HereForTheBeer: My stepdad, may as well call him Dad, succumbed to the effects of lung cancer on the 21st.
He truly was a great guy, and I could not have asked for a better husband for Mom and a better Dad for us 'kids' (we're all 40+). For 22 years he helped lead me to the right path, was a friend, mentor, advisor, and set the example for me to follow. It's not overstating things to say that he played a huge part of making me what I am today. I will always be grateful for that.
Thanks, Dad.
Under the circumstances, the end came quickly after nearly a year with the diagnosis. As of five weeks ago, he was still playing in the local pool league. Three weeks back he started becoming much slower and began to lose a bunch of weight. The actual end came like one flipped a switch inside, and occurred over a matter of a few days instead of being the long and drawn-out process that often takes place.
I know this is supposed to be a bitch thread, and it thoroughly stinks that he's gone, but I can't help but be thankful that we had all of this time with him.
Very sorry to hear about your loss. Hope you're OK!