Sadly, my dad passed away on September 9th, 2012. He received a bone marrow transplant last April and although it took very well, it did not help the cancer at all so it only spread. He attempted one more very aggressive chemo treatment in May or June that landed him in intensive care for almost a month due to kidney failure. His chances of surviving the kidney failure were slim, but he bounced back from that (in fact, the dr’s said he would need dialysis for the rest of his life, but his kidneys were over 95% functional by the time he passed away and never needed dialysis outside the hospital). But once the kidneys failed, there wasn’t much more they could do. He went home in July to hospice care, where he looked and felt great (didn’t need a walker or anything!) for over a month. Then, inevitably, the sudden decline. I saw him the day before he passed and he seemed to be able to recognize me. He was tired and weak but kept trying to get out of bed and had eaten bites of food that morning. Even though I knew what was happening, I was still a little in denial at this point because I had never seen anyone so close to death fighting so hard. He passed away in his sleep and went very peacefully. Never will I know someone who was so physically and mentally strong. He fought right up until the end. Sorry for the lengthy and detailed email. Sometimes it feels good to share.