we had been put on alert that Ferrell, my brother in law's kidneys and liver had shut down last week. There was nothing that could be done. My experience with other friends who died this way gave me the knowledge that it would be hours if not a few days before he would pass. He died this morning. We will be leaving tomorrow to go be with P's sister and the rest of the family for a few days. Ferrell made medical history with surviving as long as he did. For ten years he fought cancers doors. First Pancreatic cancer. Then, ten years ago the doctors removed his Pancreas and did the Wipple operation on him. Now, the Wipple operation is common place, but back then it was still new. Then they tried new techniques to fight his liver cancer and held it at bay for two years making him live longer with that cancer than anyone has before. He even participated in a study at MD Anderson in order to help others. He faced his cancer with a pretty good attitude up till the end. And when he knew he wouldn't live very long, he showed no bitterness, but even had a few chuckles in him when I was around him. He was a kind soul beneath a grumpy exterior. You could tell he loved his high school sweet heart who became his bride. (well, I may not know their love story too well, but they knew each other in school and did grow up together in the same town) and theirs is a love story for sure. I want to say my sister in law through out it all has been absolutely strong even when she did not want to be. She has had to go through what no wife wants to, a dieing husband. Bess knows this pain as she has recently gone through this herself. I know God gives us the plane ticket right before we get on the plane so to say. Meaning, when we need that strength at our deepest hour, he will give it to us. Well I can see that he has done that for her. She has been amazing even though you can hear that shaky voice of hers telling you there is still so much pain there.
Tomorrow as our family gathers, we will be saying good by to one of our own for the first time in a long time. It will not be fun, but it will be joyous because we all rest our faith in Our Saviour's arms. We know when it's our turn we will meet up with Ferrell and the rest of the clan that our in Heaven. There will be rejoicing and praising and not any room for tears. I will be there to. A skinny me just sining and praising the Lord with Ferrell, and Gambit. We'll have plenty of memories. I can then tell Ferrell what an inspiration he was to me on my weight loss journey as he was the first on in the family to start losing weight and to get into shape. I saw what he did and knew I had better get on the band wagon. He also encouraged me in my walk as a diabetic as he had become one too. When I got on the pump he helped me out and gave me advise since he was the only person I knew who was on the pump. That was a great comfort. Yep, I'm going to miss my brother in law. He was always there to give out his knowledge and just be a friend and help you out. God Speed Ferrell, I'll miss you with all my heart.