Ya Did Good, Mich!

At the beginning of 2003, on New Year's Eve to be exact, a very good friend of mine and of MANY ostomates online, Mich, passed away after a recurrance of his colon cancer. Mich was better known as "Michiel from Amsterdam" and was a great help to everyone esp those who wished to know more about irrigating their colostomy. He even wrote an article for this site about irrigating.

Before we moved to the new Ostomy Message Board well over 100 people had left messages of condolences there. This should show you how highly thought of he is in the Ostomy Internet World. Since we couldn't move them to the new Message board, I decided to put them here on this site so that others may see what a wonderful person he really was. Here are the messages:

Gerard (Mich's Life Long Partner) [Gerard didn't think he was so good at English (both he and Mich are from Holland, and asked me to edit his message - I didn't need to much, Gerard is much better at English than he thinks he is] - I was moved, very much moved by the many reactions on the passing away of Mich. Many people seemed to have been touched by the way he has contributed to the ostomy websites, the board and the chatrooms, with a sense of humour, true kindness and quality of advice. With these skills he has also been filling my own life. These shared experiences of Mich from so many people makes the burden of our shared loss easier to bear.

I want to thank everyone who has shared their thoughts and offered me their sincere and personal condolences.

OUR DEAR FRIEND, MICH

Gramapat - Mich's partner, Gerard, emailed some of us who had been in touch with Mich to let us know Mich passed away today. I am feeling very sad - I had hoped that Mich would have more time but it wasn't meant to be.

Mich was so important to the people on this board and his absence is already felt. Gerard asked us to remember Mich in our thoughts and prayers. Please say a prayer for Gerard also - this must be a very hard time for him.

Lucy CL - Oh no. This is sooooooo sad. I loved his humour, his warmth, his kindness. I will pray for all of his family & friends.

chicletaj - Oh my......such terrible news. I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm gonna miss him, he was a very nice man. Words are not coming to me to express my sorrow for him and his.....I'll pray for him and his family and friends. Such a loss.....

Phyll08 - Thank you for posting this, Pat. It was so good of Gerard to let us know...it must be so hard for him right now.

I'm reading, and typing through tears right now. Mich was such a good person, and so much fun, and so much comfort to so many. He will be sadly missed.

I love you, Mich...go with God.

Kathy From Northwest England - I am simply shocked at the news. I had also thought that Mich had more time left.

I am taking comfort from the fact that he did not linger and suffer.

I am pleased that Gerard was able to let us know - this must be a most difficult time for him.

Sadly,
Kathy

Crip41 - Good bye my friend Mich, along with ALL the others my heart is very heavy. You will be missed!

Mich will be with us , we can look back at his humor and wisdom in the archives, That's where I really got to know him at first . But after... he always had a nice welcome and a sincere caring "how are you" in chat. I liked going there because he made a person feel like they were part of the group.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. This fits Mich.

marie709 - That is horrible news, he was such a important part of this board. I also will pray for all his friends and family. Elaine

hurkaru - I count myself fortunate to have known Mich, even if only through the internet. He was one of the 'net ostomy community's most valued members. We were all the richer for his presence and will be the poorer with his passing. He was a true embodiment of the motto "An ostomy is for living."

NitaPepsi - Oh Dear....i am in shock. I didn't realize he was so ill. I knew he had fluid in his lungs........
I pray that his friends and family will find comfort in eachother and that Mich is in a better place now. I am just stunned at this news. He was so very helpful to me with Noah. I will miss him greatly.

Skippy1010 - We´ll always remember you

Sabine

iluvanimals - My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. I am so sad right now. May he rest in peace.

Love..
Susan

honeybear - Although I never got to chat with Mich and only "new" him through his posts I have tears streaming down my face , he has had such an impact on many of us.

Gerard is the one who knew him best and my heart and prayers are with him and hope in time his heart will rest easy knowing that Mich is no longer in pain and is in a better place, although that is a hard thing to come to terms with right now.

My prayers are also with Mich's friends and family. The Lord obviously needed an extra angel to look over the rest of us here on earth.

He will be greatly missed.

Charles in TX - "Good bye my friend Mich, along with ALL the others my heart is very heavy. You will be missed !

Mich will be with us , we can look back at his humor and wisdom in the archives, That's where I really got to know him at first . But after... he always had a nice welcome and a sincere caring "how are you" in chat. I liked going there because he made a person feel like they were part of the group.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. This fits Mich"

"I count myself fortunate to have known Mich, even if only through the internet. He was one of the 'net ostomy community's most valued members. We were all the richer for his presence and will be the poorer with his passing. He was a true embodiment of the motto "An ostomy is for living." "

The two quotes above from Dennis and Carl have said it all better than I could ever! ! !
I would like only to add that Mich thought me that friends can be as far as Australia and Amsterdam, and yet as close as an expression on the internet to try to help someone.
Charles in TX

ladybugs62 - Michiel,my friend, my mentor, my guiding arch.how selfish I am,I want you here.I won't cry because your gone I'll smile because I knew you.
much tootles,Janice

Richarddw - do not remember Mich. I will say a prayrer for Gerard and Mich's family and for those in here who feel such a great loss.
Hugs & Luv, RICHARD

EllieC - Mich had a way of saying it all and saying it best...God Bless him and keep him. Gerard, my heart hurts for you and Mich's family and friends.

Ostomatey - In my short time on these boards, I had two encounters with Mich. He was most informative and did his best to answer my questions. He will be missed by all who knew him and looked to him for advice. You were a valiant warrior Mich, god speed to you.

Mich has not left us, he's just gone into another room to help others who need him for a while

Seeblue2 - I am so sorry to hear of Mich's passing. This is such sad news. My prayers go out for Mich and those who loved him so dearly. This is very sad......

Candice

MaryATo - So, so sad...

Tears running down my face, too. I guess I didn't realize how much I can feel for someone I only knew through these boards.

R.I.P., Mich. We love you and will miss you.

Setphh1 - Mich was one of the first ones I met here. He was always very nice and helpful. Mich you will be missed.

wannabee8 - Good bye Mich. We will miss you around here but your surely in a better place. RIP old friend

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