Chip

Chip was diagnosed with non-smokers Cancer aka Endo-Carcinoma, in 2006. He drove a truck for Freds Dollar Store and came home one day with his right side not sweating. My brother in law, Peter, tried getting him to go to the doctor thinking he'd suffered a heat stroke but Chip waited, drink lots of fluids and nothing helped. He went to the doctor 2 weeks later, his right eye had drooped and his right arm didn't have any strength. After lots of tests, the diagnosis was Endo-Carcinoma. It was a shock to say the least since he never smoked but cancer doesn't care who it strikes. It's an awful, horrid disease! The doctor started him on radiation therapy and meds. After 2 months, he had another catscan and it seemed the radiation was keeping the tumor from growing but it was too large to be removed, so he was started on chemo. After several treatments, more radiation and meds, another catscan was ran. The tumor had shrunk enough for the dr. to do surgery. Chip was told a surgeon would contact him with the date of the surgery. There was a lot he didn't tell us but we did know he'd made out a will when he first was diagnosed. He made it through the surgery fine, but when they went to move him from the surgical table to a bed, a blood clot hit his heart. I received the phone call that Chip had crashed, they were trying to bring him back and I was devestated! I called my sister to come over to help me tell Tim. When she got here, my oldest brother in law called and I was so upset, I couldn't talk so he told my sister Chip was gone. I had her call Crown where Tim works to tell him to come home and when he walked in the door, I had to tell him we needed to get to the hospital...Chip had crashed. That was the hardest thing I've ever had to do! Tim kept asking "Is Chip dead? My little brother, is he dead?" All I could do was hold him and nod yes. He sat down in his chair and it was the first time I'd ever seen him cry. He was in shock..we both were but drove to the hospital still hoping things had changed. Sadly, it was real...our Chip was gone! It'll be a year this coming February and it seems like it's still a bad dream. We still look for him to pull up in his truck at family gatherings. This year, 2007, will be the 1st Christmas without him and the pain of losing such a wonderful brother, son and brother in law still lingers, but we can now talk about things he did and laugh. *S*
The poem below is one I wrote on March 4th 2007. We love you Chip!

A Poem for Chip
My precious brother in law....
Man how we miss you so.....
Your twinkling eyes that lit up so bright....
Every time you saw one of us in your sight.

Our hearts are breaking......
This just can't be true.........
Please tell us it's a dream....
This didn't happen to you.

We love you Chip....
I know you know....
Our world was changed...
In one single blow.

You knew didn't you....
That you wouldn't pull through...
That awful disease..
Would beat you.

I read your journel...
The plans you'd made...
Fishing with Tim....
The places fish lay.

You knew you'd not make it....
The hints you gave...
You knew we'd be...
Placing you in a grave.

You saw all the family.....
Friends and co-workers...
As we all saw you.....
We said "you little joker".

You saw the tears...
From your brothers and sisters...
Your sister in laws...brother in laws...your friends
Hearts broke in pieces.

We know where you are....
In Heaven with your Dad...
With all our loved ones....
That have gone on ahead.

Rest High on that Mountain...
You're pain free...
You're whole again...
And one day we'll see you...
In Heaven sweet man.

Fly High Sweet Chip...

We love you...
We miss you...
Did you feel us kiss you?
Did you feel us hug you?
Did you know just how much we love you?

I know you did.
WE KNOW YOU DID.

Judy Inman, your sister in law who loves you so!- 3/4/07

Set created by:
Lady Sunshine's Designs
Š2007 Photos used by permission.