Over the past three years, three friends have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The first of these passed away, after a truly gallant fight, this past June, leaving a wife and two sons.

Saturday, the second one committed suicide. He and I met through our local cycling club in 2006. We did the Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee together in 2007 and 2008. At the 2007 BRAT, he was seemingly well but was diagnosed just two months later with a large, virtually inoperable tumor that had probably been there for some time.

I struggled with how best to help him. He had some serious emotional issues even before his diagnosis, which he shared with me during BRAT. I told him how helpful therapy had been for me and encouraged him to talk to someone. He did, and I believe he was making progress before his diagnosis. Then he fell to pieces. He started drinking a lot and about a year after his diagnosis, his wife of 23 years left him. I try hard not to judge her for that decision, as it seemed that between his depression and drinking, he may have been very toxic. Still, I felt very sorry for him. Divorce is hard enough as it is without adding a terminal illness into the mix.

I begged him to get some help, but I'm not sure he did--at least for any length of time. As the months went by, he seemed more and more lost and adrift. I felt completely ill-equipped to do anything more than refer him to my therapist. When I got the call from his best friend (and another cyclist), I knew what he was going to tell me; it came as no surprise. Still, the thought of him so sad and alone is going to haunt me for some time. Another friend of ours just informed me that Saturday was his birthday.

I have never been truly ill, so I am also in no position to judge his decision to take his own life. Perhaps I would do the same thing. In any event, it pains me to think of him--or anybody--in that kind of emotional distress. I hope and pray that his soul finds peace.

Thank you for "listening."