David,

Remembering you on what would have been your birthday today. As I glanced through the wonderful photos that Barry has shared here, I know that I am truely blessed that our paths had crossed those many years ago. The photos show a man that was capable of great love for every living creature! 

Gone but not forgotten from a truly blessed friend.
Love
Deb Shea 

Gosh David, here it is many years later and my own need of a Speech Therapist took me on a journey to find my old friends from Desert Hospital. I was a dietitian there and gravitated to all the SLPs. How I wanted to reconnect with you, but my search has brought me to this page instead. My heart is heavy and it aches for you and Robert and your daughter Emily. Although with a little smile I remember when you first came to Desert, you didn't really know how to take me and my goofiness. But since I was firmly escounced with all the other SLPs, I guess I grew on you. We never missed a lunch together all of us. Oh how you used to tease me at my fear of birds because we always sat outside for lunch! And privately how you shared stories of your Emily. And yes, we did look after patients too! I will always remember that laugh and those beautiful eyes. No doubt they are shining down on your loved ones. Oh how I wish I had started this search sooner! I will choose to remember through my tears all those wonderful shared lunches! If you must know, I'm still afraid of birds! Your friend, Deb (Maynard) Ohlfs, RD

Celebrating my Daddyman's birthday today.  David Wells would have been 59.  For all of those who knew and loved him...we still miss him so very much.

I came across this card for his birthday...simple and elegant...all it has is a drawing of a seahorse.  I looked it up and quite frankly it describes a lot of David's character.  Take what you want from it...It goes like this...

Seahorse Meaning and Symbolism:

The symbolic meaning of seahorse is quite intricate and diverse as this little creature itself is full of surprises. he seahorse is quite a unique creature, and thought to have mystical significance among the Ancient Greeks, European (alchemists) and Asians.  The Ancient Greeks and Romans believed the seahorse was an attribute of the sea god Neptune/Poseidon and as such, the seahorse was considered a symbol of strength and power.  Further, the ancient Europeans believed that the seahorse carried the souls of deceased sailors to the underworld – giving them safe passage and protection until they met their soul's destination.  Chinese cultures believed that the seahorse was a type of sea dragon, and as such they were revered for their power and thought to be symbols of good luck.  Sailors have long viewed the seahorse as a good luck charm too.  Symbolic meaning of Seahorses carries the following significances...

Symbolic Seahorse Meaning Patience Protection Perspective Inflexibility Persistence Friendliness Contentment High-Perception Generosity/Sharing

A relatively calm, and mild-mannered creature, the seahorse is seemingly content to roam the seas. Their bodies are geared for ambling-type motion – not for speed. Thus, they are symbolic of patience and contentment - they are happy with being where they are, and are in no hurry for advancement. Further testimony to these attributes is the lack of evolution of the seahorse's body style. They have remained with this body style without change since their inception. Content to be who they are, and not feeling the need to change - these are a few profound lessons the seahorse provides us.

However, along with a resistance to change, and a care- free approach to progress, the seahorse can be a symbol of inflexibility or stubbornness. To wit, the seahorse wraps its tail around the nearest object in order to anchor itself in turbulent waters. This is a lesson to be persistent in our goals, but be mindful that we are not too inflexible or stubborn in our achieving them. A unique aspect of the seahorse is that the male is impreg- nated by the female and carries the offspring to term. This is a message of sharing the load in the home, and gaining perspective of both sides (genders) of an argument or situation. 

The seahorse has a boney exoskeleton which is a message of protection. Often when the seahorse comes to us it is a sign that we either need protection from our external circumstances, or we are building walls that aren't needed. Their armor-bodies are a sign that sometimes we might need to let our guard down - or perhaps we are leaving ourselves too open to get hurt.

Lastly among the long list of symbolic meaning of the sea- horse and its lessons is the idea of perception. The eye- sight of the seahorse is incredibly sharp, and each eye moves independently. We take this as a symbolic message of perception and awareness of those around us and our situations. When we are lost or confused, the seahorse asks us to take a good look around - not just with our physical eyes but with our spiritual eyes in order to get a better perspective of the situations.

LOVEYOUMISSYOUALWAYSANDALWAYS

I wanted to start a list of places that were significant to David and I .  I am dating them based on when I left memories of him.

If you ever want to "visit" David, you can be sure his spirit will be at the following landmarks...

February 28, 2014 - Internment at Ascension Cemetary , Lake Forest California
http://www.occem.org/cemetery-locations/ascension-lake-forest

March 16, 2014 - Desert Riders Park, Palm Springs California
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=96561


....I will add to this posting as I make my way to these very, very special  locations...  

I took this before we had to check into the hospital.  I wanted to ask everyone who knows David and I to share some hope and love and strength to help him in his battle with lymphoma. 

His chemo started today and we are confident that the outcome will be positive over the next two weeks.  It will be a difficult two weeks and this is the time we really need your good vibes to come his way. 

Thank you all so much

Facebook Post 1.2.14

First and foremost I want to wish everyone a great 2014...I know that is what David and I am hoping for.  We have been at Eisenhower Hospital since December 6th (except for 28th-30th) trying like hell to turn his illusive cancer back around... to recovery.

 He has been quite the WARRIOR through all of this.  It amazes me to watch him persevere through an insane amount of testing, poking, prodding, injecting, CAT scanning, x-raying, ultra sounding, pills, ointments and IV drips of all kinds.  We affectionately called his IV pole the Christmas Tree of Life (see attached)...at one time it had 6 IV's running at one time.

There have been times where all of the treatments along with everyone's hopes and prayers, the incredible Oncology staff on the third floor at Eisenhower Hospital working their butts off as well as Dr. Amy Law's being our General in this War doing their dead level best to kick this thing...we still almost lost him several times in the last month.  BUT HE DID NOT GIVE IN OR GIVE UP.

I wanted to save the best for last in this communication... His CAT scan from December 18th compared to yesterday's showed the tumor has reduced in size.  The replication rate has decreased as well.  The "U turn" could not have been better news.  A lot of work ahead, but hope is not lost.

I felt it necessary to REALLY thank all of your well wishes and positive energy...it DID and it DOES make a difference...please know that. In closing (for now) we will still take each day hour to hour...and will be looking to stack those hours into days and days in to weeks and weeks in to months...we could not have done it without all of the support.  

 

  HAPPY VALENTINES my very special man. 

David, it has only been a week but it feels like an eternity since I looked into those big, beautiful eyes.  I will close with one of my favorite lines we used on texts...

"missyouloveyouneedyou..."

Love always and forever...Your Big Man

My incredible partner left this world at 2:55 a.m. today. David Wells lost his courageous battle with Non-Hodgkin Burkitts Lymphoma. I know the world is not a better place without this man. He was mannered, gentle, loving and a true warrior who went through this 7 month ordeal without complaining or feeling sorry for himself. He tried everything possible thrown at him; regardless of how painful.

David and I were both flattered and floored each time I posted his battle with cancer on FB. The outpouring of love and support was both therapeutic and nourishing to our souls.

One doesn't really get over something or someone like this; however the price we paid to have each other for six and half years was worth going through today's very difficult ending.

I will be posting plans for a celebration of his life within the month. In the meantime give your partner/spouse/husband/wife/bf/gf a good long look of love...often! That is what kept us going during this ordeal; I promise you it will strengthen your bond and ability to handle anything put before you.

In closing, David's last wish for everyone was "live your dreams".....

This is not the end... 

My list started out as 10 then over a time frame of several days it grew to 35...I had to stop because I know you would have said..."how excessive...".


Where do I begin???

Rosebuds and Kisses
As was the case early on our dates consisted of alternating weekends between Palm Springs and Los Angeles.  One Friday afternoon I drove in to Palm Springs to spend the weekend with him.  When I walked into his condo, there was a trail of probably 30 small shot glasses with a red rose bud in each.  The trail led from the front door to the bedroom.  The bed was covered in hundreds of Hershey's kisses.  He was so proud of himself to have created such a lasting, loving token of new love; however it was the look on his face and how he looked at me that evening that REALLY is etched in my mind forever.

Nosebleed
One of David's many positive attributes was "grace under pressure".  That could have not been more evident that almost exactly a year ago I blew a blood vessel behind my right eye and nasal cavity.  What started out as a nose bleed blossomed into a constant flow of blood out of my nose and mouth for almost 9 hours.  There was a point in the emergency room when
 I thought I was gonna die, and I almost did...but I looked over in the doorway while 5 staff members were working on me and there he was...big, handsome, with those blue eyes giving me a look that everything was going to be ok...THAT is what gave me comfort and made me feel secure.  I am pretty sure that is one of the reasons so many people love and adore David...his calm, inner strength.


STILL WORKING ON IT
      
Ring on my finger beverly center...then back on trip to eisenhower
Chocolate ice cream
Boat trip austin
Baked potatoe tooth removal
Clean house - stocked fridge
Bedspread suprise
Love someone so much
Your eyes from start to finish
Waiting on the couch
Moving to LA
Marvel at my pics
Ginger, bugs...pantomime
Holiday decorations
X rated texts - stenographer
Folsom
Bay area trips
Iml
Courage Warrior
Your warm hands
Worry about me/job
Eye for style
Wouldnt let me near an adoption kennel
Emily graduation
Send off
Emoticons
Vancouver davey street
Gilda's house
Consignment store
Valentine card David attributes
Big shoes
Offering speech therapy from your room
My teeth
Quit smoking