Haha, Wii. 3:00am is p-time for me. I hate getting old.
Me:57 H:52 M:28 Got another lawyer last year and filed. D35,S/D twins28,D22 EA4/04 End? Who knows? "Life is like a mirror. Smile at it and it smiles back at you." — Peace Pilgrim
After a long, tiring day at work I had a half hour nap and went down to see Dad. The evenings are often empty for him as most visitors come during the day. I try to come later to give him some company in the early evening. Yesterday he pointed to the intervenous solution they are giving him and said "If this stuff is helping to keep me alive, how am I supposed to die? Why don't they just pull the plug on me and let me go" He said "I don't want to be lying here a year from now!" I assured him he wouldn't be around that long. How do you say "you're supposed to be dead by this weekend" Instead I told him to ask his doctor next time he's in. I told him he has the right and the mind set now to ask and to hear what the doctor thinks as far as how long he has. I told him "Your problem is that you're such a tough old bugger you don't know when to die" That made him laugh. I told him that we would all continue to come see him for as long as it takes but I also understood why he'd want the end to come soon. I said "we love you and want to come see you but you're the one who has to lie here for 24 hours a day. I understand why you'd want to end it. We're all with you either way" We had a nice visit and when I left I made sure his transister radio was all set up to listen to the hockey game. It's one day at a time. Luv U Dad!
Still thinking of you and your dad, Wii. And your family.
Me:57 H:52 M:28 Got another lawyer last year and filed. D35,S/D twins28,D22 EA4/04 End? Who knows? "Life is like a mirror. Smile at it and it smiles back at you." — Peace Pilgrim
I went to see Dad twice today. This afternoon he was asleep, he'd been sleeping all day. My Mom phoned me late afternoon to say Dad had woke up so I went down again this evening to see him. Apparently when he woke he began panting very heavily and one nurse actually left the room in tears. He was fine though. This nurse comes to see him every day she's on, somedays she's his nurse and others not but each day she comes in to talk with him, sit with him and pray with him. Tonight another nurse came in to see him who apparently drops in regularly and spends time with him before she starts her shift. Unfortunately he can barely talk anymore. The nurse asked how he was doing and he forced out "pretty good". You'd have to see him to recognize how untrue that comment is! But that's Dad. It's nice to see how much he seems to mean to many of the nursing staff. He'll be missed by so many outside of his family. It's just a matter of days now. Mom's going to the funeral home to make arrangements tomorrow. Although I don't want to see him go on living like this I just don't want him to go! Yesterday I was in with my family (wife and two daughters) and they were all giving him foot and shoulder massages and Dad whispers loudly "the family that massages together, stays together" Still the joker right to the end! Luv U Dad.
I'm glad you are experiencing the same as I did - very compassionate nursing care. I figured they dealt with situations like this all the time in palliative care but I was wrong. My Mom LOVED the nurses and they seemed to give her special touches all the time. They supported us on our down days and I saw them cry at times too. We were so very touched by their kindnesses - something I will never forget.
There is no easy way to lose your parent. Your father is a man of true integrity and will be until the end. Although I will never meet him, I feel I know him through you. And I admire him.
Please know I care about you and your family and continue to keep you all in my heart and prayers.
Thanks SFO! He's not just my father, he's my best friend. I talk to him about life, religion, politics, sports and there are going to be so many times when I'll think "I should phone Dad about ..." and then I'll remember he's gone. I just can't imagine life without him but it will go on. It's also at times like this when you see how beautiful people can be. So many people have done special things for Dad. Seeing nurses who come in early to see him, pray with him, cry for him really does touch you. They don't have to do these things, it's not in their job description but they do them. I have relatives who drive in from out of town once a week and spend not just a quick half hour "I was here" visit but spend the entire afternoon and evening with him and my Mom. An usher from the section he sits in at Blue Jays games calls him! There are so many others who I could mention who have shown Dad their love. Yes, it's a terrible loss but if God is love then I'm sure seeing God's existence these days! God acts through people. There are blessings in everything if we allow ourselves to see them. I was blessed to have Dad in my life for 53 years, many have much less time with those they love. Anyway, time for bed as I'm exhausted and might be catching a cold (hope not, haven't been sick in five months!) Goodnight all.
Yesterday I was in with my family (wife and two daughters) and they were all giving him foot and shoulder massages and Dad whispers loudly "the family that massages together, stays together" Still the joker right to the end!