D-Day for Didaka

[Cory]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

R.I.P Didaka
my deepest condolences to his Family & Friends

 

[hilly]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

Far too young.

What great dignity and character he possessed.

R.I.P.

 

[Paddywhackers]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

This is awful news. Didaka was an A grade poster and seemed like an A grade person.

His family and friends must be devistated to lose someone of his ilk. So sad for it to happen to such a good person at such a young age...

RIP Didaka...

 

[Godzke]

Well my friends Monday the 16th of June is the most important day of my short life thus far.

After having my appendix out and collapsing of the bowel I was still having problems which led to a colonoscopy.

Unfortunately a tumor was found during this procedure.

Today is the day where I find out if it is benign or I'm set the battle bowel cancer at 24.

Whether the news is good or bad I will be admitted into surgery in the coming weeks/month to have part of my bowel cut out to ensure I have the biggest chance possible of escaping any life threatening battles.

Wish me luck because I need all I can get.

JESUS CHRIST!!

I am 24 and I am suffering from pains and unusual sensations in my bowels and I read this. Oh **** what a scare this is. In to see a specialist for a consultation on Thursday.

For you mate I'm sorry you lost your battle. Happy you saw a Collingwood premiership before you moved on.

R.I.P.

 

[Wooljay]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

Anyway the mods can throw a 'RIP Didaka' or 'RIP Brent' in the sub-forum title, at least for a week or two, or something along those lines?

 

[Gibbsy]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

R.I.P. Brent.

I must say I don't frequent the board much, and I didn't meet him in real life, yet I followed his plight throughout his thread and shed many tears as I read the tributes that have been posted here - it was hard not to cry when you think about a life lost so young.

You didn't deserve it - cancer is a horrible, horrible beast - but I feel so much better in knowing that we won the flag while you were still with us. May you watch down on many more Collingwood premierships

Once more, R.I.P. Brent and my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Matt.

 

[Ant85]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

RIP Didaka, and also my condolences to his family and friends.

Cancer is the killer in our society. My friend's mum just got diagnosed last week with breast cancer. It can happen to anyone of us, so please get checked.

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

Re: Vale Didaka

Rest In Peace Didaka
Glad you got to see Collingwood win the flag last year mate
Condolences to Emma his family and friends
Didaka was the best posters on the forum
Wow he is only a few years older than me

 

[Magpie Magic]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

Just absolutely terrible news, he'll be missed.

Condolences to all those close to him.

R.I.P Brent

 

[Lockyer24]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

didaka was always a well respected poster but I think his openess about his illness showed just how much tremendous character he was, and not just another anonymous member to most of us. Condolences to his family, I'm so glad he at least got some joy at the end from one of his passions.

 

[Medders_7]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

R.I.P. Didaka.

Never knew you personally, but you were always a great poster, and contributor to BigFooty.
Condolences to family and friends.

Regards,
Rance Medhurst aka Medders_7

 

[grizzlym]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

Anyway the mods can throw a 'RIP Didaka' or 'RIP Brent' in the sub-forum title, at least for a week or two, or something along those lines?

We've offered your mods any assistance they require in this regard.

 

[shibz_1989]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

I never knew him, but this is so sad

RIP.

 

[shibz_1989]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

didaka was always a well respected poster but I think his openess about his illness showed just how much tremendous character he was, and not just another anonymous member to most of us. Condolences to his family, I'm so glad he at least got some joy at the end from one of his passions.

I agree with this. Some of the posters on the Freo board (and even the WC board) are there for me then my own family.

 

[aussiedude]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

R.I.P. Didaka, and condolences to friends and family

 

[The Magnificent Seven]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

It's rare indeed that an individual has the courage and openness to share his story in the way Brent has done since I've been a member of this footy forum.

Didaka has consistently dialled into the lighter side of his situation, seeing the truths in our day-to-day life and rarely succumbed to self-absorbed pity. Rather, he used his condition to focus more on understanding and coming to terms with his challenges.

I am absolutely gutted and have indeed shed a tear for a fellow Pies fan and a wonderful human being - even all that I knew of him was through here, his posts told a much bigger story.

RIP Brent. And strength to your families in this difficult time.

 

[Iskender Time]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

Very sad. Condolences to family and friends.

 

[de_LICA_ish18]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

Ever since I read Emma's post last night, I can't stop thinking about him. I was really touched by Didaka's story, I followed it from the beginning.

Cancer has always been my greatest fear having lost both my parents to it at an early age.

About 18 months ago, my brother was also diagnosed with bowel cancer and Didaka offered his advice and said I could ask him questions anytime.

My brother had surgery yesterday and today was told there is more cancer and he's terminal Tragedy has struck my family again. Could have really used some advice from Didaka right now, his courage & strength were amazing.

I never met him but I'll never forget him.

 

[The Majestic]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

So very sad to hear about this, 26 is way too young to lose someone, RIP Didaka Condolences to his family and friends.

 

[eldorado]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

I didn't know about his illness, only his thoughtful and witty posts on the main board. He was very well respected.

It seems fatuous to feel or express sadness for someone who you never met, nonetheless news of his passing has cast a pall over the day, as in some way, we did all know him through his words.

Such a horrible thing for his loved ones to see him cut down in his prime.

Condolences to those who knew him, and those who felt they knew him through his posts.

RIP

 

[PieEyedLad]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

It's a pity I didn't really get much of a chance to strike up a conversation with such an amazing and strong human being.

I'd only spoken to him a few times, so it's amazing how something like this can get me so down. Really puts things into perspective.

He fought hard, and as someone already stated earlier in the thread, it's fitting that the last Collingwood match he was around for was a win against Carlton.

After reading this thread, and going through the first few pages of the D-Day for Didaka thread, it really only just occurred to me how much of an inspiration this man is.

R.I.P. Brent, you truly are an inspiration. ♥

 

[jaxter600]

Re: R.I.P Didaka

My deepest sympathies to his loved ones at this horrid time. Didaka was a great poster and fighter. Will be sadly missed.

Jax

 

[Quicky]

In Memory of Didaka

Dear all,

The mods and countless posters have asked for some remembrance and way of acknowledging Didaka, Brent in real life, the humour, the warmth, the knowledge, the bravery, the integrity and the sense of family that he brought to our board.

Several people have suggested we honour Brent by renaming our BF MVP medal the Didaka Memorial Medal.

Would everyone be happy with that and agree that is a most appropriate thing to do?

Also, we'd like some suggestions for an award in Brent's honour that we award each year at our own Annual BF awards.

We also intend on changing our boards subtitle in Didakas memory. Suggestions for this would be appreciated.

On behalf of the entire Collingwood Board community we would like to extend our sincerest condolences to Emma and Brents family and friends. It is quite amazing how Brents passing has hit us all emotionally despite many of us never having had the pleasure of meeting him in real life. We can only imagine how much worse it must be for those who were closest to him. We would also like to thank Emma for posting this sad news. It must have taken a world of courage to post that message but it means plenty to his BigFooty family. All our thoughts are with you.

We have taken the liberty of choosing several of Brent's posts from his D-Day thread, that will never be lost to this Board, that try to encapsulate some of Brent's qualities.

 

[Quicky]

Re: In memory of Didaka

1. Brent's opening post, where he tells of the initial concerns, Post 1 on 16/6/08

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455565

Well my friends Monday the 16th of June is the most important day of my short life thus far.

After having my appendix out and collapsing of the bowel I was still having problems which led to a colonoscopy.

Unfortunately a tumor was found during this procedure.

Today is the day where I find out if it is benign or I'm set the battle bowel cancer at 24.

Whether the news is good or bad I will be admitted into surgery in the coming weeks/month to have part of my bowel cut out to ensure I have the biggest chance possible of escaping any life threatening battles.

Wish me luck because I need all I can get.

2. 16/6/08 later in the day, also page 1, post 15, worst fears are confirmed..

Bowel cancer.

Time to start the fight, and I will beat this mutha ____a.

3. On 31/7/08, Page 14, Post 197.. From the heart, on dealing with a life threatening disease

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455565&page=14

You know probably for the first time I lost it today. I guess you can only hold it in for so long. Today was the day a lot of it came out.

I guess it's all new to me as well, and no matter how brave you try to be, how hard you fight it, you can't hold on forever.

My life in reality has been taken away from me right now and it may only get harder I guess, I suppose it's all about how you make up for it when all is said and done.

In reality it's just something you can't escape no matter how hard you try, no matter how many good people you surround yourself with the fact is you're not normal anymore and that's something I have to come to terms with and what a lot of people in my shoes have had to come to terms with.

When an oncologist sits across the room from you when you're only 25 and tells you your fertility will be effected by the chemotherapy, now that's when things start to hit you.

I took a lot of it out on footy during this week. Footy is probably the one thing I love as much as my family and friends, and **** I wanted to win so bad last Saturday. It was more than any other game, not so much just for a win itself, but to say I enjoyed that because there hasn't been a lot of enjoyable times lately. It was my first game back. The day I felt a little bit normal again.

There's a lot to take out of football, and I just hope that anyone else in my position has something like this to help with a long hard fight, full of ups and downs.

All you have to do is look at some of the more inspirational acts in history and they will teach you lessons not only about football, but life.

I look at people like Ramanauskas and how he has overcome illness on numerous occasions just to do what he loves.

To me, although it's a completely different situation Jason McCartney and his battle for the game shows how hard a human is willing to work to do what he loves just one more time.

I love football, there's probably people on BF that love it more, there are probably people on this thread that love it more, but I would do anything to just one more time get out on the field, I wouldn't care if it was the MCG, or Tootgarook oval, just to prove to myself, and only myself that I can do it again. Just 1 game. Like McCartney I would train for 6 months for that 1 game alone, I would train for 2 years if I had to, but it is just something I need to do. I got struck down when I was only 22 with injuries and forced to sit out since, but I would sell my soul to just play 4 more quarters of the game, whether it was senior footy, reserves footy or D4 in the amateurs.

Our captain himself knows what footy means to me, and make no mistake when I say, even though I was sitting in a hospital bed, hardly being able to move, a cathater in my weiner and high as a kite on morphene, the day our captain came to visit me was one of the greatest days in my life.

I don't remember a lot about the week I was in hospital, but I remember every minute that Scott was by my bed. He is a super bloke, and I have to thank my dad for organizing it for me.

If I could give advice to anyone who is going through an illness, depression, anything that can bring forth horrible, sad time, it would be to realise that you're not superman, you're only human, and that's as far as it goes. Be human, don't try to be any more.

I am proud of myself, i'm very proud. I've showed courage, and a willingness to live a better life so far. I hate cancer, I ****ing hate it so much, but one thing it will do is make me a better person. I'm not going to thank it, but I'm going to remember it. When things get hard I will remember how hard they can be.

I'm going to the footy tomorrow night. I'll be going very low key, i'll distance myself from most people, I'll go with my dad and my girlfriend and that's it. I probably won't recognise anyone there, I won't speak to anyone there, and I don't really intend to because I don't feel like it at the moment, but while I'm there I will know that i'm apart of something, apart of something very special to me, whether it's the atmosphere, the cold wintery air, the $5 meat pies, or the blokes on the field busting their guts. All I know is that they are my favourite days, and life is worth living when you're doing the things you love to do no matter how hard you're fighting to live a healthy life."

 

[Quicky]

Re: In memory of Didaka

4. Things then looked up for a while, prompting this lovely post, page 42, Post 618, on 22/1/10

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455565&page=42

It's still very surreal. Knowing that I'll never require surgery, never need treatment again and feeling a smile always imprinted on my face. It's been a long tough journey.

There's been times I haven't recognized myself standing in front of a hospital mirror with black eyes, weighing 45kg, and yellow skin, yet there's also been times when I've discovered who I really am.[/font]

There's been many tears, and lot's a joy knowing that I am still alive.

I've learned what I've taken for granted, and I've learned how to control my emotions.

I've opened up to many things and met some great people, but also met people of whom I don't enjoy.

Many people have grieved for me and many people have celebrated me.

One thing has always been there though, and that's belief, the belief that if I work hard and do the best I can do, then I can achieve the almost impossible.

It's been a long life changing experience, but I can honestly say there is nothing I would ever change, because this is who I am, and now I can move forward and help people in need and show them how to achieve what they thought they couldn't.

Thank you all for the support, and the hope you've all given me, there's been many things I've taken out of this thread, and many things a lot of different people have said throughout it that wouldn't even realize how much it has impacted the battle I have won.

You've all played a massive part in my journey back to life.

5. But then another serious setback and a sense of knowing what the future held, on 15/6/10, post 676

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455565&page=46

Hey guys, as a few of you know I've been in hospital the last few weeks.

My kidney stopped working, and I have been feeling ill. I can't eat because it puts me in excruciating pain.

I had a feeling before I was admitted to emergency what was happening. I have come to know my body very well.

It seems cancer has returned to my body once again.

I lost my way about 2 months ago. I was previously getting great results due to diet and meditation. I stopped meditating and depression grew high. I started to become afraid of eating any food that was unhealthy to an extent I thought it would give me cancer.

Once this set in I started to become ill again.

I have chosen only to tell family member and my closest friend. You guys will be the only others to know as I need your support and a place to vent.

I am in a really unpleasant place at the moment where I grow weak as I can't tolerate food, fortunately the health industry is starting to get its bum into gear a get things ready to help me, although it looks as though they don't want to perform surgery as my disease is wide spread.

I have decided to go down the chemo path short term to relieve my symptoms. I have learned a lot through taking both paths but now I feel my best bet is to combine the medical and alternative.

I think I have finally realized what is important in life and it is family and friends and happiness.

Now I believe this is the last time I will battle it as I finally have my head screwed on properly and I am no longer afraid of cancer.

I really do not care if it returns as I will take it as it comes and whatever happens will happen.

I know I will be a success story eventually, I can just tell. The road may be tough, but it will be worth it.

Please I ask for no sympathy and no signatures.

I just want to forget about it in a sense and move on, but I wanted you guys to know.

6. Posted an hour or so after his beloved Pies win the GF replay, post 795 and Brent's final post on this thread, date 2/10/10

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455565&page=53

I tell ya, I've been through so much shit over the last couple of years with illness, addiction due to my illness etc.

At time I wondered if I'd ever see the football club I love so much win a premiership. There were times when I thought I'd probably kick the bucket before it happened, and at times my prognosis hasn't been very positive.

Now I can just enjoy it. It's the best feeling I've ever felt, and I actually feel like my luck is turning.

I wonder if those boys who run out in the black and white know just how much they mean to some of us and just how much their performance can impact a person’s life.

I feel invincible.

7. Yesterday, Brent's girlfriend, Emma, broke the dreadful news to us, post 806

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455565&page=54

Hi Guys, my name is Emma, I am Brent's girlfriend. Not sure how to go about contacting you guys, but I know Brent was in touch with a lot of you on big footy and I know a lot of you were aware of his battle with cancer.

You were the most recent message on his inbox. I didn't know how to make a post or anything like that.

Sadly Brent passed away this Wednesday in the early hours of the morning. He fought so hard and for so long, we are so proud of him.

I thought you guys should know. If you know of anyone else Brent was in contact with on big footy, if you could let them know also that would be great.

Emma

8. This is the R.I.P. Didaka thread.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=814456

R.I.P Brent.
From all on BigFooty. ​