Life Just Got Put In Perspective Tonight

[Inferno]

Tonight I witnessed something that completely put life into perspective and made me realize all of the other things I've been worried about lately mean very little.

A couple weeks ago my uncle(by marriage) went to the doctor cause he wasn't feeling well. They discovered he had lung cancer and had a maximum of three months to live but most likely it'll be within the next couple weeks. For the first time he was diagnosed I went to see him tonight and it was very sad but also a huge wakeup call. He went from the happy retired man with not a care in the world that I saw a few months ago to somebody who looks like the life had been drained from him and can barely talk but the only thing he was worried about was that my cousin go to KFC to get everyone supper.

It made me realize that I shouldn't take life for granted because one day I could be how I am right now and the next day dieing. And it also made me realize that doing things like worrying all these months about the woman that I posted a topic about a couple weeks ago wasn't worth it. There's millions of women out there but you only live once. Hearing about death is always sad but when its someone you actually know it opens your eyes even more.

I'm sure things are going to be put into perspective even more when he does pass on because I've never experienced a death in the family of someone I actually knew and I know it's going to be tough.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Tonight I witnessed something that completely put life into perspective and made me realize all of the other things I've been worried about lately mean very little.

A couple weeks ago my uncle(by marriage) went to the doctor cause he wasn't feeling well. They discovered he had lung cancer and had a maximum of three months to live but most likely it'll be within the next couple weeks. For the first time he was diagnosed I went to see him tonight and it was very sad but also a huge wakeup call. He went from the happy retired man with not a care in the world that I saw a few months ago to somebody who looks like the life had been drained from him and can barely talk but the only thing he was worried about was that my cousin go to KFC to get everyone supper.

It made me realize that I shouldn't take life for granted because one day I could be how I am right now and the next day dieing. And it also made me realize that doing things like worrying all these months about the woman that I posted a topic about a couple weeks ago wasn't worth it. There's millions of women out there but you only live once. Hearing about death is always sad but when its someone you actually know it opens your eyes even more.

I'm sure things are going to be put into perspective even more when he does pass on because I've never experienced a death in the family of someone I actually knew and I know it's going to be tough.

Firstly, i'd like to say i'm sorry to hear about your uncle. Secondly, make sure you tell him everything you need to while you can and really appreciate these last few weeks you have with him. It might not seem like much(to tell him everything you need to) but you will definately be glad later on that you did.

I've lost a few people over the years including a few in car accidents so I never got the chance to say goodbye. God is giving you that chance so make the best of it. And I agree with you on how it puts things into perspective. I've lost 3 people I know to cancer (none in my immediate family but very close family friends), a gf to a drunk driver and a good friend in a housefire and each time it makes me realize how precious life is. You just never know when it's your time to go, so live life to the fullest with no regrets. As I said, spend as much time while you can with your uncle as you have been. You will both appreciate it so much.

"If God brings you to it, he will get you through it."

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Inferno

And it also made me realize that doing things like worrying all these months about the woman that I posted a topic about a couple weeks ago wasn't worth it. There's millions of women out there but you only live once.

Or you could live for decades and miss out on the only woman...Perspective is different depending on circumstances. Some people with few days left to live start living their lives the fullest but I know this is a very cliche scenario. And cancer patients often outlive their pronosis if they have something worth living for.

[Inferno]

One of the sad things about this too not that I'm wishing death on him but my other auntie's husband has got to be the one of the most selfish, childish, rude, .etc person on this earth yet there's nothing wrong with him and he sits at home while my auntie works. His sister is dieing of bone cancer and is leaving him half a million and all he's worrying about right now is how he's going to spend it. While my other auntie's husband is the exact opposite and he's dieing. Sometimes life just isn't fair and the good people are always the ones who go before they should.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Tonight I witnessed something that completely put life into perspective and made me realize all of the other things I've been worried about lately mean very little.

A couple weeks ago my uncle(by marriage) went to the doctor cause he wasn't feeling well. They discovered he had lung cancer and had a maximum of three months to live but most likely it'll be within the next couple weeks. For the first time he was diagnosed I went to see him tonight and it was very sad but also a huge wakeup call. He went from the happy retired man with not a care in the world that I saw a few months ago to somebody who looks like the life had been drained from him and can barely talk but the only thing he was worried about was that my cousin go to KFC to get everyone supper.

It made me realize that I shouldn't take life for granted because one day I could be how I am right now and the next day dieing. And it also made me realize that doing things like worrying all these months about the woman that I posted a topic about a couple weeks ago wasn't worth it. There's millions of women out there but you only live once. Hearing about death is always sad but when its someone you actually know it opens your eyes even more.

I'm sure things are going to be put into perspective even more when he does pass on because I've never experienced a death in the family of someone I actually knew and I know it's going to be tough.

Sorry to hear of your uncle. I lost an uncle, whom i considered a second father, over the Christmas holidays. He also died of lung cancer. I hate cancer and what it does to people. It's a sad way to watch someone die.

I've been to a lot of funerals in the past 4 years and i would agree that it does put ones life in perspective. Don't sweat the small stuff and live each day to it's fullest.

Spend as much time as you can with him and let him know how much you care about him and how he has meant a lot in your life. I know it will mean a lot to him to hear those words from you.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Inferno

One of the sad things about this too not that I'm wishing death on him but my other auntie's husband has got to be the one of the most selfish, childish, rude, .etc person on this earth yet there's nothing wrong with him and he sits at home while my auntie works. His sister is dieing of bone cancer and is leaving him half a million and all he's worrying about right now is how he's going to spend it. While my other auntie's husband is the exact opposite and he's dieing. Sometimes life just isn't fair and the good people are always the ones who go before they should.

Billy Joel said it best. Only the good die young.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Inferno

A couple weeks ago my uncle(by marriage) went to the doctor cause he wasn't feeling well. They discovered he had lung cancer and had a maximum of three months to live but most likely it'll be within the next couple weeks. For the first time he was diagnosed I went to see him tonight and it was very sad but also a huge wakeup call.

I'm sure things are going to be put into perspective even more when he does pass on because I've never experienced a death in the family of someone I actually knew and I know it's going to be tough.

Sorry to hear about your uncle. A helpless time . . . . .

Looking into the eyes of someone who will soon be dead - and knows it - is fairly profound.

Some are at peace, some are pragmatic and others are scared. I have the type of clientele where I come across those situations too frequently.

However, after seeing a young colleague die a horrible cancer death, a friends father also die within weeks and then watching my father die in a very short time, all in a fairly short time frame a few years ago, I seem to spend a lot less time in the cave arguing on internet message boards and a lot more time out in the sunshine.

The years pass all too quickly.

And it also made me realize that doing things like worrying all these months about the woman that I posted a topic about a couple weeks ago wasn't worth it. There's millions of women out there but you only live once.

That was the right answer anyway!!!

Cowperson

[fredr123]

Sorry to hear about your uncle.

My wife's cousin died suddenly and unexpectedly in a semi to semi collision north of Edmonton last fall. Another driver went through a stop sign at highway speed. The guy loved his job and ran a successful trucking company but always found time to pursue the other things he enjoyed in life.

He was an incredible athlete and spent much of the summer water skiing and most of the winter skiing. He went on a few road trips and vacations each year with his friends. He was always pestering his nieces and nephews and teaching them all those things in life that can only be learned from a carefree uncle.

His funeral was by far the largest ever held by our little town with dozens of truckers from other trucking companies coming from all over to pay their respects with a convoy up and down Highway 4. To see how well this guy lived life was an inspiration to myself and to everyone else who had the privilege of knowing him.

We rarely go on vacations any more. Money has been a constant source of stress for my little family. But this summer, we're organizing a big family vacation inspired in large part by my wife's uncle. Life is too short to worry about your job and paying the bills. There are more important things and the best time to start doing something about it is right now.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Tonight I witnessed something that completely put life into perspective and made me realize all of the other things I've been worried about lately mean very little.

A couple weeks ago my uncle(by marriage) went to the doctor cause he wasn't feeling well. They discovered he had lung cancer and had a maximum of three months to live but most likely it'll be within the next couple weeks. For the first time he was diagnosed I went to see him tonight and it was very sad but also a huge wakeup call. He went from the happy retired man with not a care in the world that I saw a few months ago to somebody who looks like the life had been drained from him and can barely talk but the only thing he was worried about was that my cousin go to KFC to get everyone supper.

It made me realize that I shouldn't take life for granted because one day I could be how I am right now and the next day dieing. And it also made me realize that doing things like worrying all these months about the woman that I posted a topic about a couple weeks ago wasn't worth it. There's millions of women out there but you only live once. Hearing about death is always sad but when its someone you actually know it opens your eyes even more.

I'm sure things are going to be put into perspective even more when he does pass on because I've never experienced a death in the family of someone I actually knew and I know it's going to be tough.

I'm sorry to hear about your uncle and can relate very closely. A few years ago my uncle died from Cancer. It was really difficult for my family in particular because not only was it the first family member we had lost on my mom's side but because he was a guy that our family did stuff with regularly.

I live in Lethbridge and he was in Calgary so on our way through Calgary I called my aunt at the hospital to see if we could stop by because I hadn't seen him in some time. My aunt thought it wasn't a good idea because he wasn't doing to well that day so we never stopped. 2 weeks later my Uncle passed away and to this day everytime I see my aunt she tells me how horrible she feels that I never got to see my uncle one last time. Make as much as an effort to spend time with him no matter what because that time is very special and enjoy it.

My prayers go out to you and your uncle

[habernac]

sorry to hear, Inferno.

I've lost a few close to me to Cancer. I credit one of them for helping me quit smoking. He was my good friend's Dad. They found out he had terminal lung cancer, gave him 3 months to live. He went to live with his son (my good friend) and his wife and 3 daughters.

It was my good fortune that I was there for a visit soon after he moved in. They live in Vancouver so I don't get out there much. Mr C. was white as a ghost, he was doing chemo and his already pale Irish complexion was even whiter than usual. He was in good spirits, was determined to make the best of the situation and see as much of his young granddaughters as he could. We had a terrific long talk. I was finished with cigarettes soon after.

He turned those 3 months into almost 4 years. He died with his family at his side and a smile on his face.

[DuffMan]

Sorry to hear about your uncle, but good to see it has changed your perspective somewhat.
While I don't want to change the theme of this thread, I do want to ask you. Did your uncle smoke? Don't answer if you don't want to, but if you are willing to, I'd be interested to hear.

[J pold]

Sorry to hear about your uncle I hope he is at peace and that he can look back and appreciate the good in his life

Death is a thing that will put your life in perspective and make you realized just how precious it is. In a matter of two weeks I lost my Nana to cancer and by best friend to a seizure. It really made me think and put a number of things into perspective.

On the topic of women, you said it best really “there are a ton of women out there” this is a huge life changing realization

[The Goon]

I watched my best friend's dad die of cancer about a dozen years ago. It was a slow decline, but what struck me the most about the whole thing was how organized he was while he was dying. He arranged his family's finances, showed his sons how to maintain the house and what needed to be done at their cottage, and remained a figure of authority to them until just before he passed. He said, "I'm just making sure everything's in order."

It was a real lesson to me.

[prarieboy]

Originally Posted by Inferno

A couple weeks ago my uncle(by marriage) went to the doctor cause he wasn't feeling well. They discovered he had lung cancer and had a maximum of three months to live but most likely it'll be within the next couple weeks. For the first time he was diagnosed I went to see him tonight and it was very sad but also a huge wakeup call. He went from the happy retired man with not a care in the world that I saw a few months ago to somebody who looks like the life had been drained from him and can barely talk but the only thing he was worried about was that my cousin go to KFC to get everyone supper.

Wow, you could be describing my father a few years back.

That's terrible news. My heart felt condolances to you, your Aunt and Uncle and all members of your family.

My father, who didn't smoke, was walking home from the store one day and felt unusually short of breath. He died three months later.

I hope your uncle has the chance to spend his last days doing whatever he likes best. After he's gone don't forget how you feel right now and spend the rest of your days doing what you like best.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Sorry to hear about your uncle, but good to see it has changed your perspective somewhat.
While I don't want to change the theme of this thread, I do want to ask you. Did your uncle smoke? Don't answer if you don't want to, but if you are willing to, I'd be interested to hear.

He smoked for 56 years. He did put this on himself but it's just sad it has to happen to him out of all people especially consider he's had to deal with my auntie having Alzheimers Disease and putting her into a senior residence cause he just couldnt look after her anymore. Some people can mistreat their bodies all their life and never have anything bad to them.