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I don't remember how I first stumbled on David Welch's 38Lemon site sometime last spring, but I put him on my route.

At 38, this Fairfax, Va., mellophone player, elite drum corps alum and co-founder of a software company was diagnosed with an aggressive malignant brain tumor the size of a lemon, hence the site's name. He rigorously documented his surgeries, chemo, vital statistisics, activities, thoughts and memories; 38Lemon became a daily journal, a message base, a documentary about the disease, a touchstone for those newly diagnosed and searching for information; David also turned it into a foundation to fund research and education about brain cancer.

His medical story was told in July: David Welch's Journey: From Grand Mal Seizure and Brain Cancer to 38 Lemon.

In late summer, more tumors were discovered. Readers rooted for David's attempts to get into a promising clinical trial. Midway through the treatment, David's journal became stream of consciousness. Soon after, his posts stopped. Nov. 8, His older brother Mike broke the silence:

Alarmed at his condition when she saw him on Sunday, my mother called my father, and he immediately drove to her home to assist with David's care. During this past week, David has declined steadily, speaking less, having more difficulty getting words out when he does try to speak, and sleeping more. However, he was determined to vote. My parents drove him to the polls, armed with the Virginia statute which would have allowed her to fill out his ballot, but David was able to complete his paper ballot without assistance, and was adamant that he required none.

David's balance has become a little unsteady, and his gait has changed, so in light of these and other symptoms, it was no surprise when Dr. Fine said the MRI showed aggressive tumor progression. The scan was, in his words, "terrible." The tumor has crossed the midline, and is on both hemispheres of the brain, primarily in the frontal and temporal lobes, the corpus callosum and the corona radiata.

Mike dropped in from time to time to post photos of David at his mother's home, offering accounts of time he and others spent with David.

Wednesday, four years and 33 days after his first diagnosis, David died.

Blogger Tommy Ahati blogs the first obit: Cadet and friend David Welch Passes Away.

There's a hole in the Web where a strong voice used to be.

 Tags  brain cancer David Welch

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