Thank you so much for that Ed

First class ed. First class. I'll be visiting this thread for years to come.

I have been having absolute fits with muscles knotting up and feeling like they are twisting into pretzels, so I am very regular with the pain pills. Three nights back it was so bad, a 7 on the 1 to 10 pin scale, and I called my nurse at midnight to see what else I could do on top of the pills. She told me and said if it isn't better in an hour or so, call her right back and she'd get out of bed and come over to attend to me.

If my back isn't making me want to dig those muscles out with a screw driver, then I am MUCH more comfortable.

Sorry to hear brother. If it continues take the nurse up on her offer to help, she sounds like a winner.

I have to share something with all of you about something a Planeteer did for me. I will not give his name or handle out because I don't know if he would want to stay anonymous or not, so I will play it safe and keep his name out of it.

I got a PM and this man whom I have never met face to face said he sent me via UPS an authentic Chiefs helmet signed by Derrick Thomas. I was and still am blown away. He wanted to thank me in a big way for how I have affected his life. I am so moved, humbled, and grateful for such an incredible gesture.

Now, don't go saying to yourselves that you should send me things, too. You all have given so much back to me already. When I read posts about how I have inspired you, made you look at life in a different and better way, and how you want to get more involved in your faith through the church, it warms my heart so deeply.

If I have had such an impact on even just 100 of you, then I am glad to be going through this. Every pain, twinge, surgery, and all the other things I am enduring is worth it because when I prayed to God, saying, "Lord, with whatever time I have left, please let me be able to do some good." That prayer was answered quickly and clearly with no subtlety.

I was looking back at my life the other day and I remembered the first time I truly helped someone. I was in 4th grade and at recess, a saw a small crowd at the edge of the cornfield (yep, school was out in the farmland) and they were gathered around Larry, a reeruned boy whose mind was like a 7 year old at best and he'd be that way for life. I knew they had to be making fun of him somehow. As I approached I heard a boy tell Larry that an old dried out to white piece of dog feces was a hotdog and he should eat it because it was such a good hotdog. Then poor Larry took a bite and they all scattered laughing or said ewwww, gross!

I went to Larry's side, just the two of us now as the others went back to the playground. I remembered Jesus saying that which you do to the least of you, you do unto me. I told Larry to never trust them and that it was poison, not food. He seemed confused a bit so I repeated, never eat that, it will make you very sick. He nodded and had a sad look on his face as he dropped the crusty dog turd. I think I walked back to the playground with him and played tether ball or kick ball. When we were called to line up, the special needs students were in their line and the rest of us in another. I said, "Hey, Larry, do the fire engine sound from that show Emergency. My teacher got in my face and said not to tease him. I said I wasn't and Larry is really good at it. So I said it again to him and he cut loose, sounding just like the fire truck siren. He did that wail and said, "Emergency!" and ended with some more siren sounds. I clapped and said, "That was great, Larry!" He didn't speak but had a big smile on his big sweet innocent face.

I <3 you Ed. I really do.

I wish it was me, but it wasn't - and God bless whoever was so nice!

Glad to know that you're still fighting, Ed! I hate hearing of your pain....but love reading your words. You will always be a part of many of us here.....

That's a great story Ed. I hope Larry still remembers it, but I'm sure you have impacted many more lives the same way.

Nice Story Ed.
If you're up to it, I'd like to hear about your happiest moment-memory.

You're an amazing man, Ed. Your courage and honesty are inspiring.
You've touched my heart with your wisdom.
I'm shedding tears just thinking about your passing to eternal life.
I WILL miss you, remember and think of you.

Ed - I'd like to ask you for some general life advice. As a young man, I (hopefully) have a long life ahead of me. Anything you can think of would be so very much appreciated.

Ed can reply directly. But I think he's plainly said it just above, nothing matters so much as being a kind person.

As a young man, you're most likely not quite sure of things. My 20s were a disaster overall with self esteem and confidence. But, despite that, I was growing into a man who was discovering things about himself and how to live my life as a good man. My big sis, not a blood relation but the sister of my best friend who was killed at the age of 12 in a car crash, has two children, a boy and a girl. Their dad just couldn't relate to them as a father. As I spent time at the grandparents house the kids were there and quickly became very attached to me. The boy would cry hard whenever I left to go home, so I had to hold him for a few minutes until he fell asleep or just stopped crying. So, I found myself being their father figure for those early years.

That made me realize that if you can be a positive figure to a child, that was part of how I defined myself as a man. I was never phony with them; I drank beer, I went to silly topless bars, and such, but in dealing with children, it just isn't something we should discuss. One of my finest memories of the kids was when they were playing on the deck with the boy's toy cars and trucks. Chance had two fire trucks, one red and one green. He was playing with the red one and then got a different toy. Lenzi played with the truck he was playing with before switching to something else. He didn't like it so a tug-o-war ensued. I stepped and said, "Stop this and share. Lenzi can play with it but she isn't stealing your toy. If you keep this up, it's naptime for the both of you." He let her play with the red truck and then they both said, "You're a good daddy." My heart turned into a giant glob of melting butter. I also realized that I needed them as much as they needed me.

So, to sum it up, look within yourself, think about how you can do things to mold yourself into a good man, discover your values and beliefs and that is what will shape you into the man you want to be. It's happening right now with the question you posed. You are defining yourself not only for yourself but how others will see you. Being young, I assume early 20s, you are so lucky. Building your character, finding your values and your inner strength is a beautiful time in life. Don't forget to have fun along the way and revel in joyful moments. Build your experiences; go on a buddy road tip, take a vacation over seas and immerse yourself in a different culture. You will learn a lot from getting out and having experiences which will increase your knowledge. Wisdom will follow suit, but it often tends to lag behind in the race. Don't sweat the small stuff. Instead rise above it until the storm passes. When you do make a mistake, learn from it and don't bang your head against a wall. I have let go of regrets which has helped me keep my peace of mind. If I knew then what I know now, my 20s would have been much more pleasant, but we don't get to press the reset button. I don't sit and wring my hands over how things went in my 20s because time always marches on, so I just have to accept it and live in the here and now. I feel good about myself.

I'll wrap up the rant now and say enjoy the journey you are on, live well and in good health. Thank you for reaching out to me. I never dreamed I could touch people's lives as I have been doing, but it has been giving me great joy. It is very humbling and I cannot express how grateful I am to you all for all you are giving to me.

No words.

So, so true. As a young man you have chances to do things you won't get to do later in life. You will never again have so few responsibilities as you do now. Later on, you won't be able to just pull up stakes and travel the country (or the world), making a few bucks here and there for burgers and a coke. You'll have a family to support, a house to pay for, and all that.

Seize the time now, while you're young and (relatively) free from responsibility. Take several months or even a few years. See the country. Take a roadtrip. Drive until you're exhausted, then pull over at a rest stop and sleep in your car (cheap!). Get up, hit the local Y for a shower or whatever, and keep going.

Take lots of pics. Even if you think you won't want them. The day will come when you'll have a "real" job, a family, and a mortgage. You'll be grateful for these things, but at the same time they will keep you from just taking off on a whim, driving to the next state (or the next country) and spending time doing whatever it is you want.

You're only young once. Don't squander it.

True posts. As you mature, life gives you more and more hurdles. That's all they are...hurdles. Enjoy being free and unencumbered....and fairly broke. They are gifts. There comes a time when you accept your mortality. Then you almost embrace it. And once again...every breath becomes a gift. The key to life is living it. To it's fullest. Overcome your hurdles and NEVER let them bring you down. Then as you age...you have great memories and golden moments to comfort you. I look back at my tragedies and windfalls...both with fondness. Live life to it's fullest and never pass on the chance to be kind. And minutia is just that....the shit that laps at your shoes....it won't stop you. Only you stop you!

Thank you, Ed.

Godspeed Ed. Thank you for sharing this step in your much longer journey. Thank you for the lessons in fighting adversity, giving hope and living life you give. dammit man, you'll be missed and remembered down here, you have touched to many lives not to be.
and when the time comes, if you aren't too busy, could you "nudge" a kick through for us mere chiefs mortals?

Good advice but I'll tweak it just a bit-you never KNOW if you will be able to do things later in life that you can when you are young. I'm doing these things now at nearly 54 years of age. I'm on a sabbatical for the next 7 1/2 months here living in North Scottsdale in a beautiful condo in one of the nicest areas around. Pool, gym, and working part time for a charity when I want to. Quit a great job I had for the last 6 years and left the DC area after 10 years.

I've always valued experiences over things. :clap:

I could spend hours talking about all the great adventures I have had all over the world and here in the US; from multi-millionaire to penniless and homeless to flying first class to Hong Kong 15 times and being treated like a king in limos and super hotels to many celebrity encounters to a masive variety of women of all ethnicities, colors and ages and wild varieties of experiences that have been my education. There's not a price I can put on that! :D

morale of the whole thread: be good, people.

thanks, ed.

Thank you Ed. Good stuff man.

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I'll just echo what SR said earlier.....I love you, Man, I really do. I'm a 50 year old guy that is truly inspired by a person on a message board I've never met. Thanks so much for just being you, and sharing yourself and your story with all of us. I try to be a good person, and share my gifts as much as possible, but your life and story has really inspired me to do more and to be more. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

I'm not sure exactly what to say here, but I figured all of you guys should hear the news.

I'm friends with Lonewolf Ed on Facebook, and just read a post stating that he passed this morning.

RIP, Ed. You have left a heck of an impression on us all.

Thanks for letting us know, TimBone

RIP, Ed. :(

That sucks. I really enjoyed his posts even though it was of the worst circumstances. He seemed like a genuinely good person.

I'll have a drink for him after work.

RIP, Ed.

I'm glad you are at peace now. Thank you for all you did.

Damn, one hell of a story !

RIP, Ed.

You were a far better man than me.

Dammit. RIP.

Inspiring story of how to handle adversity like a man. Godspeed Ed.

RIP.

Hell of a mic drop, Ed.

Godspeed man.

RIP Ed.

glad you're no longer in pain and can finally relax pain free.

glad I was able to meet you and have a couple of beers.

Godspeed.

May the ale flow for all of eternity

RIP Ed

Congratulations on a life well lived, Ed. And congratulations on finally killing that cancer. Like you said, in the end, you won.

RIP

I never really thought this day would come for some reason. He was so positive about it. RIP Ed.

RIP

RIP bud.

RIP

Damn.

And we lose another one.

RIP, man.

rip ed
sec

RIP Ed.
Very Brave story.

RIP Ed, We were all touched by your journey.

RIP. The pain has ended.

RIP

You can't enjoy the good times if you don't feel the bad times. This thread hurts my physical body but spiritually I know that there is no beginning or end. He will just be posting on a message board that we can't see. I think he says that his back feels better and he is glad that this whole process is over.

I find myself at times thinking of Ed which is odd, because we never met. It takes a rare person to have an impact on total strangers without a real platform to do it. Just by sharing so much of himself and his journey with us he has had a positive effect on many of us here. How many of us will leave that type of legacy without compromising who we are or what we believe? Honestly, what more could a person hope to leave behind? Well done Ed.

I was greatly encouraged by Ed's messages recently about his talks with his pastor and the joy and purpose he'd found in Christ, and that Ed felt he was living out that purpose in his final weeks. To me this has both a tinge of sadness and of joy, because Ed is free from the cancer that had ravaged him for so long, more free than he has ever been. For that I think we can all be proud to have known him.

RIP brother -- you will be missed

Ed, congratulations on a life well done!!!

Night Ed.

Rest easy

RIP to a great one.

RIP Friend. Had a huge impact when he didn't have to.

Also, could somebody rename the thread? I mean, it's not exactly good news at this point.

Actually , the Good News is that he's no longer suffering.

Very sad news. It hurts when such a quality person gets taken too soon. Best wishes to his family and all of his friends. You will be missed.

Would it be a good or bad thing to get a link to this thread for any loved ones? I know if it was my mom/dad/brother/uncle posting things like this I might want to read some of it. There might be some bad stuff in here too that some might not want them to see but that is why I am asking.

I've never experienced reading someone who was so unfazed by impending death. I'm sure it wasn't easy, but that guy was really good at dying.

RIP Ed.

You will be missed. Send us a note about Heaven's golden streets.

I wouldn't. He did post a lot about his struggles(especially as the disease progressed) and if I'm one of the family members I might feel a tinge of guilt thinking I didn't do more to help alleviate the suffering.

****ing A right. He fought like a champ and drowned the beast. **** cancer.

RIP Ed.

Cheers to a life well-lived good sir. I know you will be blessed by God in heaven. :BLVD:

I actually don't think we should. It's always been a positive-outlook thread, and I don't see a strong argument that that should be changed (particularly since this thread is destined for the HOC as soon as we run out of things to say).

RIP Ed. What an amazing journey. You touched so many here with your words. God Bless.

**** Cancer.

Kinda dusty in here for a man I never met.....

Godspeed Ed. You are already missed.

Bummer.

Rest in peace, Ed. You are now pain free and with your savior. That's GREAT news to me.

RIP, sir.
Thank you for your story and time.

Same here.

RIP Ed. Your life lessons will never be forgotten.

I know some of you know Ed's full name.

Hopefully someone can post his obituary when it's released. I would love to read about his life.

Thanks for informing us Timbone

For a person what he's been through and then to be on hospice and still inspriring, advising, sharing so much more until the end...That's just pure righteousness right there. God bless his family and loved ones. The soul of that man is amazing.

May he Rest In Peace

RIP Ed. Thank you for being an inspiration to many people here. I hope I can be as strong as you when my time comes.

Every day, this would be the first thread I checked. He always had something positive to say, whether you believed the same way he did or not. He wanted his life to matter, and it did. I knew this day would come. I'm kind of disheartened, but glad that he will no longer be suffering. I've seen that first hand, and it's not pleasant. His ability to stay positive throughout the process is to be admired. I hope I can handle death the same way he did. RIP.

:deevee:

RIP Ed. Thanks for everything.

RIP Ed

Well I'm glad he's not suffering anymore. Shame he didn't make it back to Denmark one more time.

This thread got really surreal towards the end. RIP