This past Tuesday, very early in the morning, in a hospital in Salt Lake my husband lost his oldest and closest friend as a result of an aortic dissection. Four years ago, on my husbands birthday no less, we discovered that Rick had this problem when he called my husband because he was in a lot of pain and could not get himself to the hospital. On the way there, Rick almost passed out in the back of our car. Upon arriving at the hospital we find out that Rick has most likely an aortic disscetion and that he will need to be life flighted down to Salt Lake. They managed to stabilize him then and kept him the hospital for a few weeks. However, the prognosis was not good, it is too risky to operate and only two hospitals in the US perform the surgery. Even then, the chances of serious complications arising, make it too risky. So, Rick was told to control his blood pressure with pills and not engage in strenuous activities. But, we all knew that it was not a matter of if anymore, but when. Unfortunately, we all found out that when on Tuesday morning. I am just grateful we had those additional four years as most people with this do not survive the initail dissection.
What my husband has described to me as Rick's last few hours are images that will not leave my thoughts, and I was not even there. I cannot imagine what my husband is feeling watching his friend die in front of him in severe pain and the knowledge that death is upon him. After the death of our son, then his mom the same year (which coincidentally was the same year of Rick's dissection)it has taken several years for my husband to get his sense of humor back and return to some version of his former self. I cannot fathom what this will do to him. It is not the same as losing a child and parent, but when you have been friends, more like brothers, for 30years it is going to leave a hell of a mark.
Rick and my husband met when they were in grade school and have been best friends ever since. They shared a love for both James Bond and Star Trek and could quote from both at random intervals. In fact, it became a contest to see who could name the movie or episode the fastest. They spent countless hours playing video games at Rick's apartment. Since he was a bachelor it was the perfect place to go veg and vent. Alone they each have a sense of humor that is beyond funny, but together it was milk coming out your nose and peeing your pants kind of funny. I am so grateful that they had each other, that they got to experience the kind of friendship that few do.
We shall miss you Rick.
