[jrussell]

Friends,
I just got off the phone with Matt Flesher, Dick's oldest son. Dick is back in Medical City, being admitted last Tuesday. Yesterday, they moved him back to the CCU Ward so they can monitor his vital signs.
Dick had been doing well, and his family had taken him to the last Cowboys preseason game at Texas Stadium. At some point, Dick contracted Encephalitis, and as it took hold, they took him back in. Because of his weakened state caused by the cancer, radiation and Chemo, Dick has been unable to fight off this viral infection and is currently in a coma and is not in any pain. His family feels that he knows they are with him and he still responds to painful stimuli, but Matt and Barbara took care of his final arrangements yesterday.
This is not a message I was prepared to send, but your prayers for peace are most likely in order.
I will post again when the next phone call comes but I feel it will be sooner than I want.
Respectfully,
John Russell