David has been one of my closest friends for 19 of my 35 years. I can't tell you how many awesome memories I have of him. He was there for me when no one else was. I love him more than he probably ever realized. He was an amazing guy.
There are so many memories which make it all the more difficult right now. David's drug of choice was definitely alcohol. He dabbled in other drugs in the past, everything from crystal meth to Robitussin cough medicine.
David's twin brother told David 8 months ago, that he should quit drinking or else he'd die sooner or later. David said, "I would rather die than quit drinking." He also said he didn't think he'd live past another year. He was right about that. Only he was a little off. He died 8 months later, not 12.
He started getting really sick about 4 months ago. His abdomen swelled up and his eyes and skin jaundiced. He got to a point where he couldn't even get off the couch. His brain was fogged by ammonia that was not being properly filtered by the liver and he was not making any sense. The doctors said David had a 0% chance of survival. He beat the odds for 2 1/2 months.
David passed away yesterday (October 22, 2008). David's organs shut down due to cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism. David was only 36. I can't begin to say how much this breaks my heart. 36 is way too young.
He was a trooper right up until the end, though. He managed to smile. He made his David face, which made me want to melt. He was adorable. He even made me laugh. I felt like I could have stood by his bed forever. When he'd take his little cat naps, I'd just stare at him. He'd wake up, look at me, and smile.
I spent several hours by his bedside Sunday. I knew that'd be the last time I'd see him.I told him I was going to have to leave soon to go pick up my daughter. He drifted off to sleep and I left. I just couldn't say "Goodbye" knowing that'd be our final goodbye.
David died on Wednesday October 22 at around 4:15PM PST. We told David last Friday, exactly a week ago today, that his dad was coming to town to see him this week. His dad went directly from LAX to the facility David was in and David was fairly unresponsive due to his condition, but he did open his eyes to see his father. His dad told David he was going to check into his hotel, but would be back.
Sometime between the time he left to the time he arrived at the hotel, David passed away.I honestly think he waited to see his dad before he allowed himself to die. He loved his father very much, and his father loved him the same.
I'll never forget David.
David has ALWAYS had & will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart. I feel like a part of me has died and gone with him.
RIP David