> During February 2002, George Brown was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
He
 > was told that his PSA was 4.9 and that he had a Gleason Score of 6.  At
55
 > years old, he and his wife determined that Brachytherapy was the way to
go.
 > So, on May 2, 2002, he had the seeds placed.  His PSA had been
undetectable
 > ever since, including his 5th anniversary a couple of months ago.  All
 > indications were that his worries during the last five years of his 5th
 > decade of life were unwarranted.  He was going to be one of the many who
 > survive this insidious disease.
 >
 >
 >
 > Many of us have been with George from the beginning, mainly through his
 > wife, Beverly.  Though he was never considered in danger of dying from
 > prostate cancer, she stuck around and gave us and all newbies the
benefit of
 > her and George's wisdom and anecdotal experience.  We also learned
George
 > was a Vietnam veteran while in the United States Air Force; they have a
 > beautiful antique home, something of their family, etc.  But, mostly we
 > learned of their willingness to reach out to those of us in need of
support
 > and encouragement and of their love for each other.  In a recent post,
she
 > told us, "We are still madly in love with each other."
 >
 >
 >
 > On July 8, 2007, George had a major stroke.  It destroyed most of his
brain.
 > The medical staff gave him less than a 5% chance of survival.  On July
9,
 > Bev was told that it would take a miracle for George to pull through.
Half
 > of the brain's stem was destroyed and the cerebellum was destroyed.
But,
 > surviving was a way of life for George and he continued to fight.
 >
 >
 >
 > But, after ten days, the miracle was not to be.  The damage proved to be
too
 > much.  At or about 9 a.m. this morning, the medical officials will
conduct a
 > final scan and make their final pronouncement.
 >
 >
 >
 > I will invite you to join me in prayer at 9 a.m. (EST) to help our
friend,
 > Bev, through the worst part of her life.  I apologize to those on the
West
 > Coast that I did not get this out earlier.

 I am glad I read this just now.  We will be joining you.

 Thanks,
 Norma

Northern Calif. survivor sends out his prayer........
Amen.
jloomis

Thank you for the information Steve.

Beverly,

I join with everyone else in offering my deepest sympathy and
condolences for your loss.

Sincerely,

   Alan Meyer

May he rest in peace.

I am so sorry Bev.

David

We will keep Bev and George in our thoughts and prayers here in
central New York.

--charlie

Over the years, this caring and intelligent woman has been helpful to
all of us.  She is in our thoughts now, and we hope for the best for her
and her family.

Dear All,

I was not able to access msgs or post to this grp yesterday (hence the
repeated msgs re Hughie, tried again and again). Something was not
working right.  Maybe because of this tragedy.  I wanted to share with
you all a tribute I had posted to B. and G. a few days ago on my
blog.  (Most of it was based on info posted that had been posted in
this newsgroup; I hope I made no inadvertant errors.)  It is a sad day
for all of us.  I will continue praying and asking other people to do
so.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 15, 2007

Bev and George: A Love Story

It seemed like my Muse had deserted me in the last few days.  I am
feeling heartbroken because a precious member of our community,
Beverly Brown - who has been a pillar of a popular online prostate
cancer support group for years - has been afflicted.  Sorely.  And
when one of us suffers, we all suffer.

Beverley is an extraordinary woman.  At one time or another she has
been everybody's mother, sister, friend or advisor.  First thing she
wrote me when I "joined the PC club" was:  "Here's my phone number.
Call anytime."

The "membership" of the Club in which Bev figures prominently is
overwhelmingly male.  So it's a good thing that Bev, like me, seems to
regard men as the "fairer sex".  My guess is that If you you have that
mindset, you have probably been around high-quality men.  In Bev's
case, "Exhibit A" is her beloved husband, George.  And Exhibit B?  The
Brothers in the newsgroup.

Bev joined the prostate cancer support group shortly after her husband
was diagnosed.  It was a difficult time for her.  She later wrote:

"When I started out here, I would end up pouring my heart out to a few
of the guys, who somehow managed to wipe my tears and ease my fears."

Well, Bev went on to emulate these men, and she has since wiped away
many a tear herself.

Beverley and George recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of
George's being PC-free.  But the rejoicing was short-lived.

Last week George, a youthful 61, suffered a "massive stroke",
apparently because of a congenital problem. George fought for his
country in Vietnam.  But now he lies in a hospital bed in Virginia
Beach, fighting the the biggest battle of his life.  He needs a
miracle.

Everything I've heard about George makes him sound like a special,
wonderful, caring man.  And I saw his picture online today, so I have
to agree with Beverley that he is quite handsome.  In this case, the
exterior happens to match the interior.  The other day Bev wrote:

"George is my rock.  He's my hero, and he has been since the first day
I met him.  We fell in love almost instantly and were married five
weeks later.  We are still madly in love."

And Bev once confided in me: "George has always been the one I leaned
on, the one who protected me and kept me safe.  He is also my best
friend  I can't imagine life without him".

Beverly and George's union is a real love story, a true meeting of the
hearts and minds.

They met when she was only 17 and he was 24.  As she tells it:

"I was working full time, living on my own, and in my first year at a
local college. Omigod, he was handsome, sexy, intelligent, and he had
already served his country.  He had broad shoulders and muscles that
would make any female swoon. And he could kiss!"

And Bev, at 5 9  and 103 lbs., was a "looker" herself.  She had even
done some modeling.  But, as she put it later, "I was more interested
in getting an education than on being on the cover of a magazine."

The relationship was not without problems:  George came from "the
wrong side of the tracks".  And he was a bit shorter than the
statuesque Bev (although it didn't bother _her_).  But love found a
way - it always does.

Now Beverley and George have been together for over 36 years, and they
have been blessed with children and granchildren.

Bev once wrote me that she had come across a quote that she just had
to share with me:

"Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for
each other exceeds your need for each other".

George is a lucky man by that standard.  He has a woman by his side
whose love for him is boundless.

*And now I have a special favor to ask of all of you.*

Please say a prayer for this very special couple, keep them in your
thoughts and "send" healing vibes their way.  We need to somehow
invoke the mercy of the universe on George and Bev's behalf.

I don't pray much these days, but where I come from, the solution to
every problem, especially healing the sick, is reciting from the Book
of Psalms.  Fortunately it reads beautifully, and it is comforting.

So, although I'm not really on "speaking terms" with the Lord, I will
put aside my pride and pray.  With all my heart.

*So please do the same.*

Leah

...

Beverly, although I don't know you and mostly lurk around here, as
another PCa victim/survivor, I too pray that our Lord Jesus will
comfort you in your ordeal. May He give you strength, and pray that
George will be at His side when that time comes. I think that if that
was
me, a quick passing is what I want anyway.  In Christ's name. Amen

Bev, I am sending you some of the "virtual" hugs you gave me when I was
frantic in my RRP recovery almost 3 years ago.  My heart goes out to you in
this time of anguish.  May George rest in peace.  And, please remember that
we still need you here.

Paul

Beverly,  My best wishes go out to you.  You have always been a
stalwart source of inspiration for the members of this group.
CPW

So sorry to hear of George's passing.  
All the best to Bev.  Hang in there.  
Dale j.