminal patients. I would feel more sorry for the family since they were the ones that were going to be left alone...There was nothing I could say to relieve their pain ....all I could do was take care of their loved one the best I could.</p><p> </p><p>Again...All my prayers. </p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by reeshy on 6-7-06 @ 4:59 PM</span>

[ChimneyFish]

<p><strong><em><font face="georgia,times new roman,times,serif" size="2">Wow.</font></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><font face="Georgia" size="2">My sincere condolences.</font></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><font face="Georgia" size="2">My father and I lost my mother to cancer three years ago this December.</font></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><font face="Georgia" size="2">Same story with the marriage. Everyone I know (including every ex of mine)&nbsp;was envious of their relationship. She was 48 and worked out everyday.</font></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><font face="Georgia" size="2">It's going to be a long, hard road for your girl and her family(including yourself). Give her every thing she needs, but don't&nbsp;smother her. Personally, I just wanted everyone in the world to leave me the fuck alone, but I'm glad I had people there for me if I needed them.</font></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><font face="Georgia" size="2">You will all be in my thoughts.</font></em></strong></p>

[stickyfingers]

<p>thanks guys....really.&nbsp; I never thought I would start a 'show me sympathy' thread but now that I have, its actually nice to read some of the things you guys wrote.<br /><br />I am at thier house now (by myself) walking and feeding the dog.&nbsp; I am supposed to go pick a relative up at Newark airport but I haven't slept since I woke up yesterday morning.&nbsp; I am hoping someone else will make this run since I already picked up her sister this morning from newark.<br /><br />Thanks again.&nbsp; I even heard talks of people planning to all go to an Aunt's house to eat, which I don't think too many people have done much of the past 2 days.</p>

[DarkHippie]

<p>You almost just made me cry.</p><p>I'm sending you, Katie, and your whole family my love and prayers.&nbsp; I hope she pulls through.&nbsp; I'm rooting for her.</p>

[mdr55]

My friend Eddy's dad passed away recently (Some of you met Eddy- he was
the one that pitched at the last softball game). Grief and dying is
tough. The wake brought back memories of when my dad passed away.
There's nothing you can really do and makes you aware of your own
mortality. When you lose a loved one, especially a parent, it makes you
appreciate the one that you have left still- cuz you never know when
they'll be gone too. I know it's going to be hard on Katie and her
family. My deepest regrets.<br />

[FUNKMAN]

<p>Mike,</p><p>Very sorry to hear such devastating news. Katie and yourself are two fine people whom i've had the pleasure of spending time with and it truly hurts to know the hurt you guys are experiencing. </p><p>I sincerely wish the best outcome for Katie's Mom. Stay strong and proud!</p><p>Ron</p>

[Patches]

<p>Wow... she sounds like a truly remarkable woman and a great mother and friend to your girlfriend.&nbsp; My thoughts and prayers, man- Truly.</p><p>Richie.</p>

[ADF]

I feel for you, Sticky.&nbsp; We all take life for granted and it's terrible that it takes something like this to make us appreciate it.&nbsp; Katie's mom sounds like a great person.&nbsp; My best goes out to her and everybody she knows.<br />

[mendyweiss]

<p>Sticky,</p><p>Try to take a few minutes for yourself on Saturday, and catch the Belmont.</p>

[spoon]

<p>Hey Mike hang in there and be that rock for Katie I know you will be.&nbsp; You guys got my number if you think there's anything I can help you out with.&nbsp; Funny enough you two remind me of the very stories you speak of about her mom and dad.&nbsp; Is there any better way to honor&nbsp;her mom but to keep a tradition so great alive bt you two?&nbsp; I think her mom would be proud.&nbsp; My condolences sticky.&nbsp; </p>

[Justice4all]

<p>Holy shit mike I am so so sorry for you and Katie. You two are good people and if Katie is an example of her upbringing then this is truely sad news indeed. Please pass on my well wishes and prayers to Katie and her family. If there is anything I can help with let me know. I will be in touch. </p>

[Gvac]

I'm terribly sorry to hear such awful news.&nbsp; Hang tough and be strong for your girlfriend, and know that you've got all of our prayers and support. <br />

[Jennitalia]

im really sorry, sticky.&nbsp; you guys are in my thoughts and prayers

[Crippler]

<p>My God, Mike, that's just an awful situation.&nbsp; The part about Katie's mom &amp; dad's relationship nearly ripped my heart out of my chest.</p><p>In reality, all any of us can do is offer our prayers &amp; warm wishes...and you'll certainly have mine.&nbsp; But maybe more importantly is the thought that once you're done being a rock for Katie, make sure you don't turn all the emotion of this ordeal inside &amp; drive yourself crazy.&nbsp; Lean on your friends, bend their ears, even if it's about nonsense, and let it all out.</p><p>In the meanwhile, be strong, and know that you &amp; Katie &amp; your families are in the hearts and minds of a lot of people.</p>

[Bulldogcakes]

All my best, Sticky. <br />

[stickyfingers]

well, she passed away friday night/saturday morning.&nbsp; They waited till 1 am because they had someone coming that was going to recieve her lungs immediately.&nbsp; Only the husband and oldest son were there when they finally took her off the machines.&nbsp; We waited for them to get home at the oldest son's house.&nbsp; Their father walked in and said 'My baby's gone.'&nbsp; <br /><br />We all had a&nbsp;good cry.&nbsp; <br /><br />

[FUNKMAN]

<p>Very Sorry Mike!&nbsp;&nbsp; Please give Katie my condolences as well!!</p><p>Ron</p>

[mdr55]

My peeps all send their condolences, as well as I. <img border="0" src="http://www.ronfez.net/messageboard/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/down.gif" /><br />

[Don Stugots]

<hr color="cococo" align="left"></font><strong>stickyfingers</strong> wrote:<br>well, she passed away friday night/saturday morning. They waited till 1 am because they had someone coming that was going to recieve her lungs immediately. Only the husband and oldest son were there when they finally took her off the machines. We waited for them to get home at the oldest son's house. Their father walked in and said 'My baby's gone.' <br /><br />We all had a good cry. <br /><br /><hr color="cococo" align="left"><p></p>


I am very sorry. If you need anything give a yell over here. My prayers go out to you and your girl.

[Dougie Brootal]

damn thats shitty. i am very sorry to hear that. my thoughts are with you and your families.

[INFOSTUD]

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone!!!&nbsp; Life is very short and precious--share it with those you love.<br />

[spoon]

Sorry to hear Mike.&nbsp; Pass on Kristen and my condolences.

[Justice4all]

Mike I am so sorry to hear about what happened. Words cannot describe what you all are going through. I will only pray that this pain passes as quickly as possible for you, Katie and her family.