So long Lance

On Tuesday, I received a call from a friend telling me one of my best friends (Lance Sr.) was in ICU after he was in a very serious car wreck. I went to the hospital to visit him. He looked really bad. So many broken bones that cause more damage. His son and a friend were there. We tried to comfort each other with prayer and talk to my friend as he lay there in an induced medical coma. Even tho he was unconscious, he fought the sedative with chewing and struggling to move, but he was restrained for his own good. At times I could almost see him mouthing his son's name and mine. It was painful to see him that way. Such a strong, handsome guy. At one time he won the title of 'Mr. Arizona' in body building. Lance was a 35 year veteran of the fire department and my Captain for a period of two years. He and I went through paramedic training together in 1980. He was one of the few who came to visit me many times in the hospital in 1998. Several years ago, Lance was diagnosed with Huntington's disease. A non-curable disease that slowly eats away your reasoning, your nervous system and your life. Many people commit suicide before they come to the end. There is no way to slow it down, or stop it. Most turn to alcohol or heavy drugs. Yesterday I received a call from the son (Lance Jr.) of one of my best friends. "Harrold, my dad has died." I asked, "What happened?" He replied "He chewed through his breathing tube and aspirated vomit and they could not get his airway cleared out. He was without oxygen for a long time and his brain suffered." Maybe that was the way Lance wanted to end his suffering or not face the ending of his disease. My heart breaks for the family and what they are going through and the terrible monumental ordeal of cleaning up Lance's affairs afterwards. Losing a dear friend is as hard as a loved one of your family. To me, Lance was like family, and I will miss him dearly. Rest in peace my brother. You are in better place now. Rest.