I wish I could do something to take it back. I cannot and am forced to type hollow sounding words on an internet message board.
I am very, truly sorry to hear this. May you find comfort in the days ahead.
Just adding my own personal weight to the huge volume of goodwill and condolences from the SDMB… I hope that it may it help a little.
You and your family are in my thoughts.
I’m so sorry to hear of this, START. Sending my condolences, thoughts, and prayers.
I’m very sorry to hear this, START. You did all you could - a severe asthma attack’s going to take more treatment than you can administer by yourself.
My condolences and best wishes to you and your family. I am sorry to hear of your loss, and the tragic circumstances you described.
{{{{START}}}}
I’m so sorry to hear this… 
I’m so very sorry for your loss, START.
And I think that putting your brother’s pants on was a very loving thing to do. This whole situation was not within your power to change.
Sending thoughts of peace and love to you and your family.
A whole lot of what everyone else is saying.
Wow. I’m speechless.
My most heartfelt sympathies.
I’m so sorry to hear this, START, just tore up about it. All I can offer is a big virtual
{{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}
and a
My sister died 16 years ago - it hurts, it hurts, I know it hurts and I just wish there was more I could do for you.
My condolences, START and family. Hang in there, man.
And as has been stated, don’t beat yourself up over what you think you could or should have done, you were thinking well in a bad situation.
It seems cheap to say it since 97% of everyone else has said it already, but I’m so sorry for your loss. Be well.
START,
I’m so very sorry that this has happened to your family. The feeling that you could have done more to help your brother is natural, but time will give you some perspective on what happened. Chances are good that many of us would have done the same thing if we were in the same situation, and many of us would not have been able to do anything but scream hysterically or stand around in shock.
You did what you could, and that counts for something in my book. You’re a good brother and don’t you forget that!
Wishing you and your family peace…
The very next thing I’m going to do after I type this is call up my brother in Canada, ask him about his asthma, and tell him I love him. It’s your love for your brother that’s making me remember to be more loving to mine.
If that came off as insensitive or uncaring, I didn’t mean it that way. START, you take care. I’m so very sorry for Zechariah, and for your loss. He had his whole life ahead of him. Shit’s not fair.
One thing: you might want to grab one of your brother’s unwashed -t-shirts, or his pillowcase, or a wool cap, something like that – seal it in a plastic bag for safekeeping. It’ll still smell like him… and there are going to be times when pulling it out and remembering how he smelled will mean a lot.
I want to say “take care” or “be strong,” but… just try to keep it together.
PEACE.
Please take care of yourself. You sound like a wonderful brother.
I am so sorry.
Oh no. It is rare that a post makes me tear up but this is so shockingly sad. I am so sorry this happened to your family, START. I can’t imagine how traumatic and horrible this is for your family. It is normal to think “If only…” but please don’t feel like you did anything wrong. It sounds like what you did was perfectly reasonable, which is quite remarkable considering how scared and panicked you must have been. May God bring solace to you and your family.
Sincere condolences START, to and your family
START, words fail me.
If you ever feel like telling us about your brother – about who he was and how you and he lived and grew together, I’d very much like to hear it.
My heart goes out to you.
Jeez. I thought I had a bad weekend because my CAT (Trouble) died Friday night. START, I’m so sorry for your loss. That is way too young to die.
And don’t give yourself a hard time about trying to dress him–you were giving him some dignity in his last minutes.
Hang in there, START, you’ve got a lot of people thinking good thoughts for you.
Me, too.