((( madisgram )))

My dad died young too. He was only 42. I also have that "last awful memory." He had cancer of the spine which supposedly traveled to his brain. He was very viloent towards the end.

One of my brothers died at age 38 from an overdose of heroin. He had been clean eight years.

My other brother died from AIDS from needle use. He was 42, like my dad.

He wasted away to nothing but skin and bones. It's one of those images I can't seem to shake either.

My mom survived breast cancer only to get lung cancer (not related). They said she was at high risk for recurrence within five years but she lived another ten years before it came back.

I am thankful for that.

Thanks everyone, for you support, understanding and comforting words.