Above you see an entire beautiful family in happier times, on a trip to Hawaii. This photo was taken just before the man second from right, Rich Basick, faced a risky bone marrow transplant to tackle his leukemia. On the far left of the picture, his youngest son, Carter, then oldest son Hayden, the man himself, and his beautiful wife Kathleen.
I went to school with Rich and Kathleen. I consider them friends. They need friends now more than ever, because Rich has had very major complications post-transplant. In fact, he fights for his life as I write this at Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU), on a ventilator that he needs, but doesn't want.
What I remember of Rich from school? He had a swagger to his demeanor. Now, he lays in a hospital bed, hooked up to tubes and wires, and as a visitor, you aren't sure if he knows who you are, except for an occasional squeeze of a hand, or a desperate attempt to talk, a heartbreaking transformation.
He needs that swagger and a good old fashioned miracle.
His case again makes me wonder why I’m so lucky. I have brain cancer and I’m still here. Why? I thought the brain was where most cancers go to die. He’s only 46, and has a beautiful and growing family.
God please show yourself and save him.
1 comment:
Hi, Eden. :) My husband found your blog through a google search. He and a few friends of his have kept in touch with Rich over the years and were concerned that they haven't been able to get a hold of him. It's been a while since anyone heard from him. The last we heard was when his toe was amputated. Do you have an update on him? I'm on FB, or you can email me. dixonfam6 at msn dot com Thank you.
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