BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

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Bev G
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Location: Quechee, VT

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby Bev G » Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:43 pm

Ahhh. Our beloved Eric. This is truly heartbreaking news. I pray for his peaceful rest, and the most humble hopes for his beloved family. This is just so sickening. RIP Eric, you remarkable man.
58 yo Type1 DM 48 years
12/09 Stage IV 2/22 nodes + liver met, colon resec
3 tx FOLFIRI, liver resec 4/10
9/10 6 mos off chemo, Neg PET&CTC CEA nl
2/11 finished total 10 rounds chemo

9/13 ^17th clean PET/CT NED for now

JudeD59
Posts: 726
Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2015 12:16 pm

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby JudeD59 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:54 pm

This is a heartbreaker. For all of us. I remember the last post he wrote on here about how his garden would be exploding with veggies in late July. There was no indication or sense that he wouldn't be here to tell us about the bounty. BB always gave calm, great, inspirational advice and managed to make me laugh at the same time. I remember a thread quite awhile ago where he was asked why his username was Brown Bagger and if it meant he packed his lunch :mrgreen: . Eric's explanation was priceless. With his energy, projects, traveling, and bike rides, I thought he was invincible. How could he not be? How could sucky cancer win this time around?

CR Guy, I am surrounding you with virtual love. I'm so sorry for your pain and the loss of someone so dear to you. Every loss on here is painful, but we each have ones that hit us harder than the rest. You give so much to all of us and it's hard to see how much this hurts you. I wish with all my heart I could make it easier for you. Just know you're in my heart and I'm here if you want to talk or rant or howl at the fates.

My thoughts and prayers are with Eric's family. I choose to believe that although we here will miss the hell out of him, he's in a place where he is no longer ill or tired or tied to chemo and where he can garden and explore and ride bike trails to his heart's content. I have to believe that.

Judy
56 yrs old, wife, mother to 4 daughters
RC Stage II T3N0M0 DX April 2, 2015
6 cm. mid-rectum-CEA 121
Xeloda and radiation finished 06/15/15- CEA 242
CEA right before surgery 81
LAR performed 8/12/15 Temporary ileostomy
CEA 10-21-15 1.6
PET scan 11-4-15 All clear
Port installed 11/11/15
Folfox started 11/18/15
Folfox stopped due to bad reaction
Reversal 2/17/16
CEA 2/3/16 1.7
CEA 3/31/16 1.3
CT Scan 4/12/16 All Clear
Port removed 4/21/16
CEA 5/24/17 1.4

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edinaman
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Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby edinaman » Mon Jul 24, 2017 1:36 pm

Eric, where do I begin? I've known you since you first came on the board. You were a fighter, so positive. You could look cancer in the eye, and give it "the finger". Cancer wasn't going to stop you from riding, cancer wasn't going to stop you from gardening, cancer wasn't going to stop you from loving your family and putting them first. Our journeys were different, but we made a connection, maybe it was our similar world views our similar families, our politics. Your posts were always a treasure, but over time, the toll this disease was taking was starting to show. I knew it wasn't going well, but I never expected to see this post. We never got the opportunity to meet in person in Wisconsin, and for that I will always be sorry. Now you are at peace. Your fight is done. I hope you know how many lives you have touched. My condolences to your wife, daughter, son, mother, and the rest of your family. A part of you will live on in all of us.
Jeff
Went in for surgery for a cyst on my bladder, and they found colon cancer growing on the outside of the colon. Got to have two surgeries at the same time! Stage 3, one node involved.

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ktwmn
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Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:41 am

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby ktwmn » Mon Jul 24, 2017 1:38 pm

There are no words.
Dx 7/11, Stage IIIc CC
12 txs Folfox 8/2011-2/2012
MSS, KRAS-mut G12D
NED until 3/2015, mets to liver and peritoneum
April-December 2015: 15 txs folfiri+avastin
Liver mets resolved; pelvic met remains
January-May 2016: folfox+avastin; allergic rxn to oxi
June-August 2016: 5FU+avastin
October 2016: looking into immuno trial
January 2017: maintenance chemo xeloda + avastin

mariane
Posts: 704
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 6:16 pm

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby mariane » Mon Jul 24, 2017 2:36 pm

I am so sorry. Eric wrote me kind words before and after each of my multiple surgeries. He helped me a lot during this tough road. .Although we were both Nancy's kids I have never met him personally. His kindness touched me deeply. I did not expect that. I as so many others still see his last pictures. I felt in him kindred spirit. I hoped to meet one day on 53d and talk about gardening and travels. He is maybe walking now through exquisite eternal gardens and thinks what to plant...
RIP, Eric.
mom of now 14 years old twins, dx @ 40 in 6/2015 with upper rectal cancer, 10+ liver mets, CEA 140
chemo: 8/2015 - 10/2016 - 4xFOLFIRINOX, 2xFOLFOX, 8xFOLFIRI, 10x5FU, HAI pump -12xFUDR
4 surgeries, complete pathological response
CEA<2 since 10/2015
NED since May 2016

I praise God for every day with my family!

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CRguy
Posts: 10473
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Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby CRguy » Mon Jul 24, 2017 3:31 pm

I have been fortunate enough to hear back from a work colleague of Eric's and share this with our family here.
His sentiments certainly echo our own.

You should know that Eric Johnson passed away earlier this week. Eric was battling cancer for the past 6-7 years, so it's been a long time coming.  Eric was able to spend about 10 days reunited with his close family on the family tree farm in WI.  He was well enough to supervise a number of projects on the property - and I know he was having fun.  I don't think he could have written a better ending to things, but we'll miss him nonetheless.

Eric has so many different circles of friends, and I know he cherished the friendship of his 'cancer crowd' as highly as any other.


Eric A. Johnson, age 59, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, July 18, 2017. He was surrounded by his entire family at the family homestead in Coloma, Wisconsin that he loved so much.
Eric was born June 13, 1958 in San Francisco, CA the son of David C. and Marcia A. (Caudle) Johnson. He married Patricia J. Bove on May 5, 1978 in Madison, WI.  Eric graduated High School in Taipei, Taiwan. Later, he attended UW-Stevens Point and graduated with a degree in Journalism from UW-Madison.
Following a brief career as a logger, Eric was hired as the editor of the Northern Logger and Timber Processor magazine, published in Old Forge, NY.  He worked for the magazine and for the Northeastern Loggers' Association for almost 35 years and was highly regarded for his ability to communicate the benefits of responsible forest management to a skeptical public as well as the news of an ever-changing industry to a regional industry audience. In addition to writing Eric enjoyed back-country skiing, biking, gardening, and producing prodigious stacks of firewood for personal heating.
He is survived by his wife Patti of Clinton, NY, his mother Marcia of Coloma, WI, his two children Jason Johnson of Duluth, MN and Sarah Schulman of San Francisco, CA, his nephew Ryan Devine of Baraboo, WI and his sister Julie Klenko of Coloma, WI. He was preceded in death by his father, David and an infant brother.  Private family services were held.

bitchslapped
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Location: PNW/USA

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby bitchslapped » Mon Jul 24, 2017 3:48 pm

BrownBagger was certainly an example of one engaged in life, his family, the great outdoors w/a positive attitude & a winning smile. :) That had to have gotten him through his 100+ chemo rounds, procedures & keep on keepin on as he did.
My sincere condolences to his family, his friends during their time of great sorrow.

CRguy, A very difficult post for you. My sincere condolences extend to you as well for your loss. Losing a BFF, a person of choice who added meaning to your life leaves a huge void. BrownBagger shared in the blessings of your mutual friendship, connection, & am of the mind that he took those blessings w/him. In that I hope you find some comfort.


BS
DSS,35YO,unresect mCRC DX 7/'14,lvr,LN,peri,rib
FOLFOX+Avstn 4 Rnds d/c 10/'14
Stent 9/'14
FOLFIRI+Avstn 10/'14
Gone From My Sight 2/20/15
Me:garden variety polyps + precancerous polyp, diverticulitis
Carergver x2 DH,DM dbl occupancy,'03-'10
DH dx 47YO mCRC,'04-'07, lvr, billiary tree fried x HAI
DM dx CC 85YO,CC,CHF,stroke,dementia,aphasia

jortego128
Posts: 288
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2015 7:47 am

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby jortego128 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 3:50 pm

I'm so sorry to hear this. Eric was a very positive force on here, and an inspiration to others with his super-human number of chemo rounds and very active lifestyle. This is a shock to me, I had no idea he was doing any worse than he had been in the past couple years. May he rest in peace....
DM 57 yrs old dx 6/8/15 T:4a N:1b M:1
KRAS G12D and TP53 C242fs mutations
Poorly Differentiated, Prominent Signet Ring Component(~50%)
Microsatellite Stable, 3 of (13)lymph nodes positive
15 Liver mets, largest 3.2 cm
Prim. Resection, Right Hemicolectomy 6/21/15
Start Chemo 7/20/15
2 rounds FOLFOX, 1 round FOLFOX +Avastin
CT 8/28/15, met growth, largest 4.5cm
4 rounds FOLFOX+Avastin
CT 11/06/15 mets stable, lungs clear
Begin FOLFIRI+Avastin 11/17/15, Stop chemo 1/26/16
Entered Paradise 3/11/2016

ams5796
Posts: 2298
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:07 am

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby ams5796 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 4:05 pm

As I read all of these posts I notice that so many folks feel like they had a special connection with Eric. Isn't it amazing that he connected on a personal level with so many of us? His warmth and generosity inspired us and connected us to him. He was kind and funny and chose to never get in the middle of anything negative here. I hope his spirit continues to inspire us.

Truly, a life well lived.
Stage 3C (or 4?) Rectal Cancer 01/07
2/10 lung mets
3/11 VATS
6/11 VATS
7/13 lung met
2/14 SBRT
NED 8/14
5/17 scan and MRI found treated spine met

teachpdx
Posts: 634
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:29 am
Location: Portland, OR

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby teachpdx » Mon Jul 24, 2017 4:15 pm

I'm so so sorry to hear this and it's making me so sad. He was such a wonderful human being and so giving. I always loved reading his posts and hearing about his garden. This forum won't be the same (for me) without him.

RIP BB/Eric. You will not be forgotten and your courage will stay with me.

Peace and love to you and your family.

Kristi
4/24/12 RC T3N1M0 age 53
5/23-7/2 - 26 chemorad - Xeloda
7/16 Lynch- MSH2
8/28 LAR w/ temp ileo, CR, 0/11,M0, hysterectomy
10/13 6 cycles Xeloda - completed only 1 1/2 due to HFS
3/12/13 - reversal
8/13 NED
6/15 - HFS gone!

justin case
Posts: 4269
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:26 am
Location: Katy, Texas

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby justin case » Mon Jul 24, 2017 4:43 pm

I also have no words to describe a passing of another caring and Intelligent individual such as Eric. I'm happy he was in his favorite environment during his passing.
Michael
7/11 diagnosed Stage 2 colon and rectal cancer
chemo/rad
lar/temp ilio
Reversal & port removal
21 round of chemo Folfox 9tx, 5fu 12 tx
Last treatment July 2012

weisssoccermom
Posts: 5988
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 2:32 pm
Location: Pacific NW

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby weisssoccermom » Mon Jul 24, 2017 5:46 pm

I know only 1 or 2 of CC members actually met Eric, but if you want to sign his guestbook, here is the link that will take you to it.
http://www.leiknessfuneralhome.com/noti ... guest-book
Dx 6/22/2006 IIA rectal cancer
6 wks rad/Xeloda -finished 9/06
1st attempt transanal excision 11/06
11/17/06 XELOX 1 cycle
5 months Xeloda only Dec '06 - April '07
10+ blood clots, 1 DVT 1/07
transanal excision 4/20/07 path-NO CANCER CELLS!
NED now and forever!
Perform random acts of kindness

Stanfordmom
Posts: 612
Joined: Wed May 14, 2014 1:32 am

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby Stanfordmom » Mon Jul 24, 2017 6:46 pm

I am so sad about Eric's passing :( he was such an inspiration for me.

Praying for his family. RIP, Eric.
DX 4/2/2014 at 44, stage 4, mets liver and ovaries
Mom to 2 boys
Three surgeries, HAI pump and lots of chemo
fighting!

CLD
Posts: 206
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 7:16 pm

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby CLD » Mon Jul 24, 2017 8:23 pm

My condolences to the family. Eric was always kind and informative in replying to forum members. There will be a void here not easily replaced with his passing. I once told my husband "there's a guy on my cancer forum who has had over 100 chemos" and his eyes bugged out of his head. You were an inspiration to so many. I hope you get to ride your bike all day in heaven.
Wife to DH/ Father of 6 (age 42 at dx) diagnosed Jan 2015 stage IIIC
Tumor deposit in mesentery 13/24 lymph nodes +
CEA at dx: 5
MSS
Low Grade/Mod. Diff.
FOLFOX 6 months
N.E.D until June 2018
PET Scan 6/18
Biopsy confirms cancer in 3 Paraaortic lymph nodes
Folfiri + Avastin (6tx) and Xeloda during radiation
Cancer all over both lungs dx Jan 2019
FOLFIRI +AVASTIN presently

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HopeForJesse
Posts: 249
Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:39 am
Location: Philadelphia

Re: BrownBagger ....... I don't know what to say

Postby HopeForJesse » Mon Jul 24, 2017 8:49 pm

What do you say when a legend passes. I am just one of the so very many Eric inspired here. Paraphrasing a bit and poorly so from a poem. When we say sadly look he is gone, someone on the other side says joyfully -Ahh, here he comes!! sincere and heartfelt Prayers for Eric and his family. Full poem here for better eloquence:

Http://blog.sevenponds.com/the-next-cha ... n-van-dyke

RIP dear Eric and thank you for your kindness to strangers and inspiration to so many.
DH DX 01/16 49 YO inop RC stage IV liver mets
MSS TP53 APC,BRCA2
12/15 CEA 241, FOLFOX to 11/16
LAR/ileo 5/16 Clear margins 1/29 nodes
HAI, reversal, liver resections7/16
FUDR 8/16 -NED 3 mos
Rising CEA 3/17 Xeloda, 5/17 -12/17 Erbitux & Iri stable but lung/lymph mets CEA 2.7
5/18 5 days SBRT radiation to sternum 10/22/18 surgery to remove zyphoid process met
6/11/19 5FU added to cetuximab and irinotecan CEA 16
Ephesians 3:20 Our God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine!


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