SC - Fw: My Beloved has Gone [was Lorix's Husband]

[Lee-Gwen Booth]

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Lorix
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2000 1:55 AM


> At 11.30am this morning Gryffon died.  We have been together for 10
> years & as I remember & look back on those years, each day provides me
> with a great deal of solace.  At this stage, funeral arrangements are
> undecided.
>
> He has been in intensive care for 2 weeks and on life support for a
> week and a half.  Despite all attempts to help him, he was unable to
> recover.  Gryff was apparently suffering from a muscle wasting disease
> for sometime.  The symptoms were very nebulous (lethargy, tiredness,
> general feeling of malaise) and so it went undiagnosed.  Despite
> numerous blood tests, the condition is only able to be diagnosed by
> muscle biopsies - because of its rarity, I am told that it is usually
> not diagnosed quickly enough and proves fatal.  Essentially his immune
> system attacked him.  This ultimately caused lung inflammation &
> fibrosis in the lungs.  Despite several different treatments, the
> Doctors were unable to treat his lung condition nor prevent the
> affects of his underlying condition.  After deteriorating severely
> last night, life support was withdrawn (with my consent) this
> morning.  The only consolation is that he did not suffer.
>
> In the past few weeks, we have received a number of messages of
> support from so many people.  While Gryff was still conscious he read
> all of your messages and was greatly cheered.  I am informed that
> although heavily sedated, while on life support there was the
> possibility that he could hear me.  So, for those others who have sent
> messages of support, I have read aloud to him everything that was
> sent.  I feel, in my heart, that he was aware of what I was saying,
> since at times there appeared to be some response.  It is perhaps a
> measure of Gryff that he was surprised by the outpouring of affection
> from others.  He spent over 15 years playing in the SCA & had many
> friends whom he admired & loved, he was happy that these feelings were
> returned.
>
> In the past few weeks, I have received an enormous amount of support
> from our friends in the SCA family.  I would like to thank you for
> that support & understanding.  There are many people who have offered
> support & assistance but I will be typing for the rest of the day if I
> thank everybody.  However, I would especially like to thank Hrothgar
> for flying down last week & taking care of me.  I would also like to
> thank my Pelican (Angie) & Deb who also flew over to help me during
> this time.  WIthout their support, this would have been so much more
> difficult.
>
> I would also like to sincerely thank the person(s) from the SCA who
> anonymously paid several days of my hotel bill, while I was staying in
> town.  I, and my family, were immensely touched by this very
> thoughtful act.  I would also thank those who sent care packages of
> various sorts. They gave me a laugh when I desperately needed one and
> for that I also offer thanks.
>
> In respect of MidWinter, I will be attending the event.  As it is the
> last event that I & Gryff will have worked on together, I intend to
> continue to work on it.  Much of the work has been completed
> previously and, with a lot of help from my friends, I would like it to
> be a special event that symbolises Gryff's time in the SCA.  If
> nothing else, it will be a distraction for me.  I am currently staying
> with my parents (having returned home merely to notify you all).  I
> will be contactable probably on Sunday at home.  If possible however,
> I would appreciate it if contact could be kept to a minimum at this
> stage.  Much as I love you all & appreciate your good wishes I just
> need a little time & privacy to deal with Gryff's loss.  I am sure
> that you will understand...
>
> Goodbye Gryffon,
>
> Love Lorix

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Lorix
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2000 2:16 AM

> I was just going to post my missive about Gryff & leave, but I have
> just spent a little time reading some of my e-mails.  I wished to
> thank Hrolf for kindly relaying messages on from myself & my family
> when I was not in a position to do so.
>
> Peace.
> Lorix