Feb 06 2009
Gracious letter from a dying man…
I don’t know him… but I respect what he has written, and the grace with which he is viewing his death:
After being picked up for the new “Special Mission Aviation Department Head”, my wife, Danica, and I got orders from the wonderful paradise of Hawaii flying with VPU-2 to familiar Corpus Christi, TX training new aviators in the TC-12.
After only a few months onboard in mid-March 08, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I declined radiation and the docs told me I was not a surgical candidate. I have since undergone chemo, radical dietary changes, and even left the country for non-FDA or AMA approved treatment. Sadly none have been curative and on 5 Dec 08 I began Hospice care.
I do not know my time frame for survival so I just live well each day. I get my nutrition via an IV bag, some delightful painkillers via the same IV and I have an NG tube in my nose to drain excess fluid from my stomach, which does fill up quickly.
Fortunately, I am not spending a moment in the hospital. I am staying in my mom’’s second home up in the Santa Cruz mountains of California. It is beautiful, relaxing, and a good place to have visitors stop by and catch up on old times.
I have already had great family, old friends, and local area grads stop by! Thank you to those who have braved the trek up the steep driveway. Others are welcome to email me and set up a visit if you are so inclined. matt@mythompson.net
For those of you whom I do not get to see prior to me passing, I wish Fair Winds and Following Seas.
Matthew Thompson
Go Navy Beat Army!!
