About Lugnut -- Patrick Malone


Many of us have come to know Patrick Malone (Lugnut) as a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and kind individual. He is a frequent and enthusiastic contributor to our analog discussion forum. He has initiated only 17 threads, but responded to 559 threads. I would guess that many, if not most, of us can recall a time when Pat replied with helpful advice to a question we posted or helped us track down a rare recording. I have come to love Pat as a friend, and to respect him as a man, and I suspect many of you share those feelings.

Today I write to share difficult news with you. Pat has been diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer. It has yet to be determined whether surgery will even be worth it. If surgery is performed, most or all of the stomach will be removed, and Pat would face a difficult and long post-op period in the hospital. The medical course is still uncertain, but will be determined soon. Whatever is decided, it will not be easy or pleasant.

Something may be planned in the future to assist the family. For now, Pat could use some of the friendship he so often and willingly showed us. You can email Pat at: lugnut50@msn.com. You can also mail cards, letters ... or whatever. You may email me for Pat's mailing address. My email is: pfrumkin1@comcast.net.

I hope to spend a few days with Pat in Idaho or Nebraska (from which he hails) soon. Between this news, my legal work, getting ready for family arriving for the holidays, Audio Intelligent, and trying to make plans to visit Pat, my head is spinning. If you email me and I don't respond, please understand that I am not ignoring you, but rather simply do not have time to reply.

Pat may or may not have time to respond to posts here, to emails, or to cards mailed to him. But he has asked me to convey to each and every one of you that he has cherished your friendship, your comradery, and sharing our common hobby on this great website.

As we prepare for our holiday season celebrations, and look forward to -- as we should -- enjoying this time of year, I ask that you keep Pat and his family in mind ... and softly offer up, in quiet moments in the still of night and early morning, prayers for Pat and his family. God bless.

Warmest regards to all,
Paul Frumkin
paul_frumkin
Smokester,

Very good question. I have a list of near range needs I know she'll have but for the most part I can't imagine this group being able to help. If the roles were reversed I could (and would) request my friends come over occasionally to cook and clean so that I could tend to my wife. In this case she doesn't have the depth of good friends to call on like I do. Besides, she probably wouldn't ask. It's just not her. I'm planning to contact her family and request that they come in shifts to lighten her load. None of them live close but they can do this without any hardship being placed upon them. I'm pretty sure they will rise to the occassion. My sister will probably come but I can't expect that of her. Her husband's company is closing the location where he works on Jan. 1.

For this group I ask you to send her a card individually after I'm gone. I'd hope that you would stand by her if she needed advice about a system problem or the like. She's very good at operation of things but doesn't have a clue otherwise. She could keep these cards and refer to them when she needs the help. Something as simple as packing the turntable in the original boxes is a perfect example should she decide to move. The fact the system has Aktiv crossovers within the power amps is another example if she needed to hook things back up after painting the room. Small things, but overwhelming to her I'm sure.

I don't expect anyone to do this but if you do, please be committed to following through. I know she would be quite sensitive if a year or two down the road it was inconvenient. (Now I feel like I'm a jerk for saying this-you guys are so great) I've had a couple of incidents this year where I was truly counting on some help that was repeatedly and freely offered only to be left high and dry. I'd just like to save her any such emotional turmoil.

I'd be lost running this place if she were gone. Man, in this case I'd be quite happy to find out that I wasn't needed. Can you drop by and sharpen my lawnmower blade a couple times per year and change the oil? LOL. The address is in this thread but feel free to drop me an email and I'll forward it to you. Thanks for asking and if I think of something else I'll post it.

Steve, thanks for your thoughts. I have so many grown men tell me they love me! I know it's true. A great gift that costs nothing to give. My greetings to Joe. If he's an audiophile maybe we'll meet up soon and listen to real music. I expect that to be the case.

Newmanoc, I'm sure I'll share the details. For now, with the help of oxycontin, I don't have any real pain except for the really short, mysterious ones. I have a lot of discomfort that's nagging me almost constantly. I can handle this just fine but I realize I clinch my jaws a lot. It kind of pisses me off more than anything else.

Hey, as far as favors....you guys can stop by anytime and flip these darn records for me so I can just plant my lazy butt in the sweet spot. Har har.
Barb,

I know you have been the strength behind Pat's grace, and I know how you have grown from your role. I say I know, when of course I have no real experience other than watching my wife live for eight years through many nights where she and I wondered if this was it. I generally ended up in the emergency room, but more often lately, we simply ride it out.

The point is my wife has grown into the most incredible person I know. She continues to share her fears and sadness, but way above that she continues to laugh. Countless times over the years we had two options, one was to laugh and accept the futility of the situation, the other choice was to cry and fall into an abyss of darkness. far too often I hear people say how amazing she is. (of course I am jealous of the attention and wonder why they don't see me, I'm kidding, she deserves all the accolades as do you)

My wife, as with you have kept seeing the good in the day. I know you have the tools to move forward, but I hope you will allow Pat's friends here at Audiogon be a part of that journey. I think the people you and Pat have met through this thread are something much deeper than simply audio geeks. The two of you have reached out with your love, and our souls have recognized this love. Please allow us to continue share and grow with you.

Oh yea, your still here aren't you Pat? Damn! I thought a little opening of my heart could lead to some flirting and...

Sorry I forgot you were still...

But one last thought, for those of us who would like to share our thoughts and love with Barb, I wonder if you would be comfortable posting your address, or is it best to keep that off line?

I love you two, your amazing!!!

JD

Thanks Albert for your post above, you showed me a different side of you.