Over the past few weeks my dad was hospitalized 3 times for what was thought to be an ulcer, then stomach obstruction then benign tumor in which was to be removed earlier this week on tuesday. The surgery took the situation from "what a bummer, but it's fixable" to the unexpected worst case-scenario of "he has a year to live in which he will die of starvation and malnutrition". With this type of cancer and where it's located in the stomach there is basically no routine treatment options :-(
It's a cruel twist of fate that he should suffer like this after leading a healthy lifestyle and pretty much dedicating his life to helping and healing others... often at the expense of himself & family. I get to see somewhat regularly people whose lives he has touched and helped over the years... some before i was born. At work I will get the "say hello to your dad, how is he doing?... to which i will no doubt shed many a tear and then see pure sadness on their faces. During these heart-felt moments i can't help but to think that his youngest grandchild will probalby have no recollection of him and her older sister perhaps fleeting memories
Growing up as a kid and even as an adult, he considered any music i listened to or played to be "noise" -- how the heck can "Rain Song" be "noise" is beyond me LOL -- but visitors of this site for what is now almost a decade have felt his influence in the sense of pride and passion he took in everything he does. 10 tubes stuck everywhere in his body in the hospital and he's asking about this and that little thing which needs to get done. That has trickled down to me and hopefully the site here. It's something that even starvation can never dissipate and surely something i hope i can instill in my two little ones.
I wished not to have to post anything of this matter except for the fact it will seriously effect my time in real life and online here for a while. Aside from the personal matters and such which i prefer to remain private, we are jointly involved in two businesess... one of which he's essentially retired and hands off but the other of which is a small software company in which he basically runs the day-to-day operations and alot of phone calls and is the acting CEO. Many of those responsibilities are going to be mine to handle for the immediate future.
So if you email or PM without a reply, or with long delay please understand this is mostly why.
I would ask anyone reading would consider taking a moment to reflect upon your parents, siblings and loved ones and let them know just how important they are... glen
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Thanks everyone for your kind words of support, they are much appreciated.
I wanted to post an update as unfortunately the situation hastened and has taken a turn for the worse. My dad has been in and out of hospital a few times since i posted this thread, the latest being this weekend where he remains. Unfortunately CT scans have shown that his malignancy is "very aggressive" and spread into the liver in a few weeks. He's comfortable & mostly stabilized and they're hoping to release him home maybe this weekend where barring a miracle he'll have a short time remaining ...glen
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My father was released last friday to home Hospice care. He's in good hands and given his condition he's in a more peaceful place, getting better care than he was in the hospital just over a week ago. A family friend and priest annointed him with Last Rites (sacrament of anointing of the sick) and he is in relatively good spirits when awake. He has a living will with "do not resuscitate" so there will be no more trips to the emergency room and such. Family is with him or nearby and friends are able to stop in for a few minutes to sit with him and share some time that remains... glen
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bummer to have to update this thread so soon and for one last time...
early this Sunday morning my dad passed away... no doubt to a better place.
god bless my mom & prayers for her continued health and good spirits... she was there for his last breath and to comfort him and reassure him that all is well here and that it's OK to let his body go as.
may my loving father rest in peace ...glen
