Putting things into perspective

Brendon seemed to be pretty healthy. One thing I'm considering suggesting is a team "health" day where we all have screenings done for this that and the other thing (cholesterol, lipids, etc). Just so we all know we're doing all we can to be sure we're healthy. We haven't heard from the autopsy yet so we don't know the cause of death, but I think the team would benefit using Brendon's death as a catalyst for team health screening. I just keep thinking back to the death of Jean Durston in 2000. She had kept telling her doctor she didn't feel well. He just kept telling her it was because she was 86. Her regular doctor went on vacation and she saw his partner- he immediately did screenings on her to reveal she already had advanced ovarian cancer! She was 86, if her regular doctor had bothered to look at the beginning she could have had her ovaries out- she was 86, she didn't need 'em!!! Brendon has renewed my comittment to preventive health care.

Karen, The Tri-Valley paper has an article regarding the autopsy results. Here is the link: www.insidebayarea.com/.../ci_2708090 Any word on pending services? Jim

From Kerry O'Brien - Coach of Walnut Creek Masters Simple existence can occur through inhaling and exhaling. _Actual "living" happens by constantly breathing new life into those things we are passionate about. _A key to "living happily" is not only finding balance between the things that are important and those that bring us joy, but by also knowing how to find one within the the other. That is how I would describe the life of Walnut Creek Masters member Brendon Wen. _His passions were family, swimming and his career as an attorney. Brenden passed away suddenly, Sunday, at the conclusion of the Pacific Masters Championships. All who attended and knew Brendon had the pleasure in sharing in quite possibly the best swim meet of his life, smashing personal best's in his two best evetnts-The 100 and 200 butterfly. We were all blessed by his gentle spirit, kind heart, and quiet demeanor all wrapped up in that large strong body with a smile to match. He was a true friend to WCM members and the masters swimming community as a whole. As we remember Brendon let us also remember his family and pray for their healing. In Brendon's passing, I am again reminded through your love and outreach to one another, that we are so much more than just a swim team. _-Kerry. A memorial service will be held Sat. May 7th at 8:45 am. The location will be at Clarke Memorial Swim Center Heather Farm Park Walnut Creek

Thanks Jim. Now we know. I'm definitely going to pursue that preventive screening idea. Any ideas Dr. Craig Siegel (cardiologist)? Now more than ever I hope you write that article you mentioned. Even if it makes just one person aware it's worth it. It could save their life. Jim, I haven't swum the last couple of days. I did stop by the pool but it was really weird. I wanted to be there but I didn't. Pat and I are going on a date to the pool tonight for practice, so I'll ask Kerry if he's heard anything about services.

Thanks, Michael.

I called in sick yesterday and just slept. Having witnessed Brendon being worked on and rushed away, I realized that this was the first time I've actually seen someone die. I'm still taking it pretty hard. But I've decided that I'm going to train hard for the 200 fly and dedicate the my swim to him at PMS LCM championships in July.

I remember the grieving process vividly when my college roommate/fraternity brother died. I know where you are and how it feels. The world around you doesn't seem "real". I even went through a stage of guilt for a time, as in, "if he hadn't come to the lake party we had, he wouldn't have died". It gets better each day, even though it doesn't seem like it ever will. A close friend's untimely death will be with you for the rest of your life. I still think of John to this day, 15 years later; and I'll never forget him. Months after it happened, I looked back on it and my behavior was textbook depression. Keep talking about it, surround yourself with friends and family, and trudge through it. You will make it. Perhaps in the wake of his death, some great good can come of it like others have suggested, whether in the form of a charity event or some individual introspection leading to a healthier state of mind. That he lived at all obviously made you, and others that knew him, better people.

Karen, It is always so shockings to know about people passing away, specially when they are young and have family, but knowing that he was a swimmer makes me feel so very sad. I am also sending you my condolences for your and Brandon's wife loss. It also makes me think in several other people that lately I have know of their death at short age because a hard attack, even when they looked healthy and made excercises. What can be the reason?, they are so good that GOD wants them back? Keep on living..

Alex, What a great thought as to why? ....That "they were so good that God wanted them back". Very touching. And a great message from Kerry. He's more than an awesome coach, he's one of the finest people I've ever met. When I went back to the pool last summer trying to do something that made me feel good while going through chemo, he was always so excited to see what stage my hair loss was in. So rather than feeling self-conscious, I found myself looking forward to seeing him & having him make me laugh. :)

Phil, We were thinking the same thing especially in light of the recent article in the USMS magazine. I doubt his enlarged heart was the cause, but my guess is he did have arteriosclerosis (sp?) and didn't know it. Swimming was REALLY tough tonight. I can still see Brendon everywhere... God and time will get us through this. By the way, anyone and everyone is welcome to the services this Saturday morning. You certainly don't have to be a 'Creeker to attend. We want Sheila, his wife, to know what a great environment he was a part of. Come celebrate Brendon's life.