Today I lost a good friend - RIP Joel.

[Dave A]

My how your day an change unexpectedly. Today was just another day, until about 2 hours ago. I've known this guy Joel since I was a kid, since primary school. He was just over a year younger than me and he had a younger brother. Our families knew each other and got on well. We wern't friends in the sense that we saw each other all the time and did everything together. They didn't actually live near to us so as kids we didn't see them that often, but they were good friends. We played football a lot, him, his borther, me, my brother and our farthers along with a few other local lads.

We found out about a year ago that Joel had cancer, he'd only just got married too. The lad is younger than me and he got cancer. He was going through pretty extensive treatment for it over the last 6 months in particular and I'd been to see him a few times. He was always smiling, always happy and upbeat, he always said he loved his wife too much to give up. He wasn't the kind of lad who caused trouble, never got into fights, never got into trouble with the law.

He didn't give up but sadly today it beat him. I got a call about 10 past 7 from a freind telling me he died earlier today. Right now to say I'm not in the most sociable of moods is an understatment. Even though we didn't spend much time with each other he still goes down as great friend who I've known most of my life and even though it was to be expected that the cancer would beat him sooner rather than later it's hit me harder than I expected. You think it's easy to deal with when your detached from a situation but it's not. Especially for his parents, wife and brother who my thoughs are with right now.

Rest In Peace Joel.

 

[zoxxy]

Damn man, that sucks.

He's in a better place now.

 

[Perfect Balance]

That sucks man. I'd say something else but I don't want it to sound generic, so this'll have to do.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Very sorry to hear this. Hang in there, bud. Try to remember the good times along with your grief.

 

[Danny]

My condolences to you David, as well as his family.

Cancer is a terrible way to go, I really feel for you.

 

[kikie]

My condolences.

Stories like this always come as a shock.

 

[TB]

I can only imagine what you are going through.

You have my sympathy.

 

[superberkut]

My condolences go to you, your friend's immediate family and Joel's spouse, and my respect goes to Joel. Stay strong.

 

[Spock]

R.I.P. Joel

 

[Rykon Zero]

I don't have to imagine what you're going through. When my father died, I had no idea what to do.
R.I.P. Joel.

 

[Flerbizky]

Condolences and best wishes to Joels family.......

 

[Turbo Lag]

Damn that must hurt to lose a friend like that I too have a friend like that, its the last thing you want to happen. R.I.P Joel.

 

[G.T]

I'm very sorry to hear this...

You have my condolences to Joel's family.

 

[SolidSnake15]

I know the feeling of losing a friend. I lost one in the 2nd grade. My condolences to you.

 

[Ram-Rod]

Condolences to both his family and friends.

I've lost many friends throughout my life, and so has my wife. Best thing is to give as much support as you can.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

I know how you feel, my father died of cancer when I was 9. Got called up to the school office one day at school where they told us (me and my sister). It's never an easy thing to go through, I feel for you.

 

[a6m5]

I'm really sorry to hear this as well. Especially when he happens to be such a nice guy. We lost a good one today, sounds like.

 

[Philly]

That's terrible news.

I wish the best of luck to you, his other friends and family.

 

[Duke]

Of course it hurts worse when it's a good guy with a good attitude and a lot to live for who goes this way. My condolences to you and his family. Cancer is never pretty or nice.

 

[Tommi]

This is terrible news, I am so sorry to hear it, I cannot imagine what it is like to lose a friend...

My condolences to you and Joel's Family.

 

[Dave A]

Thanks for the kind words everyone, they're really appreciated.

 

[SolidSnake15]

And your very welcome. 👍
Glad to help you feel better.

 

[Muzaffar]

Condolences to you and his families and friends.
Dying of cancer is never a pleasant thing. Hopefully there would be some sort of medical revelation that could cure cancer.

 

[GT Pro]

I feel greatly saddened for your loss. Cancer absolutely sucks; it has no common known cure (*), can happen to anybody, and is slow and painful. One day we will see it as no more, but until that day there is little one can do.

 

[Touring Mars]

Sorry I missed this yesterday - my sincere condolences to you and to Joel's family.

 

[Bram Turismo]

I'll hop in the boat here and say: My condolences.

On that, the most sad part may be that he was just married (1 year you said?). Did they have any kids? Or did you and the rest know he was dying?

On that last question, was it an expected death or did no one see it coming?


Sorry if these questions might make you feel uncomfortable, if they do, please say so 👍

 

[Dave A]

He didn't have any kids, he found out he had cancer shortly after he got married and he found out it was likely going to kill him shortly after that. It wasn't out of the blue but it was still a shock because you never want it to happen. He had been deteriorating quite a bit over the last couple of weeks. He was still kicking a ball about in January though, so from knowing he's got the cancer but felling good enough to still do things to dieing in a hospital bed all happened pretty quick.

I went see his family today with another friend who knew Joel too. It wasn't an easy day but I'm glad I went. I'm not exactley what you'd call an emotional person so there are times when something bad happens and I don't really know how I should be feeling, but this left me feeling very hollow. It cut me pretty deep yesterday and today seeing the family did in a different way. I will be ok but it did hit me harder than I'd have expected.