gsganzer
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2003
- Messages
- 4,395
- Location
- Sunset, TX
- Tractor
- L3800 w/FEL and BH77, BX 2200 w/FEL and MMM
It's been a roller coaster of the last 6 days. Six years ago, I lost my brother to cancer, reducing my family to just myself (with wife and 2 girls) and my folks (76 and 81 years old). With that in-mind and preparing for my folks aging needs, three years ago, I built a small in-law apartment (600 sq. ft.) out of a portion of my workshop on the other side of our driveway.
So, for the past 3 years, my folks would come and stay with us from November until April, escaping the Northeast winters. This year, they arrived on November 23, and we had a great Thanksgiving and evening visits for the past 10 days. Then this past Thursday, right at the start of our North Texas ice storm, I scrambled home at 5:30pm. I went out to my folks apartment to visit with my folks and get "Pops" help with winterizing pipes and animals.
To make a long story short, I discovered my Dad had a stroke in the hours preceding my arrival. When I arrived, my Dad was unable to speak, but he walked up to me and gave me a hug as I entered (he was standing at the window, waiting for me to come home). I raced my Dad to the nearest ER where he was diagnosed with an active cerebral hemorrhage and he was transferred to a neuro unit in Ft. Worth. I slipped and slid my 4Runner following the ambulance to Ft. Worth and met the neuro surgeon to discuss options. Dad's hemorrhage was "massive" and beyond healing, I had to make the difficult decision to stop treatment and opt for palliative care and let nature take it's course. His brilliant mind had melted away is a course of hours.
I thank God I was able to make a trip out Friday morning at 3:00 am and go back home to get my mom and wife and bring them to the hospital. (2.5 hours each way on what is typically a 30 minute trip). I've spent the last 6 nights (trapped because of the ice storm) sleeping in a chair in a hospital room as we waited for the inevitable to arrive and worked to comfort one another. I wouldn't have traded a minute of it. We told stories about Dad, relived old times and talked about the great man that helped form our lives.
I'm emotionally and physically worn out. Tonight, Dad took his last breath with my Mom and myself at his side in a hospice unit. I have feelings of sadness and relief that Dad is no longer suffering, but the sorrow still pervades. My Dad was a truly great man that leaves a legacy as a devoted husband, community servant, volunteer and pillar of his church. He'll be missed by many.
Thanks for letting me share with my TBN friends and "family".
So, for the past 3 years, my folks would come and stay with us from November until April, escaping the Northeast winters. This year, they arrived on November 23, and we had a great Thanksgiving and evening visits for the past 10 days. Then this past Thursday, right at the start of our North Texas ice storm, I scrambled home at 5:30pm. I went out to my folks apartment to visit with my folks and get "Pops" help with winterizing pipes and animals.
To make a long story short, I discovered my Dad had a stroke in the hours preceding my arrival. When I arrived, my Dad was unable to speak, but he walked up to me and gave me a hug as I entered (he was standing at the window, waiting for me to come home). I raced my Dad to the nearest ER where he was diagnosed with an active cerebral hemorrhage and he was transferred to a neuro unit in Ft. Worth. I slipped and slid my 4Runner following the ambulance to Ft. Worth and met the neuro surgeon to discuss options. Dad's hemorrhage was "massive" and beyond healing, I had to make the difficult decision to stop treatment and opt for palliative care and let nature take it's course. His brilliant mind had melted away is a course of hours.
I thank God I was able to make a trip out Friday morning at 3:00 am and go back home to get my mom and wife and bring them to the hospital. (2.5 hours each way on what is typically a 30 minute trip). I've spent the last 6 nights (trapped because of the ice storm) sleeping in a chair in a hospital room as we waited for the inevitable to arrive and worked to comfort one another. I wouldn't have traded a minute of it. We told stories about Dad, relived old times and talked about the great man that helped form our lives.
I'm emotionally and physically worn out. Tonight, Dad took his last breath with my Mom and myself at his side in a hospice unit. I have feelings of sadness and relief that Dad is no longer suffering, but the sorrow still pervades. My Dad was a truly great man that leaves a legacy as a devoted husband, community servant, volunteer and pillar of his church. He'll be missed by many.
Thanks for letting me share with my TBN friends and "family".
