Life Can Be Stranger Than Fiction

         This past week has been the most bizarre and emotional week I have ever lived.  On Sunday the 11th of September, my dad passed away.  The week that followed was most unusual.  I had to change my emotions from planning the funeral of my father to helping with the wedding of my son.

            I was making funeral arrangements while working on decorations for the wedding.  The morning of my son's wedding, I had to pick up my father's ashes.  I then went home and got ready for my son's wedding.  The wedding was beautiful and I did miss my father's presence, as did my mom, who began to cry during the wedding vows.

            While all this was going on, my brother-in-law was in the hospital with respiratory problems.  He did manage to get out in time for the wedding.  I really could have used my sister's support during this week, but she was at the hospital with her husband.  Very difficult for her as well, since she had just spent 2 weeks at the hospital with my father. 

            The circle of life does continue, as it should. We miss the ones who are gone while we have high hopes for those who remain.

            I take great joy in my time of sorrow knowing that my son and his new wife are starting a life together with grandchildren planned.  It will be a new adventure for me and I will remember how wonderful a grandparent my father was and strive to be great grandparent as well.

Cancer In The Family Déjà vu - Part Three - My Dad

        June 6, 1930 to September 11, 2011      

   Sometimes life has a way of making decisions for you.  In early August my dad's oncologist told him that he was responding very well to the chemotherapy.  Then his oncologist talked my dad into having full brain radiation.  My dad had no brain tumors, but his doctor told him it was to prevent them.  I did not agree with the therapy, but I was my dad's decision. 

            After the second week of full brain radiation, my dad became weak, tired and dehydrated.  My sister took him to the hospital where he was re-hydrated with IV therapy.  After five days he went home, just to return to the hospital with dehydration again.  All the time my dad was becoming much weaker.

            Our family made the decision to take my dad to my oncologist near my home.  After transferring my dad to the local hospital, he did well the first few days, but developed an infection and once again dehydrated.

            He never got to see my oncologists as he passed away Sunday, September 11, 2011.  If your doctor suggests such a radical and seeming unnecessary treatment, get a  second opinion.  When my dad was diagnosed in April 2011, we were told possible nine to twelve months.  We got less than six months.

            I feel badly that I took him so far from his home.  I believed he would at least have gotten to go home again.  As I said, life has a way of making decisions for you.

September 11, 2011

Heaven got a new angel today
Even though it makes me sad
Heaven is rejoicing
Because they got a new angel today
That new angel is my dad.
Love you always Dad!!!