What Is Noise

My father, Arthur Dale Fisher died this morning around 3:30am just a week short of his birthday after a six year fight with cancer. In his treatments, he constantly exceeded any and all expectations of the doctors in his general health and will to fight. To quote the Wikipedia, “International Staging System can help to predict survival, with a median survival of 62 months for stage 1 disease, 45 months for stage 2 disease, and 29 months for stage 3 disease” for multiple myeloma. He was diagnosed very late stage, in what would now be considered stage 3 by the ISS and lived over 72 months, and was suspected to have had the disease for many years prior. He underwent an autologous stem cell transplantation at Duke Medical Center, multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation and took semi-experimental drugs that I cannot even attempt to pronounce or spell. Overall, he was a survivor. However, this cancer seems to be one that allows for battles to be waged and fought, but in the end it slowly wins the war.

I was able to see him last weekend, which was good. We talked about a few things, and his concerns were not for himself but for those around him. He was in a very bad state and unable to do the most basic of tasks for himself and many times barely able to speak.

My friends have been most helpful in their kind words that they expressed through Twitter, instant messenger, and phone. I would like to thank everyone for their kind support and thoughts. Below are some of the messages I received:

• jackvinson @tibbon Oh, man. that is rough. We went through that about seven years ago, and Dad is still going strong.
• chelpixie @tibbon *hug* thinking good thoughts for your dad and your family
• jtimothyking @tibbon Sorry to hear about your dad.
• doriagrace @tibbon I’m so sorry to hear that
• creepysleepy @tibbon I’m really, really sorry to hear about your Dad. That’s very sad. If you need a shoulder, let me know. Sending you good thoughts.
• funkatron @tibbon *really* sorry to hear that. Sympathies to you and your family
• billbrandon @tibbon I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father.
• billbrandon @tibbon May your dad rest in peace, and may you and your family be consoled in this difficult time.
• jaacob @tibbon I’m sorry for your loss.
• anniemal @tibbon reading ur tweet feels like some1 punched me in the gut. can only imagine how u feel. Thinking of u, sending all the energy I have.
• moonshine715 @tibbon I’m very sorry for your loss.
• atl @tibbon condolences
• doriagrace @tibbon so sorry to hear about your loss.
• skydaddy @tibbon please accept my condolences on the loss of your father.
• gweepmouse @tibbon Sorry man.
• MaggieConv @tibbon sorry to hear, your family is in my thoughts
• creepysleepy @tibbon if you need to fly from NYC you can crash here - let me know
• LittlePandaExpr @tibbon i’m having the same shit with my flight crap too unnngg idn how ima pull it thru

And also several direct messages, which I will share without the sender’s names (but you know who you are and you are in my thoughts and I am eternally grateful)

• Shit dude, I’m sorry to hear that. Sending good thoughts your way.
• sorry you have to go through this! if u ever want someone to talk to, i’m around.
• I am so sorry to hear about your dad. its making me cry. I can’t imagine what you are feeling. Stay tough.
• ***Many hugs*** I am so sorry. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
• VERY sorry to hear about your dad. Sending positive thoughts to you and your family.
• Dave, I am very sorry for your loss. Hang in there.
• ugh. just, ugh. sorry that a Twitter DM is such an inadequate way to reach out to you, but i just heard. strength with you.
• I’m sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, Dave. I’m sure that you were a comfort to him.
• I’m sorry. Losing a parent, very hard. If you need anything at all, I am here 4 you. Just call, text or scream out.
• I’m very sorry to hear about your father! My condolences to you and your family…
• try farecaster.com or hotwire. much better results for me. *hug* My thoughts are with you.
• So sorry to hear of your father’s passing–I am glad to know that Twitter is helping, in some small way. God bless.
• Condolences on your dad, sorry to hear that. As for you flights, I’ve had some luck flying out of Providence instead of Logan.

Together, I think we have Tweets and messages from at least a dozen countires, 4 continents and probably from a sum of more miles distance that would wrap around the earth. Thank you everyone, it has meant much.

The ‘viewing’ (ok, there is no viewing, but meeting of people or whatever) is on Friday. Saturday at either 10 or 11am is the funeral at First Lutheran Church in Greensboro, NC. I may be playing some music there. He is being cremated, but we are burying his ashes beside my uncle David Glass and my grandmother Olive Glass near our family house near Deer Park Maryland. Anyone that is in the area of course is more than welcome to attend.

I will be streaming the funeral via uStream so that everyone who is unable to physically be there can see and hear what is happening. Anyone that feels so inclined to send something (really, don’t feel any need to please) to my mother can contact me for the address of the house.

I would like to specially thank Leann Fowler, Rich Helle, Julia Roy, Diana Kimball, Dan Patterson and Lauren Fox for their continued support in helping me through these times.

I also promise to resume blogging regularly soon and still launch TechChowder. I have simply been mentally exhausted from this… but I have much to catch up on with you all!