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Polar bear with carrot

Monday, March 14, 2011

Billy's last stand

My friend Michael sent me this sad but eloquent testimonial for his friend Bill.


Robert
I want to share this story with you, I have attached picture of Billy H----- my
closest friend I had growing up in Daly City, we were inseparable from 12 years
old till 15 until  they (law) sent him away to CYO for beating up a teacher with
a chair . I spent every day with him either at his home or mine depending on
who's mother would supply the mustard sandwich on white bread and an unsmoked
Chesterfield, Herbert Tareyton or Pall Mall. We both came from big Irish type
families with too many siblings to count, he the youngest of 8 and me the oldest
of 8 Billy was the toughest guy I knew not big but never quit strong with a chip
on his shoulder. When he returned from the youth pen I was well on my way to the
Haight Ashbury, weed, black light posters and girls that didn't wear underwear.
We didn't hang out after that but always kind of kept track of each other thru
the grapevine. I received a call last week that Billy had colon cancer and it
was in everywhere throughout his body, he had a heart attack during exploratory
surgery and now although somewhat coherent he couldn't eat because the cancer
attacked the food and he no longer had a stomach. Billy is a well known barber,
has 5 kids, had 3 wives and and he was an accomplished martial artist having
reached the highest level of karate one can attain. I spent the last 4-5 days
going to the hospital and watched him when he was lucid tell the nurses to make
sure and shake it for him. Last night I was with him by myself at 9 p.m and he
said Mike I'm freezing so I went and got blankets, then he asked me to rub his
feet and then his stomach which was covered with bandages, tubes etc, I soon
went and got the nurse who gave him his morphine and I watched him go into a
stupor/sleep. I left at 930 p.m, today the doctor called the family and told
them to come as he was spitting blood .I am waiting for the call now to tell me
its over.
What kind of person would ask you if you are dying? who are we?
Michael



Great question. Out of my pay grade but great fucking question. Sincere thanks for sharing. Billy did things his way, will toast him at the next opportunity.
Robert

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