It’s hard to believe that I haven’t updated our blog since January of 2016. So much has happened that I feel it is impossible to adequately share it here. However, after hearing from two dear online friends this week, who I met through this blog, I knew I needed to come back and share some very difficult news.
Big EZ lost his battle with Multiple Myeloma at 5:00pm on April 26, 2019. He was surrounded by family, and not in pain, as he peacefully left this earth for heaven. He valiantly fought blood cancer for nine years and four months. He endured seven different treatment combinations, a clinical trial, 70 radiation treatments, surgery to insert a pin in his left femoral neck, kidney cancer and the surgical removal of a kidney, two autologous stem cell transplants, foot drop, and multiple compression fractures in his cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. His cause of death was Multiple Myeloma. He did not contract pneumonia and thank goodness this was all before any of us had ever heard of Covid 19. We were married for over 43 years, and I still find it hard to believe he has been gone for over two years now. I miss him every single day, and may never get used to being called a widow.
In typical Big EZ fashion, he always remained hopeful, kept his sense of humor, and never complained or asked “Why me?” He set an example for his family and friends of what it means to live out your faith, to make the most of your days, and to be intentional in telling your loved ones how much they mean to you. We were able to celebrate his 67 years of life at our church in Raleigh, North Carolina, enjoying a slide show of over 300 photos, heartfelt words from his family members including his three children and six grandchildren, testimonies from his closest friends, his favorite blue grass music, his favorite snack foods, and trying our hand at his much loved cork tricks and brain-teaser puzzles.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for
me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day…”
2 Timothy 4:7-8
I will write a few more posts to fill in the huge gap of what went on in our lives during the three years from 2016 to 2019, including a move to our log cabin in the mountains, two unforgettable vacations, relapse, more treatment, and a second stem cell transplant at Duke. I am so grateful for those friends we met through our connection with Multiple Myeloma and this blog. Your encouragement and support through the years meant so much to EZ and I. Unfortunately as social media began to change, keeping up with blogging was replaced by simpler postings on Instagram and Facebook, and I lost touch with many of you. I hope and pray you are well and continuing to fight the good fight until a cure is found.
Linda
I used to read your blog and wondered how it all was. I'm so sorry he passed away form Myeloma. I'm sure you heard/read that Julie of Julies moments died recently too. It's always difficult to read these things. Even though we haven't met the Myeloma journey is a shared one and difficult. I am one of the lucky ones as I am 16 years past diagnosis. I have relapsed numerous times but fortunately treatment is successful. I send best wishes to you and your family and thank you for the update be it sad as it is.
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