One of my very dear friends, who also happens to be a member here, is going through a very difficult time in his life. I have no idea how long it will take him to deal with it or when I will see him posting back here again. I hope it is soon, as it means things are getting better.

Most of you know Claude, or Uncle Claude or perhaps Sage Claude as he should be known. He is an institution around here, or perhaps he should be in an institution for some of the polls he makes. I can't say what is happening, that is for him if and when or if he feels like it. However, in case he reads this, I want to send him my most positive thoughts I can. He is one of the most deserving people I know to receive good thoughts. Other motherfuckers have no place to go without him around! He is living proof of how good the internet CAN be.

Claude ........ looking forward to talking soon. Be well my good friend.

UPDATE: From Claude.

UnFollowSend a PM

Thanks for the kind words.

I just came home to freshen up from the Hospital. My wife had a massive stroke on the right side of her brain. It's not good. The swelling is getting worse. They say she will not recover. She's had Lupus and many other health problems throughout the years. I just happened to sit down and noticed the forum post.

It's weird. I'm scared. But as with anything, you take it minute to minute and do the best you can. Take Giant Bomb and kiss the ones you love.

UPDATE:
It's hard to write this. My wife passed away today. She was never in any pain and passed quietly.

Mary and I had been through a lot together as partners. From our time together, I don't think a day went by that she didn't feel some kind of pain. No more. No more pain. No more Lupus.

I shed many tears when I read this. My best wishes to you Claude in this, your worst moment. Mary had you and she was a lucky lady for that.

Perhaps a text, email, etc or something more direct would be more appropriate if he's one of your dear friends. This is definitely not the approach i would take if i was worried about one of my good friends.

@drGiggless: What makes you think I haven't done that as well? Just another place to send him good thoughts.

@ZeForgotten: Not my place to say, but he hasn't been banned, not our Claude.

When I think of the Giantbomb community I always think of Claude, probably because he is all over the site. Hope everything is well. 

Wait, what? Fuck, Claude is the best, we need him to make stupid shit on the forums D:

@ZeForgotten said:

@Contrarian: Of course he hasn't. Claude (and a few other users) are too well-known to be banned just for breaking the rules. The only way Claude would get banned would be if he was seen killing one of the Staff. So go to Claude, tell him we want him back and we like him because we need him to swear for us and use "bad words" that would get the rest of us banned.

Were you here when Linkyshinks got banned?

@ZeForgotten said:

@Contrarian: Of course he hasn't. Claude (and a few other users) are too well-known to be banned just for breaking the rules. The only way Claude would get banned would be if he was seen killing one of the Staff. So go to Claude, tell him we want him back and we like him because we need him to swear for us and use "bad words" that would get the rest of us banned.

Were you here when Linkyshinks got banned?

@ZeForgotten said:

@NekuSakuraba said:

@ZeForgotten said:

@Contrarian: Of course he hasn't. Claude (and a few other users) are too well-known to be banned just for breaking the rules. The only way Claude would get banned would be if he was seen killing one of the Staff. So go to Claude, tell him we want him back and we like him because we need him to swear for us and use "bad words" that would get the rest of us banned.

Were you here when Linkyshinks got banned?

I've been here since the beginning. Would be sad to see my crazy uncle Claude go. Linkyshinks on the other hand, not a single fuck was given.

Claude rates Linkyshinks very highly.

My heart goes out to you old man. I hope the family is OK.

@NekuSakuraba said:

@ZeForgotten said:

@Contrarian: Of course he hasn't. Claude (and a few other users) are too well-known to be banned just for breaking the rules. The only way Claude would get banned would be if he was seen killing one of the Staff. So go to Claude, tell him we want him back and we like him because we need him to swear for us and use "bad words" that would get the rest of us banned.

Were you here when Linkyshinks got banned?

Man I know of the user but still have little idea what happened to him. I can only assume he/she fucked up somewhere and that there's good reason for it. Just PM me if you know it but I don't want to dig up dirt here as this isn't the place.

As for Claude, hope his troubles pass then. He's a good fellow and a great user.

@ZeForgotten said:

@NekuSakuraba said:

@ZeForgotten said:

@Contrarian: Of course he hasn't. Claude (and a few other users) are too well-known to be banned just for breaking the rules. The only way Claude would get banned would be if he was seen killing one of the Staff. So go to Claude, tell him we want him back and we like him because we need him to swear for us and use "bad words" that would get the rest of us banned.

Were you here when Linkyshinks got banned?

I've been here since the beginning. Would be sad to see my crazy uncle Claude go. Linkyshinks on the other hand, not a single fuck was given.

Claude rates Linkyshinks very highly.

My heart goes out to you old man. I hope the family is OK.

A grand wish, chin up Claude, or feel better...Um, since I don't know what the issue/s are I'm just going to send positive wishes to you, Claude, whatever the situation is.

Hope things smooth over for the old chap. He's always been...interesting one way or another. Really though, he's a cool guy so my heart goes out to him. Keep wall man.

WE LOVE YOU CLAUDE

Have Batman, Claude.

Claude is the Other Motherfucker.

I figured and hoped that he would have some nice posts to cheer him a little when he gets back. Not many people are as universally liked as Claude ...... he is that guy.

Hopefully he's alright, I don't post much but when I do I usually see him around. Claude Seems like a pretty cool guy that doesn't afraid of anything.

@SexualBubblegumX said:

Hopefully he's alright, I don't post much but when I do I usually see him around. Claude Seems like a pretty cool guy that doesn't afraid of anything.

He certainly doesn't afraid of anything .............. sorry, but when I read that, it reminded me of Stephen Colbert's book, "I am a Flagpole and So Could You" and it made me chuckle (yeah, I know it was a typo, it just made me smile).

I pray everything turns out okay for him and his family. I hope everything turns out okay with his situation

Claude threads always spark shit off. Usually entertaining.

Get well soon.

I've never really engaged in a proper conversation with the guy, but I've always appreciated Claude's presence on the forums.

Hope everything turns out okay.

Hey guys, Claude's an alright dude. Hope you get your life back to all right.

Thanks for the kind words. 
 
I just came home to freshen up from the Hospital. My wife had a massive stroke on the right side of her brain. It's not good. The swelling is getting worse. They say she will not recover. She's had Lupus and many other health problems throughout the years. I just happened to sit down and noticed the forum post. 
 
It's weird. I'm scared. But as with anything, you take it minute to minute and do the best you can. Take Giant Bomb and kiss the ones you love.

Man, I had hoped it wasn't regarding the wife. My condolences.

we love you, claude

I wish you guys the best.

Love you, Claude!

Despite what the doctors say i hope she gets better man.

@Contrarian said:

@SexualBubblegumX said:

Hopefully he's alright, I don't post much but when I do I usually see him around. Claude Seems like a pretty cool guy that doesn't afraid of anything.

He certainly doesn't afraid of anything .............. sorry, but when I read that, it reminded me of Stephen Colbert's book, "I am a Flagpole and So Could You" and it made me chuckle (yeah, I know it was a typo, it just made me smile).

Not a typo.

@Claude:Best of luck Claude. I recall you talking about your wife for some time and I hope everything turns out good with her. I know it doesn't mean much, but you got a ton of people over here on the internets rooting for you guys. When it gets rough try to remember the good times.

Best of luck.

That is one of the worst things that could happen to your significant other. Best of luck to the both of you.

I know him as the guy who 'loves his goddamn Wii' and I was under the impression he was 'here to stay mother effers' (I'm not even sure we can swear anymore in these forums? everything is effed since the incident) from that cool community vid hamst3r did.

@Claude: I can't begin to imagine what that must be like. I hope things get better for the both of you,i t's not much I know but I'll be rooting for you.

Best of luck, I hope things turn out well.

I'm sorry to hear that, hope all turns out alright.

Damn, that's terrible. Hope things get better for you guys soon.

@Claude: Best of luck to you and your wife, Claude. Keep hope alive.

Thanks for the kind words.   I just came home to freshen up from the Hospital. My wife had a massive stroke on the right side of her brain. It's not good. The swelling is getting worse. They say she will not recover. She's had Lupus and many other health problems throughout the years. I just happened to sit down and noticed the forum post.   It's weird. I'm scared. But as with anything, you take it minute to minute and do the best you can. Take Giant Bomb and kiss the ones you love.

@Claude

I'm sorry to hear that buddy. There's nothing I could really say to make you feel any better but I pray for the best for the both of you.

Shit that sucks, Claude is a Duke here on the forums.

@Claude said:

Thanks for the kind words. I just came home to freshen up from the Hospital. My wife had a massive stroke on the right side of her brain. It's not good. The swelling is getting worse. They say she will not recover. She's had Lupus and many other health problems throughout the years. I just happened to sit down and noticed the forum post. It's weird. I'm scared. But as with anything, you take it minute to minute and do the best you can. Take Giant Bomb and kiss the ones you love.

Oh my god..this is horrible :(

wow sorry about your wife.

Horrible news. I hope everything does get better, but whatever happens, be there and make sure she always knows she is loved and cared for. It's all anybody really needs, in the end.

But ...he's here to stay motherfuckers :(

Hope things get better somehow man.

I can't even imagine how terrible you must feel right now. I hope you both get through this, Claude. The best thing you can do right now is be with her.

Not Claude. He's such an awesome guy, why can't he have a constantly awesome time? ):

@Claude:Claude, my utter and deepest sympathies. I only wish I could do more than offer you this platitude and sincerely hope your friends and family and are keeping you close and supporting you at this trying time. My best to the both of you. :(

Can't help but think that if he wanted people to know he was dealing with personal shit and taking a break, even not saying what kind, he would have posted himself. But whatever.

You're the fucking man, Claude. Hope things work out and I hope they work out quickly.

Hope all is well.

Edit: Ah, that sucks. Hope your wife recovers.

Even though hoping won't do anything.