The Gaming Den

My uncle has terminal cancer. I believe the term is, "Not long for this world," especially with 10-15 tumors in his brain (the scan couldn't sort all of them out) and a large one in his esophagus.

That's not what this is mainly about, though.

To help out him and his family, practically everyone we know is pitching in to have a benefit. And it's amazing how people have been coming forward.

The main focus is the selling of food in large quantities for moderate prices (Buyer's choice of grilled chicken or fried fish, and comes with barbecue, beans, potato salad, and garlic bread).

Also included is a raffle (dollar a ticket) which will be for stuff like donated jewelry, an area rug, handmade pillows, and a new recliner (donated by La-Z-Boy) and selling general stuff (a local crafty woman has made and donated something like 99 pairs of earrings), and a bake sale (the cakes are amazing).

I did my bit to get the word out, putting up flyers at the University and asking friends and teachers if they had time to come out on Saturday. It impressed me that people were talking about them. I showed them the address, and they even Googled it. Three people said they wouldn't be able to make it, but gave me enough for a plate anyway.

Then I get home, and find out that four or so businesses had ordered about a hundred plates (six hundred dollars) among them for lunch, as long as we can deliver them by their lunch hour.

So, you know what? Maybe we're not so bad, after all.

That's a wonderful story. My step dad died from cancer a couple years ago. It's not a pretty thing, but it is good that your community is helping out.

That really is good to read. Just the occasional experience of how we're not pure evil, and can sometimes do something good for someone else which, when a whole bunch of us do it, amounts to something.

My dad had cancer, but they got it with surgery, radio and chemo. They then found lymphoma cells going crazy in his spinal fluid. The treatment for that first caused a stroke, but he recovered 100% from that, and there have been none since. So far it seems that they've nailed the lymphoma as well. A side-effect of this is that he's dramatically lost weight, going from "definitely overweight" to "I can buy fashionable clothes off the rack in any store I walk into". We joke that they were really heavy lymphoma cells.

Cancer is a real bitch though, so it's good to see people helping those who suffer from it.

Oddly enough, I think this might have a political reflection for my area...

If we just asked for money, we'd get diddly. But because we have fifteen people working this benefit (including me; My duties consist of "Mule" because at 5'10 and 220 lbs, people expect me to be able to move stuff around) and we're selling food and general neat stuff, people are happy to give us money.

I guess it's that "You have to earn it" mentality that's so common around most of the adult population here. People just asking for money for suspect, people working their asses off to give you something good for your money are much more welcome.

Edit: Forgot the conclusion to my hypothesis.

A lot of older people I've talked to find it extremely objectionable that some people live on welfare. A lot of people my age find it objectionable, but not enough to be adverse to tinkering with the system. And if I challenge someone older about it and whether they think the harm outweighs the benefits, they usually end up saying, "Well, no, but..." and then go on an explanation about, "We was always brought up that you work for what you get." or some similar theme.

And, as Frank so rightfully observed, a lot of time it's blue-collar middle-class-or-lower people who feel this way. And they think that Obama's plans will put everyone on welfare. Or something. I've never gotten an exact straight answer to what they find objectionable to him.

My father was killed in a car accident in September 07, a lot of people came out to give various kinds of support, but significantly more so this last September when we had the charity motorcycle ride(he died riding his motorcycle to work, a truck driver was negligent). So yeah, people will generally give an order of magnitude or so more if you put out effort to do something for them or sell them something.

Thanks for the supportz, guys (and Koumei).

I guess I should try to get some sleep tonight. After all, I'm expected to be on location at 7 o'clock and ready begin my mule duties. Maybe I'll hunch over, limp around, and lithp a lot, and go, "Yeth, marthter."

(Side note: I may have just invented the antonym and opposite act of for 'lulz'. )

Well, with a salable product, people know that at least they're getting a lunch and not just a rip off artist. You'd be surprised how many people there are who just do that.

It's not like a raffle is something where people are buying directly. If people know who they're giving to, they're more likely to donate straight out - that's why names of charities are so important.

I think it's sweet that things are coming together. When my father died, we were long away from friends and family, and it was tough, we weren't known by the town at all. When my dad died - my sister's father - it was like a different world. It was a different world.

Another thing that I wish, is that I wish this money didn't have to go for taking care of him, medically. That's just... Well, it seems horrible, to me. Like we as a society are stealing from a sick family just because we can.

-Crissa

To be honest, the money's mostly going to be for the funeral and other arrangements. The tumors in his brain are already affecting his personality. The doctors are looking into letting him come home, on the basis you might as well die somewhere that you like, and they've admitted that all they can do is make him as comfortable as they can (which is what hospice is for).

I'm, well, I'm fine. I'm more worried about how Dad's going to handle it, but seeing as how he spent the day with his brother a few weeks back...I think he's gotten himself ready for it.

So, yeah, I'll do what I have to do. And right now, that includes busting my ass to help this benefit run smoothly and be a good time for all involved.

Right. I'm about to leave.

I'm bring the camera along because it's rare to have this much of the family get together. If anybody wants 'em, I'll post photos.

My feet hurt and I'm bone-tired, and I went from seven in the morning until after three in the afternoon on only two cans of Coca-Cola, a kickass peanut-butter and chocolate cookie, and a piece of barbecued chicken.

I feel awesome, though.

I helped raise $3,417 dollars.

We sold more than two hundred plates in all, actually ran out of food, and dispatched what was basically a convoy to restock.

And then the raffle was a huge success. I even spent ten bucks on raffle tickets (but didn't get anything).

Congratulations, Maxus.

Cancer sucks. My step-dad died from lung cancer (never smoked), and my mom recently did battle with melanoma (on the bottom of her foot; she's fine now).

Many hugs to you and your family.

I appreciate it, Maj.

I'm feeling better now, what with rest and the adrenaline rush of watching a tense football game with my dad (kinda resolved to spend more time with him, and he likes his football).

Pics or GTFO (yeah, I realize it's late, I was in a convention).

Well, here's a few...

A great-aunt of mine decided to go fishing, and my sister Sheila decided to keep her company....

The kids, and my cousin Robert (he's the bald one. Also the guy who got me into video games. See the Tiger Monk thread)

Our grillmeisters...From left to right, Uncle Wayne (family friend, but I call him Uncle because I've always done so), Uncle Buck, Dad, and the guy whose place we were using, Buddy.

And a few of the scenery and wildlife.

Edit: Just noticed how standing next to Uncle Buck makes my dad look short. Well, that and how he's standing. Weird....

Well, just as an update...

My uncle passed away yesterday. The funeral's on Monday.

People have been really cool about it, though. I told my Paleo professor that I'd miss Monday; she instantly made the connection, and offered to let me take a lab test at a later date.