Who do you miss?

[Dirty Sanchez]

I met some guys at Reading Festival in about '94 and managed to meet up with them again there the following year, but then lost contact. I don't recall their names but they were v cool and were from Newcastle I think.

I really miss my brother Dave. Him and his eldest daughter, Anna aged 5, both died in a house fire in Godalming in January 2001. You hear about that sort of tragedy in the news and you never for a second think it will happen to your family and nothing can prepare for the incredible loss and heartache that ensues when something unforeseen happens like that. It still really hurts, not as much as it did when it happened, but I'll never forget them. I miss them both so much

I had a phone call from my Dad last Saturday - my brother Dave had collapsed and was taken into ITU. He had a brain haemorrage, virtually died immediately, but was kept on life support until late on Monday.

I got down to Nuneaton as quick asI could, as did my sister who flew back from South Africa.

It's still far from real, I'm going to see him tomorrow in the Chapel of Rest before his funeral on Wednesday.

He was only 39, 2 yrs younger than me. He always wanted to be a donor, our cousin had a kidney 28yrs ago and is still going strong after fathering 3 kids now ith kids of their own. He had just moved house, in the process he ticked the donor box on his driving licence, of all the ironies his donor card turned up on Monday morning.

We stayed with him until he went into theatre at 22:20, waiting until 05:00 until he came out having done his bit. His liver went immediately to Edinburgh to be transplanted in the early hours, one kidney to Belfast and the other kidney and pancreas to Oxford. His heart and lungs were too damaged to use as full donors but his heart went to Birmingham Childrens Hospital, where his valves will be of use for up to 5 years.

This is really keeping my Mum and Dad going.

I had a brain bleed 5 years ago, I was lucky in that I had no lasting effects. Life can change so quickly, if there is something you want to do tomorrow that you can do today - do it. My brother Dave lived life to the full, I'm proud of him for doing so and proud he has given a number of families hope this Christmas.

[Geoff D]

My condolences Sanchez - so sorry for your loss.

[neoboy259]

My brother Dave lived life to the full, I'm proud of him for doing so and proud he has given a number of families hope this Christmas.

Sorry for your familys' loss.

[Alastair]

Ha! The first name I though of, once you said posh job, was Double O!! Are you sure that's him? 007 was a joke(r), are you now saying he's a international jetset hotshot of the financial world and pussy magnet to boot!!???

All the pictures look like him yeah, bit much of a coincidence with the name too, and that he says Scott I think.

Dirty Sanchez - I don't know what to say. You sound like you're coping well. I had a brain haemorrhage too a little longer ago than your bleed so I know what's what and how lucky I was. I still think of it every day. At the time my main fear was that of the effect it would have on those I 'may' leave behind. It sounds like you and yours are doing well so far and it would comfort your bro hugely to know how strong you are being. The donor thing is amazing, great work by your bro and the hospital staff.

If you need to talk to a random about anything drop me a pm. Chin up.

[Soundwave]

I'm so sorry to hear that Sanchez.
My condolonces & thoughts are with you & your family.

RIP Dave

Neil

[spagmasterswift]

I miss Bruce Willis.

[gunrock]

DS, you're so right. It's unbelievable how life can change in an instant. Best wishes to your family and his family unit, too. They must feel like their world has been blown apart, right now....

[figflair]

Wow! What an amazing thread. Made me feel quite sad reading all the stories on here and also a little like I was intruding on others thoughts; but it's great that people feel they can share as that always helps in my experience.

[Jebus]

It's still far from real, I'm going to see him tomorrow in the Chapel of Rest before his funeral on Wednesday.

I'm so so sorry to hear of your loss mate, I really am.

I'm not sure how to word this really but talk to people about what you plan to do Wednesday, I did that for my Dad and it was extremely distressing, I'm not sure even now if I actually regret doing it, but there you go.

Once again, for what they are worth, condolences to you all.

[Skull Commander]

I too am sorry for your loss Mr Sanchez.

[dotoko]

Wow, what a humbling thread, I am lucky enough not to have lost anyone yet but my heart goes out to you guys who have lost your mums. Mine is my rock and I would literally be ****ed if I lost her.

[Brad]

That sucks Dirty. my condolences fella.

My mum died in 2008. This is our second Christmas without her. She was only 63. Nothing really. Having Dad and Sister over for Christmas again but it's not quite the same now.

[Dirty Sanchez]

Cheers for all the support and best wishes and thoughts to those that have lost those close to them.

I'm so so sorry to hear of your loss mate, I really am.

I'm not sure how to word this really but talk to people about what you plan to do Wednesday, I did that for my Dad and it was extremely distressing, I'm not sure even now if I actually regret doing it, but there you go.

Once again, for what they are worth, condolences to you all.

I know exactly where you are coming from. I wasn't keen seeing my brother after he came out of the operating theatre after the transplants (they placed him in the area called 'Recovery' - even in dark times you have to laugh). All the tubes etc were gone and he had his cheeky smile on his face. I kid you not he looked contented and happy. Glad I saw him, I waited until the others in my family had seen him as I didn't want my last view of him to be a bad one.

Tough choice going to see him for the last time on Monday. No doubt about it there is a difference but I'm glad I did it. I took a can in with me and had a last drink with him, I'd expect him to have done the same.

[Malc]

Condolences to everyone who's lost someone here.

I'm fairly lucky that I haven't had anyone real close to me die, apart from my nan who I used to live with when I was still a child, but I was too young to understand what really happened at the time. I just remember going to see her in hospital with my mum and dad in the evening before her death. She was just lying there motionless, hooked up to a load of machines that all made strange noises. I think I kissed her and said goodbye and walked out of the room. I could see back through the glass and my mum and dad talking to a nurse; I couldn't hear what was being said but I presume they told my parents that she was in a bad way and wouldn't make it through the night.

Later on in the early hours of the morning we recieved the phone call, my mum woke me up and told me she had died.

That was my first ever real experience of a loved one dieing.

[ShadowDancer]

I too would like to send condolences to all and to your recent loss DC.

My Dad is one of 8 and has lost 3 sisters in 2 years and his brother has cancer.

After one funeral, my Dad just sat on his bed weeping like a child with his hands on his face....it broke my heart, I'd never seen my dad like that.