A loss..

My husband's uncle, his mother's only brother was diagnosed this week with lymphoma and shortly after found tumors and cancer spread throughout his body. It was a total which something so serious could happen this sudden. Apparently, he had been avoiding the doctor for over a year.

His uncle, who I will remain nameless on here, was survived by his wife and two children, a son and daughter (my husband's cousins) who both have their first children.
He got to meet each of his first born grandchildren from each child this year..and now he is gone.

It's a very strange feeling to suddenly experience a loss through someone you hardly knew yet is someone who is so important to your family through marriage and surely brought everyone closer together. This last year, throughout my daughters first year..her second cousin was experiencing his first year right along with her. We went to my husband's uncle's for Thanksgiving, saw them at Christmas and I believe I last saw him at Easter held at he and his wife's home.

I would never imagine this to happen, to him..and so sudden.

My husband's aunt, which is his mother's sister has been fighting cancer for years..and it's gotten so bad to the point she only had so little time left. Brian's Grandma who has joint pain and other health problems was recently put on oxygen as needed..where we feared losing her this past summer. There has been two serious scares with his family for two other members of the family, who are still with is, thankfully. I have a rush of anxiety this morning, my husband went to say his goodbyes and be support for his cousins yesterday evening..and it's something completely new and unfortunate to experience a grief for others like this. They didn't expect it to happen this soon..nobody did.

I know this situation is not about me, I don't expect it to be, but it has left me wondering where we go from here. Brian's Grandma lost her oldest child, her first born only son..and Brian's mom lost her only brother, Brian lost his uncle..and his cousins most of all lost their father.
All I can do is be here silent, I'm no expert at losing people..I lost my best friend from my childhood and my uncle who took me under his wing nearly every summer until I was 14. I have had a very difficult time with both even still. I cannot imagine what Brians family feels..I can but I can't be sure how sure I am of it. My dad had a stroke 4 years ago, I couldn't sleep or eat and broke out in hives all over..it was very hard. I still worry about him everyday. Brian's uncle smoked most of his life and didn't take the best care of his health and avoided doctors...

It scares me because I know my dad's past affects him greatly today. My mom's brother is fighting liver disease..my aunt passed away on my moms side due to cancer a couple years ago.

If you have any concerns about your health, a swollen gland where it affects your swallowing and lasts more then a couple weeks, if you have pain constantly throughout your entire body, unexplained headaches.. difficulty breathing...please, get seen by a doctor. There are stages of cancer..and if you get checked soon enough it usually doesn't attack your body as rapid as it will after waiting too long. My step Grandma, my moms husband's mother has been fighting cancer for many years..we have seen her go through a lot of treatment and procedures. It is worth the fight if you find it soon enough.

It is very hard to see someone to afraid that they put themselves in the worst possible situation. When you do that, everyone in your life is affected by it. I woke up this morning and just knew...

I don't know why but I just felt like I knew Brians uncle was no longer suffering.  I'm very sorry and hope I can be some support, maybe this could help me learn and grow in an area I typically have a hard time with.