My dad turned 80 on 8-17 and - Page 2 - The Hull Truth

240 LTS · 08-23-2009, 09:30 AM

Thanks everyone,
The party was last night and everything went great, he was as spry as ever. No one ever would have believed the shape his body is in the way he got around to every table and thanked everyone for being there.

We had disposable cameras at every table and encouraged everyone to take all the pictures they wanted. My sisters will get them put on CD, print the good ones, and make a scrap book with them and give it to Dad.

Time is the best gift now, never would have thought we would have this long with him.

ladyjane- he has more than a few over/unders. I think he is looking at another K-80 now. I don't know enough about them to get what he really wants. Guns like he wants are really a personal thing. They have to be able to be modified to fit the shooter and that he does himself. Thanks.

rsd- once they leave us all that matter are the memories........time heals.......

Thanks again, I'll post some pics when I can.

Jeff

240 LTS · 10-08-2009, 05:09 PM

Don't mean to bring the board down but some members I have been talking to, your Dad's were sick, in and out of the hospital as mine was.

Some how this crazy board can be some therapy as we expose ourselves to mostly strangers.

Well my wife and I went to Barcelona Spain 9/23 to visit my son for 4 days while doing a college semester there. Then we were to board the NCL Gem to cruise the western Med. with stops in Malta, 3 in Italy and 1 in France then back to Barcelona.

On Wed, 10/4, we left the boat 6 am and took a taxi to the Barcelona airport to fly to Paris, then to the States. Our son was at the Barcelona airport to our surprise to talk to us before we left.

After some hugs and small talk he told us that our daughter had contacted him and to tell us that my Dad was admitted back into the hospital, 6 days prior. For the past week it got so bad he could not do anything without pain and the nitro pills were not relieving it at all. That's why he went back in. After 10 blessed months with him it got bad again.

Back in Dec. 08 when he was in the hospital he was given a 50/50 chance if he were to go under the knife to repair his heart. Not good enough odds and he was not strong enough then.

Well this time in the hospital it was 70/30 in his favor and he was in very good spirits and everything was stronger except his heart.

He said "Well I can't go on like this so I want to have the open heart operation" to repair two arteries and a replace a valve. He and we knew the chances and were ready for worst and prayed for the best.

The operation was Tues, 10-6, 7:30 am till 2:00 pm +/-.

He hung in there, under sedation and on multiple drugs to keep his blood pressure up, things not looking good.

We stayed with him the rest of the day Tues then back in Wed till visiting hours were over. We were called back in about 9:00 pm Wed. The doctor explained that his heart was not responding or strong enough to support his BP without all the drugs and showed no signs of improving.

My three sisters and I were with him, holding his hand, telling him how brave he was and how much we loved him as we said good bye for the last time as they slowed the drugs and he left us.

The viewing is Sun and funeral is Mon.

This simple man taught me more about life, love, outdoors, plus thousands of other things. I am so grateful to have had him for my Dad.

Good bye Dad.

CaptWill · 10-08-2009, 05:22 PM

I am so sorry to hear this news, but as you have said, he has had a good life, taught you many important things in life, and you will have all those wonderful memories to carry you.

I lost my dad 20 years ago this year, and I still miss him, but the memories I have, still bring a smile to my face every time.

May your dad rest in peace.

Menzies · 10-08-2009, 05:32 PM

So sorry to hear that news, prayers gone up for your dad.

He went down fighting!

Menz.

Cracker · 10-08-2009, 05:33 PM

My sincere condolences. Your dad sounded like a he!! of man. Time will ease your pain but it will be very hard for a while (at least it was for me). Sounds like your dad was very brave. Prayers sent to your family.

Sprockets · 10-08-2009, 05:47 PM

I am one of the other members whose father has been ill. Jeff and I exchanged many messages during that time.

My most sincere condolences go out to you and your family. I'm so glad you were able to have a special celebration with him and your family back in August.

240 LTS · 10-08-2009, 09:02 PM

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. It will no doubt be an emotional roller coaster for a while.

Sprockets,
Hows your Dad doing now?

Jeff

CJS · 10-09-2009, 08:34 AM

Sorry for your loss.

Sprockets · 10-09-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240 LTS

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. It will no doubt be an emotional roller coaster for a while.

Sprockets,
Hows your Dad doing now?

Jeff

Thanks for asking.

He's actually doing well. After spending 14 days in the hospital, 7 in ICU, he is back to driving his Miata and playing tennis. He has to be really careful due to taking Coumadin(sp). Every time I've seen him he's had to wear long sleeves because he's bleeding somewhere. His lungs have been fine too. It's still scary stuff, but for now we're trying to spend time together when it works out. We have a large family event next week, and we're all glad he'll be able to participate. Last month we weren't so sure.

240 LTS · 10-09-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprockets

Thanks for asking.

He's actually doing well. After spending 14 days in the hospital, 7 in ICU, he is back to driving his Miata and playing tennis. He has to be really careful due to taking Coumadin(sp). Every time I've seen him he's had to wear long sleeves because he's bleeding somewhere. His lungs have been fine too. It's still scary stuff, but for now we're trying to spend time together when it works out. We have a large family event next week, and we're all glad he'll be able to participate. Last month we weren't so sure.

Sounds good, I am very glad to hear the positive news, you know how valuable this time is, enjoy it!

Jeff

freedom outlaw · 10-12-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptWill

240,

I think I know what he'd want, and it is this:

Print your post, and give it to him.

+1

240 LTS · 10-13-2009, 06:42 PM

For anyone that will go through what my family just went through I highly recommend the slide show/video. At first we did not want to do it but after more thought and others input we are so glad we did.

The following link is to the funeral homes web site and they have a link/ tab there to view the video. Please take a look.

I believe it could help others if they do something similar.

They also provide a place for anyone, local or out of town, to post a comment.
This was not available (that we knew of) when my Mom passed away in 1998.

I wish you, your families and friends nothing but health and happiness.

http://www.schimunekfuneralhomes.com...139313Streett#

Sprockets · 10-13-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240 LTS

For anyone that will go through what my family just went through I highly recommend the slide show/video. At first we did not want to do it but after more thought and others input we are so glad we did.

The following link is to the funeral homes web site and they have a link/ tab there to view the video. Please take a look.

I believe it could help others if they do something similar.

They also provide a place for anyone, local or out of town, to post a comment.
This was not available (that we knew of) when my Mom passed away in 1998.

I wish you, your families and friends nothing but health and happiness.

http://www.schimunekfuneralhomes.com...139313Streett#

I'll add another great idea here. My dad who is now 78 recorded a history of his life. It took 10 CD's to handle all the material which we transferred from the casette player he used. It is quite a story. We have also typed it up. In a nutshell, he was born in London in 1931, and was one of the kids evacuated to a farm during WW2. After the war, there was little opportunity there, so at 17 he boarded the Queen Mary by himself and moved to the US to live with a distant aunt in NJ. The detail is incredible. It's brutal to listen to as you can hear him get emotional when talking about his mother dying when he was a young teen.

Our parents have stories that should be saved for future generations to learn from. It's something many seniors think of doing, but never get around to. It is a major undertaking, but it can be a family document to share with future generations forever.

240 LTS · 10-14-2009, 05:04 AM

Sprockets,
I agree!!

On the web site I linked to is a very brief summary of my Dad's life that a very close friend read in the church. Very touching.