Topic: RIP Carl van Riel (Sir Harvest Fields) 17/11/17- RAWKs JustGiving Xmas Miracle!

[24/7]

***EDIT - JUSTGIVING LINK HERE! https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ripcarlvanriel***

Morning everyone.
I’m sorry to tell you all that my little brother passed away at 330 this morning. I have no more words. I am simply heartbroken. X

Many of you will know of our very own Sir Harvest Fields, or Carl to some, and many will also be aware from the Alcohol Issues thread he started some years ago that he faces serious health problems as a result.

Some of you will have seen the news shared by Mediocre Baron Bennekov that Carl's condition has taken a serious turn for the worse.

At RAWK we like to look after our own and, when adversity strikes, we know we can depend on each other to offer support.

So that's what we're asking for now - messages of support, well-wishing and of course the usual degree of banter and piss-taking (whilst remaining sensitive to the severity of the situation).

How severe is it? Well, very. We cannot and should not sugar-coat this. In the words of Carl's sisters, via Bennekov:

This one is difficult for me to post so I’ll just copy/paste Carl’s sister’s message to me:

“Ok. I really do not know where to start. I will try to avoid war and peace but there is a lot to digest.

Carl has end stage liver failure. Acute Cirrhosis I believe the term is.

He is being pumped full of antibiotics to prevent peritonitis (sepsis) as this alone can be life threatening.

The meeting I had with his doctor was pretty unpleasant. In a nutshell he is not a suitable candidate for a liver transplant. Which pretty much is the only thing that could help.

a) because his body is in such a bad way and his overall health is questionable they cannot risk the operation as they do not think he will survive it due to the potential difficulties that may arise as they won't be operating on a strong healthy individual.
b) Even if they felt the chances of Carl surviving the op were average/good they would look at his aftercare once he leaves 'medical support'

Carl's history of alcohol related hospital admissions are a factor. I saw his file . It's embarrassingly thick. They do not feel Carl would follow a strict regime of lifelong medication to protect the new liver or adopt a healthy alcohol free lifestyle.

The panel has discussed this and I do not think family or even Carl can overturn that decision.

They are concerned about Carl's mental capacity and cannot discuss his health or care, which is why they have asked us to consider DNR in the event his body goes into shock, which I guess is what they are expecting.

This is all a bit surreal and to be honest I cannot take it in.

I subsequently went to see Carl and as best I could I explained what the doctor discussed but not the subject of DNR. He was lucid. He's been an arse refusing meds and I bollocked him and then I'm afraid I gave it to him all barrels.

After delivering a very blunt summary of Carl's life and reminding him of his recent statement of 'why won't you just leave me alone to die' I asked him if that is really what he wanted. I told him if it was then he was so close to getting his wish he only had to wait a while.

He told me he does not want to die, he told me he was scared and he wanted another chance,  a fresh start....he wants to be put on a transplant list. I have explained to him the doctors views. He still wants the chance.

I left telling him to do what ever it took to get his current health threat under control, to take his medication and not be a dick. I told him I would be back again tomorrow and that we would pick up from there.

Now, how do I tell my brother that this is it? 

He looked a scared tragic little boy who was lost. After all these years I actually think he's just realised that he's made some catastrophic choices and knows there are no more chances for him.

If the hospital has got him medically stable they anticipate that he will go into palliative care where he will be kept free from infection and pain until the body naturally gives up.

He's 43.........”

Ok this is not looking good at all. Latest update on Carl - again it’s copy/paste from his other sister:

“They explained that because of how bad he is, he could at any time “bleed out “ from his back passage/stomach fluid will leak into his body etc. If this happens he would end up in itu with a tube where he could be there for months, have brain damage and may not survive anyway.

Basically what they’re asking us is “should this happen do we resuscitate and he goes to itu or not.”

If he doesn’t go into shock, they are talking about palliative care , in a special unit. I asked if all the tests they run every day are showing improvement or not. He said no, worse. He has something called hepatic encephalopathy which is worsening. He has a build up of ammonia which is a major cause for concern too.”

Just to make one thing clear: I’m posting these updates in full agreement with Carl’s sisters and I’m not posting anything they haven’t given their blessing.

It's incredibly hard to know how to respond to something like this - but we would like you to to try. We received a request to dedicate a thread that can be addressed to Carl specifically, to give him encouragement, to let him know we care and also to give him Reasons To Smile.

To kick that off, here's an image I asked to be created, courtesy of our very own Capon Debaser (who else?!You gotta love RAWK for teamwork eh?, that we believe will raise a smile anywhere.

Carl, we know you love LFC and kittens!!!!!!!



Any further pictorial contributions are most welcome - especially ones involving kittens!!!!!

Carl, thinking of you mate........you're not walking alone pal.......

[Harinder]

When Carl thought about a dog


That night, that Carl


Carl in more familiar surroundings

[smicer07]

That's a huge pussy.

[24/7]

Dr Carl Evil's Mini-Carl!

[24/7]

Carl loves his music...........he's a dancing queen...........

[Sir Capon of Debaser]

Thinking of you mate.xx

[bogrollsbike]

Read a lot of his posts over the years and just want to wish him my best.hope he pulls through this.

[Harinder]

When he met Jim!

[24/7]

When he met Jim!

I'm much prettier than that in real life. Carl, you'll find this out soon. Whereas I hear from your sisters that you are fuck-uglier than this in real life. I guess I'll find that out soon too.......

[classycarra]

Thinking of you and your loved ones Carl.

I've never met you but over many years have enjoyed your unique perspective and mad sense of humour! Not to mention massively respected your brave, direct and often brutal honesty.

I know it's been an inspiration to far more people than just me, just look at that one thread in particular. Each and every one of those posts in there has played a part in another persons attempts to battle their own troubles, and helped family and friends of people with similar problems try to improve their support. I think that's an incredibly positive legacy, which Carl can be extremely proud of.

x

[JerseyKloppite]

Was a privilege to meet you in Norwich Carl - get well and feel better!

[Harinder]

All joking aside, all of us thinking of you

[redbyrdz]

Been following that alcohol thread from the start.

Carl you've come a long way and I sincerely hope you'll be given a chance to keep going mate. All the best!

[kevlumley]

Not easy to know what to write or say, but not an excuse. You are family, we are your family, we sincerely hope you get your chance, grab it, embrace it and cherish it with all your will power.

[Sir Capon of Debaser]

[Sir Capon of Debaser]

[24/7]

Not easy to know what to write or say, but not an excuse. You are family, we are your family, we sincerely hope you get your chance, grab it, embrace it and cherish it with all your will power.

That's beautifully put and captures the essence of the intention behind this thread. Thank you.

[kavah]

#14 

all the best Sir H

[24/7]

#14 

all the best Sir H

#15?

[Sir Afghan]

My mum has been reading rawk for the last 10+ years and without question you've always been her favourite poster. We've spoken about you dozens of times, you've made her laugh and cry. All the best mate, we're thinking of you.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Stay strong and keep fighting mate, God bless you, I hope you pull through, you can do this!

[Sir Capon of Debaser]

[Crimson_Tank]

All the best Carl.

[PhaseOfPlay]

I've had no intention of ever posting again, and still don't. But Babu has been posting some barnstorming stuff, and I saw this as I was checking out whether he'd posted again.

SHF and I never really talked football, but we did chat about our shared experiences in life.

So, Carl -

You're a good soul. All the blessings in the universe to you.

You're worth a hundred of me, and you put a smile on a lot of people's faces with your humour and wit.

We're Liverpool - we know that somethings things take a wrong turn, and other times miracles happen. We never know which way its going to go, but we always take on the challenge, because we're Reds, and that's what we do, even if it wears us down.

I have a truck load of ashtrays for you, and I'll give you a go in my black cab. I won't even charge you a fare.

Be strong and be brave, whatever the world throws at you. They don't make them like you anymore.

Cheers,

PoP

[elbow]

Crikey, that's no sleep for me tonight....terrifying!

All the best Carl lad, we are all thinking of you mate. YNWA.

[Hazell]

at these works of art.

All the best mate. YNWA.

[GrandOldAuntieHelenVanriel]

Hey everyone.
It's Carl's bossy big sister Helen here. I've been keeping up with all the comments and words of kindness and support and I just had to post something to show my appreciation. I am overwhelmed by you all. I know Carl would be too. I'm hoping to have a very clear picture by the evening of Carl's chances of recovery. I will keep you all posted of course. Once again, thank you, from all his family, you are a hell of a bunch xxx

[cowtownred]

Capon you are an artistic genius!

Carl, all the best, thinking of you...   get better and get that Kawasaki back on the road soon 

[Alan_X]

Good luck Carl, really glad to have met you. You’re a top man and deserve to pull through this. 

[CraigDS]

Not had the pleasure of meeting you but been reading your comments on here over the years and always come across and someone with a great sense of humour. Good luck and hope you pull through.

[rocco]

All the best Carl

Thinking of you and your family

YNWA

[Jack the Red]

I've never really interacted on here with you Carl, but I've always enjoyed reading what you have to say. You've had me laughing out loud at times, almost in tears at others. Stay strong mate. Thinking of you and your loved ones.

Just always remember, You'll Never Walk Alone.

[red_lfc_costello]

I don't know Carl personally but have interacted with him on here a few times. Wishing him and his family the best x

YNWA

[jillcwhomever]

Stay strong Carl, know everyone on here is willing you on to make it. Remember the longest night will end and the sun will rise. God bless you Carl and your family, keep fighting.

[Red Beret]

All the best, thoughts are with you.

[Gerry Attrick]

All the best, keep fighting.

[idontknow]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NiLXv7aI7bA

All the best to you, Carl. Always read your posts and got a a few things out of them myself.

Don't know how to embed the image above, it's only 10 seconds, but I hope you like it.

Yours,
David.

(trying to embed! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch/v/NiLXv7aI7bA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/watch/v/NiLXv7aI7bA</a>

[El Lobo]

The whole of RAWK is praying that you pull through this mate

[rawcusk8]

All the best, Carl. Keep fighting, mate.

[capt k]

Sorry to hear this, like most on here, ive never met Carl,. but have read plenty of his posts ,  some of them have you in stitches, others have you welling up.
Hoping things work out for ya m8