[Warning: the following article depicts some graphic descriptions about death and the ill effects of brain cancer. Not for the faint of heart.]
One year ago this day, a gathering of his relatives and friends were gathered in his room at LAC + USC Medical Hospital to make the most difficult decision any of us have had to make: to take Rayson off life support.
His final months were confined to hospital beds, with an airtube through the neck. Couldn't eat or drink, barely speak, hardly move, and blind. It was hard to tell how aware he was of the situation. Was he scared? Confused? Did he know the grave condition he was in?
While April 1st would be the official date of passing, he was declared brain dead the day before and at the request of my father, left still hooked up for another day so that people could say their final goodbyes in person. (Thanks to all that came that day.)
We held each other, said a prayer for the family, shared our final words to him, and wept continuously. A vary haunting moment: to hear the heart monitor flatline; to feel the warmth fade from his hands; to be in a crowded room but just standing there in silence, with nothing but the sound of tears...
He left us without any children or feats of fame. What he leaves behind isn't known to the world, only the memories shared with those that knew him. Perhaps his lasting legacy will be to become the champion for the fight against brain cancer... but that can only happen with your help.
Please consider doing one of these:
Other dates to remember:
His final months were confined to hospital beds, with an airtube through the neck. Couldn't eat or drink, barely speak, hardly move, and blind. It was hard to tell how aware he was of the situation. Was he scared? Confused? Did he know the grave condition he was in?
While April 1st would be the official date of passing, he was declared brain dead the day before and at the request of my father, left still hooked up for another day so that people could say their final goodbyes in person. (Thanks to all that came that day.)
We held each other, said a prayer for the family, shared our final words to him, and wept continuously. A vary haunting moment: to hear the heart monitor flatline; to feel the warmth fade from his hands; to be in a crowded room but just standing there in silence, with nothing but the sound of tears...
He left us without any children or feats of fame. What he leaves behind isn't known to the world, only the memories shared with those that knew him. Perhaps his lasting legacy will be to become the champion for the fight against brain cancer... but that can only happen with your help.
Please consider doing one of these:
- Share Rayson's story. Consider submitting a blog entry.
- Share this website with people you know.
- On his birthday (and/or any of the dates listed below), light a candle and take a moment of silence. If you wish to share a photo of the candlelit vigil via a social media (like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), be sure to caption "#torayson".
- Please consider giving a birthday present by donating to Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure in his name. He would have been turning 32 years old.
Other dates to remember:
- April 5th (viewing of his body before cremation)
- April 6th (memorial service)
- April 20th (his birthday)
- May (brain cancer awareness month)
BY PATRICK PU, BROTHER | Photo taken in 2007 at his CSULB graduation |