Good Friend is dying

by pratt1 27 Replies latest jw experiences

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  pratt1

  My mom just called to tell me that a good friend of mine when I was in the "Lie" is dying of colon cancer.

  He asked my mom to talk to me about going to see him in the hospital before he goes into Hospice.

  Even though I have been faded for over 10 years, when my mom spoke to me I could only remember the good times we had as friends when we were kids, so it was a no brainer for me, I am going to see him this afternoon.

  I also asked my mom to get the phone number of another childhood friend who grew up with us that is DFed. I know he would want to see our dub friend before the he reachs the end. To my surprise, within 20 minutes, my mom called me back with the cell and home number of our other friend and said to me "get to in touch with him asap, ---- does not have much time left."

  Although I am not looking forward to seeing his family who are all dubs, I would always regret not seeing him while we could still talk to one another, so off I go.

  My mom also told me that financially they are really strapped so I am prepared to help out any way that I can..

  It reallly bothers me that my friend who is only in his early 40's is dying of cancer and unfortunately he and his wife have inadeguate insurance, no money saved for such emergencies and they have 3 children still dependant on their support.

  Thanks for listening, I just wanted to vent.
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  blondie

  I'm so sorry to hear about your friend, pratt1.

  Just a note, if your friend paid into social security sufficiently, his family could qualify for survivor benefits.

  http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10084.html

  How do I earn survivors insurance?

  As you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits toward your Social Security benefits. The number of years you need to work for your family to be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits depends on your age when you die. The younger a person is, the fewer years he or she needs to work. But no one needs more than 10 years of work to be eligible for any Social Security benefit.

  Under a special rule, if you have worked for only one and one-half years in the three years just before your death, benefits can be paid to your children and your spouse who is caring for the children....

  Good success and you are doing a good thing.

  Blondie
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  pratt1

  Thanks, Blondie.

  I'll make sure to talk to his wife about SS benefits. He has always worked for major corporations so I am sure he 's paid SS over the years.
• 

  Narkissos
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  inbyathread

  (((Pratt1))) My sympathies to you. I have had a number of family members succumb to this terrible disease. Just recently the MIL of one of our friends who is still in passed away. It give me satisfaction knowing that one of the first envelopes she opens will contain a simple sympathy card. No badgering of Witness beliefs. No apostate literature. At simple message, that of our love for her, our prayers for her and our time for her. All this from an apostate. I shudder thinking what she will get from the friends(tm).

  Go see your friend and if his family wants to change the subject to meeting attendance and that, then change the subject back to your friend.

  Good Luck and may God Bless.
• 

  unclebruce

  Good on you pratt,

  You're doing a wonderful thing.

  You and your other friend may be the only sane non judgemental visitors the guy gets.

  goodluck, unclebruce
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  greendawn

  It's sad when people die so young but unfortunately this disease strikes at any age. I had an acquaintance that died a few years from leukemia which is cancer of the bone marrow that leads to an overproduction of white blood cells.
  
  So what happens in the USA when someone is severely ill and has no medical insurance or money to pay for hospital treatment? In the UK a citizen has the right to get free treatment in any state hospital though I never used them.
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  Sad emo

  (((pratt1)))

  Thinking of you and your friend. You have a big heart
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  GoingGoingGone

  (((((pratt)))))

  I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm sure seeing you will mean the world to your friend, and to his family.

  GGG
• 

  carla

  I'm sorryYour friend will appreciate you seeing him more than you know.