remembering Chris Dwyer: Many in our community... - CLL Support

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remembering Chris Dwyer

ThreeWs profile image
24 Replies

Many in our community including myself owe much to Chris Dwyer. His death came not so much as a shock to me but a sadness in losing such a fellow warrior who had been through so much while giving so much. He had been long-suffering with so many assaults from various treatments and crippling infections from an ever declining immune response. The last time I communicated with him he had no illusions about his fate, stating that “Wayne, I have no immune system left” and was in hospice.

I first met Chris in the Spring of 2007 at my first Cll Patient Advocacy Group (cllpag) sponsored Canadian CLL Conference that he helped to build into the best informational CLL focused forum certainly in North America if not the world, where Drs. John Byrd and Terry Hamblin were featured speakers. In those early days Chris was feisty and some would say contentious which pushed my learning curve for CLL harder than it might have otherwise been.

We all must deal with the end of life, often unfair, often unpleasant, and I am grateful for the end of his suffering and the outstanding example he set for not only confronting his CLL, shingles and Richter’s but the incredible effort he made to share his knowledge to the very end. Farewell Chris, my fellow warrior and friend.

WWW

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ThreeWs profile image
ThreeWs
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24 Replies
edelweiss profile image
edelweiss

Beautiful post...thank you.

Justasheet1 profile image
Justasheet1

Wayne,

That was so well said. Thank you for that. Things will be different now. So sad. What a loss.

Jeff

MsDJ profile image
MsDJ

: ( Ty for this...

MsLockYourPosts profile image
MsLockYourPostsPassed Volunteer

Beautifully said, Wayne.

tesoro5858 profile image
tesoro5858

So true. And a perfect reflection.

Susan

ladyprescott profile image
ladyprescott

I am so sorry to hear this sad new. It doesn't come as a surprise as he had hoped to make it until Christmas and he did and kept going as long as he could. He was a mentor, a friend to so many, a go to person when you had a question, so many things that will be terribly missed. I will miss him deeply. He played a huge part in so many lives and he'll live on in the information he so generously gave. Rest in Peace, Chris. Your pain and suffering are over.

Name-1 profile image
Name-1

Thank you WWW!

Calopteryx profile image
Calopteryx

What a lovely tribute to a man so hugely valued by this community. He offered his time and support to so many and will be sorely missed.

june65 profile image
june65

A very fitting tribute to a very brave man. RIP Chris.

GinaRamsey profile image
GinaRamsey

Very sad news. RIP Chris. Always there for others. Will be missed by many.

thompsonellen profile image
thompsonellen

Very sad. Thanks for the beautiful post.

ap64 profile image
ap64

His obituary is on the Tubman funeral home site in Ottawa. There is a tribute wall in case anyone wants to offer condolences. Many in the CLL community have done so.

Ginajetta profile image
Ginajetta

Thank you for sharing. He will be missed.

Smakwater profile image
Smakwater

ThreeWs,

Good words.

He was feisty and contentious the last time we conversed, however, also refined with precision accuracy.

Chris was a Lion and a cool cat.

JM

lilica955 profile image
lilica955

Rest in Peace, Chris !

Thank you WWW! Good words.

AnneHill profile image
AnneHill

When I logged in on Thursday morn I was so sorry to read the sad news. He had so many health issues and Its hard to believe that a week before he was posting more information. I will miss his posts. I learnt such a lot from him. Anne

Miller1960 profile image
Miller1960

Well said. He helped me so much with his encouraging straightforward approach. Thinking of you Chris and family. ❤

jackhammer profile image
jackhammer

I am so saddened to read of this extremely sad news. This man was an inspiration I'm pretty sure, to all of us. A true warrior to the end, his wisdom and knowledge was awesome. I have nothing but respect and complete sadness. Rest in Peace Chris, gone but never forgotten, and sincere condolences to your family and friends.

Jack

shoshanaz profile image
shoshanaz

So saddening to hear this. May his memory inspire us all to help and be kind to each other.

SouthFloridaLady profile image
SouthFloridaLady

We are going to miss this wonderful man. May he rest in perpetual peace.

Hoffy profile image
Hoffy

Chris was so smart, clear and helpful. He will be so missed.

Chris posted this video for Lisa Minkove on site 2 weeks ago....

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

I am now posting this video for Chris. He is now an "Angel" to all of us.

youtube.com/watch?v=NIryRIX...

He wrote the below for Lisa but the words ring very true for him as well,

RIP Chris, We will miss you, Mark

"Lisa Minkove was my dear friend and colleague and I'm so proud to share with her the peer voted, CURE CLL HERO award.

Lisa you have touched so many...you were truly a pathfinder and caregiver to so many, one of the bravest people I known ... you are greatly missed."

Emerfly profile image
Emerfly

My thoughts are with Chris and his family . He will be sadly missed by all in this community who will be forever grateful for all he shared with us.

kathymac52 profile image
kathymac52

My heart is breaking

neurodervish profile image
neurodervish

This is such sad news. Chris's generosity in posting important and useful info, along with the countless hours he spent counseling so many of us via private message was astounding. I feel heartbroken, but grateful and blessed to have learned so much from him. I find myself going back over his posts, rereading them and learning even more. Chris has left us a rich legacy.

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