Who's your Hero?

**martybabe** · 3rd July 2008, 17:48

I've had loads of heroes, real and fictional, who's yours?

No.1 would have to be my mom, not just because she was my mom, most moms are great.

She was diagnosed with cancer, taking some respite in a hospice at the time when she suddenly decided whilst reading a magazine, that the reason doctors were saying the outlook was not good ,was because she couldn't make it to the toilet unaided.

She was 4 foot eleven, had an artificial hip, chronic arthritis, Cancer of the bowel, stomach and eye, and needed a zimmer frame to shuffle a few metres.

She reasoned that if she made it to the toilet the doctors would have to reconsider their diagnosis. She slithered out of bed and grabbed her frame, slowly pulled herself up and started the bravest journey I have ever witnessed. She shouted at me for trying to help, other patients called for nurses, they insisted on helping her, she insisted they didn't, she struggled in agony for 15 metres or so to the toilet, nurses inches away, patients willing her on, tears cascading down my face. One nurse could bear no more and grabbed her arm. Mom said, "thank you dear but let go I have to do this alone" and she farkin well did.

It was the most pitiful, painful, determined, amazing, slowest, bravest act of defiance I have ever seen in my life. I felt helpless and angry that she wouldn't let me help, incredibly sad that my mom had come to this and so very very proud. Her body had given up on her but her iron will was as strong as it ever was.

My Hero, my mom R.I.P who's yours?

**nighthawk** · 3rd July 2008, 18:05

Mate thats brought a tear to my eye.......................

I can appreciate how you felt my Mum is in the last stages of bowel cancer and is not aware most of the time we are there, we treasure the lucid moments with her tremendously.

**martybabe** · 3rd July 2008, 18:19

Thank you so much, sorry to hear about your mom, It's a very hard thing to endure, I wish you well.

**sidecar bob** · 3rd July 2008, 18:35

My mun died of bowel cancer when i was aged 8.
I can still remember the day my dad picked us three kids up from school & drove us to the local park to explain to us that our mum was going to die soon.
I saw many incredible acts of courage during the two years it took for the bastard thing to finally get her.
There were many theories & crank cures about in 1974 & watching her trying to eat & gagging on some disgusting concoctions all in an effort to be around a bit longer for her kids was hard to watch.
I cant put my finger on one paticular instance, but her whole battle was the most corageous thing i will ever witness.
She is still my hero & biggest inspiration i have to be the best person i can be.

**ynot slow** · 3rd July 2008, 18:41

Marty and Nighthawk,know how ya feel,been there done that got the scars.

Bowell cancer is a bastard,especially for elderly folks,I was too old or young when they took mine at 41(had 41st birthday in NPbase hospital),depending on the theory they used,I should have developed it at late teen years or later on,i.e 65 plus.Went to a gene trial,thought it would help others,found out I had a genetic disorder,so my kids were blood tested,one ok,other not.

My hero is two people first-My daughter who was told just prior to her 16th birthday she had dads gene for cancer,she was admitted to hospital before last xmas to have large bowell removed to ensure she doesn't get the tumor I had,and should lead a life without worry,and although she can pass the gene on will cross that bridge later,for a father the hardest thing to see,but also makes me proud of an 18yr old with an attitude towards life.

Second hero is a guy I met undergoing radiation in Palmy,only met him during our stay,but recieved a call about 4-6 weeks later saying he was in the hospice,went to visit him after having chemo one day,he had never smiled to anyone except his partner,the day I saw him he smiled,that was only time he smiled,not for his family,almost like he knew what we were going through(his was hell),found out he looked to me as inspiration,which I did about him,in my eyes he was worse than me,he saw me as worse than himself.The hardest thing I ever had to do was attend his funeral,I had to have my chemo done the day of his funeral,raced to the ceremony,just made it in time.Still brings a lump in my throat when I hear a couple of songs which he had played,he knew he was history so planned his funeral and songs.He told my wife in Palmy"how do you tell the woman you love you won't make our wedding?"That comment was the only time I saw a tear in my wifes' eye,she had been through shit with me and never let her emotions show to give me strength,so I'll add a third hero,my wife,without her maybe this stubborn born again biker would not be a born again biker,just dead.So thanks dear for nagging me to see the quack,almost was too late.

**martybabe** · 3rd July 2008, 19:12

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

She is still my hero & biggest inspiration i have to be the best person i can be.

An amazing woman and you do her credit with comments and goals like that. Well said mate.

Originally Posted by ynot slow

Marty and Nighthawk,know how ya feel,been there done that got the scars.

Bowell cancer is a bastard,especially for elderly folks,I was too old or young when they took mine at 41(had 41st birthday in NPbase hospital),depending on the theory they used,I should have developed it at late teen years or later on,i.e 65 plus.Went to a gene trial,thought it would help others,found out I had a genetic disorder,so my kids were blood tested,one ok,other not.

My hero is two people first-My daughter who was told just prior to her 16th birthday she had dads gene for cancer,she was admitted to hospital before last xmas to have large bowell removed to ensure she doesn't get the tumor I had,and should lead a life without worry,and although she can pass the gene on will cross that bridge later,for a father the hardest thing to see,but also makes me proud of an 18yr old with an attitude towards life.

Second hero is a guy I met undergoing radiation in Palmy,only met him during our stay,but recieved a call about 4-6 weeks later saying he was in the hospice,went to visit him after having chemo one day,he had never smiled to anyone except his partner,the day I saw him he smiled,that was only time he smiled,not for his family,almost like he knew what we were going through(his was hell),found out he looked to me as inspiration,which I did about him,in my eyes he was worse than me,he saw me as worse than himself.The hardest thing I ever had to do was attend his funeral,I had to have my chemo done the day of his funeral,raced to the ceremony,just made it in time.Still brings a lump in my throat when I hear a couple of songs which he had played,he knew he was history so planned his funeral and songs.He told my wife in Palmy"how do you tell the woman you love you won't make our wedding?"That comment was the only time I saw a tear in my wifes' eye,she had been through shit with me and never let her emotions show to give me strength,so I'll add a third hero,my wife,without her maybe this stubborn born again biker would not be a born again biker,just dead.So thanks dear for nagging me to see the quack,almost was too late.

Stunned, what a family. respect to you and yours ynot. Not sure about thanking her for nagging though.

ok then but I hate it when their right.

Well told mate.

**R6_kid:Me** · 3rd July 2008, 19:25

incase you hadnt already noticed my avatar, my hero is Katman.

uh yeh...

**martybabe** · 3rd July 2008, 19:49

Originally Posted by R6_kid

incase you hadnt already noticed my avatar, my hero is Katman.

uh yeh...

Yes, indeed, more of a wolverine fan myself.

**ynot slow** · 3rd July 2008, 20:33

Originally Posted by martybabe

An amazing woman and you do her credit with comments and goals like that. Well said mate.

Stunned, what a family. respect to you and yours ynot. Not sure about thanking her for nagging though.

ok then but I hate it when their right.

Well told mate.

Cheers mate,but from the victims' perspective I think the family and friends seem to take the prognossis harder than the victim,my thoughts were shit,bugger and worse thoughts/words,but was more worried about how wife,mum,dad,brother,kids would be feeling.

**Donor** · 3rd July 2008, 20:40

My hero is Elle.

A wee angel who departed almost a year ago.

Loadsa warm fuzzies to anyone who has watched a loved one brave this god awful disease...

**martybabe** · 3rd July 2008, 21:17

Originally Posted by Donor

My hero is Elle.

A wee angel who departed almost a year ago.

Loadsa warm fuzzies to anyone who has watched a loved one brave this god awful disease...

Man. Thanx for that, I hear what yer saying about the little ones that go before they should. I shared too many last moments with children as a fireman and I always went home and scooped up my own kids and hugged em way beyond their endurance, Yep we're lucky indeed.

Bless ya Elle. Thanks Donor

**Mom** · 3rd July 2008, 21:29

I buried my hero a bit over 10 years ago now. She was the most indestructible woman I have ever met, and braved an enormous battle with breast cancer and its secondaries for 8 years. She was 38 when she died, left behind 2 girls. After all these years I still can not explain how much she meant to me, nor how much I still miss her sometimes, with out crying.

**martybabe** · 3rd July 2008, 21:53

Originally Posted by Mom

I still can not explain how much she meant to me

I think you just did and very well too.

No sadness on your birthday sweetheart.

**peasea** · 3rd July 2008, 23:22

I have several:
Maxwell Smart (Agent 99, so cute....)
Captain Scarlett
Mister Tracey
Baron Barracuda
Mister Tweedy
Postman Pat
Speed Racer (the original)
Mister Magoo
Penelope Pitstop
Johnny (The Wild One)
Forest Gump
Captain Pugwash
Roger the cabin boy
Master Bates
Seaman Stains
and last, but not least Cleopatra, who committed suicide by holding a beast to her ass. (Or was it an asp to her breast? Who cares? So cute....)