Final blog post of B.C. writer who died of cancer goes viral

A B.C. blogger died on May 3, but not before leaving a final message to his family, friends and readers.

Derek K. Miller lost his battle with cancer in Burnaby, B.C. at 41. His final request to his family and friends was for them to publish this blog post - 'The Last Post' - and allow him to be the one to notify his readers of his passing. Miller wrote:

"Here it is. I'm dead, and this is my last post to my blog. In advance, I asked that once my body finally shut down from the punishments of my cancer, then my family and friends publish this prepared message I wrote—the first part of the process of turning this from an active website to an archive."

Miller's final post went viral the same day it was posted, May 4, drawing three million visitors to his website. The message was prepared weeks in advance of his passing, as he and his family both knew his battle with colorectal cancer was not going to have a happy ending.

In the blog entry, he writes about his love for his family and friends, particularly his wife of 23 years, Airdrie and his two daughters, Marina and Lauren (or 'Lolo' as he calls her in one paragraph).

The final posts leading up to his death detail his struggle with cancer and the daily challenges he faced. He describes the importance of voting and the slow, pained walk he takes from his car to his local polling station. He extolls the wonders of Kraft Easy Cheese and Diet Cherry Coke, and is met with an outpouring of both products, typically available only in the U.S.

Miller's father, Karl, described his passing as an intimate and private moment at home, spent with those Derek loved. "He was proud of his blog and now it is his legacy," Karl Miller said in an interview with The Province.

"It connects him to the world and to his family, forever. We were there for him but Derek was comfortable sharing his thoughts with a worldwide community."

While 'The Last Post' was a message to all of the readers he had amassed in his 10 years as a blogger, the final words of the entry were to the woman who he calls his best friend and closest connection:

"I loved you deeply, I loved you, I loved you, I loved you."

(Photo: Screengrab of Derek K. Miller taken from Facebook)