Daniel (Danny) Avon

My beloved husband passed away on May 4th, 2023. He was a Star Wars fan, and I know he's smiling - "May the 4th be with you."

I want to tell you his story because I know that he would want it to help someone. He cared deeply about people, and if possible, he would like to save another life. That was my incredible husband - selfless to the very end. I love you with all my heart, Always, and Forever 888.

This is his story.

Just before Christmas 2022, Danny was complaining about having to pee a lot. We laughed it off at first, but it was inhibiting his sleep and daily life, and because his family doctor retired, we went to walk-in clinics who found nothing wrong with him. Then he started having headaches that he would tame with Advil, so we still weren't too concerned.

In early March, a severe headache brought us to the ER. After countless hours, and tests, they told us he had a mass in his lung that metastasized to his brain (3 tumors in his brain). We were devastated, but hopeful, because after keeping him for 8 days, they gave us a treatment plan, starting with radiation for the brain tumors, which went well. He was on steroids for this, and for the headaches, but we spent some quality time at home together, doing little reno projects and planning little outings like picnics in the park.

In mid-April, he couldn't wake me up as usual. He had to text me from where he was sitting on the couch. He couldn't walk 2 steps without getting breathless and there was a pain in his shoulder blade. I wanted to call the hospital, but he said, "No. It's okay. We have an appointment on Wednesday." The doctor took one look at him on Wednesday and sent him to the ER. They feared he had a blood clot, but it was "only pneumonia". They admitted him and started him on strong antibiotics and everything seemed okay at first - like he was improving. I left him for the night on Monday and 2 hours later he called me to come back to the hospital because the pain in his back moved to his chest and he couldn't breathe. I was back by his side at midnight, terrified, but consoling him.

After more tests that day, they rushed in to tell us he was going to ICU. (That's when I had 5 minutes to say all the things I wanted to say before they sedated him. Five minutes to fill his ears with words of love.) I was almost on the floor, and couldn't breathe myself from fear. For the next 32 hours, they did all they could for him, but it turns out, half his lung was so deteriorated, it was practically missing, his heart was damaged, he had severe emphysema, and his poor, broken body couldn't handle the infection.

They called me urgently on the morning of May 4th to hurry so I could say goodbye. Thank God that I made it in time. I think - no, I know - he was waiting for me. The most horrible part? Apparently he's been sick for years, even though he showed no symptoms. My poor honey was working, and doing all the things he always did because he had no clue that cancer was ravaging his body.

I urge you to visit your doctor if you feel even the silliest symptom, like Danny's urgency to urinate. Apparently the tumor was pushing on his pituitary gland and making his hormones go out of whack. I'm leaving sentiments out of this post. The world already knows how much we love one another, and always will.

Danny loved challenging himself. Last year, he completed thirty jigsaw puzzles. He enjoyed Escape Rooms, and trying to beat his niece and nephew at board games. He loved his niece and all three nephews and was very proud of them all. He was athletic in his youth and looked forward to throwing the football around every Thanksgiving. He was an animal lover, and there was an annual snake hunting expedition - also on Thanksgiving. He loved to cook with me and loved to eat! We used to spend our weekends at home cooking meals. His own specialty was salmon planks on the barbecue, and he made the most amazing eggs for breakfast, and he had an insatiable sweet tooth. He was an Iron Man fan, loved movie time, and the Green Bay Packers - not so much when they lost - and in recent years, he enjoyed gardening. He liked fast things - fast cars, and fighter jets, and Top Gun and Maverick were his favourite movies. Danny was many wonderful things. He worked hard both at work where he was loyal for 25 years, and at home, and by helping my elderly father with chores. Danny was the one who encouraged me to publish my first book in 2015. He was so very proud of my books (and helping me publish) and I, in turn, cherish my name. I will always be Mrs. Daniel Avon. He found solace in nature, and was fascinated by astronomy, and I know he's looking down at us and thinking, "Have a cannoli for me." My husband, my soul mate, he loved deeply, and he was well loved by everyone who knew him, and he will live on forever - Always, infinity and beyond 888.