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TR 7/21-8/10 saddest trip of my life

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by benbrownjr, Aug 29, 2016.

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  1. benbrownjr

    benbrownjr Low-Roller

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    My Trip Report

    This is more of a therapy thing for me but it is a trip report

    I was invited to be in a slot tournament at the California but 3 days before I left my friend eric, who lives in vegas, went into ICU at desert springs hospital on E Flamingo. The day before I arrived he was placed on a ventilator and placed in a medically induced coma. By the time I arrived his sister from Atlanta and another friend from Los Angeles were there. The pneumonia was pretty serious as it made holes in his lungs which leaked air into his chest cavity so 3 chest tubes were placed.

    I played in the tournament but placed 9th and of the few times I did play I did good.
    I was planning a bank of machine's that have linked game cash express which a train randomly appears on a players screen. Sometimes it's a separate game, multiplier, or one of four progressives. So I am playing and the multiplier comes up and most of the time it's x2 or x3 and I can see that I won .10 but the wheel looks different [​IMG]

    While trying to do the math the amount keeps climbing.
    [​IMG]
    All that on what I thought was a 10 cent win.

    While visiting my friend eric, we discussed who would be bedside and after his sister goes back to Atlanta me and his friend dante would take turns. Since I was leaving on Monday the 25th I would come back on Monday August 1 and use my 3 comp nights. On Thursday 28th she left but at 2:30 Saturday afternoon dante calls in tears as the Dr gave a grim outlook. Thinking the worst I got into my car and left Los Angeles and was bedside by 7:30. Mind you my eyes have cataracts and my left foot is in a cast and my car is a stick shift. I stayed at erics apartment with dante that night then got a room on Sunday at the El Cortez before moving over to the California for 3 nights. Each day we sat bedside giving positive words and crying silently.

    I checked with the casino host and explained my lack of play and they said no problem. After checking out I stayed at erics apartment.
    [​IMG]

    Dante finally left and it was just me. To say my friend lives in a bad part of town is an understatent! Friday morning I can hear police ordering someone to the ground and when I look l see a video crew from the TV show cops filming it. That night I called an Uber and while waiting for it a pimp was yelling at his prostitute about losing his cell phone. Well the first Uber was almost there when he saw the neighborhood and cancelled so I got a 2nd one who said he knew the area as he frequents the strip club 2 blocks away. Gambled at the El Cortez with my favorite dealers and was shocked the even the box man knew my name. Ended up loosing but I needed the stress relief. Oh I also got drunk. When the CW heard why I was there again she was getting me 2 drinks at a time.

    On Sunday August 7th (my sisters birthday) I arrive in his room and it looks like items have removed. A few minutes later the nurses call me to the station as I have a phone call. It's his sister and she decided to take eric off life support. After putting myself together I went into his room, held his hand, and said "your being taken off the ventilator today"

    Around 3;15 the nurse came in and gave him a large dose of morphine and said in 45 minutes it will be all the way into his system.

    At 4:10 respitory came in. And removed the tape and while doing it he looked only at eric and explained everything he was doing. When he removed the tubes he said "sorry buddy" and left the room. He made noises but his heart slowed until it stopped at 4:16. I was allowed to stay with him as long as I wanted.

    Stayed at his apartment that night which was a bad idea. The next day dante came back and began packing up his things. We stayed at the El Cortez and they were kind enough to comp all the food.

    We left on Wednesday the 10th with a car stuffed with momentous of our friend eric. It was a quit ride. Erics sister was in charge of his remains and I was tasked with the application, utilities, mail, etc.

    Eric was cremated on Aug 17, my father's birthday and I begin to heal. Eric was my closest friend that I knew for 17 years. He was only 42.
    Erics sister has decided to not have a funeral, memorial, or even an obituary so I made an on line memorial

    http://www.forevermissed.com/eric-knox/#lifestory

    [​IMG]

    Thanks for reading
     
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  2. erikbrick

    erikbrick Tourist

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    Prayers to you and your good friend. What a tragedy. So young to have advanced pneumonia. God bless him.
     
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  3. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    What a tribute to your friend. My condolences for your loss.
    You are a great person and I bet you have many memories of good times with Eric.
    Thanks for sharing, benbrownjr.

    Respectfully,

    RICHARD
     
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  4. Mrs. K.

    Mrs. K. Low-Roller

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    He was very lucky to have been so loved by so many people. Thank you for sharing your story.
     
  5. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I remember your other thread asking for help with uber and had been hoping that your friend was okay. I'm so sorry. Losing someone so young and suddenly like that can really turn your world upside-down.

    You were a good friend to be there for Eric.
     
  6. benbrownjr

    benbrownjr Low-Roller

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    Thank you. Sonya I decided to share today as his cell phone service was turned off last night
     
  7. benbrownjr

    benbrownjr Low-Roller

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    Thanks Richard
    [​IMG]
     
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  8. MA51IV

    MA51IV Tourist

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    Sorry to hear about your friend bro. Our prayers are with u
     
  9. kathiemc23

    kathiemc23 Low-Roller

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    I'm so sorry for your loss. So very wonderful of you to be there at the end.
     
  10. Aces and Eights

    Aces and Eights VIP Whale

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    You are the best friend anyone could ever have, and both of you are lucky that you knew each other. My utmost condolences.
     
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  11. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    My condolences. A life taken way too short.
     
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  12. benbrownjr

    benbrownjr Low-Roller

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    Yes it was. I was so upset that his sister wouldn't even place an obituary for him and he would be forgotten that I had a tattoo of him placed over my heart. Once it heals I am going have it shaded. Right now when I start to cry I feel it and it actually makes me feel better [​IMG]
     
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  13. kevin853

    kevin853 High-Roller

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    Such a sad story. Amazing though that you were there for him and a lovely tribute to your friend.

    Great tattoo btw.
     
  14. Dean Martin

    Dean Martin VIP Whale

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    I think being a friend and having a friend are two of the most precious things in life. I hope Las Vegas is still a good place for you in the future and it brings good memories of your friend.

    We met a couple from this board probably 10 years ago and she used to post here all the time. We started meeting up for a drink and sometimes dinner on future trips. She loved Vegas and he went to Vegas (I believe) because he loved her. He passed away suddenly (and young) and she disappeared from the board shortly after and I've never heard from her again. I always felt bad that she must feel it's just too hard to return.....maybe she felt the disappearing of her favorite VP bar at Bellagio was a sign. I hope I never lose my love for Las Vegas. In fact, if I'm lucky I'll be in Vegas in my late 80's and have the big one right after hitting a RF.


    Peace be with you Ben and may your friend Eric forever be in your heart.
     
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  15. kkinwi

    kkinwi VIP Whale

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    What a difficult time. May you have many memories to look back on.
     
  16. IM ALL IN

    IM ALL IN High-Roller

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    You are a wonderful friend to be there to ease his final moments.
     
  17. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

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    My condolences. What a great friend you are, and what a lovely tribute to your friend.
     
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  18. birdman925

    birdman925 Low-Roller

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    You are indeed a true friend. Rest in peace Eric.
     
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  19. VegasJmr

    VegasJmr Low-Roller

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    Sorry for your loss.
     
  20. sybgal

    sybgal VIP Whale

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    I am so sorry for all of you. How very sad someone so young was taken. You were both lucky to share such a special friendship. Bless you both.
     
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