Tiny Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 Thank you so much for letting us know about Sam's passing. I feel totally bereft and realize your pain has to be so much greater and more intense. Please accept sincere condolences to the whole family. Sam was such a blessing to our group: knowledgeable, sharing and caring, courageous, able to make us laugh, and endlessly encouraging--all done in a very down-to-earth manner. We will miss him so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest christiephilyaw Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 To the family and friends of Dr.Rakestraw, I just felt as though I should post my feelings about Dr.Sam. I used to work at Dr.Carr's office, Ga Cancer Specialists. I remember when Dr.Carr came to the front desk and told me to sit down because he had some awful news to tell me. I was thinking, what on earth could it be? He said that he just got off of the phone regarding a new consult and it was The Dr.Rakestraw! I knew right away who Dr.Rakestraw was, he had treated me in his office before for a couple of things. He was so nice, not like most other Dr.'s He had such a sweet and calming voice. The next day when he came in the office, I called him to the front desk very softly, "Dr.Rakestraw", because I was not sure if he wanted anyone to know he was a Dr. I was just keeping his best interest at hand. Then I asked if it was ok to call him Dr.Rakestraw and he said sure, I don't care. Well, I would always love to see him and Ms.Shirley come in. They were such a cute couple and always come in with smiles on their faces, even if they had just walked through the doors to an Oncology office. Dr.Rakestraw would come in, sign in and hand me his GM credit card for the copayment. We joked around about him only using that card because he said he was gonna get a car out of this situation. I would always enjoy it as he stood there and talked to me. He would always bring a smile to my face just by seeing his positive attitude through everything. And attitude has a lot to do with what outcome you are going to get. He never seemed to let anything get him down. I would watch the patients from time to time and always enjoyed seeing the way Dr.Rakestraw and Ms.Shirley interacted with eachother. They truly seemed to be in love. You could tell just by the way they cherished even the awful times of having to spend such long hours in our Oncology office. When Dr.Rakestraw had to start wearing oxygen fulltime, he came in and signed in. I could kind of sense that he wasn't his normal self. So, I asked him,"How are you doing, Dr.Rakestraw?" And I will never forget the sweet look on his face as he smiled and replied, "I've been better,Christie, but I am going to be ok." I smiled back at him and replied, "Yes, you are!" He said," this treatment has just gotten me this time, but not for long." I told him I would be praying for him and he will pull right through it! Needless to say, Dr.Rakestraw was one of my favorite patients! And Ms.Shirley will truly be blessed for the way she took such good care of her wonderful husband. I saw a lot of people come through those doors and a lot of them saw it as an inconvience to have to be there with their loved one. But, I never ever saw anything less than a beautiful smile and such a sweet spirit when I looked at Mrs.Rakestraw.I count it a true honor to have been blessed with the opportunity to have known the Rakestraw's. Thank you for letting me take the time to share with you my feelings about this wonderful and compassionate man. I look forward to seeing him in heaven. Family: Keep your eyes on Jesus and focus on His love. And Always remember, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. What a Wonderful Savior we serve! God Bless You! With Love, Christie Philyaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norme Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 I am in total shock. I missed this posting evidently. I have had Sam on my mind for a week. I was going to post a note to Sam to see how he was. thanks Christie for your loving post. I to will miss Sam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe B Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 Deepest sympathy extended to Sam's family & friends..... I was so comforted to hear about Dr Sam's faith. I am certain that he is in paradise with our Lord today... and the joy and comfort he now feels is beyond our understanding. So weep for the family & /or yourselves...but from what I understand Sam is in heaven now..... praise God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cbysea1 Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 I am praying for Sam as I type.God bless you family Cheryl_Child of God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam'swifeShirley Posted January 17, 2004 Author Share Posted January 17, 2004 I would like to share a few stories about Sam whom I've known for about 12 years. First, I'm a third grade teacher so my stories are good , but my spelling is not. I was here for most of Sam's treatment of which he got very tired of, but never gave up. The cancer was during most of my breaks. Sam married my mom 8 years ago. My mom, me(now35) and my brother(now37) so needed Sam because we were always so high strung. We let the least little thing bother us. But not Sam. He was so even and rational. He was so what our family needed, and we were what he needed. Sam was a jack of all trades. many times(I know personally, he stitched me up) he was a "personal physitian". My brother is in construction and he would bring his guys to see Sam when they didn't have insurance or money to pay for minor medical services.We were so lucky to have our own personal doctor. But did you know, he knew how to wire a new house for electricity? Well, he didn't till he read a book. Then he wired all of the electrical in the house my brother was building. He was so cool. He just loved learning no matter the subject. I'm trying to think of a funny story. My brother and I have so many. Sam could joke around much more with us(steps) than his oun kids. We were older and around more often. About 5 years ago my brother and his ex-wife got remarried again.(long story)Sam had his fathers truck (a 82 older Chevy or something). It was his fishing truck. My brother, his e-wife, my mom and Sam were going on a cruise for the marriage/honeymoon while my nephew and I stayed at home and took care of all of the animals. We also drove them to and from the airport. For a joke, we had two pieces of large posterboard on the outside doors of the truck written in bold "BUDWISER LIMOZINE SERVICE. WE JUST GET YOU THERE, BARELY!" Needless to say, boy were we a sight pulling up at the Atlanta airport with the luggage and some passengers (my brother and Sam) in the back of this old truck. Sam got such a kick out of this. But that was Sam. I have such fond memories. I wish I could type faster and had more time to share them all. I miss him so.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 What a beautiful tribute to such a great man. He will most definately be missed by many. Again I am so sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teresag Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 My sympathies to you and your family. I hope you can all take some comfort in knowing that Sam is still with you in many ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hope Posted January 19, 2004 Share Posted January 19, 2004 To Sam's Family: I hope you are still reading responses, I couldn't get on this board until tonight and read the sad news. I want you to know how sorry I am for you great loss. I only knew Sam through this board, and found him to be loving and caring. How much more he surely was in real life. He was always so helpful, even when going through treatment himself. God bless you as you walk through these days missing your wonderful grandfather, husband, father. Love, Hope Mom dx with sclc limited stage 0l-02 5 months chemo (carboplatin & etoposide), radiation, no pci Recurrance 06-03 found with follow up c/t, chemo (carboplatin & etoposide) began then stopped due to severe reaction 07-03 pet scan concurred ca in sternum 09-03 ct shows ca spread 09-03 Three 28-day cycles of cisplatinum & cpt-ll 12-03 some tumors responding, began 2 more 28 day cycles cisplatinum & cpt-ll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 19, 2004 Share Posted January 19, 2004 I did not know Sam as I am new to this board, but , I hope his family & friends find comfort in all these heartfelt messages that have been sent to them. My deepest sympathy to you all. I'm sure Sam's warmth will shine down on you all. Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 This posting may seem a bit late but it is still very heartfelt. I was off the boards for over a week, but whenever I get on, I always look to see if Sam has posted. When I first read of Sam's passing, I was too emotional to type. You see, I first found this place when my FIL was dealing with the option of PCI after finishing chest radiation. Sam's posts were so helpful because of his medical knowledge as well as his ability tp explain things in a way that you could understand. I remember sharing a post of his with my FIL on a day Sam had gone in to see patients while on the oxygen. We marveled at his generous nature in such a tough time of his life. Even though I 'knew' Sam only from reading his postings here, he is someone I greatly admired and cared about. He has been in my prayers, and now it will be his dear family in my prayers. I hope my father-in-law has come to know Sam in heaven because I think they would get along very well. I pray that they both continue to look down upon their loved ones, especially their wives as they persevere during this time. Sam was truly a blessing on this earth and will be missed. Karen M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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