Bad news

Easter 2004 Mahwah NJ: Oksy, Walt, Mom and me
The last time we were all together.

On the 1st of August, my brother, Walt aka Dy, sent me an email:

'Letting you know that I am now entering final home hospice care for my cancer. This week turned to final stages.

Will transition from home to hospital hospice care as necessary

DO NOT plan on coming here

There will be cremation but no funeral services

Call Mira and Dorian' 

We've known it was coming as he's been undergoing chemo and radiation treatments for 3 years. He was diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer. Now that the chemo is no longer working, he will be gone in a few days. I got to speak with him but cannot see him. I haven't actually seen him in several years. He's an extreme introvert as is his wife, Mira, and son, Dorian, who lived with us for 6 months as a school work project. 

It's hardest on Dorian, who has been taking care of both of them for years now. Mira had back surgery and chronic TMJ pain. Dy has been in and out of the cancer ward for years. Dorian is so tired and distraught and I can't be there to hug or help. It sucks. He can't stand watching his father suffer even more than he has for so long. 

And now I just learned that my brother passed peacefully in his sleep during the night. RIP Walt, my brother. I hope Oksy is on your case. Now I am an only. 

The wry smile I remember so well. Vichnaya pamyat. August 14, 2021

Me, Oksy, Dy circa 1985