Tuesday, November 11, 2008

There's no place like home.

Last night, our family brought Geoffrey home from the rehabilitation center and a hospice service is now in place. This was an extremely difficult decision to make, but we know that Geoffrey would not want to live in a vegetative state for the rest of his life. The physicians and nurses expect this process to take anywhere between three days and two weeks. In the meantime, we are making every effort to keep Geoffrey comfortable.

Please feel free to pass this news on to whomever you wish. At this time, however, our family would appreciate no phone calls or visits. We just want to be together as a family.

By the way, Joel and Ann Marie set up a page to share photos of all the good times we had with Geoff. So, if you have any photos you would like to share, upload them to the following site.
www.shutterfly.com
login: geoff_rau@yahoo.com
password: pictures

23 comments:

keli said...

You're a very brave family. I'm so terribly sorry all this has happened and am sending caring thoughts from over on Bruckner Circle.

I know you actually left us weeks ago, but goodbye, Geoff. I really wish you'd stuck around longer.

Unknown said...

Geoff,

I love you man. You mean the world to me. Your charisma and charm made you loved by everyone, and as great as these qualities are, it was your loyalty as a friend that truly set you apart. It was an honor spending four years with you. After meeting your family recently I can see where you get your amazing qualities from. You certainly left a lasting mark on this world Geoff.

eunicious said...

to geoff's family,

i'm so sad to hear of your loss and of this difficult decision you had to make. i will pray for a quiet and comfortable end for geoff. it saddens me so much to hear of geoff's last few weeks, esp since the geoff I knew for the 1 year at NIH was so jovial and fun-loving. I just cannot connect the two different geoff's.
May God's peace that surpasses all understanding be with you guys as you guys deal with an enormously difficult time in your lives.

geoff, i'm so sad to see you go...

eunice

Knucklez said...

You are loved, Geoff. The people with the biggest hearts are loved the most. I know you'll be looking out for us.

Elizabeth said...

To Geoff's family,
Please know that Mike and I are thinking of you and Geoff at this difficult time. We know he has felt all the love that has poured in from all his friends and family over the past few weeks. We will continue to pray for you and for him.

Geoff, you'll never be forgotten in our hearts or minds. You touched many people and we are so lucky to have spent four years in school with you. Thank you for being a part of our lives.

Liz and Mike Malinzak

Leanne said...

Walt, Carol, and Mike
My thoughts and prayers go out to and for you. Geoff has been so lucky to have such a warm and caring family. It is truly a testament to your love that you are willing to respect his wishes.

Geoff,
You became a part of my family and have been so loved. We will miss you but we will never forget the amazing person you were. You have touched each of us with your warmth, grace, and humor. Each of us sends you our love. You will always be a part of our family in our hearts and minds. True wanted me to tell you to make sure you make the angels laugh as you made him laugh. Its hard to say good-bye......
Leanne

Anonymous said...

Geoff,
I've known you ever since we were weeeee little munchkins at Springer School Super Stars. I remember how I thought you were so cute and so sweet...and so smart too! But the best part about you, Geoff..your heart.

I remember my last memory with you was when we were all down south for Bill's wedding reception having a great ol' time with the Springer crew. :) I will certainly treasure the times I had with you both in my childhood and my adult life. You are loved by so many and will be so dearly missed.
Goodbye old friend...
love always, Natalie

Alex said...

Geoff,

I am so utterly lost with this news. How can the world be okay without someone as beautiful as you? You are forever in our thoughts and hearts. You are loved more than you know.

Alex

Carol Raymond said...

Dear Ms. Raymond,

I am so very deeply grieved by this news. We here at the NIMH grew very
fond of Geoff. Frankly, his potential was easy to see. I always found
him such a pleasant person to be around, and it's very special when
someone has both Geoff's talent and brains, and a lovely personality to
boot. That combination is rather uncommon, and something we cherish in
a colleague. I experience this loss both personally and as a loss to our
field...to Geoff's future patients.

I am sure that your grief is unfathomable. My fondest wish would be to
be able to assuage it in some small way. Certainly you can know that
Geoff made an impact here, and will be remembered fondly by those who
worked with him.

I'm taking the liberty of attaching the letter of recommendation I wrote
last year to support Geoff's residency application. Though of course it
is written in formal recommendation-speak, I hope that what comes
through for you is the affection and respect that I and all of us here
have for Geoff.

I will pass this very sad news on to the others. Please do keep me
apprised of future events. And please pass on our deepest condolences to
the other members of the family.

You, your family, and Geoff are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ellen

Ellen Leibenluft, MD

Chief, Section on Bipolar Spectrum Disorders

Emotion and Development Branch

Mood and Anxiety Program

National Institute of Mental Health

Building 15K, MSC-2670

Bethesda, MD 20892-2670

megantoby said...

Geoff,

You are breaking my heart. I have never forgotten your Emersonian gift to me in Vosovic's class and I won't. It's one of my nicest memories.

Kana said...

Geoff, we will never forget you. You've touched so many of us with your giving heart...It's so hard to say good bye.

Carol, Walt, and Mike, my thoughts are with you. I never imagined something like this could happen. Thank you for giving all of us the chance to share a bit of our lives with someone as wonderful as your son and brother.

maxthedog said...

Dear Geoff's family,

I've been following Geoff's progress since I found out about his hospitalization several weeks ago.

Geoff and I worked together at UCSF. Although we only worked together for a month, he gave me a gift when I left my job, a flask to carry on my travels backpacking through Europe. As so many people have mentioned on this site, Geoff was genuinely a kind, generous person. A rare soul who could not wrong another person.

We kept in touch over the years. When I applied to med school and interviewed at Duke, he let me crash at his place and even dropped me off at the airport early in the morning after staying up until 3am.

Geoff, I'm going to miss you. I'm praying for you and your family.

I'm sorry for your loss.
-Matt Mori
mattmori@gmail.com

Robby said...

Geoff,
So terribly sorry hear that the recovery we have all been praying for just wasn't meant to be. Its truely a tragedy to have to say goodbye to such a great person. Your easygoing attitude, unwaivering loyalty and encouragement, and constant spring of good cheer will be deeply missed. Of course you will have left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privelege to know you and your spirit will continue to live in all of us.

I admire your family's strength in circumstances worse than I can begin to imagine and wish you all the best.

I'll miss you Geoff, but you certainly won't be lost or forgotten. Take care.

Unknown said...

To Geoff's Family,
I met Geoff through Marco while they were living in San Francisco. My fondest memory of Geoff was when we went for a 5 mile run around Lake Merced. I learned that not only was he a great pacer, someone like Geoff is rare to come by. Your son, your brother, is a good person with a benevolent heart; funny, intelligent, always wanting to help; a loyal friend.
Marco would often give me updates of how Geoff was doing over the years. Regardless of the distance, I knew how important and strong their friendship was.
It disheartens me to learn of the sad news. It hurts. He is so loved. I will miss him dearly.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

With warm regards,
Doris

Joe said...

Dear Geoff's family,

I am one of Geoff's classmates from Duke. Be assured that I and so many of my family members are praying for all of you.

Geoff will continue to be with us through the love he so generously shared with all of us who are blessed to know him.

Sincerely yours,

Joe Eble

Unknown said...

I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about your family more and more each day, especially as Thanksgiving approaches. The holidays that I spent with you were some of my fondest.

Much love,
Keith

Unknown said...

To Geoff's family,

I knew Geoff back at the NIH and even though I don't personally know any of you, my heart goes out to you during this difficult time. It's hard beyond words to say goodbye to someone you all love so dearly. Take care all of you - here's wishing you strength, peace, and more precious moments with your Geoff.

Anonymous said...

Geoff,
It hurts that things are not going the way that we have all been praying for. You deserve so much and it's hard to make sense of any of this. I feel very blessed to have been your friend and study buddy during med school. You always made me laugh and were always there for me, and I wanted to do the same for you. I love you Geoff. You will continue to be in my prayers.

Love Always,
Shyla

Dr. D said...

Geoff,
Even as I contemplated possible outcomes, and even after having spoken to your father, I hoped that you would return to us all. You are a gifted and compassionate person. I hope that your journey is one filled with grace, peace and beauty.

My prayers are with you, parents and family.

Del Wigfall

Leanne said...

Dear Walt, Carol, Mike, and all of Geoff's family:

My family and I continue to send our prayers for each of you. Your grace, bravery, and determination to do what is best for Geoff humbles us. We pray for you to be provided with comfort and peace in your hearts and minds. I'm sure that you have so many others offering you help in any way needed but I'd like to add in my offer. If there is ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Leanne

moochachazoe said...

Dear Carol, Walt and Michael,

My heart goes out to you and to Geoff. I am so deeply sad to hear that Geoff has not been progressing towards recovery. It must have been terribly difficult to make the decision to bring him home, but I believe he's comforted by your loving, peaceful circle in his own home.

You know, I think, how I wished and prayed that he would have a different course. I can only imagine what you all are feeling.

Please let Geoff know that he's always in my thoughts and that I am with him in spirit. I won't call you now, but please call me if you'd like.
Please take care during this terribly difficult time.

Sincerely, Jillian

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to let you all know I am thinking of you and Geoff ever day. I feel very lucky and blessed to know him. This just breaks my heart and wish this wasn't happening.

My family and I will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers...

Sincerely,
Natalie

Tania said...

Dear Carol and Walt,

I found out from Victor the shocking news about Geoff's brain injury, which turned his and your lives upside down. I remember how proud your were of Geoff attending one of the best medical schools. You are the most warm and caring people I have ever known, and my heart is so heavy with sadness and deepest sorrow. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family,

Tania