July 26, 201412 yr Sam Hayes (age 82) is a Korean War veteran, a huge USF fan, a huge Rays fan, was a dear friend to my father, and is a dear friend of mine. Early last year, he was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer. Sam being the tough old bird he is, survived the chemo and radiation treatments, and the cancer went into remission, believe it or not. However, the radiation treatment damaged his esophagus and vocal cords. His speech is not much more than a loud whisper, now, and he can't hardly swallow anything. His body rejected all attempts at using a feeding tube. He weighed about 250 lbs. when he was diagnosed. He's about a 110 at the moment. In February, the doctors at the VA said they could do nothing else for him. He got a second opinion and the opinion was upheld. Hospice is part of his life, but just palliative care. He was to go with me to a USF basketball game the day after the second opinion came in, but begged off. He did say to me, as I left that night, "I'm gonna prove all those doctors wrong. My 60th anniversary is on August 20th. I'm making my anniversary." A few weeks ago, I went over to see him and he told me he had renewed his football season tickets. He thinks he can at least make the season opener, now. God love him. He also wanted to go to at least one more Rays game before he died. I let him pick the game. We're going to see them play the Red Sox this Sunday afternoon.
July 28, 201412 yr Author Big Papi spoiled the game, but Sam said he had a good time anyway. We made it into the 7th inning, then Sam started having problems breathing and wanted to go home. Below is us before the game.
January 28, 201511 yr Author I went to see Sam at home weekend before last and he was practically a skeleton with skin. Still unable to swallow anything, he was basically living off ice cream and Ensures and he hated it. He'd been in the hospital 3 times since Thanksgiving and spent Christmas there. The last time he was in, when I went to visit we planned to make Tulsa/USF game, which was two weeks off. The visit I mention above was the day of that game. He couldn't go. Friday, they took him in for the 4th time. I was unable to see him over the weekend. I knew things were hectic and I didn't want to be in the way, but was getting updates from his son. When I called on Monday, I was told Sam was getting stronger. I got his room number from the hospital this afternoon and went there to see him after I got Mrs. S dinner. When I got there, somebody else was in the room. They told me he had passed at 3:35 this afternoon. He fought the good fight. He was miserable, though, and in a better place, now. RIP, Sam.
January 28, 201511 yr Thanks for sharing. I didn't see this thread until today, but reading from the first post on you can tell your friend was one heck of a fighter. Prayers for his soul and his family and friends.
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