He suffered from diabetes the last year and a half but took his twice daily insulin shots like a trooper. He never cared for oral medicine, though.  Later, he developed a fast growing form of cancer on his spine.  We tried to remove it but could not get it all.  After surgery, he developed complications with his diabetes and his tumor eventually came back.  Sam lost his battle with cancer in January.  No one could have taken better care of Sam or loved him more than his mom. He will be greatly missed by Cathy and his TLC family.