Monday, December 8, 2008

Rest in peace Ben

(Monday December 8th, 6pm)

This afternoon Ben went to be with his Lord. After a short six month battle with NK cell lymphoma Ben has gone to a better place. As he said, he'll be fine but it's deeply sad for the rest of us. (Not quite Ben's words...)

Even after being put into an induced coma and intubated yesterday his body progressively lost its ability to function. By this afternoon, he was on drugs for his blood pressure and the respirator was breathing for him on 100% oxygen. Even so his lungs were not functioning enough to supply his body. He died peacefully without pain or discomfort at about 3.30 this afternoon.

We will write more later, but in the meantime: Thank you so much to everyone who has cared and prayed and sent messages in the last few months for Ben as he fought the good fight.

Funeral details are on the left of this page.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away."
Revelation 21:4

27 comments:

Renea said...

Chris, Lindy & Family,

I was so saddened to hear the news of Ben's passing.

It is with such a heavy heart that I say that it was a pleasure to help look after Ben during his battle over the last couple of months.

Even when he was feeling his worst, he always managed a smile or a "grunt" of appreciation (when he was asleep, and we would wake him up!)

It was so lovely to see how much he was obviously loved by his family & friends. May you all provide the same love & support for each other in this difficult time.

Renea

Unknown said...

Never forget you amigo...

Suz said...

So very sorry to hear your news - you guys have certainly been in all our thoughts and prayers and we feel so privileged to have been able to read about the incredible journey you have been on with your precious wonderful Ben. With our love Sue et al.

Marina said...

Chris, Lindy and family,
I am so devastated to hear that Ben has died. All of the Slifirski family have followed this blog very closely and have felt your suffering keenly. The Mulherins have always felt like family. I am sending you all my love.
Marina Slifirski

99% Male said...

My heart goes out to you all. It was a privilidge to have met you.
John 11:35

Judy said...

My dears, I'm so, so very sorry. We will all carry Ben in our hearts forever. Hugs all round, Judy, Greg and Tom

Baby Carnivore said...

xo

Michelle said...

Dear Chris, Lindy and family
My name is Michelle and I go to 11 at St Jude's.
I didn't know Ben - but like so many others I've prayed for him and you, his family - during the ups and downs of the last months.
I am so sorry for your loss today.
Please know, that I along with all those reading this blog, will keep upholding you before our Lord for comfort each and every hour and day.
May Ben's shepherd and your shepherd walk close by you - always.
m xo

GAYNOR RIDLEY said...

Dear Chris & Lindy and your boys,
With a heavy heart we say how sad we are to have just discovered this blog and to read this news. Ben has joined the saints which include a brother of mine (R) who at 21 lost his battle to a sarcoma.
The miracle we wait for is not the release of our loss but what God will do with our broken lives in the days, weeks and years ahead.
With our love, thoughts and prayers.
Roger & Gaynor (Germany)

Paul Barker said...

The people of Holy Trinity Doncaster assure you of our love and continued prayers. We are sad and grieve with you. We give thanks for Ben's life, his witness to the resurrection hope and we pray that the God of all comfort will sustain, strengthen, and console you all. Grace and peace and love in Him.
Paul Barker

Unknown said...

Estamos muy apendados por la partida de Ben.Vamos a estar en contacto con Timoteo Pedro Andrés y Mateo para acompañarlos y apoyarlos en estos momentos tan dificiles.
Desde aquí vamos a celebrar una misa para orar por el descanso de su alma y para encontrar un poco de consuelo a esta inesperada partida.
Ana, Santiago y Enrique

Unknown said...

Queridos Cris, Lindy y familia: Seguimos orando por ustedes. Que el Señor les de fortaleza y paz. Lloramos con ustedes y nos aferramos a la esperanza futura --- Jorge y Vivi Olivares

Mif said...

Im so sorry i have been following this closely. Ben was such an amazing guy and encouragement to everyone! Jesus was at the centre of his life.

Unknown said...

Tuyo es mi corazón
Y buscando el tuyo estoy
Úsame y guíame Señor

Tuyo es mi corazón
Y buscando el tuyo estoy
Moldéame a Tuimagen oh, Señor

Yo te alabo Dios
Te alabo Dios
Y cantare de este amor
Cantare de este amor
Tu rostro muéstrame
Muéstrame

Meg said...

Thankyou Lord for giving us the gift of Ben for that, all too short time, and thankyou for all of Ben's loved ones who were so generous in sharing their love and support with Ben and his family.

jafar said...

Chris, Lindy, and the fam
My deepest condolences. I don't know what more to say, he's with God now.

Sergio !! said...

Chris, Lindy, Tim, Pedro, Andres y Mateo, mi familia y yo estamos muy dolidos por lo que sucedió, les enviamos desde aqui un gran abrazo y los acompanamos en este profundo dolor...Estamos orando por ustedes...Los amamos y vamos a extranar mucho a Benjamín y no hace falta decir que nunca lo vamos a olvidar

Unknown said...

Didn't sleep too well last night - sad and upset. Our hearts go out to you. Thanks so much for posting this page, we have been reading it daily and praying for you daily. We will keep on praying... With much love in Him, Chris & Jeni Mitchell

Leoskater said...

Hola Timo y familia, bueno, la verdad que recien me avisa Luis, estoy hace dias estudiando lejos de la pc, y bueno, darme con la noticia me ha dolido mucho y me dirigi de inmediato al blog, mi mas sincero pesame, lo siento muy, siempre aprecie a Ben a pesar de nuestras diferencias pero siempre nos llevamos bien, fue un gran amigo, y nunca que vino aqui lo deje de ir a ver, le duele mucho su partida pero se que es para mejor y va a estar en paz, lo voy a extrañar muchisimo, no tengo muchas mas palabras pero estoy con uds y lo voy a llevar por siempre dentro de mi corazon, fuerza familia Mulherin, desde aqui los apayo y les doy mi fuerza, esto sera con Ben, no un adios, sino un hasta que nos encontremos allá, mi calido saludo a uds, espero saber pronto mas de sus noticias, su amigo, Leo.

Unknown said...

I am so thankful to God for the courage and humour and lack of bitterness with which you have all faced this tragedy. "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1: 21). I weep with you, yet we do not grieve as those who have no hope ...

Love, Fiona McLean

SS said...

I know that the Lord will work as powerfully through Ben's death as He has through his life.

Sally Zhao

Meg said...

A number of the Top End Mob have decided to donate to the Leukemia Foundation in Ben's name. If you are interested...
http://www.leukaemia.org.au/web/howtohelp/donation_inmemory.php

gifford said...

Dear Mulherin Family

We grieve with you on the earthly death of Ben. Although we know "death has no sting" we long for the day when God "will wipe away all tears... of mourning".

with love
Andrew, Dominique, Alec, Amelie Darcey Gifford

Dad and Mum said...

Dear Chris and Lindy, Tim, Andy, Pete and Matt, we grieve with you over the passing of your brave son and brother to the Lord's presence in heaven. We bring you our loving Christian sympathy and pray that God will give you His sustaining grace and comfort. Thank you for sharing with us the anguish and joys along the way of Ben's illness. Keep close to Jesus, and we will too. In Jesus' family, Hugh and Dorothy

Malcolm Reed said...

Hi Chris, Lindy, Tim, Andy, Pete and Matt,

Just to say that you are surrounded by the love and prayers of the whole CMS family.
At B C on Monday night you were very much in our thoughts and prayers.
We give thanks for Ben, his life, his amazing personality, faith and courage.
We believe we will all be together again one day, but now we share in your grief and sorrow, and pray that in some way our love and support may help you all.

Katrina said...

Dear Chris, Lindy and Family,

I am so sorry to hear of Ben's passing.

I came to work today hoping to see him back on the ward, enjoying the single room he requested last week. Instead I was told of the sad news.

It has been an honour to get to know Ben and you, his family and friends over the last few months. As Renea said, Ben was always a pleasure to nurse. His courage and strength thoughout his battle is to be admired.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

With love, Katrina

... said...

Querida familia de Ben,

os acompaño en el sentimiento y hago una oración por vuestro querido Ben.

Soy Clara, la amiga española de Javier a quien Christopher envío un e-mail hace un mes. Siento no haberos contestado pero he tenido situaciones difíciles aquí y me estoy volviendo a España antes de lo previsto, la semana próxima.

Siento mucho la pérdida de Ben en la tierra; es el Señor quien lo gana.

Un abrazo lleno de amor de Dios.
Hago una oración por Ben.

Clara María Martínez Cazallas
cazallas_clara@yahoo.fr