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temporary leave of absense

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XOFACTO2
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#101 Post by XOFACTO2 »

I put off reading this thread because I knew it was going to be something bad. Finally read it today. And yep, very bad news. Ray, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there. You can beat the big "C".
John Tucky
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Heavy Metal Spike
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#102 Post by Heavy Metal Spike »

Still sending those well-wishes in your direction - to Ray, to Tom and anyone else helping real-time.

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Chop
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#103 Post by Chop »

Thinking of you Ray.
Chop

aussiedave
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#104 Post by aussiedave »

Chop wrote:Thinking of you Ray.
Thanks for bumping this back up. People get so busy at this time of year.

I am sure we are all hoping for a positive update soon.

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Otto69
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#105 Post by Otto69 »

My thoughts are with you Ray.
Keep America Strong, Watch More Horror Movies!

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TomOtattoos
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#106 Post by TomOtattoos »

Hey guys. Sorry for the huge gaps in time between updates. There's just so much to say. Ray isn't doing well. He has fought hard to simply stay home. This has made his care very difficult, because he requires 24 hr. care, but has no insurance, or coverage of any kind. He also has no family. This has made it all much more difficult. Hospice is involved, and thank god for that, because I can't be there all the time. His assistant is doing her best to keep his business going, but it hasn't translated into much help for him yet. Which sucks because there are things he sculpted that could be molded. But that's another story. She's doing her best.
He is in a lot of pain, and it has been a whirlwind of chaos. He is however still hangin' on. He does not want to give up. He doesn't want to leave the party. He's afraid that because he lives alone, that he IS alone. I assured him that this is not the case. I told him how people all over are pulling for him all over the world. I told him that the members here are concerned , and how you guys do care. I only wish he was up to it, but he has no desire to mess with a computer. He just gets too confused.
As bad as it has gotten though, he still can handle long conversations, and that has been the best of it. He allowed me, and his friend Melanie to document this phase of his life. There are so many facets to him, and I promised I would make an effort to secure his legacy. To make sure his body of work is properly documented. It's serving both as a coping tool for me, and reassuring him that he will not be forgotten. It's something that may be more important to artists. Most people do their job, go home, and focus on their life. With Ray it's the only thing that matters. Even as he was healing from his last surgery his main concern was making sure his business was being handled. Not the medical business. The work. He was more scared of messing up his relationship with Forum, than he was about his own health.
It's sad, and I've had a few months to process this whole thing. I have learned so many things. Gained perspective. And while it's far from over, I'm glad that I have been able to be by his side as much as I have. Till next time. Stay thirsty my friends. :vampire:
Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue

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jedideni
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#107 Post by jedideni »

Thanks for the update. Let Ray know we're still thinking of, and praying for him.

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raydrz
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#108 Post by raydrz »

ain't easy. tom...you really get me all choked up with your support...what a great friend! what a great guy!

is there anything we can do for ray? sell kits to raise cash? wish y'all were closer...sounds like company would be good for our friend... :cry:

thank you for sharing, tom
JOHN PETIK
"Christ promised the resurrection of the dead. I just thought he had something a little different in mind."
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aussiedave
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#109 Post by aussiedave »

Thanks for taking the time to post the update. I wish it was better news. However, Ray's 'never give in' attitude, is an inspiration to us all. I hope there may be some better news soon.

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The Coop
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#110 Post by The Coop »

Tom, I don't know Ray other than his posts on this forum. It's very sad what he's going through. One thing for sure is he is lucky to have a friend like you.
"I feel a little strange inside,
A little bit of Jekyll, a little Mr. Hyde."
Rory Gallagher

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hobbygirl
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#111 Post by hobbygirl »

Tom,

Thank you for the updates on Ray. He truly has great friends like yourself, his assistant
and everyone here. Ray is in my thoughts and prayers daily. [-o<
do or do not, there is no try - Yoda

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Mark M
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#112 Post by Mark M »

Your a good man Tom, Ray is very fortunate to have a friend like yourself. I'm keeping both of you in my thoughts…

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lugnut
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#113 Post by lugnut »

Tom, much respect. I've worked in a Hospice and you'd be surprised at the number of friends of the family who end up doing the heavy lifting. Family members many times can't deal with the pain and suffering.
Tom, stay on the Hospice nurse about pain management. If Ray can control his own comfort level it's a huge psychological advantage for him.
-Bill Mayo

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Chop
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#114 Post by Chop »

Keep fighting Ray. Thanks for the update and everything Tom.
Chop

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Tim Fortuna
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#115 Post by Tim Fortuna »

Ray, I think about you on a regular basis. I'm at a loss for words.
"There are several sacred things in this world that you don't ever mess with. One of them happens to be another man's fries..." Louis Fedders

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Chop
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#116 Post by Chop »

Still pulling for you Ray. I think of you daily. Hang in there.
Chop

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CK in SD
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#117 Post by CK in SD »

still hoping Ray can get his "second wind" so to speak and pull through this trying time. Tom. dude what you are doing for him just speaks volumes to everyone one here at the clubhouse. please let Ray know we are all pulling for him
Father of three incredible daughters
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Avall15
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#118 Post by Avall15 »

Still following this...thoughts and prayers!

temperflash
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Re: temporary leave of absense

#119 Post by temperflash »

All the best

CePeAi

Re: temporary leave of absense

#120 Post by CePeAi »

Just read this whole thread been off the forum for some time.

Prayers and best wishes to Tom and Ray, having lost a Wife to breast cancer I know how rough it can get.

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