He Is Ready

It has been a tough last part of the week. My Dad went into the hospital last week with another bacterial UTI that was going septic. He has been on a strong antibiotic to try and keep these UTI’s at bay. He, my Mom and sister Colleen had all contracted a pretty nasty cold. Dad and Colleen went to Urgent care and got tested for Covid and Flu. They both tested negative, but the Friday before last Dad started having symptoms of the UTI (chills, low oxygen, etc). They called for the ambulance and they came and hauled him in.

Well on Wednesday, Dad made the decision that he was not going to continue the treatment and was placed on palliative care. He has had enough and is beyond ready to go. The last 5+ years have been tough for him. He has been confined to a wheel chair for the past 4 years and has not been able to do much of anything that he would have liked to do. Believe me that was tough on all of us, but especially him. He put up a good fight, but he is ready to go.

My parents have been blessed with so many good family, friends and neighbors, who have helped and visited regularly and tolerated the numerous phone calls. One thing he could do was still talk on the phone and he did that every day. He would talk to anyone who answered, even when he dialed the wrong number. Since he has made his decision he has had a flood of visitors and I know that means a great deal to him and to me and all my family.

I am praying and ask anyone reading this to pray that the lord comes and takes him. I know this may sound cold. We all will miss him greatly

when he goes, but I feel strongly feel that when a person is ready they should be able to end it with dignity.

I cannot thank my sisters, especially my sister Colleen enough for all that she has done for Dad the last couple of years. When she got divorced, she made the decision to move back home and in with Mom and Dad and she is the only reason that my parents have been able to remain in their home. This was not easy on her. My Dad could be at times demanding and stubborn as hell. She has put up with a lot and made many sacrifices in her personal life. My sister Cindy and her husband Chad and boys have also made a lot of sacrifices and have worked their asses off. The auction we had two years ago would not have been near as successful as it was if it was not for them.

Cindy has spent the last two nights with my Dad. He has not significantly changed yet, but the change will probably happen pretty quickly once the sepsis fully kicks in. He is on Hospice care now and Cindy has been very pleased with the care that Dad has been receiving. I just hope he able to pass at the hospital and that they don’t have to move him to a nursing home. We are also thankful for my Cousin Pat Ryan for coming to sit with Dad the day he chose to go on palliative care

I will likely not get home before he passes. I am going on June 8. I have had to stay here in Mesquite for a couple of my own Dr appointments and to receive my blood pressure medicine for the summer in the mail, plus a couple of other commitments that I have. I am sure that also sounds cold, and probably is, but it is what it is.

I have talked to Dad on the phone and have been able to let him know my love for him and to thank him for all he did for me in my lifetime. I was truly blessed to have him for a father. There were times he drove me almost bat shit crazy, but he was a damn good father, both of my parents were damn good parents that both my sisters and I were lucky to have.

When Dad passes we will not be rushing to hold services for him. Cindy and her family have a trip to Washington DC and New York City with my nephew Case’s class in early June. Once they get back from that we will then figure when and where we will hold the services. This will also give my Mom and Colleen time to get over the crud they are having.

Cindy and Dad have been visiting about his services the last couple of days and whom he would like to have involved in those services. We will do our best to honor all of his wishes.

I hope Jennifer will be part of the welcoming committee there to greet him at the pearly gates and give him a tour of the joint when he gets there. It will likely be a large group as a lot of his friends and family have already passed.

Well I will end for tonight and continue my prayers for a peaceful passing for him.