Klaus Weis

June 8th, 2010. He passed away, I never told a soul, often times I find myself with tear-filled eyes. He was that go-to guy in my life that I told everything to, he was my great Uncle.

You should know your family needs help when the go-to guy is a 76 year old guy. Granted, he wasn't a normal old man. He never gave up on life, he played with us kids, went hunting, and was a wonderful carpenter. He loved helping others, especially with his gifts, like building and fixing. He loved it. He was a trooper.

He was diagnosed with Conol Cancer in.. 2003 I believe it was, might be earlier, might be later, but around 2003 for sure. The doctors figured they fixed the problem, but were mistaken when a mere 4 years later we learned that he had cancer with mass forces! Lukemia, Lung, Liver and a 4th kind that I forget. It was the worst news I had gotten ever, I didn't know how to respond. He was my rock, he was there for me, and I was there for him. (Well, me and his wife!) He refused to admit defeat, and took it on full force not letting anything get in his way, his goal was to beat it! but when you have it as bad as he did.. there is no chance.. but he was strong through it all.

In April, he had Chemo so bad that he needed a nurse to come to his home 2 - 3 times a day to help him get up, get dressed, get comfy on the couch, and occassionally stop by to sit him up, walk him around, and all the "little" things that people who have strength take for granted. My mom, being a care-aid took this role upon herself and was then left at home with my sister a lot. It was hard, my uncle was sick, and my mom was tired from helping him so long and so much and got grumpy because of it. It was a hard 2 months for my entire family.

When I did get to visit him, he refused to admit that he had no strength when it came to moving anymore, but we just sat and chatted. About whatever we wanted to.

I remember this one phone call I got at approximately 5 AM. My uncle didn't want to bother anyone, being the conciderate person he was, and tried to get himself to the bathroom, but didn't make it the entire way, and collapsed on the floor and was stuck there until help arrived. My Aunt, would have usually volunteered to do it, loving her husband and all, but she was getting old, and neither of them had the strength to get him up. My mom threw on clothes and was then with him all day. It was hard to hear that when you think it's going to be alirght for a moment, but then next.. he's collasping. right before your eyes.

June 8th, 2010. 4 days before his birthday, he passed away. 3 weeks before my highschool graduation. I still didn't tell a soul. It was secretly ripping me to pieces on the inside, I loved him, and now he was gone, and can't see me do a bunch of things in my lfe that seemily matter on earth, like graduate from highschool or college, get married, have kids, nothing.

I went the whole summer without telling anyone.. no-one from camp knew. It was hard, because I for sure would have loved to call him up and tell him all about my camp issues, and all about the joys I was experiencing! But.. he wasn't there. I was alone. Even now, as I enter college, and go through all those olderish woman problems, like college boys, and classes, and all that. I just need a good laugh, and a good set of ears, AND good advice! The only place I found all 3 was in him..