Fishingbuddy

I just wanted to report that the funeral services were huge. This was quite possibly the largest funeral that I have attended. The chapel at the funeral home was literally "standing room only." My Grandfather moved so many people's lives, I was awestruck. Knowing his condition, my Grandfather's preacher asked him during his final days what to say at the funeral. My Grandfather told him to do what he did best, PREACH. The service was much like a Sunday service, we even had an altar call in the funeral chapel. This is EXACTLY as he would have wanted, and I am sure he was watching with a huge smile on his face. He is doing as he always did, going ahead of us to prepare a place when we get there! Once again, THANK YOU! I cannot say that enough. Just conversing with people that understand the issue has been good medicine. This Friday 2/08 would have been his 80th birthday. I believe that I will have a piece of chocolate cake for him. (By the way, Friday is also my son's 7th birthday--SAME NAME, SAME BIRTHDAY). Please continue prayers for the family. Some of us are still having a hard time coping. I myself am smiling, knowing he is no longer in any pain and he has probably already out-fished me.

My Grandfather went to be with the Lord yesterday at 3:40 pm Central. He was comfortable and peaceful as he passed. Just hard to believe that all of this could happen in five months. I was with him as he passed. When he met God, he seemed to glow. I know that he is no longer in pain or suffering at all, and that he is catching fish like crazy. The decision was reached Wednesday to allow his wishes be fulfilled, and the ventilator was removed. Almost immediately, his oxygen saturation went from 85 to 100. He was able to regain consciousness and we were actually able to talk to each other for a couple of hours Wednesday evening. Late Wednesday night, his body tired and he had to be given the Dilautit (sp.) again. Throughout Thursday, he remained unconscious and his vitals just started to diminish. We had a mini revival in his room all day on Thursday. My Grandfather was getting to go home. We sang, prayed, and praised God for giving us this man for so many years. We praised God for allowing my Grandfather no more suffering and for taking him into His arms and welcoming him into the Kingdom. Tomorrow will be the visitation, the funeral will be Sunday. Thank all of you for the kind words, prayers and much needed support during this time. Please continue to pray for the family. God Bless all of you, Derek

Today we got more bad news on my grandfather. The MRSA is not gone, the second treatment for the double pneumonia is not working and now he has a blood infection. The Doctors have told us that now is the time to bring the living will to the hospital. One good note, this weekend, he was conscious when we came to visit. He is in a lot of pain though. His preacher asked him several times (and several different ways) if he is ready to go be with God. Every time he asked, my Grandfather nodded yes and squeezed the preacher's hand. Tomorrow, the family is going to be faced with the living will question. I ask for continued prayers and support in this time, but feel comforted that he will spend eternity fishing in Heaven. I told him this weekend that he was my hero, that I loved him, and that I would take care of the family as best as I could. God bless, Derek

I spent the last four + days at the hospital with my Grandfather. He was moved into the Critical Care Unit on Thursday evening. He now has double pneumonia and MRSA in both lungs. His heart went into ventricular tachycardia several times on Thursday night. According to one of the nurses in the unit that I trust completely, he died and was brought back three times Thursday night. Once from respiratory arrest and twice from the vtach. They changed some of his drugs and placed him on a ventilator. At one point, his oxygen saturation fell to 35% and his blood pressure dropped to 67/37. He has been heavily sedated since the introduction of the vent. Today, he is down from receiving 100% oxygen to 60%. His kidneys were starting to act up, but the kidney doctor has remedied that. His lungs were clearing, but are now retaining fluid again. My question today is this, he has a living will. He also stated to his doctor before this last bout, that he would be willing to go on the vent if it was temporary. How long is too long before we allow the living will to go into effect? It seems that here at least, any family member can stop the LW from being utilized. Please continue the prayers for him and our family as I will continue the prayers for all of yours.

All of this started in October of last year. My Grandfather had been coughing up blood for a while. He went to his regular physician and was sent for scans. The doctors found a problem and sent him on to a surgeon. The surgeon did exploratory surgery and observed the cancer in the upper portion of his right lung extending to his aorta. They classified him as Stage IV, and then referred him to the Cancer Center. He has undergone his first set of treatments. He was getting 5 radiation treatments and 2 chemo per week. They are not supposed to begin doing the next set until the 28th of January. About a week before Christmas, he had to be rushed to the hospital with a heart rate of 270 bpm. No one gave us a good explanation. He had a catherization(sp.) and they found nothing major, just changed some meds. Last week he had to go on oxygen 24/7. his blood oxygen levels had dropped to 74, and that is why he is currently admitted. The doctors told us: "We are basically trying to just extend his time left. He has a 30% chance to make it another year." They then asked if he has a "do-not-resusitate" and a living will. None of this was said in his presence, the doctors asked us out in the hall. His emotional state is good. He thinks that he is just going to get over this and be fishing in the spring, but I am scared. I try to ask God every night for His will, not mine, but I do not want to see my Grandfather suffer. Thank you for the prayers and support.

My grandfather (and lifelong fishing buddy) is combating Stage IV and heart issues. It is a very hard thing for me and the rest of the family to deal with, and I found this forum. Hopefully, I can receive and give some support to family members going through the same thing. I am a 34 year old from Alabama. My son is named after my Grandfather, and they have the same birthday. God knew what what he was doing there. This man is my hero. He has been a father figure to me all of my life and today we were told that he has a 30% chance to make it another year.