Post by Destro on Sept 29, 2007 21:18:40 GMT -5
This first paragraph is a little background so you guys are up to speed a bit:
I've been living with my parents for the last 9 months or so; it was supposed to be a temporary thing to help my mom around the house, but you know how things change. My dad was in car accident shortly after, my sister had a baby about a month later, and my grandpa (my mom's dad) passed away at the end of the year. Due to the accident, respiratory problems my dad had had for years become much worse, and he required an oxygen tank for the last 9 months of his life. Bc of these reasons, I stayed w/ my parents.
My dad got progressively worse, to the point that about a week ago his physical therapist simply told me to stop bringing him; there was nothing my dad could do w/o being worn out.
This morning, around 6 AM, my mom got my dad out of bed to start the day. We have to help him around bc he can't walk on his own. She got him to the bathroom, barely, as he couldn't help her much at all, and when there he couldn't even hold himself up. She woke me up to help her, and I held him up as he struggled for breath. Within minutes, he was gone. I'm of course still trying to deal w/ the idea that this is reality and that he is gone. I've spent the day w/ my family and it's been rough, of course.
I will say I'm glad he went the way he did; his condition hadn't degraded to the point that he had to spend his last days in a hospital, we were there when he needed us, and he passed without any pain.
My dad led a full life, as he was probably older than most people my ages' grandparents; he was 80 years old, and until 9 months ago he was still very able-bodied, which is pretty rare. He served his country in world war 2, supported his family, and was a respected member of the church. Before his accident, he had spent the last 10 years or so working as the maintenance worker at our church.
I knew it was coming soon (at the beginning of the year his doctor told us that my dad living for one or two years was "very optimistic"). But, of course, when it happens you are still shocked. I've cried a bit, but I don't think that it's truly sunk in yet.
I've been living with my parents for the last 9 months or so; it was supposed to be a temporary thing to help my mom around the house, but you know how things change. My dad was in car accident shortly after, my sister had a baby about a month later, and my grandpa (my mom's dad) passed away at the end of the year. Due to the accident, respiratory problems my dad had had for years become much worse, and he required an oxygen tank for the last 9 months of his life. Bc of these reasons, I stayed w/ my parents.
My dad got progressively worse, to the point that about a week ago his physical therapist simply told me to stop bringing him; there was nothing my dad could do w/o being worn out.
This morning, around 6 AM, my mom got my dad out of bed to start the day. We have to help him around bc he can't walk on his own. She got him to the bathroom, barely, as he couldn't help her much at all, and when there he couldn't even hold himself up. She woke me up to help her, and I held him up as he struggled for breath. Within minutes, he was gone. I'm of course still trying to deal w/ the idea that this is reality and that he is gone. I've spent the day w/ my family and it's been rough, of course.
I will say I'm glad he went the way he did; his condition hadn't degraded to the point that he had to spend his last days in a hospital, we were there when he needed us, and he passed without any pain.
My dad led a full life, as he was probably older than most people my ages' grandparents; he was 80 years old, and until 9 months ago he was still very able-bodied, which is pretty rare. He served his country in world war 2, supported his family, and was a respected member of the church. Before his accident, he had spent the last 10 years or so working as the maintenance worker at our church.
I knew it was coming soon (at the beginning of the year his doctor told us that my dad living for one or two years was "very optimistic"). But, of course, when it happens you are still shocked. I've cried a bit, but I don't think that it's truly sunk in yet.