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MOD NOTE: It was learned a couple days ago that the death was a hoax. The first part of this thread mourns the loss of a player. The latter part focuses on the responses to learning the truth. Please keep all discussion respectful of other forum members as this has been an emotional issue for some participants in the discussion. Thank you.
I will miss this man dearly. RIP Barry Best
Barry Best
11 minutes ago ·
This is Mandy, Aki's friend.
I am sorry but a short time ago we received word that Aki's journey has ended. It ended 2 days ago but due to the remoteness of his location, it has taken some time for word to reach us. It ended as he lived it - his way and on his terms.
As he requested, he his being or has been cremated and his ashes will be returned home as quickly as possible. His ashes will be scattered in 3 locations - a remote plot of ground in Oregon where the ashes of a special group of Viet Vets are scattered which will be attended by all surviving members of the group; his beloved river at his ranch; and the creek that runs through his ancestral lands where the ashes of his ancestors have been scattered for generations. The ashes will scattered at the same moment in all 3 locations.
Also, in keeping with his wishes, there will be no memorial service or obituary. It was Aki's belief that his journey should speak for itself.
A little over 3 months ago, Aki went for the normal 6 month tests and appointments he has had every since he first became ill a couple years ago. The results were not good.
The need for a couple high risk operations was much more urgent. Also, additional therapy for a new condition would be needed. If he survived the operations, he would have several weeks of recovery. If he survived that, he would be greatly limited in what he could do. In addition, he would need some additional therapy to deal with a different problem once he recovered from the operations. That therapy, regardless if it was successful or not, would cause additional limitations in what I would be able to do. He would be facing up to a year of recovery and therapy with uncertain outcomes.
We discussed everything at length. We went to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion. The initial findings were confirmed with the exception of the stage 2 cancer which they said was stage 3.
The Aki, as he often did, cut through all the medical talk and asked a very simple question. "Would all of this make me healthy or just prolong death?"
The answer to that question finalized his decision.
He visited with family and friends in groups and individually, informing them of his decision and getting their thoughts and feedback. He also spoke with the Mother in his own unique way.
There were 2 things he really wanted to do before his journey ended. Also, there was a group of people he really wanted to something for whom no one else will help. He knew if he had the operations and the therapy, he would never be able to do them.
Once that decision was made, we were determined to make the summer as special as we could for him. We arranged for family to join him, notified friends in the Nations. And when we returned to Texas he had 2 weeks with his entire family and close friends.
On his final night, he went to the river with his flute. Marni had purchased a case of household candles. We waited for him to get settled then one by one, each of us took a candle, lit it and walked to the river. We placed the candles on a large rock near the river, walked up to him and touched him on the shoulder then knelt in the sand. We kept vigil with him that night.
In the morning, everyone gave him a big, Aki style hug. Cat had checked his kits and loaded them in the truck. Brandy had packed his clothes and loaded his bag in the truck. He wanted to drive himself to the airport and have us pick up the truck later.
The last 2 weeks we could tell he was becoming concerned. Not about what was ahead of him but about us and all his friends. He didn't want people to be sad. He wanted us to celebrate his journey but only briefly and the get on with ours, which is so like him.
I first me Aki when I was a young nurse worked for the Indian Health Services. That was over 35 years ago. It changed my life.
I will open up his wall so postings can be viewed by friends and his family can view them.
I will miss this man dearly. RIP Barry Best
Barry Best
11 minutes ago ·
This is Mandy, Aki's friend.
I am sorry but a short time ago we received word that Aki's journey has ended. It ended 2 days ago but due to the remoteness of his location, it has taken some time for word to reach us. It ended as he lived it - his way and on his terms.
As he requested, he his being or has been cremated and his ashes will be returned home as quickly as possible. His ashes will be scattered in 3 locations - a remote plot of ground in Oregon where the ashes of a special group of Viet Vets are scattered which will be attended by all surviving members of the group; his beloved river at his ranch; and the creek that runs through his ancestral lands where the ashes of his ancestors have been scattered for generations. The ashes will scattered at the same moment in all 3 locations.
Also, in keeping with his wishes, there will be no memorial service or obituary. It was Aki's belief that his journey should speak for itself.
A little over 3 months ago, Aki went for the normal 6 month tests and appointments he has had every since he first became ill a couple years ago. The results were not good.
The need for a couple high risk operations was much more urgent. Also, additional therapy for a new condition would be needed. If he survived the operations, he would have several weeks of recovery. If he survived that, he would be greatly limited in what he could do. In addition, he would need some additional therapy to deal with a different problem once he recovered from the operations. That therapy, regardless if it was successful or not, would cause additional limitations in what I would be able to do. He would be facing up to a year of recovery and therapy with uncertain outcomes.
We discussed everything at length. We went to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion. The initial findings were confirmed with the exception of the stage 2 cancer which they said was stage 3.
The Aki, as he often did, cut through all the medical talk and asked a very simple question. "Would all of this make me healthy or just prolong death?"
The answer to that question finalized his decision.
He visited with family and friends in groups and individually, informing them of his decision and getting their thoughts and feedback. He also spoke with the Mother in his own unique way.
There were 2 things he really wanted to do before his journey ended. Also, there was a group of people he really wanted to something for whom no one else will help. He knew if he had the operations and the therapy, he would never be able to do them.
Once that decision was made, we were determined to make the summer as special as we could for him. We arranged for family to join him, notified friends in the Nations. And when we returned to Texas he had 2 weeks with his entire family and close friends.
On his final night, he went to the river with his flute. Marni had purchased a case of household candles. We waited for him to get settled then one by one, each of us took a candle, lit it and walked to the river. We placed the candles on a large rock near the river, walked up to him and touched him on the shoulder then knelt in the sand. We kept vigil with him that night.
In the morning, everyone gave him a big, Aki style hug. Cat had checked his kits and loaded them in the truck. Brandy had packed his clothes and loaded his bag in the truck. He wanted to drive himself to the airport and have us pick up the truck later.
The last 2 weeks we could tell he was becoming concerned. Not about what was ahead of him but about us and all his friends. He didn't want people to be sad. He wanted us to celebrate his journey but only briefly and the get on with ours, which is so like him.
I first me Aki when I was a young nurse worked for the Indian Health Services. That was over 35 years ago. It changed my life.
I will open up his wall so postings can be viewed by friends and his family can view them.
Condolences to family and friends. Rest in peace Aki
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