Funny how the Canuck's/Bruin's NHL playoff games fit into everyone's life in one way or another. Even if it's just having to deal with the excess traffic. This week, for me, it was entirely different.
In our family we have three brothers. Two have been battling illness or some form of physical deterioration for years.
My oldest brother had his knee and hip replaced. One of my younger brothers has been battling a rare viral disease.
But our other brother has been healthy all his life. And about six weeks ago he had a complete check-up. Because he was a smoker for a long time, they did a lung x-ray. The result? All clear.
He was pronounced in incredible health for a man his age.
He worked right up until last Wednesday, when he started coughing up blood. On Sunday night I got the phone call.
I drove up the next morning, an eight hour drive. I wasn't sure he'd want to see me. Sometimes you need time to absorb the shock.
There were tumours in his lungs and on his ribs. And I knew it would be near impossible to see him once he started treatment.
At Kamloops I stopped to phone him. "I'm coming up to watch the hockey game with you," I said. I knew he wouldn't miss it no matter what.
When I got to his house, his family was all there, sons and daughters and grandkids had come out to support him and his wife. We were all still in shock.
The Canuck's 1-8 loss to the Bruins seemed a fitting denouement to the news.
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